1st Nokia Store in South Central Mindanao opens in GenSan
Gen. Santos City, the Tuna Capital of the Philippines and the Most Competitive Medium-Sized City in the Philippines is really on the roll!
In what is another paean to the city’s economic potential, global giant and cellphone manufacturer, NOKIA inaugurated on August 8, 2008, its world-class store outlet at the 2nd floor of the KCC Mall of GenSan, its first in South Central Mindanao. This also makes GenSan the third Mindanao city after Davao and Cagayan de Oro to be given this distinction.
The NOKIA STORE at KCC Mall of GenSan
According to Nokia Philippines GM William Hamilton-Whyte who graced their store opening at the KCC, and who was kind enough to answer some of my questions, “We believe that GenSan is more than ready to host the Nokia Store. Other than its burgeoning population, other indicators which made us decide to come here are the the vibrancy of its economy being the premier business hub of the Soccsksargen Area and the responsiveness of the local government to the needs of the private sector.”
He then explained, “All these indicate a very robust business climate, and a growing discriminating clientele, thus the need for us to come in.”
Ribbon-cutting sponsors during the opening of the NOKIA STORE at the KCC Mall of Gensan: Nokia Retail Program Manager Azer Villola, Nokia Business Development Manager Rudolph Sanots, Nokia Phils. GM William Hamilton-Whyte, Wiltelcom owner Wilson Lu, KCC owner Chan Shui Lam, and Nokia Corporate Communications Mngr. Nikka Abes
The French gentleman also revealed that the 75-square meter store at the KCC Mall of GenSan is the 29th Nokia Store in the Philippines and is the very first one to adapt the new Global Design. Thus, its look will be copied by the rest of the Nokia stores all throughout the country and the rest of the world!
The new Nokia Store design is more client-friendly and allows visitors to touch and feel the latest Nokia products. Exact replica models of their newest units can be hand held, tested, poked, flicked, rubbed and handled every imaginable way possible. Definitely there are no “BREAKER, BUYER” signs posted within the premises. 
The KCC store with its minimalist interiors gives one a feeling that he’s inside an art gallery with the phone model units laid out on their display counters propped up against the walls, neatly categorized according to their SERIES grouping (N-series, E-series, etc.).
All these plus its well-illuminated spacious area, and the attentiveness of its well-trained sales staff who ready to give out expert advice without being obstrusive, the NOKIA Store in GenSan makes for some pleasurable shopping experience.
With this development, expect GenSan’s inclusion among Nokia’s numerous product launching events and other promotional gigs in the future. And of course, they may now be able to join local festivals such as the Tuna Festival and the Kalilangan through their local trade partner Wiltelcom, owned by Mr. Wilson Lu.
And who knows, am keeping my fingers crossed that they could support the 2nd Mindanao Bloggers Summit to be held here on October 25, 2008. Now, that would really be cool!!!
And yeah, topping it all, watch out for the NOKIA CARE Service Center Outlet (NOKIA CARE) opening two doors to its right at the KCC Mall very, very soon!
Thanks to Ms. Nikka Abes for the photos.
Tagged 2nd Mindanao Bloggers Summit, KCC Mall of GenSan, Nokia Store, William Hamilton-Whyte, Wiltelcom
Jehzeel Laurente08/15/2008 at 8:12 PM
wow! paunlad ng paunlad ang gensan ah.. it has been 6 years ago since I first visited KCC..
hehe
Jehzeel Laurentes last blog post..The Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs in 2008 Awards Night
Rue Ramas08/15/2008 at 8:12 PM
Thank you, Avel. You mentioned that it is a store. Do they perform repairs? Our problem with our high-end Nokia units is these are sent to Davao, Cebu, or Manila for repairs. I hope the Gensan store could also offer this service.
bariles08/15/2008 at 8:15 PMAuthor
Hi Jehz! Welcome back! You should come visit us for the Tuna Festival. All the sashimi you can eat. Or better still, join us at the MBS 2. Sponsor ka di ba?
Hehehe! (This is not a joke.)
bariles08/15/2008 at 8:16 PMAuthor
Hi Rue! If you read right to the very end of my post, I mentioned about a SERVICE CENTER. Hhehehehhe! Love yah for your comments! Salamat!
jermaine08/15/2008 at 10:41 PM
Wow Congrats Gensan
bernie allen08/16/2008 at 12:59 AM
Hi Bariles,
I’m really glad about the developments in Gensan. Imagine, before it was just datu complex and kimbal plaza, then came gaisano and kcc mall, now it’s sm and robinson. and soon… who knows, walmart.
Congratulations on the award you got with your website and blogs… you really make us, people who were once a part of your lovely city miss the place a lot more.
I just wish that the government will invest more money to improve the highways from Davao and GSC, just like Laguna & Batangas, Subic and Clark, Laguna and metro Manila and MMA and North Luzon.
