GenSan News Online Mag

Most of you don’t know that as the rains were pouring mercilessly yesterday morning here in GenSan,  a small contingent organized by Mayor Jun Acharon was mapping out Plan B, in case the rains did not stop.  The opening and the performances for the Etho-Jazz Dance Competition at the oval plaza stage were to have been transferred to the oval plaza covered court.

Thankfully, the rains abetted somehow at lunch time and as the first dance contingent  began performing their number in front of the oval plaza stage at 2:00pm, the sun has already emerged from behind the clouds.

Mayor Jun Acharon, delivering his Welcome Address at the opening of the 10th Tuna Festival on August 29, 2008 at the oval plaza.

Upon the invitation of Representative Darlene Antonino-Custodio, House Speaker Prospero Nograles of Davao City gave the Keynote Address.  Together with him were other Mindanao congressmen, the Honorable Anton Lagdameo (Davao del Norte) and Honorable Mark Douglas Cagas (Davao del Sur).

(From left) Congressman Anton Lagdameo (Davao Norte), House Speaker Prospero Nograles (Davao City) Congresswoman Darlene Antonino-Custodio (South Cotabato 1st District), Congressman Mark Douglas Cagas (Davao Sur) and GenSan Mayor Jun Acharon at the opening of the 10th TunaFest at the Oval Plaza Stage

The three gentlemen from Davao seemed to enjoy the dance competitions and stayed on until after the Fireworks to partake of the Sashimi Night Buffet at the San Miguel Beer Party Zone.  They even gamely posed while carrying Tuna mock-ups with some young dancers.

Congressman Mark Douglas Cagas, House Speaker Prospero Nograles and Congressman Anton Lagdameo jam it up for my camera at the sidelines of the opening of the 10th Tuna Festival

Mayor Jun Acharon, who formally opened the activities revealed that more visitors will be coming in the next few days leading to the Tuna Fest culmination on September 5, including Press Secretary Jess Dureza (Guest of Honor at the Karagatan Awards on August 31, Sunday) and Senator Mar Roxas (at the Closing Ceremony on the 5th).

Here are other pics of the opening.

Up, up in the air! Could you help me identify the school from which these young high school dancers belong?

Fish-men or Fish-boys doing their dance routine.  Again, please tell me which school these dancers represent.

Champions of the Ethno-Jazz Competition:

• Elementary School Category – Dadiangas South Central Elementary School.

• High School Category – GSC School of Arts and Trades, Inc.

• Local Government Unit Category – Cluster 5 (City Mayor’s Office, ECOSHERA, PESO, City Vet, City Budget, City Admin, City Finance, City Permits, City Prosecutor, BAC, Barangay Community Affairs, CPIO, CSU, Traffic)

More pictures below… CLICK ON EACH IMAGE FOR A LARGER VIEW please.

I just arrived tonight from Davao City (which is celebrating its Kadayawan Festival) where I met up with my balikbayan friend Rey whom I have not seen since 1991. We had a few hours to catch up on the times gone by and suffice to say, we both had fun updating each other on how we’ve been.

Since I only hitched a ride with my best friend Francis, I had to leave before 5 in the afternoon and after buying a few things at SM Davao which was so packed with festival shoppers, we started our way home.

Earlier, I noticed a poster inside the mall announcing the appearance of the two lead starts of ABS-CBN‘s teleserye, “MY GIRL“, Gensan’s very own Gerald Anderson and Kim Chiu at their upper floor that very same time.

Gerald Anderson & Kim Chiu during the Bench Blackout Show

That got me into thinking how unfair ABS-CBN really is.

Yesterday, Friday, when I was preparing to blog about the upcoming shows of the artists of competing television stations ABS-CBN and GMA for the Tuna Festival, I received some discouraging news.

According to an ABS-CBN Gensan Marketing executive, the August 30 KCC Mall of GenSan show of Gerald and Kim together with John Lloyd Cruz which they have been announcing on their local TV programs, Magandang Umaga Socsargen and TV Patrol Socsargen and FM radio programs for the past two weeks has been cancelled!

The reason?

