Of Comments and Intense Reactions

Hello bloggers! The official explanation for my short absence is in the next entry. In this one, I'm going to be doing something that I should have done earlier: Explain and present the new comment format I'm testing out. Many of you have reacted and commented about the new form, and I believe where I fell short on was the lack of a short tutorial on how to use it. It really is simple and very much like our old form, except it allows us to thread comments (more on this later).

So, please don't let the name of the comment plugin fool you, IntenseDebate is just a name, it's not what really goes on. Before you dismiss it as a gimicky thing, please let me defend it and its purpose. If you all have given it an honest try and still don't like it, i will gladly revert back to the default Blogger comment format.

Let me take you now through the simple process of leaving comments using this new format. Clicking on the same "comments" link at the bottom of each entry takes you to the entry's standalone page, like this one for the "The Village...III" for example. At the bottom of the existing comments, you'll find the form to leave your own.


After writing your comment, you have the option to leave your name or stay anonymous by leaving it blank. You DON'T have to sign up for an IntenseDebate account, though I would recommend it so you can track the comments you've made and refer back to them easily if the need arises. Click on the "Submit Comment" button when you're done.




Now, here is where I think some people are getting confused. IntenseDebate will now display your comment and it will look like it already got posted. This is just temporary and for your eyes only (based on your IP address). Actually, this comment will still be awaiting moderation (like in the old style of commenting) and will be posted publicly for all to see after I approve it. Some of you might have seen this and thought that I am not moderating comments anymore, don't worry that I still am.

With regards to threading comments, this is a way of responding to specific comments without having to quote it like in the old method. It allows us to easily follow a conversation between two bloggers, or allow any of you or me to respond to specific questions directed at you or myself. Here is how you do it:

Each comment will have a "Post Reply" link below it.


You click that and a standard comment entry form will appear. You can leave a reply just like posting a regular comment, and it will now appear under the comment you are responding to after I approve it. It will look like this:



A quick update:

Thanks to p.e. for asking, you can sort the comments as well, for those who want to see the latest activity or sort by date (default).





As for the html formatting our more internet savvy bloggers have utilized, they are still active.

IntenseDebate supports the following simple HTML tags:

<a>, <b>, <i>, <u>, <em>, <p>, <blockquote>, <br>, <strong>, <strike>, <img>

The most commonly used ones are the BOLD (<b>) and ITALIC (<i>) tags. You use them by enclosing the word or text you want formatted with the tags, for ex:

<b>your text here</b> will display as:

your text here

So there, I hope you all can give it an honest try, I do believe it will be helpful in keeping track of comments in the blog, especially as we interact with each other all the time nowadays. I noticed how many reactions the baiting commenter dan droff sasholder elicited with his sarcastic ways, and it helps to respond to such using threaded comments, hehe.

The Village That Frank Built Part III

UPDATE 09/05/08:
Delisting letter added.

Part I is HERE.
Part II is HERE.

In fairness to the Easter Group, Jun Junia, et al, here is their next response on the Remarville issue following the Mario Pareno response published in Part II. I am hoping for a response from the parties named, preferably with some documents to back up any claims, something the Easter Group is always noticeably short on. I personally would love to also hear from the FFL members themselves who were on site and not just from Jun Junia.

They've directed this response specifically at this blog and at the images and issues posted here. While it is my opinion that it doesn't hold water (because of the coinciding testimonies from several parties and not just from one), I am waiting for actual witnesses to speak up. I am also positive there is a video of the event in question somewhere. If you know how I can get to that video, I'll appreciate a heads up.

I've seen the calls for a "Blogger's GK Village" started by TE and it gladdens my heart. I feel tho that before we get started on that, we have to settle any injustices that are being committed now, lest it happens again. This is OUR watch now, we must do all we can to set things RIGHT before we move on.

I will be updating this entry throughout the week.



