Saturday, January 13, 2018

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 tertremeans "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! 

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