When Stephen produced his Christian contemporary album, Abandon, in Nashville in 2007, he had a decision to make. After decades of having his last name verbally mutilated, was it time for a change? By sending his name into the public music arena, would he hear more Ba-GAZ-i-os and Baaaag-sows then the sensitive musician ear can handle? What was the alternative?

The answer lies in a little history lesson as explained by Stephen’s father. Once upon a time…oh, sorry…I forget myself. Long ago, the Filipinos were ordered by their Hispanic rulers to take Hispanic names, a cultural tidbit of history still evident in today’s Filipino surnames. Once freed from Hispanic rule, they were given the option of changing their names. Stephen’s great-grandfather, Primo Bautista, created the name Bagasao, meaning sower of good seed, or speaker of wisdom (or so claimed Stephen’s dad!). Upon moving to America, however, the lovely pronunciation of this carefully chosen name was corrupted. If your last name is Bagasao, you know that most people do not pronounce our name correctly. If your name is not Bagasao, it’s about time someone tells you that you do not pronounce our name correctly!

The pros and cons were being weighed. The alternative was being tested. Stephen was contemplating whether to release his album as Stephen Bautista or Stephen Bagasao. He mentioned this to a friend of ours who said, “What’s wrong with BAAAAAgasao?!” Stephen’s reply: “Thank you.” The decision was made. Bautista it is!

So…how exactly do you pronounce Bautista? That’s a phonics lesson for another day.

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