--- On Tue, 8/26/08, Easter Group wrote:

From: Easter Group
Subject: Fwd: CFC Global's 20 July CFC International Village (Remarville) Build
To:
Date: Tuesday, August 26, 2008, 7:52 PM


Following our 1st reply to the CFC Global bloggers' comments and e-mails, more releases were made by them that needed some correction. We have the brother himself, Jun Junia, who wrote the e-mail account below to clear the air on this issue which has reached quite vicious and ugly proportions because of rather baseless accusations. With this correction, we hope all are now clarified with the true state of affairs in Remarville.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


To: Easter Group
Cc: junjunia@gmail.com


CFC Global's 20 July CFC International Village (Remarville) Build

A lot has been said about the foiled attempt of CFC Global for an alleged BUILD at the CFC International Village (Remarville) last 20July 2008. I would like to clarify that this 20 July affair was not a BUILD attempt but an INVASION of a site which CFC Global knew and accepted as a Restoration Village and not a GK site.

To get a better perspective hereunder is a brief background of said project. CFC International Village was started by members of North C Cluster 6, then under the headship of JUN JUNIA. There is no problem with the land acquisition as the land was purchased and is being paid for by the beneficiaries on an installment basis over 5 years (free of interest) and as of this date amortization payments for 2 years and 7 months have been made.

This social housing project really took off when Frank Padilla saw it as a chance to give homeless CFC members their own home. Frank Padilla then requested the CFC International community to adopt one house each, thus the name CFC International Village.

Work was started in January 2006 but because of differences in development approaches between Junia and Pancho Lopez Tan, GK National took over control of project development in December 2006. Raul Dizon was in charge of the area for eight (8) months and during that period he created his own clique which he called his TEACHER's PETS, and which group became his alter ego.

When the split in the CFC community happened the majority of the beneficiaries chose to align themselves with CFC FFL and the homeowner's association took over the project. Raul Dizon's Teacher's Pets (a noisy but numerical minority) aligned themselves with CFC Global and created divisions in the project while openly defying the homeowner's association. When caught with violations they would cry HARRASSMENT. This division in the Remarville community (FFL vis a vis Global) is the problem that the association had been trying to correct when the 20 July Build of CFC Global cropped up.

On 18 July 2008 I got a text from Tito Santos telling me that they had scheduled a BUILD in Remarville on July 20, 2008 and that permission had been given by Lito de Guzman. Tito Santos advised me that Ricky Santos, an awardee of one of the three houses to be built, would coordinate with the association.

Lito de Guzman, when contacted, told me that the message Tito Santos was circulating was misleading as he took back this positive comment when he learned that Tito Santos had not asked permission from the homeowner's association and had sent him a second text asking him to seek the association's permission first. In a dialogue with Ricky Santos on the evening of 18 July, he told us that he was asked to attend a meeting in Melo Villaroman's office and was surprised to see people identified as DIZON teacher's pets in that meeting where the plan for the 20 July Build was finalized. The Remarville homeowner's association then explained to Ricky Santos that on 20 July the beneficiaries themselves were scheduled to work in the site and the presence of 200 outsiders may derail this internal unifying process. Furthermore how do you place 200 people on three (3) small (3.5M x 7.0 M) lots over and above the 30 to 50 beneficiaries working there also. Finally it was explained to Ricky that you do not attain UNITY by the statement of Tito Santos that we will go there to build for the 3 members of CFC and if things work out we will also work on the houses of non CFC members. You do not start unity moves by going into FFL territory and calling them non CFC.

Ricky Santos understood and promised to do something. On the morning of 19 July, Ricky Santos sent me the text message that Melo Villaroman had cancelled the 20July Build at Remarville. I forwarded this message to Tito Santos together with the information that the homeowner's association had disapproved their 20 July build..

The reply of Tito Santos was that he did not know Ricky Santos and he would pursue their 20 July Build despite the disapproval by the association and whether I would be there or not. That is when I knew that Tito Santos was not coordinating the 20 July Build, but rather only informing us that they would proceed with the Remarville build despite the disapproval by the association, thus we called it an INVASION and prepared for such.

The pictures being circulated by CFC Global will readily show that we had women at the entrance barrier as we do not adhere to the DADANAK ANG DUGO theory and never said that. Neither did we have goons, unless CFC Global looks at FFL members as goons. We are however grateful to the barangay as they were a big help.

So my friends the 20 July exercise of CFC Global was not a build, but an invasion as

- They had knowledge that Remarville is not a GK site, yet they never sought permission from the association before they planned their BUILD.

