GenSan News Online Mag

It’s really must be final.  Confirmed.  Sigurado na.

Over a week ago, Bariles found out that the website of Jobstreet released a news bulletin from their client, SM Supermalls which will delight most of the people of General Santos City and the whole of Soccsksargen.

The bulletin, released on October 16, 2008 announced their search for a LEASING MANAGER who will be assigned in, taah-dahhh, SM City- General Santos. (Click on the image below for a larger view.)

Now that should put to rest any speculation on whether SM Supermalls is really intending to include GenSan in their list of cities in the Philippines which host their malls.

With this new development amidst the ongoing construction of Robinsons Place – GenSan, this does not only cement General Santos City’s role as South Central Mindanao’s premier city but also its assured place in the hearts of more multionational investors.

And as for SM City-Gen. Santos’ location which I blogged about earlier, well, things might still change. It could still be someplace else along the National Highway.

Now, if you want to get that job, log on to the JOBSTREET site by CLICKING HERE.  Deadline of applications is on December 15, 2008.

IBANG KLASE NA TALAGA ANG GENERAL SANTOS CITY!!!

HANEPS!!!

When 9-year old Philip Nadela was announced the first grand winner of the Pinoy Dream Academy Little Dreamers during an exciting Finals night earlier this month, I was at that time at the residence of Gen. Santos City Mayor Jun Acharon together with his wife, Dra. Rose and some household members.

We were at their living room all busy trying to send the last of the text messages we could to ensure that Philip wins.  Earlier, while the First Lady was calling and texting all her friend and relatives in Cebu to support Philip, the good mayor was then busy reminding his barangay captains to go all out for the young “general”.

When his name was finally announced as the GRAND LITTLE WINNER, I and the rest let loose shrieks of delight. While glancing at the mayor, I noticed that he was misty-eyed but grinning from ear to ear, obviously proud that another champion emerged from among his constituents.

So when the young singing sensation, now known by his screen name Philip Nolasco came back home with his parents, no less than Mayor Jun Acharon was there at the General Santos City International Airport to welcome him.

Later, he was whisked off to a waiting vehicle for his motorcade, the same one used by Manny Pacquiao every time he wins his fights.  Joining him were Ms. GenSan 2002 Ivy Cunanan and her court Kitel and Faye, together with Sangguniang Kabataan Chair Jane Calunsag.

I had the rare chance to ride the same car and so I took shots of the people of Gen. Santos waving at him from the roadsides, all wanting to take a good look at him.   Philip was a trouper, gamely waving at everyone while his pretty “yayas” were beside him, acting as his consorts.

The scenes of the crowds greeting us wherever we turn were reminiscent of Manny Pacquiao’s hero’s welcome everytime he goes home to GenSan after every fight.  I had goosebumps all over with the similar kind of adulation that this 9-year old singing sensation received during the motorcade.

The motorcade eventually winded up at the Oval Covered Court where his fans, schoolmates, teachers, etc. and the Gen. Santos City media were waiting for him.  They were later gifted with a couple of songs from the Grand Dreamer after answering a few questions during the mini press conference.

Later on in the evening, a Grand Feast was tendered to him by the mayor at the 6′Blings Restaurant, owned by Mr. Bebot Haw.  There, GenSan’s youngest pride mingled with his guests and in between photo ops, lest we forget that he is still a child, focused on playing with his new portable PlayStation.

A few days before the 2nd Mindanao Bloggers Summit, I decided to drop by the Gen. Santos City Gym (formerly called Lagao Gym) after learning that it is now ready for the National Cooperatives Teamshop‘s 2,000 delegates.

Gen. Santos City Gym (formerly Lagao Gym)

For three months, it underwent some major improvements to the tune of P5,000,000, funded by the office of City Mayor Jun Acharon.

Newly-installed blue window blinds

This included the repairs of the toilets and the water system; the repairs of the 10 airconditioning units and the purchase and installation of window blinds for the uppermost glass windows, among others.

