I am Mussolini

Afew days ago, Google Alert notified me that my name was posted online. There was this article written in the Philippine Daily Inquirer with the title, “What’s in a name?” It was written by Ms. Isabel T. Escoda, who is based in Cebu.

The article talks about many points, one of which is the way media fosters the celebrity culture of giving more importance to Pia Wurtzbach’s name than on Christine Mae Calima’s achievement at the Philippine Military Academy. Ms. Calima placed second in the 2016 graduating class of the prestigious military school.

Ms. Escoda wrote, “Indeed, other Filipinos sport equally extraordinary names: One of Pacquiao’s daughters was christened Queen Elizabeth, a Cebu reporter goes by the name of Princess Dawn Felicitas, and then there’s a Davao newspaper columnist named Mussolini Lidasan. For a country that has elected officials like Vice President Jejomar ( Jesus/Joseph/Mary) Binay to high office, this is perfectly normal.”

I agree at some point in saying that it is perfectly normal to use these names. But what is “normal”? Who defines it? And why did she use me as an example without even knowing who I am.

The title “What’s in a name?” can be connected to the famous Shakespeare line, “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet,” in the play “Romeo and Juliet.”

Almost all cultures of humanity would say that there is power over how we name things or how we name ourselves and others. Names have long been immortalized in different languages, prose, poetry, and even religious rituals. Everyone recognizes himself or herself by name. Philosophers or even psychologists will raise the question: How does a name influence a person’s character?

My name is actually not taken from the Italian fascist leader, Benito Mussolini. My name was given to me by my father, Tahir (meaning the pure one). My name is actually taken from two Maguindanaon words: “mussol” / ”dudsol” meaning full or abundance; and “lini” means love. My dad and my mom named me “Mussol-Lini” because they wanted their youngest son to be a “man full of love.”

It was a struggle for me way back in my elementary days even until now, when I speak in conferences/seminars. When I introduce myself, the audience asks me where is Hitler and Stalin? But instead of answering their question, I share to them the story of my name.

I am not a facist nor anything like that Italian leader. The first paragraph of Rumi’s poem, “One Song,” says: “Every war and every conflict between human beings has happened because of some disagreement about names.” Naming people, places, and objects can sometimes be a source of conflict.

The second paragraph, says: “It is such an unnecessary foolishness, because just beyond the arguing there is a long table of companionship set and waiting for us to sit down.” This simply means, we need to establish relationships. We need to listen and understand what other peoples are saying about their names and characters before we judge them.

I am Mussolini. But I define my name based on my character.--