Auspicious Name for an Auspicious Start

In genealogy, discovering the meaning of names is one way to learn more about a person and his family. While it does not always necessarily mean an honorable name points to an honorable person, some names do tend to mean something bigger, better.

The newly sworn-in Vice Mayor of Davao City, Hon. Bernard Al-ag, is a concrete example. The Al-ag name is a uniquely indigenous Filipino name, not one adopted from the Spaniards. Interestingly, the surname 'Al-ag' comes from the Bisaya word "aláag", which refers to the waxing moon, or near full moon. In Lunar symbolism, the waxing moon is a time to attract, a time for bringing positive change, love, good luck, and growth. This is a time for new beginnings, to conceptualize ideas, to invoke all that is good. 

This positive and auspicious meaning to his name goes very well with the meaning of Mayor Sara's own name. 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". With this tandem of symbolic family names, hopefully Davao's growth will continue and benefit all its people.

Good luck, VM Al-ag! 

From Pakyaw to Pacquiao: Variants of Manny's Surname

As the world waits one more day before the historic fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, Jr., I would like to add more to yesterday's brief article on Manny Pacquiao's last name.

The original spelling as seen in the Catalogo

The surname PACQUIAO is a derivation of the family name PAQUIAO, a last name that was listed in the Catalogo Alfabetico de Apellidos. As the Catalogo can show, the surnames contained there are from various sources: some are direct listing of Hispanic surnames taken from various surname lists, others are from the plant, animal, and mineral worlds, still others are common Spanish words. Then there are those taken from indigenous words. In the case of Manny Pacquiao, his last name is derived from the Cebuano word pakyaw, which means "wholesale" or "to buy or pay in bulk".

The surname appears in various forms throughout the Philippines: Paquiao, Pacquiao, Pakiao, Pakyaw, and Pakiaw. In an interview he gave a few years ago, Manny stated that his father's roots are from Pinamungajan, Cebu. So, to find out what variations Manny's last name has taken, I looked at the church records of Pinamungajan and found that before the current form took hold, it appeared as PAQUIAO and PAKIAO (see photos below):

Two variants of Pacquiao from Pinamungajan, Cebu, Manny's dad's birthplace

Whatever version of Pacquiao, I wish him all the best in his fight tomorrow! Bring more glory to the Philippines, Manny!

Top 50 Family Names in Cebu City

Cebu City has always had a very rich amalgamation of culture. Food, dances, folklore, and others. Part of this rich mix includes family names. In a previous article regarding the premier families of the Queen City of the South, 60 family names were enumerated to be the most influential. However, today, a century or more later, though many of the same families can still be considered popular, they are no longer as populous. 

Today, on Cebu City's charter day, I have decided to list down the most numerous surnames in Cebu City. Below are the Top 50 Family Names in Cebu City and their corresponding number of people carrying the name.