Fetalvero: Responding to our name

WHAT is in a name? In our celebrated christening, the officiating priest baptized us by that chosen name, deliberated for days by our parents. We respond to that name, we negotiate with it, and that name goes with us to our grave. We are proud to see our name in the list of those who passed the board exams. We look for our name in the voter’s list. Credit is granted because we have money in the bank under our account name. In school, our teacher acknowledges our raised hand with our name. We raise hell when people malign our name and we get offended when people mispronounce it. Since we do not want our names to be in the list of wanted persons, we stay out of trouble. We are certain when our mother is upset with us. Read: She pronounces every syllable in our given name.

We live in a society, such that when we dishonor our name, we dishonor our family, our community, and our country. That is the very reason why we should protect our name.

The seemingly harmless dash after our name and the words that come after it describe what we did to honor or dishonor that name.

Associated with our name are our deeds that would ultimately distinguish us from our neighbors.

Journalist Arnold Clavio interviewed Sen. Bongbong Marcos and asked the politician how he would describe his farther, former president Ferdinand Marcos. Sen. Marcos pointed out the word inscribed on the tombstone of his father: “Filipino.”

Ranking next in importance to our name is our citizenship. Our overseas Filipino workers are discriminated abroad. Since we migrate in different points of the compass, we have more reason to protect our name and be more wary of what we do as citizens of this country.

Manny Pacquiao and other celebrated athletes who brought honor to our country have their names in the Hall of Fame. Names of family members inscribed on the trophies displayed at home—priceless.