Sad to say, Malaybalay has its own "culture" of gossip and rumor mongering . . .

How does gossip begin? You and I are "experts" at this because let us accept our tendency: to backbite someone who is not present when the gossip is " being said" aloud in a particular setting. Depending on the popularity or status of the person being "talked about" the gossip also becomes more popular.

Take this situation: Atty. Adel Tamano, spokesperson of the Nacionalista Party and is running as Senator of the Philippines, was supposed to talk in Bukidnon State University sometime last December 4, 2009. Atty. Adel already arrived in Malaybalay but due to some "negligence" of people concerned, the speaker was the last one to know that the talk would not push through. We know who the "culprits" are but in the gossip - which includes now a private citizen - it is narrated by the "gossiper" that the private citizen and the person who "salvaged" the embarrassing situation are now the "culprits" or the ones who did not allow Atty. Tamano to speak in BSU. Do you see how the gossip "twists" the truth? Who are these people who still spread wrong information? We can only guess. Remember, there is "culture of gossip and rumor mongering" in Malaybalay, Bukidnon, Philippines.

Now that it is already 2010, we who are Malaybalayans must "purge" ourselves: no finger pointing is needed because "mia culpa", gossip is "my fault"- "mia maxima culpa"gossip is "my most grievous fault". If you and I begin telling the truth and stop spreading gossip, the so-called "culture" of destroying somebody elses's reputation is bound to stop and die its natural death. So be it. (Amen).