Federico Caballero is a Filipino
chanter
The chanter is the part of the bagpipe upon which the player creates the melody. It consists of a number of finger-holes, and in its simpler forms looks similar to a recorder. On more elaborate bagpipes, such as the Northumbrian bagpipes or the ...
of
Philippine epic poetry
Philippine epic poetry is the body of epic poetry in Philippine literature. Filipino epic poetry is considered to be the highest point of development for Philippine folk literature, encompassing narratives that recount the adventures of tribal her ...
. Caballero is a recipient of the
National Living Treasures Award.
Early life
Born on December 25, 1938,
Caballero is of the Panay-Bukidnon people from the Central Panay mountains.
Work
He is known for his work on the documentation of the oral literature, particularly the ten epics. These epics are rendered in an
extinct language
An extinct language is a language that no longer has any speakers, especially if the language has no living descendants. In contrast, a dead language is one that is no longer the native language of any community, even if it is still in use, li ...
related to
Kinaray-a
The Karay-a language ( krj, label=none, Kinaray-a, krj, label=none, Binisayâ nga Kinaray-a or krj, label=none, Hinaraya; en, Harayan) is an Austronesian regional language in the Philippines spoken by the Karay-a people, mainly in Antique, Il ...
.
Caballero, who is also called Nong Pedring, learned about epics from his mother and his grandmother, Anggoy Omil who would chant these to him and his siblings as a lullaby. When Anggoy and his mother died, he went on to continue the traditions and documented these epics which are referred to as the Labaw Dunggon and Humadapnon epics with researchers. He worked with the Bureau of Nonformal Education, to teach people how to read and write and would promote the tradition of epic chanting despite the initial objection of his children.
He also worked as the ''manughusay'' in his local community, an arbiter who helps resolves disputes and conflicts in the community. He is considered as a ''bantugan'' due to his positive influence extending beyond his community.
The
National Commission for Culture and the Arts
The National Commission for Culture and the Arts of the Philippines ( fil, Pambansang Komisyon para sa Kultura at mga Sining, ceb, Nasodnong Komisyon alang sa Budaya ug mga Arte) is the official government agency for culture in the Philippines. ...
recognized him as a
National Living Treasure in the year 2000 for "weaving the fabric of oral tradition".
Personal life
Caballero is married to Lucia (who is a ''binukot'', a title similar to a princess in Panay-Bukidnon tradition)
and has three children.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Caballero, Federico
1938 births
Living people
National Living Treasures of the Philippines
20th-century Filipino male singers
Filipino folk singers