Construction Signboard

This is great news for the next set of event organizers who are planning to stage their concerts, conventions, competitions inside the 8,000-seater gymnasium which was built through the office of the Representative of the First District of South Cotabato more than a decade ago.

The Courtyard

As for myself, I couldn’t wait to witness the live telecast of Manny Pacquiao’s fight here against Oscar dela Hoya because for sure, the airconditioning will be working just fine despite the capacity crowd of generals all eager to cheer for their hometown champ inside what is South Central Mindanao’s biggest air-conditioned structure.

Electronic Score Board

I still have a hangover of last weekend’s 2nd Mindanao Bloggers Summit that I couldn’t write a more detailed assessment of what transpired starting from the time my fellow bloggers started arriving in GenSan on the afternoon of October 24th till the time when the few remaining ones from Davao left on Monday afternoon, October 27th.

Oh well, I will just leave you guys to do the writing first, the links of which I will publish here anytime today.

For the moment, here is the video file of the short feature which our Official Media Partner ABS-CBN Socsksargen, part of its Regional Network Group did on the MBS2.

This clip was aired this morning, October 29, 2008 over their morning program, “Magandang Umaga Socsksargen” hosted by DJ Joey C and Ms. GenSan 2006 Rhean Hazel Hacosta.

It contains the 15-seconder TV ad which ran for a month at their regional stations in GenSan, Davao, Cagayan de Oro and Zamboanga.  It also features a greeting from GenSan City Mayor Jun Acharon.

Voice over was done by DJ Mario Valentino Baladjay, of GenSan’s #1 radio station MOR 92.7 (For Life).

Look for Bariles behind the scenes and count the many number of times he was caught in the background, kunyari busy.  Hehehe!

Enjoy, Mindanaons!

To all those who joined the 2nd Mindanao Blogger’s Summit which wrapped up yesterday, Sunday, October 26, 2008 in GenSan, and helped make it a major mega-success, Bariles would like to say DAGHANG SALAMAT KANINYONG TANAN!

And yes, for giving Bariles a STANDING OVATION, an additional million and a half thank you’s once more.

He is very, very touched and still on cloud nine!

And now (drum roll please!), presenting the official delegates of the 2nd Mindanao Bloggers Summit: (click on each name for their blog or personal website)

1. Miah Laborte
   
2. Kevin Paquet
   
3. Che-che Dionaldo
   
4. Charles Ortiz
   
5. Ghen Sabaldan
   
6. Dulce Rose Lada
   
7. Tiara Mejos
8. Brendel Balaga
9. Sarah Matalam-Alvarez
10. Joana Grace Lapore
11. Lyle Santos
12. Carmela Anito
13. Bientot Unabia
14. JM Flores
15. Waltzib Balane
16. Rhona Navarette
17. Pull Ablanido
18. Raphael Gregor Banta
19. Darl Osanastre
20. Eirvin Latasa
    