The fear of the ABS-CBN Talent Center that Gen. Santos City may not be a safe place to bring their priced stars due to the recent events in Lanao del Norte and North Cotabato.

Whaaat the f….ck!!!!!?????

I was so furious when I heard this flimsy and stupid excuse not wanting to believe that they did it again! During the last Kalilangan Festival in February, they also cancelled the supposedly appearance of the band CUESHE!

Granting that their Talent Center (headed by Mr. Johnny Manahan) has all the right to ensure the safety of their wards, why single out GenSan only?

This is an insult to the capabilities of the local security and peace-keeping forces and a mindless and insensitive message to the local government of GenSan which has been ABS-CBN’s biggest advertiser for the past five years in Region XII.

And what about GMA, the Kapuso Network?

Thank God, they’re not leaving us out in the cold and are in fact, pushing through with their Tuna Fest Kapuso Day with Regine Velasquez, Mark Anthony Fernandez, Dennis Trillo and many more. Same thing with SMART, Coca Cola, San Miguel, K101 and RMN who have also booked Manila-based artists for the Tuna Festival, including Kamikazee, among others.

That leaves ABS-CBN alone in their decision to forbid their artists to perform here, including Gerald Anderson who hails from this place and whose mother still LIVES HERE in their old house at Doña Soledad Subdivision!

Surely, something must be done about this affront not only on the local authorities but to all of us!

The comments and response section is all yours, my dear readers.

I have said my piece.

POSTSCRIPT:

Good news!  ABS-CBN Talent Center must have finally heard all our collective voices and agreed that in place of John Lloyd Cruz, Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson, they will be bringing in at the KCC Mall of GenSan on September 6, 2007 the latest Grand Prize Winner of the Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition Season II – DYAAARAAAAANNNN – Davao City’s very own comic artist, MR. RUBEN GONZAGA!!!!

So, what do you have to say now, people of the Philippines????

The clock tower along Pioneer Avenue is one of the oldest standing structures in downtown Gensan. Strategically located at the center island right across the Ramon Magsaysay Memorial College, it was built and donated ages ago by either the Mt. Matutum Lions Club or the General Santos City Lions Club, am not actually sure.

Unfortunately, I also couldn’t even remember a time when there was actually a functioning clock 30 feet up there giving the right time for the people traversing along Pioneer Avenue. If I can recall it correctly, it had more downtimes due to the numerous electrical blackouts before, and repairing it took a bit too much of the budget of the donor.  Eventually, it was abandoned and from the looks of it, forgotten for good.

A few months back, I heard from Rotary GenSan Prexy Bing Royeca that their club wants to rehabilitate the clock themselves but I guess nothing came out of it.

Actually, the solution is really just simple.

Why don’t someone just ask manufacturers of watches like TIMEX, SEIKO, SWATCH, ROLEX, TAGHAUER, etc to sponsor the whole thing and donate a giant clock themselves?   That’s free advertisement for at least a decade for them, or until their clock conks out.   Has nobody ever thought about that?

In the meantime, the old clock tower just stands there proudly, but is actually just a skeleton of its old self, a reminder of the times when Pioneer Avenue used to be the city’s premier business and entertainment district and home to the likes of Ram’s Bombay Bazaar, The Terrace Restaurant, Eskimo, Pioneer Hotel, Capitol Theater, Pioneer Theater, State Theater, Cotton Bowl Grill, Bajunaid Department Store, Avelmans Tailoring, Conlu Department Store, Talion Restaurant, Crown Bookstore, Sacred Heart Pharmacy, Universal Grocery, Marietta’s Barbecue, Aliwalas Store, Albores Radio Shop, a Bowling Alley, and others whose names now escape my mind.

Oh Gawd!  How I miss the old downtown Pioneer Avenue….

15-year old Prexy Korina Whittmer, representing Barangay Bula bested 13 other young hopefuls in the Finals Night of the Search for Ms. Teen GenSan 2008, at the Oval Plaza Covered Court, to win the title and take home ten thousand pesos.  This is a project of the Sangguniang Kabataan in celebration of the International Youth Day on August 12, 2008.

Here is the story written by guest writer, Allanloi Villanueva.

