Protecting my Identity
As what I have posted in my Twitter account, I’m really tempted to divulge my real identity here. But I can’t do that just yet. Well, actually, I used to post here using my real name but since I entered college almost two years ago, I gave myself a new identity because I don’t like people from the university to know that I blog. And that was when Christian Evangelista was born.
Just a bit of background about my pen name: the name Christian is my favorite name and if I were to be given the chance to rechristen myself, I would use this name (but of course, I still love the name my patents gave to me). That’s how I decided on my pseudonym’s first name. As for my pen name’s surname, I wanted something that would suggest that I’m a Filipino. The first family name that I thought of was Bautista. But then, there is a singer here in the country by the name Christian Bautista and as i don’t want to be linked with him, I had to think of another last name that I could use. And after some brain wracking moments, I settled with Evangelista. I’m planning to add a second name and maybe, a middle initial to complete my pseudonym but I can’t think of a name that would sound good when combined with Christian. Any suggestions?
The catch is, separating my offline and online life is hard, even with a pen name. Actually, my earliest readers and online friends like Tammy and Hener (whom I didn’t meet through the blogosphere but in a now obsolete forums dedicated to Harry Potter) know my legal name which makes it a bit harder for me to keep my real identity. I just hope that those few people who know my name can keep that as confidential. Haha.
Actually, if you are a gifted stalker, you would be able to know my real name. Some of those people who know my real name are even my contacts on Friendster. This is one of the many ways that you can use to track me down. All you need to do is to check their common friends. Haha. And that’s not even the easiest way, but of course, I’m not giving any other clues about my real identity or how you may know it. Haha.
On the other hand, to make your stalking activities more easier, let me give you my number: 09158399267 (I’m a Globe user). So yeah, text me, call me, stalk me. Lol. Just be sure that you do proper introduction1. Btw, that’s not the number my offline friends know.
The real thing that makes it difficult for me is that I don’t like having multiple accounts. One account is enough. So in some of my accounts where I use my real name, there are a number of people I met online who are included in my friends list. As for my accounts where I use my pseudonym, there are a few people I know from the offline world especially my high school friends who are in my contact list.
Yeah, I’m dead. My identity is being jeopardized. Haha. Well, someday I’ll post here my real name (and maybe, even my course). But then again, what will I do with my pseudonym? I’ve grown used to it and discarding it could be very hard for me.
- I rarely use this number so don’t expect a reply 100%. [↩]
May 23, 2008 @ 5:21 pm
I think I’ve visited/stumbled upon your blog way back when you still use your real name. We were not yet L/Es back then. Hehe.
I’ll save that number tho I rarely load my cellphone. lol
May 23, 2008 @ 6:06 pm
Just so you know, it’s a pleasure on my part to know your real identity, or your name, at least. No stir.
So to all of you Christianatics out there who are reaaaaallly dying to be part of the “I Know Who Christian Really Is, Suckers!” Club , you know where to send your bribe money to WTF LOL.
Aba at nag-post pa talaga ng cell number! What’s up with that?
Anyway, if you’re not ready to disclose your identity yet, I fully understand. Whatever floats your boat, kiddo. Kbabai.
May 23, 2008 @ 11:13 pm
Christian Evangelista not being your real name is such an amusing factoid, I must say. I mean, it’s a realistic name (lol at not wanting to have the same name as Christian Bautista XD XD XD) that anyone will buy. The thought never even crossed my mind that someone, let alone you, would go through the hassle of creating a different online identity for themselves.
I understand why you’re doing it, but dang, don’t you get confused? I know I would, heh. XD But you know, I commend you for doing what you can to protect your information. I use my real name/nickname online, but I’ve never revealed my last name or my whole name (’cause I have three first names LOL), so that’s how I make up for it. XP
May 24, 2008 @ 12:22 pm
You’re not the only one who has a offline/online personality. I have one too, Anna isn’t really my name.. but my close friends ‘online’ know my real name. Haha. (Clue: 2-3 people who regularly visit your blog knows me personally) Why did I start it? Same reason as yours.. I didn’t want my HS friends to find out my online activities, maybe later they would make a big deal of it in school. Difference is, you didn’t want university people to know, highschool naman sakin cause I started in the blogging work during HS. And oh yeah, FAMILY relatives too! Sheesh I don’t want them to know.
I don’t want to force you to reveal your true self on your blog, doesn’t matter to me anyway. Whenever your ready, we’ll be ready.
Newbie commentor ako pero dati na ako napapadaan dito.
May 24, 2008 @ 3:01 pm
LOL! HPFORUMS!!!! memories!
Christian: Lol. Matino ka pa noon. Haha.
May 24, 2008 @ 6:16 pm
Give me an L.
