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On The Wings Of My Dream In The Greater Scheme Of Things
Credibility
Today I followed-up on the net the news about the Pangandaman vs. De La Paz valley golf brawl incident which happened a day after Christmas and I may say that the petty misunderstanding which turned into an ugly fight has escalated into a sensational legal battle between the two families, hurting both camps physically and emotionally. The disparity between the two families are obvious: one is a powerful political clan hailed from Lanao province and are custodians of public positions. And the other are private citizens. These two descriptions is seemingly enough for some of us to make a personal judgments on who aggravated who and who really holds the truth.
Filipinos has always been upbeat when it comes to stories that involves wicked witches and oppressed Cinderellas but did it occur to anyone that life is not mirrored on fairytales? Yet who can blame Filipinos who suffered for centuries under oppression, injustice termination? You see, even without the details of what really happened we can always jump on the gun and proclaim one as the victim of the other. Precisely because of our experience, collective consciousness and what we read and watch everyday.
My point exactly is, no one knows the real truth except the people involved in the incident themselves. Yet we all take the pleasure of making judgments according to what we see, read and hear, precisely because of our experiences in the past, our country’s history or just a collective consciousness prevailing in the society. This is actually not a thing to be frowned upon because we are entitled to our own opinions and this is what democracy is all about. Yet in this freedom lies the big word which is actually the determinant of who will the people believe in: Credibility comes in, in the face of this issues.
The Pangandamans told their side of the story in the Valley Golf fact finding committee while Bloggers unite behind Bambee De La Paz’s story.
The story circulated the week after Christmas and before New Year when bloggers all over the country posted the incident on their respective blogs which earned the ire of the Masiu town Mayor and filed a libel suit against Bambee in Lanao province.
Eversince the Malou Fernandez brouhaha, I never jumped on the band wagon of writing a post just for the sake of riding on it or for the sake protest instigated for mob lynching. I write my posts according to my own views and not because I was swayed by the enormity of the people behind it. Simply put it, I did not join the “post-this-on-your-blog-and-let-the-people-know” movement until I have read and researched the story very well. Even that proves futile when searching for the real truth because I was not in the area when the incident happened. I only rely on third or fourth hand information coming from the media, forums and blogs. That’s why we are called bloggers and not journalists precisely because we only blog about our personal experiences, views and opinions, details that we heard or saw but definitely not the absolute truth itself unless we ourselves are there. Even personal accounts in courts are subjected to scrutiny.
That’s why Credibility is such a big issue, both on the subject of the stories above and on bloggers.
Credibility is actually a hard virtue to posses since it is always on the verge of subjective scrutiny. I may be credible to others yet to some I’m just a lousy nobody. And this mentality applies to all. We choose the people who we would believe in and that’s what I call freedom. There’s nothing wrong about that. The Pangandamans are credible among the Valley folks and their friends. The De La Pazes are credible among the masses, bloggers and even on some mainstream media. We choose sides who for us is the most believable according to our own subjective criteria. Is this evil? no. Its what we call free will.
Yet, with all the subjectivity that credibility entails, we should not forget that our credibility highly depends on how we carry ourselves, or write our stories and posts for that matter because people maybe subjective, but they are not stupid.
Manuel Villoria just wrote in his blog about credibility in blogging and he has this to say:
You are also free to destroy your credibility and refuse to repair or regain it. The choice is yours.
Credibility doesn’t depend on the contents of what we write. Credibility depends on our very character as bloggers, o kahit hindi na, just as a person. For whatever we write and whatever efforts we do to make ourselves credible to all people, yet if we fail to practice it, just like what Manny said, by just simply putting disclosures or explanations on why we deleted or hide, what we previously promulgated and publicized, we are therefore doomed to obliterate our own credibility.
In the same vein, no matter how the two camps of the Pangandaman and De La Paz discredit each other and shout on top of their lungs regarding who is telling the truth, yet it will all boil down to the character of each and everyone involved. And I think I don’t have to tell you or influence you, who for me is credible among the two families. Just like in blogging, I don’t have to enumerate here who is credible and who is not because I always believe on the centuries-old Christian axiom: You shall know the tree by its fruits.
