TOPONYMY
TOPONYMY
Toponymy is the study of place names, their origins, meanings, and usage within geographical contexts.
It explores the linguistic and cultural aspects of naming locations.
The real story behind the name "Las Piñas" differs. Some say that the name comes from the relevance of piña (pineapples) that were first introduced to this town to be sold by traders from Cavite and Batangas, after which they were distributed to neighboring marketplaces. Some argue that the name was formerly "Las Peñas," a theory bolstered by records of stone quarries and the usage of adobe in the construction of structures like bridges. Another possibility is that the name was inspired by two political factions that were prominent at the time.
But according to an inscription on an antique church bell kept in the Las Piñas Parochial Church museum, the town was once known as "Las Peñas" when Fr. The first parish priest in the town was Diego Cera. In due course, the town's name was renamed as "Las Piñas."
“Named after Sultan Kudarat”
Sultan Kudarat was named after the 7th Sultan of Maguindanao, Muhammad Dipatuan Kudarat, most commonly known as Sultan Kudarat. For 46 years (1625-1671), Sultan Kudarat led most of Mindanao and asserted dominance over the land when the Spaniards tried to conquer his kingdom. Today, specifically in Sultan Kudarat, the city celebrates its founding anniversary every 22nd of November (Official Gazette, 2018).
“A place where Nila is found”
Maynila, the city’s local pronunciation, can already provide a glimpse of the origin of the name of the City. Back then, a plant called NILA, where one can extract natural indigo dye was prominent in the area, resulting in Maynila being referred to as a place where Nila is found or sometimes where indigo is found, for Nila is a Sanskrit word for Indigo (Blair and Robertson, 1903; Ocampo, 1990).
“Named after President Quezon”
The city’s name can be traced back to the Presidency of Manuel L. Quezon. He signed into law the Commonwealth Act No. 502, which chartered Quezon City. This law defined and cleared the boundaries of the city, the appointment of City officials, and the power of the city (Official Gazette, 1939). From that point on, after President Manuel L. Quezon put it into law, the place was called Quezon City.
Dating back to where it was first founded, 1572. Parañaque has several accounts to consider on how it earned its name. An old history states that there once stood a balete (banyan) tree at the entrance of what is now the Parañaque River, shaped like an exquisite ship. The name Palanyag comes from the word "palayag," which translates to "point of navigation."
Another to consider is the story that states that the term "my beloved" can be used to refer to Palanyag, the former name of the city, as locals feel that this term best expresses their love for their hometown. Another variant, the phrases "palayan" and "palalayag" were combined; the former denotes the rice fields that originally covered the city, while the latter spoke of the fact that many of its citizens were employed as fishermen and sailors. Additionally, it was a show of friendship and collaboration between the town's two main working classes, the farmers and the fishermen. But the nickname stayed from that day on since it was uttered by an inebriated visitor during a particular affair: "Mabuhay ang Palanyag at ang mga taga-Palanyag! (Long live Palanyag and the people of Palanyag!)".
Another legend that was passed down through the years was that after the Spaniards took the Philippines, some troops traveling in a horse-drawn carriage asked to be taken to a specific area. Conversely, the coachman did not understand a word that the Spanish soldier said. The soldiers heard them approaching and gave the order, "Para aqui, Para aqui," which means "Halt here, stop here." The coach driver did not understand and kept driving, but the soldier repeated his commands, "Para aqui, Para aqui." The coachman left the carriage and remarked, "These Spaniards are continually shouting para aniya ake... para aniya ake," to which the villagers laughed. The incident was repeated and disseminated for days, earning the nickname "para aniya ake."
