ILOILO – The family of the late Federico Caballero, Ilonggo national folk artist, received financial assistance from the provincial government.
Caballero, who passed away on August 17 at the age of 88, was bestowed the Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan in 2000 by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, an accolade recognizing his significant efforts in preserving the oral traditions of the Panay-Bukidnon indigenous people. This recognition is equivalent to the Order of National Artist.
On Wednesday, September 4, Provincial Administrator Raul Banias, representing Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., handed over P30,000 to Caballero’s daughter, Rowena Caballero-Rafil, at the provincial capitol.
Known affectionately as Tay Pedring, Caballero dedicated his life to practicing, transmitting, and documenting his community’s oral literature, particularly the sugidanon, which comprises 10 epics narrated in the archaic and complex poetic language of Ligbok.
During the cash assistance turnover, Banias also presented plans for the establishment of a School of Living Traditions at the Fernandez Perez Memorial National High School in Barangay Datagan, Calinog, Iloilo.
Caballero’s cultural contributions have been immortalized in the book “Suguidanon,” published by the University of the Philippines Press. Caballero’s work extended beyond his community as he collaborated with scholars, artists, and cultural advocates to revitalize and promote nearly lost elements of the Panay-Bukidnon oral heritage./PN
