Chapter Three
The Caballeros Impact on the Community | What it meant to be a progeny of the Caballeros in Cotabato
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What it meant to be a progeny of
the Caballeros in Cotabato
The progenies of the Caballeros, particularly the first and second generations, were in their physical features distinguished from the rest of the residents of the area by their markedly Castilian look - perk nose, fair complexion, relatively towering height, brown eyes, curly hair and rosy cheeks. This plus the fact that they were big landowners engendered in them a feeling of difference, almost superiority from the rest of the populace.
The strongly patriarchal tradition which the original Caballeros imbibed from their homeland Spain was further enhanced by their circumstances -marriage with native women who were not their equal - economically and socially; raising and bringing up their children not in their native land. Thus the families of the Caballeros and their progenies became highly patriarchal - with the father almost an absolute ruler in the family and household.
Discipline was strongly imposed in the progenies' household by the father of the family. He sets up the house rules which the children and other household members were obliged to follow strictly on pain of punishments for violations or infractions (such as kneeling before the family altar on mongo beans for several minutes).
Some of these rules had to do with the practice of their faith, particularly with regard to participation in the regularly scheduled daily prayer. Such was the importance given to the practice of their Catholic faith among the Caballeros and their progenies that the first communion of a child occasioned a big family celebration, marked with more festivities than birthdays and the like. Christmas was celebrated not only by the family but by all the people in their landholdings with the families of the Caballeros and their progenies providing food and other goodies for everyone.
Some of these rules had to do with various aspects of their lives. To a large extent, the lifestyles of the progenies were highly structured because of these rules. Just as everyone is expected to be present during the daily family prayers, so also during mealtime. Meal time followed a strict schedule and everyone is also expected to be present and on time.
These practices, along with special family gatherings and celebrations, explain the very close family ties prevailing among the succeeding generations of progenies of the Caballeros.
The Castilian heritage was also perpetuated through favorite Spanish dishes such as lengua, pochero, mechado, menudo, embutido, and omelet. Christmas celebration featured the traditional queso de bola, jamón, and paella on the holiday table.
With the passing of generations and of time, many of these traditions and practices have been dropped. However, close family solidarity, respect for one's elder, practice of the Catholic faith remain characteristic traits of the Caballeros' progenies.
The strongly patriarchal tradition which the original Caballeros imbibed from their homeland Spain was further enhanced by their circumstances -marriage with native women who were not their equal - economically and socially; raising and bringing up their children not in their native land. Thus the families of the Caballeros and their progenies became highly patriarchal - with the father almost an absolute ruler in the family and household.
Discipline was strongly imposed in the progenies' household by the father of the family. He sets up the house rules which the children and other household members were obliged to follow strictly on pain of punishments for violations or infractions (such as kneeling before the family altar on mongo beans for several minutes).
Some of these rules had to do with the practice of their faith, particularly with regard to participation in the regularly scheduled daily prayer. Such was the importance given to the practice of their Catholic faith among the Caballeros and their progenies that the first communion of a child occasioned a big family celebration, marked with more festivities than birthdays and the like. Christmas was celebrated not only by the family but by all the people in their landholdings with the families of the Caballeros and their progenies providing food and other goodies for everyone.
Some of these rules had to do with various aspects of their lives. To a large extent, the lifestyles of the progenies were highly structured because of these rules. Just as everyone is expected to be present during the daily family prayers, so also during mealtime. Meal time followed a strict schedule and everyone is also expected to be present and on time.
These practices, along with special family gatherings and celebrations, explain the very close family ties prevailing among the succeeding generations of progenies of the Caballeros.
The Castilian heritage was also perpetuated through favorite Spanish dishes such as lengua, pochero, mechado, menudo, embutido, and omelet. Christmas celebration featured the traditional queso de bola, jamón, and paella on the holiday table.
With the passing of generations and of time, many of these traditions and practices have been dropped. However, close family solidarity, respect for one's elder, practice of the Catholic faith remain characteristic traits of the Caballeros' progenies.
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The Caballeros Impact on the Community | What it meant to be a progeny of the Caballeros in Cotabato