What's in a Name?

What is in a name?  I remember reading somewhere that some foreigners have found it amusing and peculiar Filipinos' penchant of giving their children names which connote various and different meanings. Come to think of it, I grew up very fond and proud of my name, William, since many world famous persons bear said name. Among them, I like William Shakespeare most as I happened to read some of his writings such as "Julius Caesar", "Midsummer Night's Dream" and "Hamlet". When I was still in my hometown and staying at the parish convent as a factotum, I looked over my baptismal record and I found out that my listed name is Guillermo and not William. However, as my school records had William as my name, I did not bother to change it. Of course, even at my senior years, I enjoy the hilarious feeling of having various nicknames such as Boy, Willy, Bill and Willyboy.

Going back to Filipinos' distinct, queer and sometimes confusing name-giving, many parents name their kids after flowers and what have you. Thus, Rose seems to be the overwhelming favorite female appellation derived from the name of a flower with Mary as the run-away choice name from saints. For males, John and Joseph or the Filipino version seem to predominate. On the other hand, few parents name their kids Jesus out of deep reverence for the Son of God. Why? As parents tend to harshly reprimand their erring sons, it would be a sign of great disrespect for the Creator to utter harsh words against a son named Jesus.

The Damaged Culture of Filipinos - Ultimate Episode

Under the Americans, the Filipinos in general pursued their quest for independence under the leadership of Aguinaldo. However, the Ilustrados abandoned Aguinaldo and offered their services to the Americans which offer was readily accepted. Thus, political opportunism commenced and highlighted the division among the Filipinos running through several generations until the present.

Fast forward to the Philippines post World War 2. The devastation wrought on the economy by the brutal Japanese occupation intensified the political division damaging further the national psyche. The Filipinos who collaborated with the Japanese during the war for whatever reasons were either indicted in court or ostracized in society.

The Damaged Culture of Filipinos - Penultimate Episode

Our ancestors during the Spanish period had education provided in schools established by the religious orders. This enabled the people to learn how to read and write which in the long term provided the basis to yearn for freedom denied by the Spanish conquerors. Despite the benefits derived from the conquerors, the conquered would pine and work for the liberty to chart the destiny without the dictates of said conquerors. 

Many have wondered why the Filipinos endured more than 300 years under Spanish rule. One plausible reason could be the divide and conquer stratagem of the Spanish rulers. It was helped immensely by the intense proselytizing efforts of the Spanish missionaries who converted many Filipinos to Catholicism. Remember Rajah Humabon of Cebu who was baptized by a Catholic priest accompanying the Portuguese explorer, Ferdinand Magellan.