Barangay Bula bagged the Miss Teen Earth 2008 title from among the 12 other candidates in the first ever Miss Teen Gensan beauty pageant in celebration of the 1^st International Youth Day at  the oval covered court on August 12, 2008.

Ms. Teen Earth – GenSan Prexy Korina Whittmer

Prexy Korina Whittmer impressed the judges after answering the final question with the right combination of grace, wit and confidence to bag the award. She earlier received the Miss Coke Zero award and bagged another award for the best in evening gown.

Other winners include Genevieve Mutia of Barangay Calumpang (Ms. Teen Water); Fermelyn Reyes of Barangay Dadiangas East (Miss Teen Air) and Karen Claire Barbon of Barangay City Heights (Miss Teen Fire).

Miss Whittmer (Ms. Teen Earth) received ten thousand pesos in cash, trophy and sash, seven thousand for Ms.  Mutia, five thousand pesos for Ms. Reyes and three thousand pesos for Ms. Barbon and consolation prize of one thousand pesos for the non – winning candidates.

Miss Teen Gensan will represent the city in the Miss Teen Philippines pageant as planned by the Sangguniang Kabataan officials of Gensan led by Federation Chair Honorable Jane Calunsag.

The pageant was the highlight of the first  celebration of the IYD.  It is an inter-barangay search open to female teens of Gensan ages 13 to 17.

(From left)  Karen Claire Barbon of Barangay City Heights (Ms. Teen Fire); Genevieve Mutia of Barangay Calumpang (Ms. Teen Water); Prexy Korina Whittmer (Ms. Teen Earth-GenSan); Fermelyn Reyes of Barangay Dadiangas East (Ms. Teen Air)

A close door interview was held last August  9,2008 that composed 40% of the total score while the remaining 60% was taken from their score in the pageant night.

Winners were judged according to their Intelligence and Communications Skills 40%, Personality, Poise and Grace under pressure 30%  and Beauty of Face and figure 30%.

The SK officials’ hard work paid off after having successfully achieving their goals in the celebration of the International Youth Day.  It is also expected that a grander celebration will happen next year.

I just received word from Ms. GenSan 2008 and BodyFest Modeling Competition Event Manager Orman Manansala that two former PBA giants and a former Olympian will be in town for the 10th Tuna Festival as judges of the two competitions next week.

Samboy “Skywalker” Lim, Team Manager of San Miguel

Wow!  After that piece of discouraging news about ABS-CBN Talent Center‘s cancellation of their show here for the Tuna Festival, this is a very welcome development.

Allan “Triggerman” Caidic, Coach of San Miguel

Planing in from Manila are former PBA player-stars Samboy “Skywalker” Lim and Allan “Triggerman” Caidic and Olympian Taekwando Master Monsour del Rosario.  Both Lim and Caidic are the current team manager and coach respectively of the 2008 PBA Fiesta Cup Champion Ginebra Kings.

Their visit is courtesy of Fusion-Excel International, one of the sponsors of the Search for Ms. Gensan 2008, the Bodyfest Modelling Competition and the Fishdance Competition.  In fact, they will be accompanied by no less than Fusion Excel Director and London-trained barrister Atty. Kenneth Lee from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, who is married to a local beauty, the former Ms. Kimberly Posadas Villanueva.

Monsour del Rosario, Olympian and Movie Actor

The BodyFest Modelling Competition Finals will happen on September 3, 2008 starting at 3:00p pm back-to-back with the FISHDANCE Competition- the Mindanao Showdown at the Gaisano Atrium.

The Pageant Night of the Finals for the Search for Ms. Gensan 2008 will also be held at the Gaisano Atrium starting at 5:30pm on September 4th.  This will be followed by the SASHIMI Night of the GenSan Tourism Council.

Photos are courtesy of the Fusion-Excel Website.

I’d like to present to you, readers of Bariles Republic, our Guest Writer for today, a fellow general who is now based in Manila,  Jonathan “Toyski” Susvilla.  Here goes…

A little more than two hours before midnight, my shift was about to start and I was reading through some  email when a text message broke the news about a “general“, a friend, making it to the TOP 10 list of the 2008 Physicians Licensure Exam.

