Be The Hero Of Yourself: I am Batman!
By: Batman Odulio
Tags: Leadership, Life Lessons, Heroes, Growth Mindset, Bullying

Tenenenenenenenen — Batman! What is your name? Batman. How about your real name? Batman.

Stars are not enough to count the frequency of how much this question being asked to me. I am Batman — and I am not joking at all! As crazy as it may sound, but, my brother’s name is Robin. We are Batman and Robin, in the Family. Not an alias, no second name; plain, Batman. I imagine you are smiling.

I always have this photo of me for name verification.

April of 1998 is when Batman of the Philippines was born. Grew up in the Business Capital of The Philippines — Makati City. Growing up with this peculiar name made my journey challenging, yet advantageous and let me tell you why.

In grade school, I am always the first person to introduce myself in front of the class, I introduce myself with a loud voice and enthusiasm. Once I’m introducing myself, classmates and teachers (even school principal), as expected, following up the question “Why is your name, Batman?”. As a silly young kid, I always say “‘coz my brother’s name is Robin!”. They are laughing all throughout. Again, they are laughing all throughout.

I grew up thinking that laughing at my name is just normal — until when I was in 5th grade when I had to skip a year as I cannot handle the bullies as a kid. My name was been a medium to bully me. Classmates are calling me names and challenging me to fly if I am real Batman, but I fight — I told them that Batman is not flying at all! Silly Batman. There was a time going home from school, when I stumbled on a rock and I got bruised. My classmate told me that I am now Bruised Wayne! Insanely funny though.

“It’s not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me.” (Quotes from Batman Begins)

I turned the bullying experience as my stepping stone to strengthen myself against bullies. Since I am popular with my name, I took advantage of it. I saw silver linings on my name. I ran, won and elected as the President of the classroom when I was in High School! I even excelled academically and got a full-scholarship in college.

As part of taking advantage of my name, I also have been elected as the President of College Organizations and been the President of the College Student Council in my University, where I promoted equality, development programs, innovative activities and technical upskilling workshops. The bullied Batman, who skipped a year in grade school, graduated Cum Laude in one of the prestigious universities in the Philippines. And now, I got over my name but the lessons remain.

Graduation Ceremony where everyone laugh on my name, again.

To those who are still experiencing bullying, be the hero of yourself. Don’t let anyone hinder you for being you. These 3 Rs might help you to address the issue: Recognize, Respond and Report. Seek help as needed.

May this be a reminder to be sensitive on laughing on someone’s name. Not everyone is as strong as me to overcome this kind of bullying. The name is your identity, but may not be your character. My name is great and powerful but, dear parents and future parents, give your child a genuine name!

Words have meaning, names have power.

As always, be the hero of yourself. Padayon.