EDITORIAL - What's in a name?

So what's in a name? A lot, especially in today's world where information needs to be precise if one has to move in step with the world's market-driven economies. Gone are the poetic nuances of a rose smelling just as sweet. Today, misspelling a name by just one letter and you can lose everthing.

And that is why it is strange for Cebuanos, who have high pretensions about being globally competitive, not to make up their minds about certain names. Cebu is a gateway and an attraction for many things foreign and cannot allow too much familiarity to get in the way of being precise. Non-Cebuanos expect no less from us.

Take the case of the two bridges to Mactan, a matter that has often been a subject of discussion in this space. The first bridge, built in 1972, is the Mandaue-Mactan Bridge. The second is the Marcelo Fernan Bridge. Those are their names. They should be called as such, just as the rest of the world calls theirs.

And the media should take the lead not just in being precise about names, in order to help foreigners and other visitors, but also to help change attitudes by strengthening our self-respect as Cebuanos conscious of their own culture, history and governance.

Despite having written frequently about the bridges, there is a need to keep on with the issue because apparently the attitude, rather than being set aright and reformed, appears to have worsened and spread, with thanks in no small measure to media ignorance and indifference.

From bridges, the uncaring attitude has spread to roads. Right now, a certain road that is set for closure for repairs but which has set off a howl of protest from affected business is being called a variety of names, to the consternation of readers and to foreigners and visitors.

The road being referred to is the one that runs parallel to the Cebu port. It is a road that is named after Sergio Osmeña Jr., a son of former president Sergio Osmeña Sr. This road named after the junior has been called interchangeably as a boulevard, an avenue, a street, a road.

Again there is a need to be precise, not just for its own sake and for the sake of those who do not know, but also because of the existence of another road named after the father, Sergio Sr. The road named for President Sergio Osmeña Sr. is called Osmeña Boulevard.

There is no ambiguity there. When you say Osmeña Boulevard you know which road that is. But when you have another road called Sergio Osmeña that is variously referred to as a boulevard, or avenue, or street, or road, then you have a problem. And not just with reference, but more importantly with yourself as a Cebuano.