Social media went abuzz when President Rodrigo Duterte reiterates the call of then President Ferdinand Marcos to change the name of our country from Philippines to "Maharlika" to assert our national identity.
Duterte in his speech on February 11 says it is but fitting for our country's name to be changed to Maharlika. Accordingly, it is a Malay word which means "more concept of serenity and peace."
Asked about the issue, Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo for his part notes that "maharlika"means royalty. He adds that many have criticized that the Philippines was named after King Philip II of Spain.
A Spanish colony for more than 300 years, strong Spanish influence to the Filipinos in religion, names, language, and more is inevitable.
But does "maharlika" really mean "royal"? Historians say otherwise. In a radio interview with DZBB, historian Roland Borrinaga of the National Commission of Culture and the Arts says that maharlika means "free man."
Professor Xiao Chua of the De La Salle University in a Philippine Star story sheds light on the issue. He says that neither of Duterte nor Panelo's definitions are exactly correct. He explains that the misconception is due to "mistranslation" of historical texts.
"Maharlika" does not mean "a noble man" but a "free man" or an ordinary person who is free. The highest rank is composed of the datus while the lowest are the alipin (slaves).
Panelo, in another Philippine Star Story, however clears that the President was just expressing an idea. "The Constitution provides that Congress may enact a law that can change the name of the country and submit it to the people for referendum," he adds.
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Duterte in his speech on February 11 says it is but fitting for our country's name to be changed to Maharlika. Accordingly, it is a Malay word which means "more concept of serenity and peace."
Asked about the issue, Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo for his part notes that "maharlika"means royalty. He adds that many have criticized that the Philippines was named after King Philip II of Spain.
A Spanish colony for more than 300 years, strong Spanish influence to the Filipinos in religion, names, language, and more is inevitable.
But does "maharlika" really mean "royal"? Historians say otherwise. In a radio interview with DZBB, historian Roland Borrinaga of the National Commission of Culture and the Arts says that maharlika means "free man."
Professor Xiao Chua of the De La Salle University in a Philippine Star story sheds light on the issue. He says that neither of Duterte nor Panelo's definitions are exactly correct. He explains that the misconception is due to "mistranslation" of historical texts.
"Maharlika" does not mean "a noble man" but a "free man" or an ordinary person who is free. The highest rank is composed of the datus while the lowest are the alipin (slaves).
Panelo, in another Philippine Star Story, however clears that the President was just expressing an idea. "The Constitution provides that Congress may enact a law that can change the name of the country and submit it to the people for referendum," he adds.
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