GenSan News Online Mag

NCCC is now in Gensan!

Considered one of the largest wholesalers of groceries and other goods in Davao and owner of the humongous NCCC Mall of Davao, Durian capital’s flagship trader has just invaded the Tuna Capital and opened its 1,000 square meter Supermarket Wholesale Center outlet on April 14, 2008.

Located along Leon Llido Street in Barangay Lagao, the property is on lease to NCCC by the owners of the former Kimball Plaza. It is NCCC’s eighth supermarket branch, and will focus on servicing wholesalers and distributors in the city and nearby towns of Sarangani Province. The NCCC Supermarket Wholesale Center will “bridge medium to small-scale distributors, and sari-sari store retailers that service their community’s daily household needs”, according to their press release.

Helen A. Lim (left), Chairman of the Board, NCCC Group of Companies is assisted by City Administrator Teody Dumagan (right) in opening the eight NCCC Supermarket outlet in General Santos City on April 14, 2008.

Right now, General Santos City is serviced by the big supermarkets of KCC Mall of Gensan (with its 82 checkout counters), Gaisano Mall of Gensan (now undergoing expansion) and the smaller FitMart Mall in downtown Dadiangas. NCCC’s entry has only tempered rumors that the Teng Family is resurrecting their Kimball Plaza which used to lord them all in the 90s via a partnership with the newcomer from Davao.

Now with NCCC in Gensan apparently to test the waters before SHOEMART and ROBINSONS’ begin construction of their own outlets, it will surely be one hell of a fight among giants which shall of course redound to the benefit of the people of SOCSKSARGEN.

And so, very soon the “generals” would not have to take the 3-hour trip to the Durian capital to shop and worry about accommodations in Davao
because all the big players will already be in their beloved city by the bay.

GOING GREEN AT RECYCLABLE FAIR. City officials smile before the camera after the opening program for the 1st GenSan Recyclable Waste Fair at the Gaisano Mall of GenSan on Earth Day, April 22, 2008 (from left to right) program emcee and Assistant City Administrator Glennville Gonzales, Councilor Meggie Santos, Kagandahan GenSan Chair & First Lady Dr. Rose Acharon, Councilor Nepnep Natividad and Councilor Richard Atendido.

COMMITMENT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT. GenSan First Lady & Kagandan GenSan Chairperson Dr. Rose Acharon sign the Pledge of Commitment during the opening ceremonies of the 1st GenSan Recyclable Waste Fair on Earth Day, April 22, 2008. The signing aims to encourage individuals to do their share in helping the government in its implementation of the waste management program to ensure the sustainability of the environment.

In celebration of Earth Day 2008, a young photographer from General Santos City will hold an exhibit of 14 of his most recent works at the lobby of the City Hall Building from April 21 to 25, 2008.

32-year old Leonard Pe’s very first solo showcase entitled “EARTHSCAPES” is a collection of photographs he shot from various places in the Philippines including Ilocos Norte, Siquijor, Davao, Sarangani, South Cotabato and GenSan.  Mostly landscapes, these photographs are the artist’s homage to the Earth Day Celebration.

Leonard, who is one of Socsksargen’s most sought after photographers is the Silver Award winner of the 2007 Project Clean Water Photography Contest of the Greenpeace Southeast Asia. He has also won other major awards from various local photo competitions.

Currently, he is an active member of the GenSan Camera Club (GCC).

“EARTHSCAPES- A one-man photo exhibit” is sponsored by the city mayor’s office of GenSan, Kalimudan Arts and Culture Center, Fluid Light Digital Studio and Ideas.

The city government of General Santos, through the committees on Environmental Conservation and Beautification of parks, plazas and playgrounds, and Solid Waste Management headed by Councilor Richard Atendido will spearhead the 1st Gensan Recyclable Waste fair this coming April 22, 2008, Earth Day. (Click on the poster above for a larger view.)

The Fair aims to recover recyclable waste including those not traditionally bought by junkshop operators such as computer hardware and used appliances from different point sources to help reduce the volume of waste that goes into the city dumpsite.

The activity also aims to increase people’s awareness on the benefit of waste segregation and, support the city’s Ecological Solid Waste Management Program.

The City government plans to do this activity once every quarter to coincide with the city’s festivals and celebrations such as the GenSan Business Month (July), Tuna Festival (September), Kalilangan (February) and Pasko sa Gensan (December).

On April 22,2008, the 1st Gensan Recyclable Waste Fair will start with a motorcade from 8:00-9:00 in the morning to be followed by the opening program at 9:00am and the Buying of Recyclables from 9:30am to 4:30pm.

While buying and selling is ongoing, there will be and on-the-spot logo and slogan contest, film viewing and exhibits by the City Environment and Natural Resources Office and EMB 12.

