𝐒𝐂𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 | 𝗠𝗬𝗧𝗛 𝗗𝗘𝗕𝗨𝗡𝗞𝗘𝗗: 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙽𝚊𝚖𝚎 𝙶𝚊𝚖𝚎

Text by Mandie Asejo | Graphics by Nikka Gutierrez | Layout by Joaquin Umali

“Palitan mo muna ng pangalan, baka gumaling.”

Ever heard your grandma or aunty say this to someone in the family who keeps getting ill? In Filipino culture, it’s also normal to rename a child, or give a new nickname believing it will ward off the sickness.

Is this magic real? Or is it just a myth dressed in love and tradition?

Well, here’s the truth, changing your name or nickname won’t cure a disease.

There’s no science that says, “Rename the child and poof! the fever’s gone.”

But, giving a name to your illness can actually help in a different, meaningful way. Not giving yourself a new name… but giving your illness a name.

According to Health Psychology, when individuals label their chronic disease (such as referring to arthritis as “The Dragon” or depression as “The Shitty Roommate”), they really do feel more in control. Why? Because all of a sudden, the disease is something distinct from you. Not you, but something you battle.

One person gave their pain the name “Bruno,” another refers to their migraines as “Hal” and states it becomes “Suzanne” when it intensifies. Imaginative, yes? But also healing.

But why?...

Because it puts emotional distance between you and the pain.

It reminds you, “This disease isn’t me, it’s just with me.” It makes you laugh a little, even on the tough days. And it bonds you with others who are experiencing the same.

The old superstition claims that changing your name will cure illness. But this method claims that calling the illness by name makes you deal with it better—emotionally, not magically.

So no, your nickname isn’t why you’re ill. And renaming it won’t make the illness go away. But if you call your illness by name, and it makes you smile or fight harder? That’s a victory.

Remember, myth says your illness is caused by your name is. FALSE. Well in real life, giving your illness a name can assist you emotionally cope with it, that’s TRUE!