This came not as a surprise to me anymore and to everyone who knows him back in college when he was touted as the “Renaissance Man“.

In this age of consumerism where malling is the favorite pastime, being an artista is “the ultimate dream”, of every youth and our heritage is still being haunted by smallness, it is refreshing and inspiring to know people “living” from the center and excelling yet still meek – people our youth should revere.  People like Lemuel Benedict R. Non.

Lemuel Benedict who took up BS Biology at MSU-Gen. Santos is that university’s first and only SUMMA CUM LAUDE.  It was his father’s dream for him from the very beginning to take up Medicine after college.  Inspired by theis profession because he grew up with three brothers who all became dectors, his father wanted him to continue this tradition.  He even arranged and prepared all the necessary documents for him to get into a good school.

His only job was to take the National Medical Admission test, where he got 99% assuring him a highly coveted slot at the UP, becoming one of the only 10 non-UP students to have become part of the 160+ members of the Class of 2008.

He graduated in the Top 9 of his class and during the preparations for the board exams, everyone was bugging him and his group to get into the Top 10.  He took the pressure half-jokingly, and insisted that he shall only study out of necessity and that the most important objective of the two months of self-reviewing all 12 subjects was to learn as much as he could to further hone his competency.  This way, every patient of his, every Filipino who shall consult him for some ailment shall benefit from all these knowledge.

The possibility of being one of the topnotchers is just the icing on the cake.

So he went through the process of studying at his own pace.  Finally, in August, he took the exams with confidence, knowing his family and friends were supporting him and praying for him.

Then came the hardest part – waiting.  The day before the results were out, someone broke into his room and stole his cellphone, laptop and wallet while he was alseep.  He was left with barely any money and no way of communication with his family and friends.

Thankfully, his family responded with clockwork precission and acquired him a new cheap phone just a few hours before the results.  And through the mighty Internet, he was able to broadcast with his new number rapidly.  Minutes after the results came out, his new phone was flooded with messages of congratulations.  Yes, he was among the TOP 10!  He was the 8th placer.

The new doctor was exuberant.

“The feeling of jumping up from a tragedy like what I experienced to the news that I was a topnotcher was so overwhelming,” he recounted.

When asked on what he would want to say to the younger generation, the now-famous “general” has this to say, “I guess the most effective advice I can give is to first love what you’re doing.  You should not go through school just because it is required or because you have to, but it should be because you wanted to.  Never go through something without enough passion to pursue it.  Learning will go smoothly from thereon.  And of course, put God first above all.”

EDUCATION/ACHIEVEMENTS:

Doctor of Medicine, University of the Philippines, College of Medicine, Class of 2008

• Top 8, Philippine Licensure Examination for Physicians, 2008
• One of the Top 10 Graduates in Academics, UP College of Medicine
• One of the Top 10 Interns of Philippine General Hospital
• Most Outstanding Intern in Internal Medicine
• Outstanding Intern in Surgery
• 3rd place, Interns’ Research Forum for paper on “Value of Pathological Examination of Clinically-indicated Placentas:  PGH Experience, in 2004
• College Scholar, 2006-2007

BS Biology, Mindanao State University, Gen. Santos City, 2003

• Summa Cum Laude
• Philippine representative (Bayer) to the Eco-Innovate Forum in Sydney, Australia, 2003
• Winner, Best Poster presentation of Undergraduate Thesis in the Philippine Society for Microbiology Annual Conference
• National Finalist, Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines, 2003
• National Finalist, Jose Rizal Model Students of the Philippines, 2003
• Manny Villar Excellence Award
• Top Student, Ten Oustanding Students of Region 12
• Gen. Santos City Youth Achiever Awardee, 2003.

Father: lfredo P. Non, a mechanical engineer, graduate of UST, who back then topped (Top 5) their boards.  Presently, he’s in Canada.

Mother: Vissia Agnes R. Non, a commerce graduate, and presently a homemaker.

His three other siblings:  April Kathleen, Lynn Abegail, and Lance Alread.

WRITTEN BY:  Jonathan “Toyski” Susvilla

Every year during the conduct of the Tuna Festival in Gen. Santos City, the Tuna Festival Council and the local government under Mayor Jun Acharon see it fit to recognize the unsung heroes of the Fishing Industry, the fishermen by giving them an award specifically for their own kind.

