There are many, many unique things about the Philippines. Naming one’s kid is one of them. For instance, would you ever think of naming their baby girl to honor the three major Philippine islands — Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao: Luzviminda. How clever is that?! But many years later, after that initial adventure into a name, Filipino parents have become even more bold and creative. Bold because there was a time when the priests intervened with the naming of a child, stipulating that the name MUST include a saint’s name. Thus, came the proliferation of Marias along with the chosen name such as Maria Socorro, Maria Lourdes, Maria Barbara, Maria Susana et al. Why even Maria inserted in in a male offspring’s name such as Jose Maria, Ruben Maria!
Currently, Filipino parents have decided to solidify their union further by combining their names to name their child. Amazing names have cropped up as such, like: Vandolph (Vanessa/Dolphy), Encardo (Encarnacion/Ricardo), Norben (Nora/Benjamin), Benilda (Ben/Nilda), name it, you can do it!
Nicknames have also made leaps and bounds in creativity: the regular occurrence of repetition in the Tagalog language has come to age in names starting with Jun Jun, then came: Lot Lot, Ben Ben, Bong Bong, Mot Mot, Bot Bot, Mop Mop, Boop Boop, Pao Pao, Ling Ling, Bao Bao, Beng Beng, Weng Weng!
What about the curious addition of H as well, such as in: Bhong, Wheng, Bheng, Dhang, how great was that? A teacher even suggested that I add an H to my name to give it more flavor! Whilma, and wrote thus in my school record. That it messed me up! It did not jibe with the rest of my records!
There is no rhyme or reason for these things. But let me tell you, the simpler you name your kids, the more grateful they will be when they grow up. I know parents who name their kids a mile long, similar to the royalties of England! Like, impostors might be on the rise to take over their title, wealth (or debt maybe?)! And on top of that, they give the poor kid a nickname that is nonexistent in the long name they invented, example: Maria Socorro Rebecca’s nickname is Myrna! Just say only in the Philippines!
In the olden days, a superstition which still prevails, is giving the child a nickname for common and public use. Apparently, the birth name is to be a secret as it could later be used to hex the child. Thus, almost every Filipino has a nickname. It can also be a term of endearment from the parents, which is unfortunately, hard to live down even when you are 85, such as: Baby, Boy, Tata, Baby Girl, Cutie Pie, Lovely, Cherry Pie, and Precious which has become so popular now.
The real juicy part of calling people at work or amongst friends (bansag) which indicate a physical disability and made fun of: Si Ngo Ngo for the guy with the cleft palate, Si Pilay o Pilandot for the person with a smaller leg and limps around. And the crippled one becomes Si Lumpo. Can’t be more descriptive than that! I once had a coworker who was called Batman. Curiously, I asked. Reply: Kasi Malaki ang panga niya parang si Batman! There is also Doc Pasta, who I thought was a dentist. But is not, just because his surname is Pasta!
From 4th to 6th grade, I was not spared. Called Kirat (scarface) by nearly all the boys in the other class (boys and girls were separate), as a scar developed when a fell. Isn’t that great! You can say humor borders on the ruthless and merciless amongst Filipinos, especially the youth.
Unbeknownst to nonFIlipinos, are also given code names, such as: Si Kanta (for Singh), for a pronounced chin, Si Baba, for bulging eyes, Si Bisugo. For the heavy one who dresses like a nun, Tuko sa Madre de Cacao! For the gym buff, Si Matipuno. This is so they are in the dark that they are actually being talked about!
The effeminates are generally called beki, especially for the newly made ladies. The player or playboy is now called Daniel Padilla (an actor who recently made some sexual escapades). The creativity of Filipinos is amazingly infinite.
Filipinos who’d rather speak English than Tagalog amongst their fellow Pinoys are ruefully called Inglisera, in school as well as at work. It is not a flattering moniker, that is for sure.
Could this be the reason why Filipinos are so tough and resilient? Feelings are not spared. Name calling, and bullying is part of life in the Philippine scenario, in and out of schools, for the young, as well as for the old. Nobody is sacred, even the president and the first lady. It also dominates the workplace if more of the population are Filipinos. If you start with a weak heart and sensitive stomach, you will end up strong and tough, like Superman! Beware, however, there are prickly ones, nonetheless. Mga pikon!
You might have also inadvertently consigned your precious child to hell by naming the poor kid something that could be the perfect fuse for bullying! Like Benilla is now Gorilla!
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