21. Kathy Dacanay
22. Bobby Timonera
23. Alritch Merin
24. Mia Vega
25. Ivy Grace Tutor
26. Denz Gajo
27. Robstroy Gunayan
28. Jerome Locson
29. Mary Grace Ignacio
30. Retche Santulio
31. Millet Kaindoy
32. Pastilan Liston, Jr.
33. Raincindy Bascon
34. Li-ann Baiño
35. Toniboi Edel
36. Beans Amorio
37. Iceah Liston
38. Rhee Jinon
39. Rai Remegio
40. Chattee Lara
41. Corinne Estrellada
42. Marvz Bobis
43. Romarie Cunanan
44. Maya Cartojano
45. Kitel Velayo
46. Vyne Hautea
47. Rose Lim
48. Lainy Ugbaniel
49. Jhonkie Lim
50. Vie Agulon
51. Psyche Fontanilla
52. Mark Aethen Agana
53. Margareth Rose Santos
54. Kea Estabillo
55. Rammyboi Pison
56. Wilfred Santiañez
57. Liezl Oberio
58. Job Oberio
59. Sarah Suyom
60. Mimi Dayupay
61. Andrew dela Serna
62. Pao Sison
63. Raf Logronio
64. Aryel Oclarit
65. Arlene Collado
66. Aice Lahora
67. Aweng Moral-Basco
68. Danzrev Basalan
69. Jinky Borela
70. Myk Tongco
71. Selee Condeza
72. Nel Pequiro
73. May Capili
74. Dave Dequito
75. Harvey Hervilla
76. Bejoy Dionaldo
77. Ruki Trumata
78. Patet Fermin
79. Nash Magarang
80. Weng Laglagaron
81. Lourds Cofreros
82. Michael Yap
83. Pam Santizo
84. Joy Villareal
85. Maxim Doria
86. Remo Aguilar
87. Marites delos Reyes
88. Junelle Nalla
89. MiGs Hipolito
90. Shie Tornaquia
91. Wanton Jay Dayupay
92. Blogie Robillo
93. Gigi Maitem
94. Binoy Magtibay
95. Xeng Sajo
96. Hecky Miñoza
97. Kim Asuero
98. Ria Jose
99. Mymy Jardiolin-Daniel
100. Lyna Estabillo
101. Bun Almeria
102. Zeny Miñoza
103. Mikko Gozalo
104. Marz Bendol
105. Yas Espejo
106. Edwin Espejo
107. Angela Vega
108. Bam Canales
109. Marex Obugan
110. Bong Sarmiento
111. Gwing Cabreira
112. Dasoy Sabino
113. Deejames Historia
114. Henry Palmones
115. Shengy Pineda
116. Ed-ed Fabrua
117. Elmer Cequiña
118. Jea Ramos
119. Jessy Narciso
120. Tanchi Franco
121. Bunsoi Laroya
122. Marvin Fernandez
123. Paul Lapore
124. Ariel Lalisan
125. Richard Diongson
126. Jester Galla
127. Aileen Apolo
128. Jay de Jesus
129. Francis Sablon
130. Avel Manansala

And by the way, do not forget to leave the URL of your post about the MBS2 here.  I love you all, Mindanao Bloggers!

FELLOW MINDANAOANS, LET US FLOOD THE BLOGOSPHERE WITH OUR POSTS ON THE 2ND MINDANAO BLOGGERS SUMMIT!!!

Mabuhay ang GenSan!  Mabuhay ang Soccsksargen!  Mabuhay ang Mindanao!!!

Mabuhay ang Mindanao Bloggers!!!!

Thanks to the kind assistance of Mr. Paul Espinosa, Globe Telecom‘s Sales and Services Manager of their GenSan Business Center at KCC Mall, GLOBE agreed to support the 2nd Mindanao Bloggers Summit which will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2008 at the Family Country Hotel and Convention Center.

Aside from providing wi-fi connection at the venue, they will also be introducing their latest product which is their answer to Smart Communications’ Smart BRO Prepaid.

This is their Globe Prepaid Visibility which allows you to surf the web wherever there is a Globe signal via GPRS, EDGE and 3G/HSDPA. (click on the poster for a larger view)

The Prepaid package includes one Visibility USB Modem  and 1 SIM.  It is pre-loaded with Free P30 load, good for 6 internet sessions (1 session = 15 minutes) equivalent to 1.5 hours of continuous internet time.

But here’s more.

If you buy the Globe Prepaid Visibility during the 2nd Mindanao Bloggers Summit, you will get EXTRA 20 INTERNET SESSIONS (equivalent to 300 minutes of internet time)!

Plus they will be distributing free stuff for all the registered participants and raffling off some items!

Now, isn’t that great news for us bloggers???

Globe’s mobile internet access connections include GPRS, EDGE, 3G and HSDPA (with speed of up to 1.4mbps).  Free hours are applicable to browsing within the Philippines only.

Mobile Internet rate in excess of the free hours is charged at P5 for 15 minutes.