Aptly named as the KARAGATAN AWARDS, it seeks to honor fishermen who have been or are in the hand line or hook-and-line fishing in the SOCSARGEN are and currently owns a pumpboat fishing vessel.

KARAGATAN AWARDS 3 - Poster (Click on the image for a larger view)

Nominations for the awards are submitted by fishing companies. For their part, each nominee should submit a written report in any vernacular specifying the roles and duties of each member of his family who has contributed to the success of his fishing operations and the help he has extended to the people who worked with him or for him.

Other than a handcrafted trophy, each Karagatan awardee will also receive a cash prize of P25,000 and other gift items.

According to Tuna Festival Director Bebot Haw, the Karagatan Awards 2008 which is now on its 3rd year will be holding its “Gabi ng Parangal para sa Mandaragat” on August 31, 2008 at the KCC Mall of GenSan Convention and Events Hall starting at 4pm.

To be megged by the combined artistic geniuses of Egai Cadiente, Bing Cariño (the men behind the highly rated YAMAN AWARDS NIGHT) and Emy Alexander Ingles, the by-invitation awards night will revolve around the theme, “IMAGES OF THE FISHERMAN’S VALOR“.

For this year’s winners, our messages of congratulations are in order  while we thank you for helping make GenSan the star city that it is now. 

Finally, after over two years of research and development, OCEAN DELI Homestyle Tuna in Corn Oil, Gen. Santos City’s first canned premium grade tuna is here!

Ocean Deli Homestyle Tuna in Corn Oil, proudly GenSan made

Developed by some of the people behind Pacific Seas Seafood Market, sellers of high quality premium grade frozen tuna, the Ocean Deli canned products is their answer to the clamor for a higher quality and healthier alternative to the locally manufactured and mass-produced tuna brands.

According to Mr. Tito Santos, President of Ocean Deli Marketing, makers of this new brand, unlike other canned tuna available in the market, they use only fresh premium grade or export grade tuna.   Then, they season it with their blend of SECRET SPICES, and cooked the homestyle way in CORN OIL thus ensuring not only a tastier but a healthier tuna experience for anyone who tries it, since it is naturally rich in Omega 3 and 6.

It is also good for take-out or baon anywhere because of its easy-to-open flip-top.

Right now, Ocean Deli Homestyle Tuna in Corn Oil which is a certified heart-healthy brand is only available at all branches of Pacific Seas Seafood Market at National Highway, GenSan (Tel # 083-301-5678); Matina Highway, Davao; City Heights, Aparente Avenue, GenSan and Koronadal City.  Later on, it will be distributed among all SM and NCCC branches.

So for your pasalubong from the TUNA CAPITAL of the Philippines to your loved ones and friends, give them the easier gift to carry…. give them OCEAN DELI Homestyle Tuna in Corn Oil.  Also available is Ocean Deli Homestyle Bangus in Corn Oil.

The Ocean Deli labels were designed by Leonard Pe.

In light of the recent events in North Cotabato, Lanao del Norte and Maasim, Sarangani Province, GenSan City Mayor Pedro Acharon, Jr. called on an expanded Tri-Council Security Meeting yesterday (August 20th) afternoon at the Sydney Hotel.

In attendance were the city’s movers and shakers, business leaders, school heads, heads of government offices, leaders of the city’s indigenous tribes, military and police officials, members of the religious community and the media, among others.

PNP City Director PSSupt Robert Po, new Joint Task Force GenSan Cmdr. Col Leo Ferrer, Coast Guard Station Cmdr. Lt. Col. Charlie Rances and Naval Task Force Cmdr. Lt. Col. Raul Regis took turns in assuring the attendees on the city’s security preparedness in these times of uncertainty and briefing them on the real peace and order situation prevailing in the region.

