Of Puzzles and Closures

From Padua to Dancel

by Efren D. Dancel

I've been wanting to give you, ACM and VAI brothers, a background of the change of my surname from Padua to Dancel. I've been known as Efren "Bogs" Padua eversince SVS-VHS days wayback 1985.. But now, people know me as Efren Dancel. What's with this twist? What's in a name?

Is it true that only women who get married change their surnames? Generally, yes, but there are isolated cases like mine. After I secured my birth certificate from the NSO as one of the graduation requirements, I eventually found out that my surname is DANCEL with the same birth-month/date/year, with the same father and mother's name.

What was my reaction? I was happy because my deceased father acknowledged me even if I am an illegitimate child.

Later I had known, when my mother was still alive, that Mr. Padua, my step dad, changed my birth certificate to easily comply with the school requirements. Do I have to file a case in court? No more, because NSO did not initiate any change in their file. Adamson required my mother to submit an affidavit that Efren Padua and Efren Dancel is one and the same person. I hope this will clarify things for the moment and put proper closures in my life's puzzles..

Call me Bogs Padua.. Call me Bogs Dancel.. either way, I will always be your brother carrying the same Vincentian blood...