To celebrate the birthday of our president, here are 2 little what-ifs on President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
First What-If: PRESIDENT RODRIGO ROA VELOSO
The first what-if is something I have already mentioned before: What if President Rodrigo Duterte's great-great-grandfather, Maximo Veloso, had married his great-great-grandmother, Dionisia Duterte? Then we would have had a President Rodrigo Roa Veloso, and not Duterte, today. However, the genealogical gods decided otherwise. Dionisia Duterte never married Maximo Veloso and their son, Isabelo, initially carried Duterte as his last name. For legal purposes he went by Isabelo Duterte, but in public he was known as Isabelo Veloso as apparently he was recognized as a son by Maximo. Thus, Isabelo became the father of Facundo, who also carried Duterte as his surname, who in turn was the father of Vicente, President Duterte's father.
The Duterte name, from the French du tertre, means "hillock" or a "small mound", but is also an allusion to "rising above others" or "prominence" or "elevation". Compare this with Veloso, which is from the Portuguese word veloso which means "hairy", derived from the Latin villosus, itself a combination of villus (“hair”) + -ōsus (“full of”). I think even President Duterte's critics would agree with me that a president whose surname means "rising above others" or "prominence" or "elevation" is better than someone whose surname means "hairy".
Second What-If: PRESIDENT RODRIGO ROA DUARTE
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| President Duterte's birth registration (courtesy of LDS FamilySearch) |
The second what-if is this: on President Duterte's birth registration in Maasin, Southern Leyte, his original last name (as was his father's) was actually Duarte. This was corrected to Duterte, and the stroke suggests that the same person who wrote "Duarte" also wrote "Duterte". Imagine if this was not corrected, and if President Duterte had decided to just use the wrong surname, then he would have been President Rodrigo Roa Duarte today!
Happy Birthday, Mr. President!
This is a fascinating look at how genealogy can shape history in unexpected ways. The story shows that even a single family decision generations ago could have changed a president's surname and perhaps how history remembers him. Researching family lineage requires careful documentation and credible evidence, much like academic research. If you're wondering how many references for 8000 word dissertation are appropriate, this reminds us that strong research always depends on well-supported sources and accurate records to build a reliable narrative.
ReplyDeleteGenealogy offers a valuable way to explore how family histories connect with the broader story of a community. Research into Davao's past can help readers better understand the people, relationships, and historical circumstances that shaped the region. I appreciate resources that encourage people to look beyond familiar names and examine the records and stories that contribute to a fuller picture of history. Thoughtful attention to heritage and personal identity can also inspire an appreciation for meaningful keepsakes and timeless accessories like Moissanite Jewelry, Moissanite Earrings, and Moissanite Necklace.
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