Mandaue SP agrees to hyphenated surnames

CEBU, Philippines - Mandaue City councilors Emmarie “Lolypop” Ouano-Dizon and Nenita Ceniza-Layese want to be addressed as such in official and public functions.

In a privilege speech at last Wednesday’s session of the Mandaue City council, Ouano-Dizon said she has been feeling uncomfortable because she said that for quite sometime now her fellow councilors address her as “Honorable Dizon.”

She said her complete surname is Ouano-Dizon and that she feels ill at ease whenever she is addressed by her husband’s surname only.

“This matter maybe trivial to others but it means a lot to me because I would always want to give honor to my father and descendants hearing the family name Ouano,” Ouano-Dizon said.

She said that even the new family code allows a married woman to continue using her maiden name during marriage.

“I want to declare here and now that I feel awkward every time I am called or addressed by my husband’s surname only. I invariably feel that a part of me has been taken away,” Ouano-Dizon said.

Majority floor leader Diosdado Suico said Ouano-Dizon’s request was concurred and adopted during the session last Wednesday.

Suico said the august body has heeded to her request.

On the other hand, Councilor Nenita Layese has also requested that she too be allowed to use her maiden name and her husband’s family name.

She asked the council that she be addressed from now on as Honorable Nenita Ceniza-Layese. The council also agreed. (FREEMAN)