The Meaning Of My Name

The Story Behind My Name 'Mark Stephen'

I’ve always had mixed feelings about my name. My dad chose my name, “Mark Stephen,” without much input from my mom. Being a twin in a Roman Catholic family, my brother and I were named after Gospel writers Mark and Matthew, connecting us to our faith. While Stephen, was inspired by my dad’s favorite actor, Steven Seagal. To make it fit better with Mark, he softened it to “Stephen.” While I appreciate the effort behind it, I’m neither happy nor unhappy with how it was made, as it feels disconnected from my Filipino roots. All along, I acknowledge the effort behind it, my name feels disconnected from my identity as a Filipino, highlighting a contrast between Western influences and my roots.

After researching its meaning, I found out that “Mark” derives from the Latin word “Marcus,” meaning “warlike” or “honored to the God of Mars,” while “Stephen” signifies “crown” or “garland,” associated with honor and royalty. This gave me a deeper appreciation for my name. However, its American tone still feels out of place with my middle name, Parcon, and last name, Diamante, which are distinctly Filipino. This mix mirrors the Philippines’ history of colonization, blending Spanish and American influences. My name, while personal, tells a broader story of cultural intersections. Though I have mixed feelings about how my name was made, it reflects my family, culture, and history in a way that is solely mine. Over time, I’ve accepted it; it grew on me; and became as an indication to know me.

References:

Behind The Name Stephen. Retrieved from:

https://www.behindthename.com/name/stephen 

 

Owovoriole, T. (2024). Mark Name Meaning. 

Retrieved from: https://www.parents.com/mark-name-meaning-origin-popularity-8664034

Memories Stay Forever

Not All Heroes Wear Capes, Some Teach

In a library called 'Brain' where a wide array of memories is stocked up in a set of million books created by the imaginative mind. I pulled out one, looked at it, and saw a colorful and hopeful image of someone that resembled the past. Someone who teaches and mentors the future generation into becoming leaders despite the deadly virus coming from place to place. I remembered—these are the people that teach me how to become resilient and innovative and mold me into someone I couldn't ever imagine. They're one of our frontliners in the war of the modern pandemic era: teachers. They signify a light of hope in the darkest alley. In the pandemic war where everyone struggles not just financially but mentally, emotionally, and physically, they're the ones who will wake you up every morning and remind you that you still have a future to build. During those times, when virtual learning and modular activities became the only way forward, teachers rose to the challenge. Through screens and untouchable connections, they continued to impart knowledge, inspire innovation, and nurture potential. Some students may have struggled to take this new reality seriously, but teachers remained steadfast, putting in immense effort despite the mental, emotional, and physical toll. We are all shook by how things progress so fast that it seems all of the things they teach went all away in the blink of an eye, and we tend to forget those. Moreover, teachers teach not just because it's their job; they teach because they're carrying the responsibility of molding a student into a citizen that'll help significantly in the future. Because of that, they deserve a spot as one of the frontliners that stood strong and fought for the better of one's country. Many forget their importance and will be overlooked by influencers. But we surely cannot disagree that they're the heroes that save us in the pandemic that don't necessarily wear capes.