The SIM has Call, Text, Value-Added Services and charged based on standard Prepaid rates.

It can be reloaded at all Globe Business Centers and Autoload Max Retailers or using Share-A-Load or GCash.

The Globe Prepaid Visibility is also available at all Globe Gensan Business Center.

I was joyriding onboard my partner’s motorbike the other night when I saw a streamer along the corner of Lagao National Highway and Tiongson Street, which caught my eye.

Hey!  It’s an announcement about an upcoming branch of Mercury Drug!

The following day, I went back to the same place and took these pictures.

Now people from this side of GenSan wouldn’t have to go far downtown to buy their medicines and other needs.  Mercury Drug – Lagao will soon be here.

I just hope it will have a walk-in mini-grocery just like their Pedro Acharon Branch.  And let it open 24 hours!

Now that would be great for Lagao’s burgeoning night life since Lagao has a string of bars and restaurants along its main roads.

Mercury Drug will now have three outlets in GenSan:  P. Acharon, Pioneer and Lagao National Highway.

Yes!  You read it right!

Both the print and online editions of today’s issues of the Sunstar Daily and Business World Daily featured the 2nd Mindanao Business Summit!

The Sunstar article penned by Gensan-based Edwin Espejo is entitled, “Mindanao Bloggers to convene in GenSan for two-day summit”.  Edwin, who is my unofficial writing mentor has a blog, Edwin Espejo Portal.  Both his daughters are also bloggers. 

Another blogger, Bong Sarmiento of Koronadal wrote the Business World article, “Bloggers’ Summit to help improve Mindanao image”.  Bong, one of the best news and feature writers in these parts, also blogs in the self-titled, “Bong S. Sarmiento – Journalist from Mindanao“.

To both Edwin and Bong, Bariles Republic thanks you.    See you at the summit. 

Click here for the Sunstar Online article.

Click here for the Business World Online article.

In one of my earlier posts this year, I featured Leonard Pe, a talented young general who was mounting his first solo photo exhibit dubbed as “Earthscapes“ at the City Hall lobby, in celebration of the Earth Day.

During that time, one of his works, won the Silver Award in the 2007 Project Clean Water Photography Contest of the Greenpeace Southeast Asia making the exhibit even more signifact.

Just very recently, Leonard was once again in the news when no less than the Manila Bulletin published a 4-page spread about his works and his passion for photography in its Picture Perfect Section, in its October 14 edition.

Written by Yugel Losorata, the article was entitled “A GenSan pride“.

Here is an excerpt:

One artistic gem is Leonard Pe, born and raised in General Santos City.  His photographs of nature capturing the sceneries within the area has been his way of saying there is more to see in his hometown and that the “Tuna Capital of the Philippines” showcases more than being associated to the admired “National Fist”.

Below is the scanned picture of the front page of the newspaper insert.

FRONT PAGE

Here are two of Leonard’s photographs featured in the spread.

“Bahay Kubo”.  This photo was shot in a field in Barangay Tambler.

“Siquijor”.

To read the full Manila Bulletin article, please CLICK HERE.

Congratulations Leonard! Bariles Republic and am sure, the whole of GenSan are very proud of you.  Now for those one-on-one photography lessons you promised, I am more than ready.  

For more of Leonard Pe’s work, please CLICK HERE

Everything is all set for the biggest EYEBALL of bloggers in this part of the country, the 2nd Mindanao Bloggers Summit on Saturday, October 25, 2008.

At this point, the Soccsksargen Convenors Collective, the group of bloggers tasked to spearhead the MBS2 is asking for more volunteers who can assist them to do various tasks during the conduct of the summit.

If you’re interested to help out and share your talents and skills on just about anything, and if you are based in GenSan, please drop by the Convenors Meeting tomorrow, Tuesday, October 21, 5:30pm at the GenSan City Hall lobby and look for a pretty lady named Lainy.