EXPANDED TRI-COUNCIL SECURITY MEETING. GenSan City Mayor Pedro Acharon, Jr. (center) speaks to the 120 or so attendees of the expanded Tri-Council Security Meeting held on August 20, 2008 at the Sydney Hotel.  Photo also shows DILG City Director Rodolfo Bernardino,  Naval Task Force Chief Lt. Col. Raul Regis, Joint Task Force Commander Col. Leo Ferrer, Gensan Commander City Director Senior Superintendent Robert Po, and Coast Guard Station Commander Lt. Col. Charlie Rances. (GenSan CMO/avel manansala)

Mayor Acharon, for his part asked the public to remain calm and vigilant while discouraging them to forward unverified text messages which only contribute to the panic situation in the city.  He then proceeded to distribute an additional 20 handheld radio sets to the GenSan police donated by the Tuna Festival Council and the GSC Chamber of Commerce and Industy.

HANDHELD RADIO SETS FOR GENSAN POLICE. PNP City Director Sr/Inspector Robert Po receives 20 handheld radio sets from Mayor Jun Acharon donated by the Tuna Festival Council and the Gen. Santos City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc., represented by Tuna Festival Director Bebot Haw (exteme left).  The turnover was conducted during the expanded Tri-Council Security Meeting called by the mayor on August 20, 2008 at the Sydney Hotel.

The mayor also released the EMERGENCY HOTLINE Numbers to call for any eventuality:

Joint Task Force GenSan
Landline: 302-1671
Cell: 0928-4948121

Coast Guard
Landline: 301-2112
Cell: 0929-6864091; 0929-6742312

Philippine Navy
Cell: 0906-5097011

PNP
Landline: 117 (DILG)
Operations: 301-6728 (Radio Room)

City Disaster Coordinating Council
Landline: 552-3939; 301-2929

Bureau of Fire Protection (Fire Department)
Landline: 160

Delta 9 (City Hall)
Landline: 302-2309

By the way, I have created a widget box at the HOME PAGE of Bariles Republic containing these numbers.

Ever since GenSan’s pride and World Boxing champ Manny Pacquiao became famous, two of the most requested and must-see venues in the city among Lakbay-Aral groups from other areas are his Pacman Convenience Store along Santiago Boulevard (which has since closed shop) and his house (referred to by local residents as the “Pacquiao Mansion“) at the NLSA Road in Barangay Lagao.

Now, there’s another up and coming landmark courtesy of Pacman and this time, it’s a two-storey commercial building which is nearing completion at the corner of South Osmeña and Sampaguita Streets.

Located at a lot formerly owned by a certain Dr. Romero, it  reportedly set back Manny about P12million.   He then invested another P20million++ in the construction of the mixed-use building which has a total floor space of 1,345 sq.meters. It’s designer is Architect Rex Acdal,  one of the most sought after architects in Soccsksargen.  In fact, my brother’s house is one of his very first projects here.

Other Rex Acdal‘s works are Plaza Nova (Santiago Blvd.), Chicken House (Magsaysay Avenue), Socsargen Hospital Expansion, Dumaran Shell Station (Mabuhay Road), Johnston Building (Magsaysay Avenue), Emily’s Pension House (Surallah, SoCot), Galaxy Galleria (Koronadal), and Patio Eloisa (Hicban Subdivision), among others.

Anyway, back to the champ, this new business venture of the Champ will be housing his convenience store, a restaurant, and offices including his own (about time).

Located right at the heart of the city, I am most certain that this will again turn out to be another famous TOURIST LANDMARK of Gen. Santos.

Now, I would like to post a question to everyone:

If you were to help Manny decide on what to do with his building, what do you think should it be?

Three commenters/responders with the best suggestions will each receive a BARILES REPUBLIC MUG.   Deadline of entries will be on August 31, 2008.

GO FOR IT GUYS! 

Pacquiao Building, seen from Sampaguita Street

Three of the 5 rentable spaces at the Ground Floor

Corner rentable space at the ground floor (Future restaurant cum coffee shop?)

2nd floor of the reserved space for a restaurant cum coffee shop

Alley at the 2nd floor leading to the rentable spaces

Rentable space at the 2nd floor facing Osmena Street

Proposed Pacman Convenience Store at the leftmost space at the ground floor. The door behind leads to a private mini-pad upstairs with kitchen & bedroom.

View of Osmena Street from the balcony facing that same road