Even if they will charge toll fees Ok narin, you can just imagine the business exchange that will happen.
anyway, regards to all our friends.
bernie allen08/16/2008 at 1:08 AM
pahabol,
Just hope that someone will open MAC/Apple computer outlets there.
Macs are really getting affordable, Imagine, you can have an i-mac now for just 80K+ and an Iphone for around 200usd and a laptop for just around 60K.
With these prices, soon all computers may be mac, pili ka, an asus worth 75K or macbook na 60K di ba.
Wala pang mga VIRUS. and weakness lang ng mac is the office application.
Tell us about it if meron na ha?
Guapo Ako08/16/2008 at 8:14 AM
Wow, galing ng Gensan at ang galing ni Kuya Avel lagi tayo updated sa nangyayari sa GENSAN…. Kuya mabuhay ka… Sana lalong dumami lahi ni Kuya Avel…. Paano???? kasi???? hanggang ngayon BINATA pa siya…hehehe
Toinks08/16/2008 at 9:34 PM
@bernie allen – @bernie allen – Mayroon na kayang AppleMac dealer dito sa Gensan. It’s located at Gaisano Mall Gensan. Maliit nga lang.
bariles08/16/2008 at 9:51 PMAuthor
Thanks for your response here Jermaine. Long time, no see huh?
bariles08/16/2008 at 9:55 PMAuthor
Hi Bernie Allen. Thanks a lot for your words of encouragement. I feel energized everytime I read responses like this.
Re the Davao-Gensan highway, I agree that it needs improvement although I see some work being done on the tall mountain road right before Sulop. As always, Mindanao is the last priority when it comes to infra projects by the government.
But if ever that Mindanao Super Highway materializes, it will really be a boom for our major cities! Magdilang anghel ka sana, boyet!
bariles08/16/2008 at 9:57 PMAuthor
Guapo Ako, hello! Salamat at nagustuhan mo ang mga nilalabas ko rito. Pero bakit mo pa binisto estado ko? Hehehe! Ikaw talga…
joey gerona08/18/2008 at 9:58 AM
wow, gensan may nokia store na, at least di tayo papahuli!
Samara08/18/2008 at 5:02 PM
Yaaay~ Nanibago nga ako nung dumaan ako sa Nokia-KCC, mxdo kcing open, (normally, my see-through glass pane walls -whatever it’s called) pa yung mga spaces ng shops, ryt? Makes any by-passer tempted to come and take a look at the phone models. Tama ka nga sir, pra nga talagang art gallery dun. (^^,)
I was thinking na sana meron na ring store ang Motorola, when I remembered, meron pala, maliit nga lang na stall. Anyways, mas excited pa ako sa pag-bukas ng Robinsons. I wonder if merong franchise ng Starbucks dun? Hehe.
Samaras last blog post..Mang Gorio Bahay Kainan
bariles08/18/2008 at 6:05 PMAuthor
hi joey! you’re right there! Next to Davao and Cagayan, tayo na ang kasunod sa mga pumapasok na multinationals.
bariles08/18/2008 at 6:07 PMAuthor
Hello samara. Admittedly, maganda talga ang concept ng design ng store nila. Walang harang kasi… very inviting. And spacious pa ha? Mapapaisip ka tuloy na bumili ng unit…hehehe.
With the entry of Robinsons, am sure susunod na ang ibang phone manufacturers. Since the leader NOKIA is here, that’s more than enough reason for them to follow suit. Thanks.
orman08/18/2008 at 10:34 PM
sosyalan! kaya lang ayoko na ng nokia phones eh… sony ericsson na gusto ko… but really this is welcome news!
bernie Allen08/20/2008 at 12:26 AM
Hi Bariles,
The rating Davao, CDO and Cagayan may not be correct.
Being a sales and marketing person allows me to travel to almost all cities in the Philippines.
In my opinion CDO has deteriorated as fast as GSC has developed.
On my last 4 trips for the past 6 months, CDO bacame so dirty.
Yes, sosyal ang mga taxi nila since it’s mostly Altis and soon they will have a new airport but that’s it.
But OK pa rin naman and CDO at least, the people are as good and kind as the people of Davao and GSC.
Lets just make sure that Gensan will be always clean and fun to visit.
So dapat and order of rating again in my opinion should be Davao,GSC and, sige na nga CDO
bernie Allen08/20/2008 at 12:31 AM
Hi Orman,
Wait a little more for the IPhone to be available, then we will all realize that we have been fooled by this very expensive Nokia, Samsung and even your sony ericson phones for a loong time.
Iphone and Itouch ranging from 14k to 17k is something else.
bernie Allen08/20/2008 at 12:37 AM
Thats nice to know, anyway when the new robinsons opens, they have a tenant that sells Mac lines, I’m sure malaki yun.