Expected at the opening of the fair are Gensan City Mayor Pedro B. Acharon, Jr., Kag. Richard Atendido, RD Datu Tungko Saikol of EMB 12, Dra. Rose Acharon, of Kagandahan Gensan and Mr. John Ced, President of the Gensan City Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The co-convenors of the fair are: Kagandahan Gensan, GSCCCII, DENR-EMB 12, DENR-CENRO Gensan, City ENRO, The Philippines Environmental Governance2 Project, Pollution Control Asso. of the Philippines Reg. 12, Junker Association of Gensan, City Public Information Office (CPIO), KBP, PIA, GSC Police Office, Rotary Club of Greater Gensan, HTC, RMMC, DepEd, Marist Brothers, GSC Doctor’s Hospital, Gaisano, KCC, ABC, ABK, Gregoria Printing Wilmond Press, PCG, PNP Maritime, NFA, Gensan Foundation Institute, INC., GSC Central Market Vendors Association, and the Maranao Vendors Association.

STI College- General Santos recently inaugurated its new campus and this new building along Jose Catolico Avenue, fronting the former Lola Sisay restaurant.

The GenSan franchisee of this STI branch is a group composed of Mr. Domingo Teng, Chief Executive Officer and Mr. Kenneth T. Ang, Chief Operating Officer, among others.

Mr. Domingo Teng is the oldest son of the family which owned the Kimball Plaza in the 90s. They are now mainly into fishing aside from their smaller ventures in the restaurant and bakery businesses (Jollibee Highway, Orange Bistro, Tinapay Republic).

Gen. Santos City, being located at the Sarangani Bay has plenty of beach resorts for everyone. Enjoying a mostly sunny weather all throughout the year, I and my family could just hie off to the nearest free beach at the Queen Tuna Park or travel 15-30 minutes to any of the the well-maintained resorts along the bay.

There are times however when I do not have the feel for salty sea water which makes my body feel sticky after a swim. So what I do instead, is go to this little known natural springs resort at the farthermost end of the Nuñez Street at Purok Malakas called Meljois Spring Resort.

Meljois, which lies just beside the Silway River (picture below) has actually been around since the 60s when it was then known as “MATEO SPRINGS.”

I remember being brought there along with my siblings by our parents during their Lion’s Club or Knights of Columbus chapters’ outings. What I couldn’t forget is that I nearly drowned in the adult pool when I drifted into the deeper end. I almost even brought my childhood friend, Michael Elma to the bottom with me when I tried clinging on to him for help. Good thing that his father, now retired Judge Armi Elma jumped into the pool and rescued us, one in each arm. Boy! That was really a scare. That experience forced me to learn swimming afterwards.

When the beaches along Sarangani Bay became more accessible bringing with it the establishment of a good number of resorts, the natural springs resorts slowly lost their luster. I even forgot all about Mateo Springs and thought that it has closed down already.

It was such a pleasant surprise then that this little known Meljois located at the upper suburbs of GenSan is actually the “Mateo Spring” of my youth.

Swimming at Meljois is only half the fun, however. The other half is trying not to lose your way when going there and enjoying your rustic surroundings.

First you have to travel through a dirt road portion of Nuñez Street after turning left from Mabuhay Road. When you seem to have reached the end, you will see this sign:

This is when you turn left to this small road sandwiched by a wooded area:

… which turns into an even smaller bend…

By this time, am sure you will be amazed by the sight of greenery all around you and even more so when you pass by a cornfield straight out of a setting of either “Field of Dreams” or “Jeepers Creepers” (your pick)…

Finally, you turn left again down into a winding sandy road…

.. which does not prepare you to this inviting sight of Meljois Natural Springs Resort….

… and its cool, crystal-clear potable springs water…

Ahhh… nothing really beats the refreshing and invigorating waters of Meljois pools during summer. No stinging eyes due to chlorine or sea water and the lesser chances of sunburn on your face or back due to the presence of trees around the pool offering comforting shades to swimmers.

And the rates are soooo cheap too. Meljois Spring Resort charges P35 per person and P150 per cottage ONLY. They are open 24/7.

To get to Meljois from downtown Gensan, take a Mabuhay Road jeep from the waiting shed fronting Sydney Hotel. Go down at the corner of Nuñez Street. Choose any of the single motorcycles (or habal-habal) and haggle your fee with the driver for the trip to Meljois. If he says P15, go!!!! Hop on and hang on for dear life… but while you’re at it, enjoy the scenery.

I got a new header!

This time, it contains images from my own set of photos which i shot even before I ventured into blogging about Gen. Santos City, my birthplace and hometown.

Prominently placed next to my blog name by web artist Dennis Paul Custorio (who designed it) is a photograph of the statue of General Paulino Santos himself, founder of this city to whom it was named.

Next to it is the entrance arch to the Queen Tuna Park, actually the old Lion’s Beach bearing a new name. This beach landmark is meant to herald the city’s reputation as the TUNA CAPITAL of the Philippines, being host to most of the Philippines’ tuna canneries & processors. (TUNA is locally known as BARILES, in Tagalog, hence this blog title.)