- Tito Santos was not coordinating, but merely informing us that irregardless of the association's disapproval he would push through with the Build Tito Santos was in fact spreading distorted information while not heeding the advise of Ricky Santos that their 20 July BUILD HAD BEEN CANCELLED BY MELO VILLAROMAN.

- The mobilization of 200 persons was illogical as it would be physically impossible to place them on the site of three small lots (unless the purpose was the usual photo ops of GK)

- In the process of dissuading them from their 20 July build Tito Santos was informed that the beneficiaries affiliated with Global and FFL were working together as a group of 30 to 50 people, and they had a build scheduled also on 20 July; thereby making it doubly difficult for an additional 200 outsiders to work in the area. The beneficiaries themselves working together irregardless of affiliation was the real start of unity.

The highlight of this episode was when ERIC CAYABYAB attempted to forcefully enter the site. After trying to impress me that he was a doctor and head of GK he sarcastically asked me IF I KNEW WHERE THE MONEY BEING USED FOR THE MATERIALS THEY WERE SENDING TO REMARVILLE CAME FROM? He was implying that it was their (GK) money and I amusedly answered it was Remarville funds (not GK). I had been informed that donations for the 130 units in Remarville had been fully made. This is in the custody of GK and they are releasing this only to beneficiaries who would affiliate with CFC Global. Then Eric Cayabyab directly coordinated with Arlene Castor, a beneficiary who is being delisted for having built a house more than three times the standard size for Remarville. Castor claims to have spent Php 200,000.00 of her personal funds (over and above the Php 80,000.00 plus of free materials she got from FFL and Global inventories). If Eric Cayabyab were a true GK practitioneer he should have relocated Arlene Castor in Camella Homes, considering the violations Arlene Castor has made and the money she claims to have spent, instead of letting her spearhead the 20July affair. GK/CFC Global has not spearheaded a move to relocate her to a regular subdivision, but has in fact provided her a lawyer in the delisting proceedings filed by the association against Castor. It is by this act that I wonder if GK has changed its qualification standards.

Finally I feel that the LORD really knows how to play jokes on us.. This 20 July Build is personified by what I call THE UNHOLY TRINITY. You see the main characters in the whole affair are holy people as

- One of the houses programmed for construction in the 20 July invasion is that of RICKY SANTOS

- The person pursuing the unauthorized BUILD/INVASION is TITO SANTOS

- The person currently circulating libelous statements against me from a self assumed high perch of moral authority but in total ignorance of facts of the case is MIKE SANTOS, a son of Tito Santos

Today Remarville is completely polarized and vividly depicts the conflict between CFC Global and CFC FFL being lived on a day to day basis by persons/neighbors who take pride in calling themselves Christians while being unchristian to one another. This is the reality of what CFC or we have become.

I pray that you can pass this on to our brothers in the community so that lessons in christian behavior may be learned and current moral standards being used/practiced be reassessed.

JUN JUNIA




* * *

I believe it is time for our beneficiaries to speak up. Jun Junia speaks of Christian Behavior. Please be fair then Mr. Junia. Sana po hindi lang salita yan. Payagan nyo po ang mga apektado na magsalita at mag bigay ng kanilang panig, na walang takot ma de-list.

Is that fair? I've published your side and I believe the they have a right to respond in kind.

UPDATE 09/05/08
Sample delisting letter added

Now I am certain this isn't the only one given out. At this time, I have had no updates so far on the situation inside save for the comments left anonymously by residents of Remarville. Please keep it up, we are doing this for you.

Test Post

New comment template uploaded.

We Wish You Well

Now can't you do the same for us?


Friends, if you remember a few weeks back in the Pulp Bits entry, I wondered what the Easter Group was up to, since it appeared they were escalating attacks on GK. I figured it was because they had a competing product and needed to bash GK to raise the profile of theirs. Good business sense? Yes, I'd have to admit, but is it Christian conduct? You be the judge.

Personally, I've always felt that the best way for a product/company to succeed is to let its quality speak for itself. Positive word of mouth after all, is one of the most prized aspects of a good promotional campaign.

So I guess it comes as no suprise when I saw this:

Let me just take you back to the hints that made me feel that something was up.