The province of Cebu had a few different names before becoming what it is today. Initially, it was called "sugbo" by the people of the island because Sri Lumay, the first ruler in the 14th century used it as a tactic to prevent the Moro pirates from coming to the town. "Sugbo '' was an excerpt from the phrase Kang Sri Lumayng Sugbo which means Sri Lumay's scorched town because he would set it on fire to dissuade Moro pirates in pacifying the island. Later, when Raja Humabon—Sri Lumays' heir took over and trade thrived in Parian during his reign, it became "Sinbuayug Hingpit" or a bustling trade place, eventually shortened to "sibu" or "sibo." When the Spaniards arrived and successfully invaded the island, they renamed it Villa de San Miguel de Cebu. It was then officially named "Ciudad del Santissimo Nombre de Jesus" to honor a found image of Child Jesus in a burnt hut. Today, Cebu celebrates the Sinulog Festival every 21st of January to honour the Holy Child, Sto Nino and is considered as one of the most religious places in the Philippines .
The name "Bukidnon" is believed to have originated from the word "bukid", which means "mountain" or "highland". However, it was not just the place to which this term is referring to for it also includes the characteristics of the people living here as mountain dwellers or highlanders. Bukidnon is a province in the Philippines known for its mountainous terrain and highlands, and the name reflects its geographical features. Aside from this, the area is also home to various indigenous groups, and the name has become associated with the province and its rich cultural heritage. The province of Bukidnon bears the pride of being the Fruit and Vegetables Basket of the Mindanao for being the suitable location in cultivating fruits and vegetables and in producing enormous and essential products like rice and maize or corn.
Going back to the pre-colonial period, Bulacan earned its name from the word "bulak" or cotton, which was a principal product of the province during that time. The town of Bulacan was once a small fishing settlement along the coast of Manila Bay. These fishers then turned into farmers when the town was expanded into the interior and discovered that the lands were fertile and suitable for farming. Being the home of several national heroes (Francisco Baltazar, Marcelo H. Del Pilar, etc.), award-winning artists (Maestro Eusebio Roque, Jose Corazon de Jesus, Nicanor Abelardo, Col. Antonio Buenaventura), and various historical events(e.g. Pact of Biak-na-Bato,First Philippine Republic, first election in the country), Bulacan was inarguably one of the places that have such deep roots engraved in its soil. Aside from being the origin of some notable people and events in the Philippines history, the Province of Bulacan also strives in the industry by having its own identity through their well-known products. In the contemporary world, chicharon or fried pork skin and Sukang Paombong are just some of the famous products that instantly draw people to Bulacan.
1987 Constitution Article X Section 1: "The territorial and political subdivisions of the Republic of the Philippines are the provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays. There shall be autonomous regions in Muslim Mindanao and the Cordilleras as hereinafter provided."
1987 Constitution Article X Section 15: "There shall be created autonomous regions in Muslim Mindanao and in the Cordilleras consisting of provinces, cities, municipalities, and geographical areas sharing common and distinctive historical and cultural heritage, economic and social structures, and other relevant characteristics within the framework of this Constitution and the national sovereignty as well as territorial integrity of the Republic of the Philippines."
1987 Constitution Article X Section 19: "The first Congress elected under this Constitution shall, within eighteen months from the time of organization of both Houses, pass the organic acts for the autonomous regions in Muslim Mindanao and the Cordilleras."
Article X Sections 1, 15, and 19 of the 1987 Constitution mandated the creation of an autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao, as being one of the determining territorial and political borders of the Philippines. Autonomous regions share a common culture and social structure and their governmental authority is recognized by the State.
R.A. No. 6734 Article I Section 1: "The name of the Autonomous Region shall be the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao unless provided otherwise by Congress upon the recommendation of the Regional Legislative Assembly."
R.A. No. 6734 of 1998 catered immediately to the mandate. The first name of the autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao had been Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
R.A. No. 11054 Article I Section 2: "Name. - The political entity under this Organic Law shall be known as the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, hereinafter referred to as the "Bangsamoro Autonomous Region"."
Two decades later, R.A. No. 11054 created an Organic Law, further strengthening the regions autonomy and thereby naming it Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.
R.A. No. 6976: "The name of the Municipality of Sexmoan in the Province of Pampanga is hereby changed to Municipality of Sasmuan."
The Municipality of Sasmuan in Pampanga only received its current official name in 1991, through the enactment of R.A. No. 6976. Prior to this, its name had been Sexmoan.