The beach itself used to be the docking and unloading area for the hundreds of fishing boats in the 80s, speaking of which are featured in a picture below the arch, a picture I shot at the Fishport Complex, where all these fishing boats now do their trade.

Next we find two young men in their yellow Maguindanaoan attire while in action during the Kulintangan Competition at last year’s Kalilangan Festival (in February). It was good that Dennis included this picture because it showcases one of my city’s famous festivals, the others being the Tuna Festival (in September) and Pasko Sa Gensan (in December). A good number of my blog posts have featured numerous events from these festivals.

Then, to complete the header is a close-up shot of fresh-looking BIG-EYE TUNA SASHIMI, big-eye being the most expensive and tastiest tuna variety of all, complete with green wasabi on the foreground. Yummy-looking right? Just writing about it now makes me want to go rush to Pacific Seas Seafood Market and buy myself a frozen pack for supper.

By the way, those small hill-like formations above the head of the statue of Gen. Santos are from a photograph of a set of brass kulintangs used on the same competition I mentioned earlier.

Again, thanks to Dennis Paul who has been kind enough to patiently redesign the whole thing after a problem with the first header. Now, I really have to take him on a good all-expense paid stay at a nice Davao Hotel very, very soon.

What used to be known as Notre Dame of Dadiangas for Girls and now as the Notre Dame of General Santos City is transferring to its new home.

Administered by the Congregation of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena, NDGSC’s school campus along Biateles Street will be turned over to the parish of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage under the Passionist Community who given them the permission to use it since it was established in the 60s. (The Notre Dame of Dadiangas University on the other hand, is run by the Marist Brothers.)

Now nestled in a 5-hectare property in Purok Masagana, Barangay San Isidro (formerly the site of Dole Stanfilco’s banana plantations during the last century), the new Notre Dame of Gen. Santos City boasts of an imposing 3-story u-shaped building comprised of over 30 rooms.

When I dropped by for a look-see last weekend, I was immediately impressed with the size of its building and with its location at Barangay San Isidro. This barangay has lately been enjoying a boom in the number of subdivisions and private villages being developed.

This could be the reason why over the years, GenSan’s new schools have been establishing campuses in GenSan’s upper suburbs (specifically Barangays San Isidro and Lagao) like Quantum Academy (in 2nd Barrio Lagao), Shalom Crest Wizard Academy (in Block 8, City Heights), Gen. Santos City National High School (Aparente Avenue, Purok Malakas), and SPED Annex (2nd Barrio, Lagao), not to mention the smaller Nursery and Kiddie Schools.

Even the campus of Notre Dame of Dadiangas University’s High School (of the Marist Brothers) has transferred to Lagao effective this new school semester. (Read all about it here.)

(This post is offered to the girls of the former NDDFG HS Batch 78, from us, the boys of the former NDDC HS Batch 78. See you during our JOINT PEARL (30th) ANNIVERSARY BATCH REUNION on May 3 and 4, 2008!)

The Front Gate of Notre Dame of GSC

The facade of the new Notre Dame of GSC.

The back portion of the ND GSC building.

A fountain at the courtyard behind the building.

St. Catherine of Siena, St. Dominic and the Blessed Virgin with baby Jesus all waiting to be transported to their new placements inside the new campus of the Notre Dame of GSC.

Talk and Text recently made the city of General Santos the first stop in their GAANIVERSARY CARAVAN in celebration of their 8th year. They brought with them showbiz artists Rufa Mae Quinto, Rhiann Ramos, Rayver Cruz and Dominic Ochoa to headline a fun-filled show at the oval plaza stage.

I wasn’t able to catch the show but was there at the press briefing with these stars at the Orange Cafe Tent along the Lagao Road, an hour before their scheduled motorcade.

Rufa Mae was her usual bubbly and kingkay self, peppering her answers with gay lingo as she traded jokes with Dominique. In contrast, young stars Rhiann and Rayver were the reserved types, shyly responding to reporters’ queries in short , monosyllabic answers.

In the end, everyone warmed up when it was time for the most-awaited event of all – the PICTURE-TAKING MOMENT.

Thanks to Haydee Bernabe of SMART Telecoms for the invitation to see these Kapamilya and Kapuso stars up close and personal and of course, to Orange Bistro for the sumptuous spread of Asian delights served to us.

Rufa Mae Quinto, Dominic Ochoa, Rhiann Ramos and Rayver Cruz

Notre Dame of Dadiangas University is once again in the limelight as one of its graduates Richard Ian Aban Abadorya, got the Top 7th position in the Board Exams for Electronics and Communications Engineering behind passers from La Salle, Mapua, UP-Diliman and St. Louis.

He is #1 among the passers from any school outside of Luzon though!

Congratulations to Richard Ian and to the rest of the board passers! Way to go Dameans!!!!

(Thank you Reuben for this update.)