Lets start with Perry Diaz's "Quo Vadis, Gawad Kalinga" article written in September of last year, which Nonong Contreras felt compelled to respond to. Mr. Contreras does the usual song and dance ("veering away", financial accountability, partnering with pharmas who promote contraceptives, etc.) and then hints at his own future partnership:

WE ONLY HAVE OUR BEST WISHES FOR CFC/GK AND MR. DIAZ IF THEY PURSUE THEIR MISSION WITHOUT CFC. THE ALL INCLUSIVENESS OF GK SHOULD NOT COME AT THE EXPENSE OF PROUDLY UNFURLING ITS CHRISTIAN BANNER AND CALLING IT CFC, THE WAY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY HAS BEEN VERY OPEN IN PROCLAIMING ITSELF AS A CHRISTIAN ORGANIZATION.

Read complete response HERE.

On Frank Padilla's own Multiply site, a March 31, 2008 article talks about the future partnership:

"Also off site, the RV will benefit 374 families, mostly CFC-FFL members, that will be relocated in 24-square meter lots subdivided from a total area 15,505 square meters. A partnership with Habitat for Humanity is being worked out for the site."

Then, back in May 12, 2008, Nonong released his own article entitled "Where Really Is The Rub", which I guess is his idea of a witty response to Conrado De Quiros, he once again brings up Habitat:

"The rub lies in GK veering away from the life and mission of CFC by overprotecting its benefactors and donors to the extent that CFC members were told to avoid "unfurling its Christian banner in public" (quote from Mr.Esposo in a past column) while Habitat for Humanity proudly proclaims that it is a Christian organization."

Finally, we have the emails from the Salvador Macias and Mario Pareno ghostwritten entities forwarded by the Easter Group, which not only attacks GK, but manages to once again spew unsubstantiated claims. The thinly veiled July 9, 2008 Macias rejoinder to Meloto's I Want To Be A Good Catholic given at Ateneo and covered HERE, and a long delayed response to a dredged-up-from-the-past article by Michael Tan. This was what rang the alarm bells for me. I figure the fabled Mr. Badong Macias had to dig that up because they needed something to base a GK attack on.

There are several points of interest on those Macias commentaries by the way (and those from the haplessly uninformed Mario Pareno) , one of which is the insistence that the IC distributed the supposedly internal GK-3 paper. I don't know why they keep perpetuating the lie, when this email says it all (note the date):

Subject: gk
Date: Wed, 25 Apr 2007 02:47:33 EDT

Because of its real frank nature, Bro. Frank Padilla (the eternal Pacifist and one who would not want to put down a brother) has withheld the all-out circulation of this, his 3rd paper on CFC and GK. We however believe that this paper should really be out especially so That our brethren will know the real score re: why there is tension bet. CFC and GK.

Some GK leaders' propaganda is that CFC leaders are just sourgraping Because of GK success. That CFC leaders are just displaying the typical Filipino crab mentality. That CFC leaders are simply envious of GK fame and Tony Meloto's awards. We believe in bringing out the truth. Unless the truth is out, our CFC members will always be misinformed and confused. So here it is. Frank's 3rd, no holds barred paper --- for the information of brothers and sisters in the community.

Please use your discernment on whether you wish to pass this to others in the community. Note that the date Bro. Frank made it is April 8, Easter Sunday. After two weeks of prayers and discernment on my part, I have decided to share this paper with you. May the truth set us free! May God and His Mother protect CFC!
Let us keep on praying for our beloved community.

Sis. Ding Contreras

But I digress (we'll get more into that later).


Anyway, I don't know if Habitat for Humanity know what they are getting themselves into. I need not mention that GK and Habitat has been peacefully co-existing all these years, until the Easter Group saw it fit to create drama between the two. The object of either group is to improve the lot of those less privileged, and put a roof over Pedro's head while giving him a chance and a vision to accomplish more, not just for himself but for his progeny. I have absolutely nothing against Habitat. None of us should. Before GK came into being, I've always respected what they've done, and still do. I wish the FFL (and their WWP program) well in their partnership with Habitat, may they house many, many poor Filipinos and give them hope and a chance at a good life.

There is however one thing that we all should be made aware of now, because everything up to this point has led to a specific conclusion, and it is this:

We need to finally realize that the conflict between Frank Padilla and Tony Meloto, between the Easter Group and the IC, the supposed veering away, or partnering with pharmas, all those points brought up by Frank Padilla as the reasons for his departure from CFC - ALL OF IT, were fabrications designed to hide the real devil's fruit that made him do it. PRIDE.