And sometimes, our efforts are futile and even self-destructive when we try so hard to save ourselves by convincing others that we are not this and not that. Or we rationalize why we “twit” this or why we “twit” that. Or we egotistically snub others by “no-following” this and “no-following” that. Because the very fruits we bear shall be the very same fruit that will tell the world what kind of tree we are. Ironic but true.
Credibility is required for everyone, whether bloggers or not, whether politicians or not. Even so, credibility eludes even the most established person, even best-selling authors, because we practically fail to take responsibility seriously. What we write and later delete is what we are and later recant, and this brings severe consequences on the perception of people about us, around us. The “boy who cried wolf” is I think the best example of this when everyone doesn’t believe him anymore, even during the time which he needed trust the most.
This Sunday, the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Jesus was baptized in the River Jordan. He never said anything but just came into the water and let himself be baptized by his cousin John, who on the other hand is convinced that he is not worthy even to loosen the thongs of Jesus sandals. And then as Jesus came out of the water, the heavens opened up, descended the dove-like Spirit above him, and then a voice was heard saying, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased”.
The credibility of John the baptist is enough to make the people believe that Jesus is the one who will baptize them with fire instead of water. Yet the confirmation came from God himself, to show the people that credibility is “not” earned (in my own point of view), but is indeed given. in human experience, given by the people and not earned by the individual.
Like most of us, we always put effort on our credibility by writing about ourselves in our blog. We always defend our stance when someone tries to discredit us. But isn’t the example of Jesus enough? He neither told anyone at that instant that he is the one, that he is the messiah, that he is the one to baptize them with fire, that he is God and that he is one with the father. It was God himself and John the baptist who spoke for him, precisely because, credibility is always anchored on humility.
In the same vein, its not twitter, nor plurk, nor your allies nor your blog which will give you the credibility you deserve, but actually the people who read them. Who knew you by virtue of your actions, behavior and your character. For like Jesus, you will know credibility by its product, the tree by its fruits.
Blogs, twitter, plurk and other social networking sites (and I would like to believe) are made to make the lives of internet users easier, convenient and a venue for friends to communicate. But when these things are always wielded like some sort of a sword ready to cut anytime anyone’s throat, they become a weapon of pure evil that terminates two kinds of people: Your subject and yourself. It’s true, old habits really die hard. And always in the seminary, the older you are, the harder it is to bend and mold your attitude and behavior by your mentors and superiors. I guess this is also the reason why Jesus was baptized at the age of 30 and died at 33.
And unless we continue to defy the perception of the people, which in the first place was totally a consequence of our own actions, the heavens would neither open nor speak in our behalf, because it is the murky waters which will drown our very filth, leaving vultures and crows to scavenge on our corpse.
for as faith is the soul of man, so is credibility the spirit of a blogger.
Happy week ahead to all of you
**********
Sunday Gospel Readings
First Reading: Isaiah 55,1-11
Responsorial Psalm: Isiah 12,2.4-6
Second Reading: I John 5,1-9.
Holy Gospel: Mark 1,7-11
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It’s only the start to the second week of 2009 and already people are involved in all sorts of feud? Sigh. What a shame.
How are you bluep? I hope you are well and I look forward to making your acquaintance in person sometime soon.
joys latest blog entry..I’m Now A Dual Citizen
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bluepanjeet Reply:
January 12th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
Hello Doc. Nice to hear from you again.
Actually yang feud na yan exists in and outside the blogosphere haha. In fairness naman sa iba bloggers, their point is really valid. Regarding the de la paz and the panagndamans, I remain private on who is really credible kasi obvious naman.
