“Let’s set this issue straight once and for all!
I can’t take it anymore!
Enough is enough!
You’ve known me for a long time and you don’t even know my name!”
Can you believe it? Even some of my closest relatives and friends aren’t sure how to pronounce my name correctly.
I’m called many ways and therefore many names. Usually, I just smile or laugh at them when they mispronounce my very short name. But deep inside, I feel some kind of resentment and frustration. Actually, I’m annoyed!
How do you think I should feel when a close relative calls me “Hell”? I’m sure they don’t really mean what it meant. They are simply unaware.
Some even called me
Jill
or
Gill
or
Gel
Arrrrrrghhh!!!
I remember when I graduated from seminary. During the rehearsal, I approached the Provost who was assigned to call the graduates. I said : “Madam, although my name starts with a ”G” it is actually pronounced with an ”H” Hil. She made a note to remind herself. Guess what? During the actual graduation she read my name ”Jill Valenzuela”
I almost did not want to go on stage when she called me. I did not let this small mistake spoil my big moment. But I felt like half of my face was frowning and half was smiling.
I always find myself lecturing people on how to pronounce my name correctly. “My name is spelled with a “G” but it is pronounced with an H sound “- Hil.
But many seemed oblivious to my explanation. They still call me “Gill”. Until one day I made a decision. “Let “Gill” be my American name from now on”. Since then I respond to “Gil” without being annoyed. I tolerate this amongst the white and non-Filipinos. But I have zero tolerance among the Filipinos. I don’t give them any excuse for mispronouncing my name. After all, my name is very native. My parents took it from a Tagalog calendar. “Your name was one of the suggested names for a boy born on the first of September”, my mother explained to me.
So, let us set it straight.
My name is Gil- pronounced
Heal
Or
Heel
NOT Hill
NOT Gill
Is that clear?
My friend, you seemed very confused!
Don’t worry I forgive you. Mispronouncing my name is not really a big sin!
After all,
“What’s in a name?” Shakespeare said!
“Call a rose another name and it will smell the same.”
Have a nice day!
myJOURNEY 