Wow, how can I say that, you may ask?

Easy, we've come full circle.

I'll ignore the fact that they are still thanking the anti-life proponent Cynthia Villar for their offices at Star Mall. I mean, they've never acknowledged it or at least tried to explain the hypocrisy blatantly displayed there, so I don't expect to hear any now.

Lets just concentrate on the here and now. Habitat and the FFL are now partners. That's a fact they've established well on their own. Right?

Well, considering all you have accused GK of, how do you now develop a partnership with an organization that works arm in arm with...

Pfizer
http://www.habitat.org/jcwp/2000/sponsors.html

And I quote:

“This joining together of workers within a company to do something outside enhances the sense of teamwork and makes for better relationships while at work.” – Doug Warner, Pfizer, Inc.

Habitat also deals with the Mormons, which if you remember the Easter Group raised a big deal about with GK:

Latter-day Saints joined many other community groups in a project to build two homes for local families. The article describes more about how Habitat for Humanity works.
http://www.mormonstoday.com/000514/D1LDS&Habitat01.shtml

Let me reiterate, this is not an attack on Habitat, I believe they have the right as a CHRISTIAN ORGANIZATION to partner with whomever God steers them to to achieve their means. I am merely pointing out a hypocrisy in the Easter Group's actions and in their ability to do exactly the opposite of what they say, and how this has wreaked havoc on the lives of innocent CFC members.


I guess that says it all. Shall we consider the case closed?

(Thanks to Divinos for the links and the heads up.)

Hear Their Plea

I just wanted to draw your attention to these comments.

GK Beneficiary ng Remarville has left a new comment on your post "So It's True":

Ang kinatatakot ko lang po paano kapag sa amin nangyari yun! ano ang gagawin namin? Saan kami pupunta? May tutulong ba sa amin? natatakot talaga kami kay Jun Junia kasi isang sabi lang nya HOA officials ay sumusunod sila kahit alam nilang mali na!

Alam nyo po sobrang SAYA namin ng maging beneficiary kami sa Remarville NOON kasi sa wakas may sariling bahay na kami, ngunit ang SAYA na naramdaman namin NOON ngayon ay nababalutan na ng LUNGKOT AT TAKOT NA BAKA BUKAS AY WALA NA ANG BAHAY NA IBINIGAY SA AMIN NG PANGINOON

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "So It's True":

Bilang isa sa mga GK beneficiary, nais ko pong ipaabot ang liham na ito kay Tito Jun J. at sa lahat ng bumubuo ng Kapit bahayan ng GK Remarville. Lubos po ang aking paniniwala sa kabutihang loob na taglay nyo, minsan na po tayong naging isang pamilya sa bubong CFC, at maaring nag iba man tayo ng landas na tinahak ngunit hindi ang maiaalis kabutihang loob na naitanim sa puso nyo.

Isa lamang po ako sa maraming bilang ng mahihirap na naghangad na magkaroon ng sariling tahanan. Kaya’t naging lubos ang aking kasiyahan ng malaman kong ako at ang aking pamilya ay mapapagkalooban ng tahanan sa GK Remarville. Sa totoo lamang po ay napaluha ako ng marinig ko ang balita. Naisip ko agad ang mga anak ko. “Sa wakas mabibigyan ko na rin sila ng maayos na tirahan at tahanang matatawag kong amin”. Lingid pos a inyong kaalaman ay nangungupahan lang po ako sa kasalukuyan. Sa hirap po ng buhay makailang beses na rin kaming lumipat ng tahanan, para lamang makahanap ng murang marerentahan. Bagamat may trabaho po ako at ang aking asawa ay di pa rin ito sapat para matugunan ang lahat ng pangangailangan namin sa araw-araw. Bilang isang ina gusto ko pong ibigay ang lahat ng makakabuti sa anak ko, masakit pong isipin na hindi ko man lang matugunan ang ilang pangangailangan nila dahil na rin po sa kakapusan. Makakatulong po sana talaga ng malaki kung ang perang binabayad namin sa upa ay mailaan na lamang po para sa mga anak ko. Ngunit sa kasawiang palad maaring manatiling pangarap na lamang ang PANGARAP kong ito. Dahil isa po ako sa mga nakatanggap ng DELISTING notice mula pos a inyo. Maaring may mga desisyon po kayong di ko lubos na nauunawaan. Hindi ko rin naman pong hahayaan ang aking sarili na humantong sa galit. Tingna nyo na lang po ako bilang isang tao, bilang isang Pilipino, bilang isang mahirap. Isang kababayang nangangailangan.