A surprise awaits each volunteer!  And yes, libre ang Snacks tomorrow.

Promise.

Do you know that General Alexander B. Yano, the current Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines used to be assigned here in Socsargen?

Yes sir!

In the year 2002, he was the commanding general of the nearby Army station in the municipality of Malungon, then known as the 601st Brigade but now named as the 1001st Brigade.

That was the time when GenSan was at her most peaceful, with no single occurrence of any terror act during his term.

This made him very popular among the Tuna Capital’s business and other sectors, leading him to forge close friendship with some.

Just recently, the general who has been “adopted” as a “son of GenSan” was back in his second home once again, this time, to be feted by no less than the Mayor of the city with his close friends from different sectors in attendance, including Governor Migz Dominguez of Sarangani Province.

It was a night full of warm laughter and pleasant memories as the “soldier’s soldier” and some of  his friends  including Mayor Acharon recalled those times when he used to visit the city and personally check on them.  Speeches about him dealt with his being very accessible, generous of his time and a loyal friend.

Not many know that GenSan Mayor Acharon and General Yano share something in common – they are both CIVIL ENGINEERS, and both were schooled in Cebu City, and both had sterling careers, being top in their chosen fields.

It is no wonder then that when the General comes home, just like when he did earlier this month, to the  place who has treated him like a son, no less than the Father of the City rolls out the red carpet for him.

From us here at Bariles Republic, welcome home sir and be sure to check back on us most often possible.

It’s near Halloween and a lot of students from outside of GenSan have gone home to for their semestral break here.   They will be pleased to find out that a string of events are waiting for them at their hometown.

One of these is a comedy show timed to be held on the 30th and 31st of October 2008.

Dubbed as A Night of Laughter (Laugh for a Cause): HALLOWEEN COMEDY SHOW, this is a fund-raising project of the combined Boys and Girls Departments of the Notre Dame of Dadiangas High School Batch ’83, who call themselves the Warthogs.

The Warthogs are this year’s Silver Jubilarians and are the proud hosts of the NDDU Alumni Homecoming Program. (Shouldn’t that be NDDU/NDGSC Alumni Homecoming since the girls are also included?)

The Comedy Show which will be held at the new Jam’s Resto Bar (owned by GenSan’s Tuna Cuisine Queen Sol Manangquil) along Nuñez Street in Purok Malakas, Barangay San Isidro features two Manila-based Sing-Along Bar Comedians Monica Valdez and Arnel Chika.

Warthog Noel Santos (of AforDabolz Native Oriental Food) and my sister Warthog Maravel de Pedro told me that a portion of the proceeds of this event will help fund their planned Scholarship Project.

Noel also emphasized that the minimal entrance fee of P200 comes with a bottle of ice-cold San Miguel Beer!  Hey, that’s quite a bargain! 

Orman Manansala who is the NDDU Alumni Federation President, is more than pleased that every year, the sponsoring jubilarians seem to get better and better in coming up with worhwhile causes.

That said, see you there guys!  And yes, Happy Halloween!!! 

Tickets to the A Night of Laughter: Halloween Comedy Show are available at CarX Master, Joan Bakeshoppe, NDDU Alumni Office, Gonzaga Dauzon Inc., and AforDabolz.  For inquiries, you may contact the following numbers:  (083) 304-5491; 0917-6226729; 0920-8717901.

Yes, you read it right!

Bariles just got married.

The place: KL Tower in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The bride: Ms. Marilen Zabala, my Notre Dame of Dadiangas highschool batchmate.

The date: September 31, 2008.

Here is the photo to show for it.

Every time I pass by the site of the P2billion peso- Robinsons Place-General Santos (yes, that’s the final name) along the Lagao National Highway, I am amazed at the speed of the ongoing construction.

A few weeks back, the portion of the 8-hectare lot was just a field of steel cables jutting from the ground.  Now, you can already see the outline of the frontage of the two-storey building behind their perimeter fence made of galvanized sheets.

