Joey Villarama…Who?

I’m still not used to being called "Joey" by anyone, much less by people I meet on coverages or people whom I do not really know.  Although "Joey" is the logical derivative of my full name "Jose Maria II" (take not, it’s the second, not the third, not junior!), I take pride in having a unique but rather weird-sounding, monosyllabic yet interesting nickname — PYUGS. 

I have been known as "Pyugs" all my life (not on legal documents, of course.)
A bit of history. (Actually, many people have been asking me where that nickname came from and I hate it when I have to repeat myself.  Imagine telling people a million times over that "Pyugs" is not derived from "pubic!" Grrrrr!)

Anyway, the name "Pyugs" came from my uncle…you guessed it…Joey. Tito Joey was the third sibling of my father. He was a happy-go-lucky-guy who really knew how to have a good time.  He was a ladies’ man, who made many young women cry (awwww!)  Because of his way with women, my grandparents deemed it necessary to send him to the seminary. Legend has it that he got kicked out of the seminary because of a certain misdemeanor. Tired of his old priestly hairdo, he had his hair shaven before attending regular college.  It was in school where friends called him "Pugo," because his shaven head reminded them of a quail’s egg. Over time, the moniker evolved into "Pyugo" and finally into "Pyugs" (you know how it is in the 70s when the last letter of any word is dropped and the letter "s" is added) and the name got stuck with him since then.

Notice that in introducing my Tito Joey, I used the past tense of the verb "to be." Here’s how I got the name.  On 18 November 1978, Tito Joey suffered a fatal asthma attack.  At age 23, the young and vibrant Joey, who, just the night before had a date with his girlfriend, succumbed to the disease.  The original Pyugs was no more

But as Filipino folklore and belief would have it, death in the family would also result in the birth of a new member.  True enough, even as my family was mourning the death of Pyugs, my mom was already in labor and ready to give birth to the one who would be taking Pyugs’ place.  Eight days after Tito Joey died, Jose Maria M. Villarama II aka Pyugs was born. (Surprise!!!)

As my mom would tell me later on, my name was supposed to have been "Victor Paolo". But at the request of my lola, I inherited the name of Tito Joey and everything that came with it, asthma and all. (Among my siblings, I had the worst asthma, and had to go through 4 years of desensitizing injections to help me outgrow the disease). 

In school, I was called "Pyugs." Everybody seemed to like it, except the English teachers who found it a little jologs. I tried to change my nickname into JM (a high school teacher even christened me "Joma," after CPP founder Jose Maria Sison) but it just didn”t work. Pyugs rules!

Funny thing is, a lot of people toy with my name.  My paternal grandmother was the first to call me "Pyugsie." People at work call me "Pyugee." When Friendster was the in thing, they called me "Pyugster." An editor at work calls me "Pyugacion" or "Pyugacious."  Still, another one calls me "Pyubes." The list goes on.

I would have loved "Pyugs Villarama" to have made it to the list of ABS-CBN reporters, as it did when I was with IBC-13.  But my news director said it was too cutsie, and thus lacked the credibility that a television journalist’s name should have. Okay, fine.  I was initially known as "Jose Villarama" when I was with Studio 23’s News Central. No offense to the countless other "Joses" out there, but  "Jose" at this age doesn’t really work for me. (Well it did when I lived in the US. But then, it was pronounced "Hoe-zay" not "Ho-se," ya know whatum sayin’?)  I digress too much.

Anyway, when it was time for me to do a live or voiced report on ABS-CBN, I took it upon myself to name me, "Joey Villarama." Many in the office were asking why I chose "Joey" out of all the derivatives of "Jose" (some were suggesting JM, Joma, Jori, etc.) I guess there were other people in the office named Joey who were surprised at my choice.  Aside from running out of logical choices for a name, I only found it proper to pay tribute to the one who gave me my name. Though I didn’t get to know him, Tito Joey was and has always been a part of who I am. Awwwwwww!

"Joey Villarama" (the screen name) has been part of my life for 2 years now. Come to think of it, I find it cool to have a screen name. It’s like being invested in a secret society, an august organization or (sige na nga)… showbusiness.  I feel like a king , a pope (upon his election, the new pope’s name is announced: "Qui sibi nomen imposuit…" or "He chooses for himself the name…"), a Sith Lord (minus the title  "Darth," of course) or  a Pinooooy Pop Suuuuuperstar!  (ay, wrong ata ito!)

Upon realization, having a different name doesn’t make me less of the person that I really am.  As Shakespeare said it best in Romeo and Juliet: "What’s in a name? That which we call a rose/ By any other name would smell as sweet." No matter how you call me, I am…ME!

As J.Lo said it even better…"Don’t be fooled by the rocks that I got…I’m still…I’m still Joey from the block."

Amen? Amen.

My mama’s death anniversary is not until May 10th, but I could not help but remember her today when I heard the lyrics to Il Divo’s song "Mama." It really hits home, especially since I was not able to see her for 2 years before she passed away. I’m pretty sure she sees my work right now and I thank her for making me who I am.

'And I know you believed in all of my dreamsAnd I owe it all to you, Mama.'

Thank you Mama.

——————–

Il Divo

Mama

[Verse 1]Mama thank you for who I amThank you for all the things I'm notForgive me for the words unsaidFor the timesI forgot

[Verse 2]Mama remember all my lifeYou showed me love,You sacrificedThink of those young and early daysHow I've changedalong the way

[Bridge]And I know you believedAnd I know you had dreamsAnd I'm sorry it took all this time to seeThat I am where I am because of your truthI miss you, I miss you

[Verse 3]Mama forgive the times you criedForgive me for not making rightAll of the storms I may have causedAnd I've been wrongDry your eyes

[Bridge]

[Verse 4]Mama I hope this makes you smileI hope you're happy with my lifeAt peace with every choice I madeHow I've changedAlong the wayAnd I know you believed in all of my dreamsAnd I owe it all to you, Mama