A distinct character of the Maranao(w) courtship is the so-called maratabat, or vengeful courtship. It is a kind of courtship pursued out of spite. Its avowed purpose is not love, as should be the case, but to get even, to uphold personal honor which is often equated with family honor. It usually arises out of a girl having offended an immediate kin of a man. Thus, it can be seen that the offense committed is not always upon the person of the party seeking to avenge an insult perpetrated but on another as well who is a close kin.
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Source:
Anima, N. 1975. Courtship and Marriage Practices among Philippine Tribes. La Loma: Omar.