no more

My younger brother doesn’t wanna be called “Dudi” anymore. He’s been going off about it for quite some time already but it was just when we knew that we have this cousin whose nickname is also “Dudi,” he became even more decided to get rid of the label. At first, I thought it was just a growing up thing. Later I realized that it has something to do with his “character building.”

Dudi, New Year's Eve 2011

Of course there is nothing wrong with the name we’re used of calling him. It has no other connotations unlike the other names in the family like “Bakekang,” our eldest’s nickname or “ponSi,” our oldest brother’s pet name.  He is “Judd Rodolfo III” by birth and we address him “Judy” (eventually “Dudi”) for short. In a way, he has the most decent dub among us siblings. However, his is the most violent reaction whenever we’re calling out to him.

Maybe he is just following another cousin’s example. He is Jan Matthew but I grew up knowing him as “Kuya JC.” Thus I got so confused when one day he asked everyone to just address him “Matthew” or at least “Matt” instead. He gave us no reason. So we just all assumed that he has outgrown his pet name and that he’s getting embarrassed by it.

I guess my brother feels the same. Being “Dudi” gives him shame now. Whether he feels like he’s too old for it or it makes him look like a baby when he should appear tough and mature, I don’t know.

I’m not sure how I would get his point getting pissed off about his cute name because I have always loved calling him that. I think it’s a petty issue of masculinity he’s making a big deal and I hope he’ll get over it soon; whatever he says, he will forever be my Dudi. J

November 2011