Brgy Buot-Taup wants "Taup" gone

CEBU, Philippines - Barangay Buot-Taup residents think its time for a cool change.

No more “Taup”, if the residents are to have their way.

Residents of barangay Buot-Taup this city wants to change the name of their barangay, from “Buot Taup” to just “Buot” because they said the word “Taup” has a negative connotation which they consider embarrassing.

The Cebu City Council referred the barangay resolution, echoing the sentiments of the residents, to the Culture and Historical Affairs Commission (CHAC) for comments and recommendations.

This is the not the first time the barangay attempted to change its name.

Since 2000, officials have been passing similar resolutions pushing for change of their barangay’s name from Buot-Taup to another name.

The last time they raised the same concern prior to this attempt, they wanted to adopt the name of Pedro Calungsod.

Now they just want to change it to Buot, dropping the word Taup, as suggested by a youth who attended one of the pulong-pulongs.

Buot-Taup derived its name from the word Buot, a root crop growing abundantly in the barangay.

The roots of the Buot go deeper into the soil, according to legends, when farmers make noise when harvesting it.

They said that over the years, the word Taup has developed a bad connotation implying something sexual.

This according to the petitioners embarrass the residents, especially the youth, whenever it is mentioned.

Under the Local Government Code, “the sanggunians of component cities and municipalities may, in consultation with the Philippine Historical Commission, change the name of city and municipal barangays, upon recommendation of the sangguniang barangay concerned.” — (FREEMAN)