Im okay doc, medyo busy, with upcoming new blogs, totally sched crazy. Uuwi ka pala uli? Happy new year doc
sigh, kaya nga ako talagang very serious sa mga blogs ko at kahit na nga napapagalitan ako minsan sa mga pinopost ko(yung tungkol din dito sa issue na to)diko na rin tinanggal kasi nailagay ko na e hahahahaha toplachi walang bawi magsosorry nalang ako later on pag nalaman kong nagkamali pala ako ng post at kahit walang nagbabasa saking napaka siryosong post na wala namang makakahalata kahit idelete ko e diko idedelete hahahahaha obvious naman na ang aking posts sa king blogsite ay napaka siryus at talagang pinagsunugan ng kila (shhh wag na lang kumontra hahahahah).
very well said Bluep, bravo!
lees latest blog entry..Looking for a Job…?
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bluepanjeet Reply:
January 12th, 2009 at 8:44 pm
Hahahahaha ala hoy, yung blog mo nga lang at blog ni reynz at malen ang nakakapagpatawa sa akin ng malakas eh LOl
basta ako kapatid, secret kung sino sa akin ang credible dun sa Valley golf brawl.
mas gusto ko talaga pansisnin yung sinulat ni Manny Villoria kasi totoo talaga sya. LOl Actaully kung sino man pinatutungkulan dun sa blog nya, talagang nakatikim ng sampal LOL kasi sapol na sapol!
haaay issues… kahit kelan talaga ang mga pinoy talaga gusto laging me issue… hehe
yhens latest blog entry..paglingon sa nakaraan…
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bluepanjeet Reply:
January 12th, 2009 at 8:45 pm
Hello Yhen.
kapapasok pa lang ng 2009 issue na agad ano? haha kahit sa blogosphere may issue LOL
sa mga palitan ng kuro kuro ng dalawang kanto, dun natin makikita kung sino talaga ang kapanipaniwala. at kung sino ang may tunay na ‘value’ — at dun sa mga nakikisakay… sana huwag silang malaglag, kumapit ng mabuti
kengkays latest blog entry..papano gumawa ng snow angels?
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bluepanjeet Reply:
January 12th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
Obvious naman kung sino talaga yung may “value” mahirap lang talaga magbangit ng name o ng personal preference kasi nga baka mainfluence ang readers. Pero hindi naman kailangn pa na bangitin kasi obvous nga.
hay naku! bottom line!
mga nag-mamagaling.
sino pa ba ang mas magaling eh kasusulda lang nang korona ko?! hahahaha! charinggg!!! hahaha
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bluepanjeet Reply:
January 13th, 2009 at 9:37 am
LOl ewan ba sa mga yan kung bakit masyado mga delusional LOl
should I say na lahat ng sinusulat mo sa blog mo. It reflects your personality. Me as a very senior na nga sabi nila, sa blogging.. I always maintain the attitude.. kasi dun naku nakilala, I’m a writer of entertainment, literary work, opinion and critic writer.. saka personal blog yun. credibility is never over acting, it’s just the deal..
Join the tribute campaign for senior bloggista: see http://painuminmoko.idlip.net/?p=104 for more details
jeniffers latest blog entry..A Tribute Campaign: Certified Senior Bloggista
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bluepanjeet Reply:
January 13th, 2009 at 9:42 am
I’ve been blogging since 2005 pero I never used seniority as a factor in blogging. Ke newbie ka ke hindi, you have an equal footing when it comes to authority and opinion. Sometimes pa nga, the more a blogger affirms his seniority to others, the more the tendency to have a bloated ego. Credibility is not about longevity in blogging. nor the category of what you write. Its simply how you carry yourself and your blog and how you see yourself in it in the process
yeah. kahit na there are no governing rules sa blogging yet (which is improbable) we still have a responsibility to be credible. kahit na we have all the right to free speech, me right din yung ibang tao aside from us.
even bloggers are subjected to libel rules. but there are ways and tricks journalists do with their reporting to make iwas on libel cases. one thing is to quote sources. if you personally had no knowledge sa issue, quote other sources, and don’t forget that you are quoting them. best way is to quote it directly from the news source.
also, try not to malign other people when you don;t have any evidence yet. try to use the word “alleged”.
wala lang ako chance magsulat regarding this brawl. pero in all fairness, assuming the dela paz was the one whon started the fight in this case, the pangandamans showed too much arrogance of power, beating an old man and a 14 year old.
ok lang sana kung manu-mano, pero hndi, kuyog ng bodyguards.