Advertising streamers (click on the images below) have also been posted on the fence announcing the imminent entry of the mall including what people from Soccsksargen could expect inside, which are:

• Robinsons Department Store
• Robinsons Supermarket
• Robinsons Appliance
• Robinsons Movieworld
• Handyman Do It Best
• Boutiques
• Foodcourt
• Restaurants
• Amusement Centers
• Bookstore
• Drugstore

Scheduled to open during the 2nd quarter of 2009, Robinsons Place -General Santos has also announced that it is now accepting LEASE APPLICATIONS, from people or groups interested in putting up their own businesses inside the mall.

Here is the exact announcement:

NOW ACCEPTING LEASE APPLICATIONS.  For inquiries, please call:

MANILA LEASE OFFICE:  Nicole Vargas or Abigail Bautista at (02) 683-6100 local 804 or (0922) 895-3437.  Email:  gensan.lease@robinsonsland.com or customer.care@robinsonsland.com

Robinsons Backlot, shot from the Socsargen County Hospital Compound

UPDATE! (8:05pm, Saturday, October 18th) Please refer to the email from Kuya Migz.  All E-passes will be released starting Monday, October 20.  If you have not yet received an email from him, please drop a message here.  Sorry for the confusion. 

Good news to all those who were accepted as registrants to the 2nd Mindanao Bloggers Summit in Gen. Santos City which is less than two weeks ago from today, Monday, October 13th.

Your E-Pass (almost similar to the smaller DRAFT COPY above) which will gain you entry to the summit venue- Family Country Hotel and Convention Center and make you eligible to receive the SUMMIT KIT will be emailed to your email addresses starting this week and up to Friday, October 17, 2008.

Please print this E-pass and present it together with your valid I.D. to the reception ladies at the convention center.

If you have any private question, please email us at bariles (at) gensantos (dot) com or just leave a note down below.

Last weekend, in a jampacked ceremony at the Kalantiao Hall, Sarabia Manor Hotel in Iloilo City, the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) awarded General Santos City’s TUNA FESTIVAL as the country’s 2nd Best Tourism Event – Chartered City Category.

Receiving the award from Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano for GenSan Mayor Jun Acharon were the powerhouse GenSan Team headed by Councilors Richard Atendido (Tourism Committee Chair) and Domdom Lagare together with GSC Tourism Council Vice-Chair Rey Billena, Kalilangan Festival Director Orman Manansala, CEMCDO OIC Coralyn Espinosa, CEMCDO Assistant Department Head Egai Cadiente, GSC Tourism Association Prexy Kring Macion, Architect Michael Ang, City Tourism Officer Cora Tito and Ms. GenSan 2008 Ms. Ivy Cunanan with her court.

Iloilo’s Dinagyang Festival, for the 3rd straight year again topped the competition.

The awarding was held during the culmination program of the 9th National Convention of the ATOP.  This year’s gathering drew in more than 500 delegates.

Incidentally, GenSan also won the 2nd Best Tourism Week Celebration Award and the right to host next year’s 10th National Convention of the ATOP.

From Bariles Republic, congratulations to all the people behind the city’s tourism-related activities especially City Mayor Jun Acharon who has been steadfast in making each year’s celebrations grander and more festive and Tuna Festival Director Bebot Haw in his untiring efforts to strengthen the presence of this annual celebration of the city’s charterhood in the tourism map.

I love Balut!  Yes, the fertilized duck egg with its nearly developed embryo intact inside is included in my list of comfort food.

Here in GenSan, I usually buy it from the balut vendors standing at the road corners with their tin cans full of warm, freshly cooked balut.

The other week though, while travelling along the highway of Barangay Baluan, going to the mangrove reserve, I noticed that roadside stalls selling nothing but balut have sprung up.

Of course, not wanting to waste time,  I parked infront of one of the stalls and immediately tried their brand of balut delicacy.