GSC deserves to have the Iphone and Itouch and Ibook and Imac and the mini mac.
Yes, more than a Nokia outlet. Di ba.
lelen zab08/20/2008 at 6:55 PM
that’s right…magdilang anghel kayo..after the nokia store, oo nga, baka apple/Mac store na…tapos walmart na…
gensan is really going tops!!!
Nate Marx09/11/2008 at 2:19 AM
Sana sa near future may overpass na tayo… its hard to cross the street in pioneer ave especially with the undisciplined motorists..
Nate Marxs last blog post..My Favorite Crashing Place and Tambayan
miko09/11/2008 at 6:13 PM
great news for gensan…!
miko09/11/2008 at 6:23 PM
hopefully in the near future…gensan will have a silicone valley-like place somewhere in the vicinity…
aim more! hit more!
go gensan…!
TISOY09/11/2008 at 7:38 PM
Gusto ko nokia care…. diba meron nito sa DAVAO city s Gaisano Mall…???
kakaiba09/12/2008 at 8:02 AM
hahaha…
sana may call center then may computer village, tapos may PIRATED mall din….
hmmmm…… okay na biz yan ah! maybe we can ask the mall operators to make such.
rico09/12/2008 at 9:02 PM
Good news na naman to para sa mga taga Gensan. Mababawasan na naman ang unemployment rate dyan kahit papano.
Few weeks ago, I happen to discover this website and I’m so excited to open everything you have here. Salamat at mayrong ganito sa Gensan at least nababawasan ang lungkot namin. Kung pwede sana mag download kayo ng mga pictures of interested places ng Gensan para ipagmalaki ko dito sa amin.
Congratulation to the author. This is a big contribution to the city.
bariles09/12/2008 at 9:08 PMAuthor
@bernie Allen – Hi Boyet! Amen to that! So when will you be back?
bariles09/12/2008 at 9:10 PMAuthor
@lelen zab – ache lelen zab, may apple distributor na dito. O di ba? We’re on the roll! Miss you!
bariles09/12/2008 at 9:11 PMAuthor
@miko – Hi miko! Who knows? At the rate that all these developments are happening, that is not impossible.
bariles09/12/2008 at 9:13 PMAuthor
@TISOY – hi Tisoy! Nokia Care will be opening in a few months time in the same mall. Di mo nabasa ang buong post ko ano?
bariles09/12/2008 at 9:14 PMAuthor
hi kakaiba! we can dream can’t we? wag naman pirated mall…hehehe!
bariles09/12/2008 at 9:15 PMAuthor
Hi rico! Welcome to Bariles Republic! Where are you now? Feel free to browse through all the posts here and leave your comments anywhere, anytime.
Thanks at nagustuhan mo ito. Para tlaga ito sa mga Generals saan mang sulok ng mundo.
orman09/14/2008 at 10:52 AM
@bernie allen – there’s i iMac STALL at gaisano… check them out at the atrium…
bariles09/14/2008 at 5:24 PMAuthor
Hi Bernie Allen! I have read so many negative reviews of the Iphone. Am still settling for my Nokia for which I have been a user since the year 1999.
The Iphone is more of a mobile gadget for the internet and not so much of a phone.
Thanks but no thanks.
KUMAGCOW09/15/2008 at 6:32 PM
GO GENSAN!
Good day! Have a break! Have KUMAGCOW! ^_^ http://www.kumagcow.com
KUMAGCOWs last blog post..UE Red Warriors bows to Ateneo Blue Eagles 70-50
Fr.Bobong Telen09/20/2008 at 9:14 AM
Hello ! Mr Bariles ! pads Cesar ( bobong ) ni sa Chile . Sikat jud kaaju imong blog sir ! Mabuhay ang GenSan.
TISOY10/02/2008 at 8:52 PM
@bariles – nabasa ko nga eh..pero SOON pa…sana sinabay na nokia care..heheheheh!!! dami naman nag titinda ng nokia dito..hehehehhe
TISOY10/02/2008 at 8:55 PM
@orman – mas ayaw ko ng sony kuya abel… motorola ako..hehehhehe
Jezreel Comajes02/20/2009 at 10:11 AM
magkano ang price ngaun s gensan ng apple iphone 8gb???
pls answer me… tnx.
Jezreel Comajes02/20/2009 at 10:31 AM
check this out for the price of apple iphone 8gig.
http://cgena.com/detail.aspx?pId=22&mode=det
just want to know if this price is the same price in gensan city..?
pls answer..
tc!
Fahdingding07/08/2009 at 4:17 PM
Well.. Good Thing We have now a NOKIA Store here in GENSAN… Pero the problem is, I don’t have money in my pocket! LOL!
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