Hindi man po tayo personal na magkakilala, pero alam ko pareho tayo ng pananaw pagdating sa ating mga pamilya. Hindi po sana maging kalabisan sa inyo kung hihilingin kong maipagkaloob po sa akin sampu ng aking pamilya ang isang bahay sa remarville. Hindi ko man po kayo mabayaran dito sa lupa alam ko pong may nakalaan na biyaya ang May Kapal. Gayun pa man po taos puso akong magpapasalamat sa inyo. Pinapaubaya ko na po sa inyo ang katuparan ng mga pangarap ko…

Salamat po,
GK Benificiary

GK Beneficiary has left a new comment on your post "So It's True":

Bilang GK Benificiary ng Remarville ako po ay nagmamakaawa kay Tito Jun. J. at sa GK Int’l Restoration Village Homeowners Association, na sana kami ay mapagbigyan na matupad aming pangarap na magkaroon ng sariling bahay. Kami po ay mahirap lamang, di naming kayang bumili ng lupa at bahay. Ang kinikita naming mag-asawa ay di pa minsan sapat sa gastusin sa araw-araw: pagkain, gamit ng mga bata sa eskwela, tubig, kuryente at renta sa bahay.

Nung naging GK Benificiary kami, tuwang-tuwa kami aking pamilya. dahil malaki ang maitutulong nito, Nagpapasalamat kami sa Maykapal , sa mga Sponsors na ginamit ng Diyos upang tulungan kaming mahihirap. At alam kong, di lamang bahay ang binigay ng ating Panginoon kundi isang tahanan. At pananalig na madama at lubusang makilala, kung paano maging mabuti at tunay na kristyano.

Alam ko sa dito sa Remarville mayroong CFC at FFL. Pero nanalig ako na magiging maayos ang lahat dahil iisa lamang ating Panginoong Maykapal.

Bilang CFC Benificiary kami ay umaattend ng Homeowners Meeting. Sa mga meeting, nababanggit ni Tito Jun J. na wala sya pinapanigan CFC o FFL, ang panawagan lamang nya ay makaisa ang mga members ng Homeowners lalo na sa pagbayad ng amortization sa lupa.

Hanggang sa dumating yung araw July 20 – GK Build para sa CFC Home Office ng 3 Beneficiaries. Kami bilang CFC members na gustong tumulong, GK at ibang pang members ng West C, pati ilang kapatid sa GK ay nagpunta upang tumulong sa pag gawa ng bahay. Ngunit di natuloy ito dahil nagbarikada ang Homeowners at ilang FFL members.

Makalipas ang dalawang linggo, nakatanggap kami mga CFC Benificiaries ng delisting notice ang mga CFC Benificiaries. Ang Tanong Namin Bakit, ano ang nagawa naming mali.

Mali ba yung TUMULONG PARA SA MGA KAPATID NATING CFC Beneficiaries.

CFC-GK Beneficiary

Mike Santos gives us an update:

mike santos has left a new comment on your post "A Call To Arms Pt 2":

in light of the recent event --remarville delisting and eviction--

My dad sent a SMS to Jun Junia and requested a dialogue that reads

... There is far greater joyful reason to UNITE, than to DIVIDE.. let's meet and resolve issues Re: remarville, gk magsaysay and other concern...

let's pray for this to happen!!!

Friends, this Remarville issue is far from over. I know we've committed to prayers and gatherings on their behalf, please help me keep this issue at the forefront. If only half of the things I'm hearing about the International Village beneficiaries and their plight are truly happening, it is still a major WRONG that must be put RIGHT.

Let us pray for God to touch the souls of the men at the root of this travesty, and allow them to care once again for their less fortunate brethren, without prejudice to what community they choose to belong to.