R.A. No. 6976: "The name of the Municipality of Sexmoan in the Province of Pampanga is hereby changed to Municipality of Sasmuan."
The Municipality of Sasmuan in Pampanga only received its current official name in 1991, through the enactment of R.A. No. 6976. Prior to this, its name had been Sexmoan.
Its name in 1734 had been more distant to its present. The map Carto Hydrographica y Chorographica delas Yslas Filipinas of Murillo Velarde had it labeled as Sifmuã.
The name Zamboanga is derived from the Malay word jambangan, which means a place of flowers. Bougainvillea, orchids, and other tropical flowers grow the Zamboanga City.
ANTHROPONYMY
Anthroponymy is the study of personal names, including their origins, meanings, and cultural significance.
It explores how names are used to identify and represent individuals within a society.
According to a census conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority, DELA CRUZ, GARCIA, REYES, RAMOS, and MENDOZA are the top 5 surnames here in the Philippines in 2018.
1. Reyes - Reyes is a Spanish surname that means "kings." This surname is common among Filipinos, indicating the historical impact of Spanish colonial rulers.
2. Dela Cruz - This is another Spanish-derived common surname among Filipinos. "Dela Cruz" translates to "of the cross" in Spanish, indicating how strongly Christianity has influenced the Philippines.
3. Garcia - Spanish (García): from a medieval personal name of uncertain origin. It is normally found in medieval records in the Latin form Garsea, and may well be of pre-Roman origin, perhaps akin to Basque (h)artz 'bear '(Latin ursus)."
4. Ramos - Spanish in origin, the surname "Ramos" has a number of different origins and meanings. The surname may have previously been used to identify someone who lived close to a branch or bough of a tree, according to one popular theory that it is derived from the Old Spanish word "ramo," which means "branch" or "bough."
5. Mendoza - The word "Mendoza" may have originated from the Basque language, which is spoken in portions of France and Spain. A place's topography or distinctive features may also be connected to a surname. In Basque, "Mendotza" means "cold mountain," "mendi" means "mountain," and "otza" means "cold."
The Claveria Decree of 1849
During its time in the Philippines, the Spanish colonial authority issued the Clavería Decree of 1849, often referred to as the Spanish Royal Decree of November 21, 1849. Governor-General Narciso Clavería, who was instrumental in putting it into action, is honored by the name.
Many Filipinos at the period did not have Spanish surnames, hence this order required the systematic distribution of surnames to the native Filipino people. The edict gave Filipinos surnames based on a list of Spanish surnames in order to make taxation, conscription, and administration easier. It significantly altered many Filipino families' surnames.
REFERENCES
An Act Changing the Name of the Municipality of Sexmoan in the Province of Pampanga to Municipality of Sasmuan, Republic Act No. 6976 (1991), https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/2/2518
An Act Declaring November 22 of Every year as a Special Non-working Holiday in the Province of Sultan Kudarat in Commemoration of its Founding Anniversary, Republic Act No. 11126 (2018), https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2018/10/30/republic-act-no-11126/
An Act Providing for an Organic Act for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Republic Act No. 6734 (1989), https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra1989/ra_6734_1989.html
An Act Providing for the Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Automous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Repealing for the Purpose Republic Act No. 6734, Entitled "An Act Providing for An Organic Act for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao," As Amended by Republic Act No. 9054, Entitled "An Act to Strengthen and Expand the Organic Act for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao", Republic Act No. 11054 (2018), https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2018/ra_11054_2018.html
An Ordinance Enacting the New Provincial Administrative Code of Bulacan. (n.d.). https://rightonthemark.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/new-provincial-administrative-code-of-bulacan_2.pdf
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Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2023, June 14). Zamboanga City. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/Zamboanga-City
Charter of Quezon City, Commonwealth Act No. 502 (October 12, 1939), https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1939/10/12/commonwealth-act-no-502/
Const. (1987), art. X, § 1 (Phil.). https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/constitutions/1987-constitution/
Const. (1987), art. X, § 15 (Phil.). https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/constitutions/1987-constitution/
Const. (1987), art. X, § 19 (Phil.). https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/constitutions/1987-constitution/
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