MANILA, Philippines—Blogger power continues to fire up the online journal of Bambee Dela Paz days after she first posted her story about the brawl between her family and the sons of Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman at the Valley Golf and Country Club in Antipolo City.
Since her last post on her blog “Vicissitude” on Dec. 27, hundreds more of reader comments have streamed in, as blogger after blogger sought to spread her story around the web, seemingly reaching readers in every corner of the globe where there are Filipinos.
As of Wednesday afternoon, more than 700 had commented on her original blog entry, “The world has gone crazy.” In it, she recounted in vivid detail the alleged beating of her father, fishpond owner Delfin Dela Paz, and her 14-year-old brother by Pangandaman’s two sons and supposed bodyguards.
An additional 149 comments were also made on her succeeding entry, “Updates and Thank yous,” in which Bambee posted links to some news sites and expressed her gratitude for the huge online support.
The reader remarks ranged from the angry and indignant, to the sympathetic and comforting. Many believed the blog should continue to be circulated to reach more people and to fan public outrage.
Apology not enough
Dabawenyo said: “I’ll help spread this blog around. This is the least that I can do.”
John, who said he was a Malaysian based in the Philippines, lamented the “injustice” he thought Bambee had suffered.
Mari posted a link of the Philippine Daily Inquirer story about the Dela Pazes’ refusal to accept Pangandaman’s public apology, and commented: “No amount of apology will suffice.”
Clark of California said it was his first time to comment on a blog, and registered an account just to do so. “This makes me sick to my stomach,” he said.
‘Like a movie’
“Nakakahiya sila (how disgraceful they are)!!! I read the re-post of your story sa blog ng cousin ko. And i couldn’t take it. As if i am reading a script that will be used for a movie scene,” said Miami.
“I do hope you find justice. I even posted this on my blog,” said Music.
In spite of the varied reactions, a common sentiment kept popping up in the comments section, something like this that came from firehorse.hero: “Bambee, keep the faith!”
The Valley Golf club management, which is looking into the incident, said Wednesday it had granted a request from parties involved for more time to submit evidence in their behalf.
In a statement, Valley Golf said the committee investigating the case had given the Pangandaman and Dela Paz camps until Jan. 5 to complete their affidavits.
“After the receipt of the statements/evidence, the recommendation of the committee will be out within 24 hours. Thereafter it will be endorsed to the board for appropriate action,” the club said.
Clubhouse affairs manager Bong Vilchez said the club was looking into possible violations of three rules in the code of conduct and behavior.
The three rules pertain to unruly behavior, and or physical or verbal abuse of any member, guest or club personnel, cutting in front of a flight in any hole without permission from the following flight or starter, and intentionally making a shot with players in front who are still within range.