BURAOTs latest blog entry..Not All Blogs Are Created Equal
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bluepanjeet Reply:
January 13th, 2009 at 9:53 am
May nabasa ako na pag may Ka Pepe daw e less daw ang credibility LOL
“try not to malign other people when you don;t have any evidence yet. try to use the word “alleged”.
I always use that word in my acid rub post. and yes, I always read first several sources before tackling an issue. all sides must really be known. Mahirap kasi yung may mabasa lang tayo about ganito ganyan eh, talon agad tayo and form a movement hahaha
Tingnan mo nagyari dun sa malou fernandez movement, haha wala
Kahit sino pa manguna, obvious naman kung sino ang may advantage.
Parang ganito yan eh. halimbawa sa isang misa, nagsesrmon ang pari, biglang may symigaw ng laban dun sa pari, tapos eto pari di nakapagpigil minura din yung sumigaw til nagsigawan sila in front of the people inside the church during the mass haha
sino may greater responsibility? yung taong sumigaw o yung pari? LOL
Wow, i started to tambay in your blog with You Are the Voice and then read about the brawl. What a mixture, what a mess! I like it how you dive deep into the mess like the leprous Nathan but believe that somewhere there’s a fresh water that cleanses. I just love the openness, the courage to make a faith-sense with all these mess around. Somewhere, there’s always a voice that’s keeping on in the blogosphere…You are really giving me some ideas on what it means to be a Christian in this age.
Dfishs latest blog entry..Owling on Novels
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bluepanjeet Reply:
January 20th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
Thanks for the confidence and affirmation Dfish, I just write what my heart and conscience dictates. Then again, it is also the same thing that always gets me into trouble in the blogosphere LOl Controversial and satirical LOL What can I do? diba? I love to mix religion with issues and I think there is always a spiritual enlightenment in every issue, how petty they maybe to others
[...] Bluepanjeet blogs about Credibility and relates it with something important in his life. Do you see how a blog on a fragile screen can [...]
Very well written bluep.
The Ca ts latest blog entry..This Cat Goes to Washington on Obama’s Inauguration (Not)
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bluepanjeet Reply:
January 20th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
wow salamat Madame. Coming from you its really an honor. Taba puso hehe
bumalik para magpasalamat sa pagkalikot sa aking dotcom
yan ang bluepj value, hehehe
salamat ng marami!
kengkays latest blog entry..kakaibang tanawin
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bluepanjeet Reply:
January 20th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
Naku wala yun Mommy Kengs. Si Malen nga nahihiya pa eh para ngang mga others lol. Nung malaman ko nga na sayo at kay maldits yung dot come eh natuwa ako. Si malen talaga ang very Generous.
Minsan, nakaka-amuse lang how a “simple” brawl had turned into a national issue. Araw-araw sa may kanto sa amin may basagan ng panga pero hindi naman nagiging national issue. Ni hindi pa nga yata nagiging barangay issue. Yun lang ang masasabi ko hehehe.
Looking forward to your new site. Wag mo kalimutan i-include din ang “God Will Make a Way.” Ayan ha, special request ko ‘yan hehe
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bluepanjeet Reply:
January 20th, 2009 at 7:10 pm
Madami nagiging ganyan especially sa mga students at mga gang wars. Ewan ba, pwede naman nila actually pagusapan yun ethics na sinasabi nila sa Golf Course. Para ano pa’t nagka ethics sila LOL
Ay naku sure yan sis hehe. May mga nakalaign up na nga akong mga kanta eh, including that song na national anthem ng mga hopefuls.
Bluep, mahilig ako mag-follow up kaya ito itanong ko sa yo. Dahil sa credibility mo, nahimasmasan na ba yung mga “na-traumatized” sa thunderbolt mo sa blog ni Revsiopao? I tell you it’s beyond Technorati can rank, the OTWOMD voice, and pipol are picking it up, hehe.
