Filipino dad's obsessive love for daughter ends horribly｜House on Zapote Street｜True Crime Asia

Summary

In the 1960s Philippines, the Combating family murders shocked the nation. Retired police officer Pablo Cabading's extreme control over his daughter Lydia led to a tragic end. Lydia's relationship with Dr. Leonardo Kitangon faced numerous obstacles due to Pablo's overbearing nature. When Lydia became pregnant and attempted to leave with Leonardo, Pablo's jealousy culminated in a bloody massacre at their home on Zapote Street, leaving the family dead and the nation horrified by this real-life horror story.

Takeaways

• 🏝️ The Philippines is known for its breathtaking islands, hospitable people, and strong family ties, deeply rooted in its Christian faith.
• 🔒 The cultural expectation in the Philippines often involves children, especially daughters, taking care of their parents in their old age.
• 🔫 The Combating Family Murders, also known as the House on Zapote Street, is a notorious case from the 1960s that shocked the nation.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The case involves a family patriarch, Pablo Cabading, who was responsible for the deaths of his family members, including his daughter Lydia and son-in-law Dr. Leonardo Kitangon.
• 🚫 Pablo Cabading exhibited extreme control and possessiveness over his daughter Lydia, which led to a toxic and abusive family dynamic.
• 🤰 Lydia's pregnancy and the suspicion of Pablo's paternity added a layer of complexity and possible motive to the case.
• 🚫 Dr. Leonardo Kitangon, despite being a professor and a doctor, was unable to escape the oppressive control of his father-in-law.
• 🔒 The case highlights the clash between traditional family values and the need for individual freedom and autonomy.
• 🎬 The story was later adapted into a book and a film, which became popular and controversial due to its depiction of incest and authoritarian figures.
• 🏡 The house at 1074 Zapote Street remains a symbol of the tragic events that unfolded there and the dark secrets of the Cabading family.

Q & A

What is the cultural background of the Philippines that influenced the Cabading family's situation?

The Philippines is known for strong family ties and hospitality, rooted in its Christian faith, particularly Roman Catholicism. This cultural background often results in close-knit communities and expectations for children to care for their parents in old age.

What was the significance of the house on Zapote Street in the Cabading family murders?

The house on Zapote Street was the scene of the Cabading family murders. It was where the tragic events unfolded, and it symbolizes the extreme control and obsession of the father, Pablo Cabading, over his daughter, Lydia.

How did Dr. Leonardo Kitangon meet Lydia Cabading, and what was unusual about their relationship?

Dr. Leonardo Kitangon met Lydia Cabading when she was a medical intern. What was unusual was Lydia's extreme reticence about her home life and her father's overbearing control, which manifested in her constant need to inform him of her whereabouts and her reluctance to stay out late.

What was the nature of Pablo Cabading's control over Lydia, and how did it affect her marriage?

Pablo Cabading's control over Lydia was extreme and obsessive. He would accompany her on dates, demanded she stay in the living room under his watch, and even during her honeymoon, he demanded she sleep in her mother's room instead of with her husband. This control severely affected her marriage, causing tension and conflict.

What was the turning point that led to the Cabading family murders?

The turning point was when Leonardo decided to move out with Lydia, against Pablo's wishes. This led to a series of ultimatums and threats from Pablo, culminating in the murders when Lydia attempted to leave the house for good.

How did the public react to the Cabading family murders, and what was the impact on Filipino society?

The Cabading family murders shocked the nation and became one of the most well-known real-life horror stories in the Philippines. It touched upon core Filipino values and led to discussions about respect for authority, family ties, and the influence of an authoritarian figure.

What role did the film adaptation of the Cabading family murders play in Philippine culture?

The film adaptation, which debuted in 1981, is considered one of the best films in the country. It was revolutionary for featuring incest on screen for the first time and contributed to the immortalization of the story in Philippine art and culture.

What were the speculations about the relationship between Pablo Cabading and his daughter Lydia?

There were speculations that Pablo's intense jealousy stemmed from seeing Lydia as his possession or even his secret lover. The film adaptation insinuated sexual relations between them, which was supported by the book author revealing that Pablo sometimes hid under their bed.

Why did Mrs. Ascension Cabading file a temporary restraining order against the film adaptation?

Mrs. Ascension Cabading filed a temporary restraining order to prevent the film from being shown to protect her family's privacy and to shield the true details of their relationship, which remained a mystery.

What is the significance of the house at 1074 Zapote Street today?

The house at 1074 Zapote Street remains as the only witness to the tragic events that occurred and stands as a haunting reminder of the extreme consequences of family dynamics when pushed to the extreme.