Who Am I?

My Name is Biday, it sounds interesting, isn't it?

Gone were the ugly days in my life when I was ridiculed because of my name.

I am an Igorot yet I was not named with the common native names like Bangan, Sugaypan, Bogan or Aniway. I possessed an Ilocano name Biday which is derived from the serenade type of song, Manang Biday.

In my 21 years of existence in the living world, I have seen how other people mocked me for my old fashioned name. Others said that it sounds awkward. Some teased me by singing the “Manang Biday” and then after that, they would often burst out a ridiculing laughter. When I was a grade school pupil, my fellow children had also used to ridicule me because of my name. I remembered that I‘ve been running after them, and ended up crying in a corner. Maybe that’s the reason that I have grown to be a loner.

Why Biday? I asked my mother who give me that name. She answered “because the name itself portrays a decent Filipina’s who is modest, industrious, honest, humble, kind, and generous. I like all these good values but who among the modern Filipinos today know that my nickname is associated with such?

Though I am dubbed to be the Manang Biday in our little barrio in Sabangan, Mountain Province, my registered name is Hemilita Mellio Lagmay.

The name Herrmilita was derived from the names of my sweet, loving grandmothers from both sides of my parents. The name of my father’s mother is Herminia whereas the name of my lola from the mother side is Elizabeth.

The name is commonly heard in the Philippines. It sounds like Paulita, Conchita, Nenita, Lolita and other names connected with the word “Lita” in the end.  Associated with name is the word makaluma or old fashion.  I could say that my name is in lined with the names from the 1960’s, 1970’s or 1980’s.

Unlike before, the names that mushroomed our nation today are mostly combined two names such as Christian James, Kian Jay, Mary Grace and many more. I could also say that my name, Hermilita  is from today’s modern Era because it is the combination of Hermie and Lita. What a funny name indeed!

Being named after my lolas, I have inherited some of their characteristics and attitudes.  My small-structured face, thick eyebrows, cute-sized nose, red lips, silky-smooth hair and dark complexion are the most remarkable inheritance I’ve got from my Lola Elizabeth. Some of the people in our barrio say that she is my carbon-copy for having an appealing appearance like her.

On the other hand, Lola Herminia taught me to keep my strong fighting spirit and self-confidence so that I will remain standing in the battleground of my life.  She also taught me to stay humble, kind and generous to my fellowmen especially to the needy ones. Moreover, she deliberately imparted me the sense of “utang na loob” (being grateful when I have been indebted to other people). I have learned to incorporate these values in my life.

I am now a fully grown lady. Thanks to those names which in a way have help in molding me into a better woman. I have seen the implications of those names in my life. Though they are as simple as a single cloud but they have made arrays of rainbow colors in me. The good values associated with them have penetrated my life.

I do not have all those good attitudes but I am looking forward to put them in my heart them so that in a sense, I will be the exact semblance of a true Filipina.