Dfishs latest blog entry..Owling on Novels
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bluepanjeet Reply:
January 20th, 2009 at 7:13 pm
Haha intrigero ka pare haha. In truth I never really intended to scare them. Kaya nga minsan ko lang nilalabas ang kidlat ko blog dahil nga likas sa akin ang malaman ang salita. Ewan ko ba. Namimisteryosohan ako sa salita ko haha. Para naman sa akin eh normal yun. Palagi nga nila akala na galit ako sa mga post ko eh hindi naman haha. Ang totoo nyan pag galit ako di ako nareply. Yun ang totoong galit haha. Pero pag mga ganyan naman wala lang.
sana naman mahimasmasan sila at hindi naman ako nangangain ng tao LOL
Bluep, I like what you wrote. Being credible is such a difficult thing to do especially since most of the time we bloggers (or people in general) just react to issues that we hear or read about without really trying to verify the facts.
The Internet is such a powerful tool so we really have to be careful with how we use it to influence other people.
Keiths latest blog entry..Santa’s Letter
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bluepanjeet Reply:
January 20th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
Pareng Keith, eto pa kamo. Some bloggers just “browse” the post then “attack”. They don’t bother reading the entire context of the post. They just look for loopholes then attack the writer. Ilang beses ko na naexperience yan. Di nyo alam kasi nga di ko pinapatulan dahil off tangent kalimitan ang mga arguments and sometimes it will just scare my readers away here pag puro na lang conflict ang ibloblog ko. Sa dot com ko keith, malalaman mo lahat ng kontrobersya haha
That’s true. Even microblogging apps like plurk and twitter are used for black propagandas against a fellow blogger
Bluep, noong pumutok yung balita about the 4 suspended students ng QC Science High dahil sa “credible blogging”, naisip ko, hindi malayong iba-blog mo to hehehe. No pressure, bro.I just find it a real interesting topic kasi parang nagbabadya na talaga ng pagbabago at pagtataob sa mga nakaugalian, courtesy of blogging.
Welcome to the era of blogging, Dr. Sadsad (the principal)!
Dfishs latest blog entry..“Ti, ano na, salumon ko?” (Tagalog Post)
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bluepanjeet Reply:
January 20th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
I heard that story. Pero I wasnt keen in blogging it. Medyo parehong mali din kasi yung students at principal eh sa judgment ko.
Its true that the students felt oppressed and stifled, pero I think its not justifiable to blog the principal in utter hatred haha. I read the entries and man they were so cruel and rude. Kahit ako magagalit ako pag ganun ang ginawa sa akin.
To tell you honestly bluep, medyo naaasar ako dun sa mga naga-accuse sa mga bloggers na we are blogging them and then, we are doing a trial by print vs the pagdanganans…
however, let me point this thing – the truth shall prevail…lalabas din naman ang totoo at alam ng tao yun… at ang mas mahalaga – God knows who is telling the truth.
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bluepanjeet Reply:
January 20th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Well snow its because the Pangandamans didn’t realize how blogging can be a powerful tool until they were blogged by bambee.
Uy passage yan sa bible, the truth sahll set you free. and I agree. Somewhere down the road, the truth will prevail on either camps.
Good Read. Inabot na ako ng siyam siyam para makita ko ang buong istorya nitong post mo. And when I have a complete overview, I really appreciated what you wrote. Very very Good. One of your best.
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bluepanjeet Reply:
January 20th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
Haha eh di nagkape ka kapatid sa dami ng binasa mo. Masalimuot yang istorya na yan. One thing led to another at nagkaroon pa ng sub issues.
Hay buhay blogging nga naman
i agree with you that we could never post anything about the absolute truth about something if we only had the story third or fourth hand from the media or form other people. We had to be there and witness what happened before we can do that.
honeys latest blog entry..How to…
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bluepanjeet Reply:
January 20th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
I am not blaming the bloggers who joined the caravan kasi nga they have every right to feel offended. Kahit ako nung una ko sya mabasa medyo nangalaiti rin ako. Pero inuna ko ang prudence kasi wala din naman nangyayari tulad nung sa malou fernandez issue. Dapat talaga listen muna to both sides of the story bago iblog.