May 24, 2008 @ 10:46 pm
So “christian” is a pseudonym. Haha! Someone accidentally (well I don’t know if that’s accidental) and indirectly mentioned to me your real name in some conversation. I didn’t know that that’s your real name because I didn’t know that “christian” is just a pen name. I thought that that was your nickname or something.
And yeah, it’s something that goes with an L. Lol. 
May 24, 2008 @ 10:57 pm
A lot of bloggers do the same thing, too. I think it’s OK to use a pseudonym to protect yourself from controversies
May 25, 2008 @ 9:28 am
With the ‘easiness’ of stealing one’s identity in the net, I can’t blame you. I too have started to conceal my identity like location and I’m starting to use different names. Now I’m using -T-(at least when commenting). So please call me -T-. Hehehe. And with a recent incident, I swear I’m not putting very personal stuff ever again, be it in LJ or Multiply. They must go to my diary.
May 25, 2008 @ 11:38 pm
I didn’t know that Christian wasn’t your real name. Isn’t it dangerous to be posting your cellphone number on the internet?
May 26, 2008 @ 2:36 pm
I started to know your name when we exchanged e-mails about hosting back then.
Heh. But I’m zipping my mouth (heck, I’m even unsure about your name).
And yeah, Rens have just told me recently that the both of you are friends back at the pre-blogosphere era. Through the HP forums.
May 26, 2008 @ 4:25 pm
Intriguing.
May 27, 2008 @ 1:36 am
I had NO idea Christian Evangelista isn’t your real name. How amazing! But yeah, there’s really a certain joy in keeping your real identity online no matter how much you wanna tell the people who you are. I was in that phase but finally grew over it and decided that I can’t do it anymore. I’ve always been bad at keeping secrets anyway. Hahaha.
I hope I get to know the real you though! That would be great
May 28, 2008 @ 12:18 pm
kaya at some point, what i do is that screen details in my blog posts para walang disclosed detail na crucial. lol
May 28, 2008 @ 12:20 pm
-lol! panalo.
May 28, 2008 @ 5:01 pm
i know you….
starts with L
haha
i stumbled upon your blog years ago..
and now im back only to find out you have a virtual identity. LMAO!
May 28, 2008 @ 6:27 pm
yes, i remember when you used to put up your real identity on the sidebar then you took your blog down for a while and reappeared with a new name! Well, your secret’s safe with me
May 28, 2008 @ 11:06 pm
After some incident last Sunday, I’m not thinking of making up a stupid pseudonym. Nah, I’m still undecided. I’m not a celebrity anyway.
May 28, 2008 @ 11:12 pm
I’ve beenvisiting this site for years already at di ko alam na pseudo lang pala ang Christian ha!
Whether you’re Christian or whoever. I think you’re a good guy naman.
Sana makaya mo yang pag-jumblein. I mean the double identity thingy. 
May 29, 2008 @ 10:52 am
It’s your decision if you’re going to reveal the man behind the pseudonym or not. But thinking about the WWW going a bit “unsafe” nowadays, I think you shouldn’t reveal too much info about yourself. But if you’re up to the challenge since you don’t have anything libelous to say, then go. Courage is the key, I guess.
And yeah, you’ve told me about your pseudonym’s history. It’s cool, actually since it sounds like a real name of yours. Haha.
May 30, 2008 @ 5:23 pm
I also want my offline friends and my family not to discover my blog. That’s why I’m really careful not to divulge my blog url to them. They know that I blog and that’s where I draw the line.
Btw, as what Aileen said.. Your secret safe with me, too.
June 1, 2008 @ 1:50 am
ako rin nagulat when u suddenly became Christian…for a second i thought someone else had asteeg.net…and i was like “nooOOo! i want asteeg.net to be mine” hahaha…kaya nga i wanted to be hosted by you before…coz ur stie is soo coool.
well..mr. L, hehehe..ill be saving ur number..im going back there in the phils this June 9, and ill surely be in your province because my bf is there…heheheh
sana magpakita ka!
June 2, 2008 @ 8:35 pm
ohhh! wow! good thing i read that blog entry of yours. i was about to reply right away with your (real) name all caps coz i’m way too excited to tell you how happy i am to have stumbled here on your site once again! HAHAHA! anyway, good thing i didn’t coz you might have killed me
anyway, soooo i typed something on google, then one of the results led me here. WUHOO 
hope you still do remember me (don’t mention my name, too, though :P). haven’t blogged for a long time already. good thing you still have your website
TC 
will be back here soon 
Christian: Well, of course, I still. When will you start blogging again, eh?
June 18, 2008 @ 4:37 pm
I didn’t know you were using a pen name. I understand why you chose to protect your identity. Even though I don’t know your real name, I appreciate all the real things, events and emotions that you share on your blog.