Bago ang lahat kapatid, besos muna kita for Happy New Year
Sensya na ngayon lang ulet naka dalaw sa iyong e bahay.
BTW tapik sa likod sa post mong ito!Very well said blue!
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bluepanjeet Reply:
January 20th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
Uy besos ate Cheh. OO nabasa ko yung sinabi mo sa blog mo na busy ka. Lahat ata tayo medyo busy eh. Habang dumadami kasi ang readers at blog friends, humahaba din ang time to bloghop and sometimes I cant even cope up with the pressure haha.
ako di ko nga lam sa knila.. I’m confused na nga eh.. kung sino tlga sa knila ang gustong pumasok sa showbiz… halos sila na ang laman ng t.v dyaryo.. mgazin .. interneyt…. tapos may alabang boys pa.. hayyy.. ang gulo na ng earth..
repahs latest blog entry..OL YR. ROUND
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bluepanjeet Reply:
January 20th, 2009 at 7:28 pm
Nyahahaha ayos ka talaga Repah-pitz haha. Uy maganda si Bambee ah. Hawig sya ni Ciara Sotto.
Isa ako sa mga hindi nagsulat ng issue na ito kasi me trangkaso ako that time haha. Seriously, bloggers should read this post and see what they feel on this issue and to other issues they write. Aba taon binubuo ang credidility tapos sa isang iglap mawawala na parang bula?
Btw, kapatid i tried mag subscribe dun sa dot com mo pero di pa daw naactivate yung feed mo. Check it na lang Bro.
Very nice post brother.
Ambos latest blog entry..Twitter : A Powerful Social Networking Tool
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bluepanjeet Reply:
January 20th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
Haha as useless hahahaha
Parang Pee-Ar ano ambo? Ilang taon mo binuno tapos mamaya lang zero na haha. Naku Knock on wood and plastic haha
Hehe sadya yun para wala makakabasa nung mga sinusulat ko na pilo entry ko haha. Magooperate sya pag bukas na talaga.
“for as faith is the soul of man, so is credibility the spirit of a blogger.”
very profound naman!
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bluepanjeet Reply:
January 20th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
Uy salamat sa pagdalaw bro Don hehe. Welcome sa blog ko. Balik Balik lang.
But with the case of Jester-in-Exile… I have all the evidence I need so it’s safe to say that Pierre Tito Galla is a liar. Woohooo! I dropped a name :~)
Anyway, nice article blue.. very well said. I for one have written on the Pangandaman issue not because I was persuade or something, but because I feel that it’s inappropriate for some public official to display that kind of behavior, especially mauling 14 yr old kids. :~)
jepoys latest blog entry..A Hypospray for Cancer!
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bluepanjeet Reply:
January 20th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
Nyayaya kaw talaga Jepoy hahaha Ibinalndra mo na talaga ang Pangalan ni bespren haha. Sana sinamahan mo ng Pic para may madart naman ako dito LOL
Thanks for visiting pare.
[...] like Blue. If you are new to his blog and are overwhelmed at the 798 (ang growing) posts, visit his Credibility post and start there, its one of his best. Thanks [...]
hi… i have followed the golf issue.. i know the pangandamans, specially SEC. Nasser Pangandaman and his son HON. Mayor Nasser Pangandaman Jr.. you may try to trace it if there was a history where they were involved into a trouble. the golf issue was the first time i had heard them got involved into a trouble like that. in fact, it was the mayor’s bodyguard who defended the mayor from the old de la paz’s hits.
I have a friend who lives in Antipolo near to place where it happened. They even told me na buti nga sa matandang yan.. Ang yabang yabang! Feeling nila nabili na nila tong buong golf course.
Old de la paz should admit to himself that nothing lasts forever. everything has an end. it was just the pangandamans who happened to be the one who was able to end his KAYABANGAN!!!!
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