The balut eggs, which were sourced from the duck farms nearby  were displayed inside glass containers and were separated according to age.  The 15-day old eggs (priced at P12) were on the left partition while the older ones were on the right.  I noticed that they were still very warm to the touch, in fact they were steaming, which was a good sign.

Bariles Republic is quite the squemish kind and settled for the 15-day old balut.  After cracking open the rounded end, peeling the shell and tearing the embryo wrapper, I poured a little of the stall’s spicy vinegar and added a pinch of iodized salt.  I let the vinegar settle first by shaking the egg a little bit before I finally sipped the broth.

Oh God!   It was pure heaven!

Then I went for the kill and ate the undeveloped embryo next while adding more spicy vinegar and salt.  Yummy yum-yum!

My partner then challenged me to try the 18-day old egg.  Still feeling “bitin” from the first one, I immediately agreed, not knowing any better.

Only when I placed the embryo inside my mouth and started chewing it when my tongue unmistakably recognized its beak, and worse, its feathers.   I tried swallowing all of them but could not so I had to spit out the feathers.   Sorry guys, am not the Fear Factor kind.

Next time, I will stick to my 15-day old balut. 

How about you?  How old do you prefer your balut egg?  Try answering the poll below…

[poll id="2"]

Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Parish which I featured here a couple of times (CLICK HERE and HERE) is celebrating her 50th birthday on October 13, 2008!!!!

The theme for the momentous event chaired by Parish Priest Fr. Edward Loberiano, CP is:  OLPGV at 50!  Journeying with Mary.

The Golden Anniversary Poster (click on it for a larger view)

Commonly known as Dadiangas Parish or OLPGV, it is one of the only two parishes which are administered not by the Diocese of Marbel but by the Passionist Congregation.

Through the years, I have had the chance to hobnob and work with some of the Passionist priests assigned there namely:

• Fr. Paul Plaza, CP, (a very good homilist and preacher),
• Fr. Leo Acierto, CP, (my hardworking editor at the defunct parish tabloid, The Voyager),
• Fr. Brando Recaña, CP, (a good listener)
• Fr. Ramon Ramos, CP (his homilie s used to fill up the last mass every Sunday nite),
• Fr. Henry  Free, CP (suplado but funny priest),
• Fr. Deo Sustiguer, CP, (serious but kind-hearted),
• Fr. Nonoy Plaza, CP, (just like his brother, another good homilist who strikes the heart and the soul),
• Fr. Gabriel Baldostamon, CP (a good friend of the family, can be fiery in his sermons but is very approachable, he is the first Pinoy passionist),
• Fr. Nonito Adorable, CP (our highschool pastor and still our batch’s favorite),
• Fr. Manny Gellez, CP (the humblest and most youthful passionist I’ve met), and
• Fr. James Oclarit, CP (the bravest priest I’ve met whom I accompanied to their Missions in Kiami, Malapatan).

These priests have touched my life and lives of many others and have continued to do so, wherever they may be assigned.

The OLPGV, although not the oldest parish in the Diocese (Glan and Lagao parishes are older),  was where most of us were baptized, confirmed, first confessed, received Holy Communion and married.

The Parish has outlined a list of activities which started last October 1, 2008 to in celebration of this milestone.  This includes a Trade Fair, Novena Masses from October 4 to 12, Kasalan sa Parokya (Mass Wedding), Children’s Fun Day, Tree Growing, Variety Show, Panulo sa Kadalanan, Motorcade and a Pontifical Mass on the fiesta day itself (October 13, 2008) to be presided by Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez.

Incidentally, Bariles Republic has agreed to join the editorial board for a Souvenir Magazine that is being planned for the Golden Celebration.

To Parish Priest Fr. Edward, and the vicars (especially Fr. Manny Gellez,  CP), parish staff, parish workers and lay leaders of OLPGV, happy 50th birthday!

NEWSFLASH!

General Santos City is once again the center of the universe as young nine-year old “general” Philip Nadela won as the first Pinoy Dream Academy Grand Little Dreamer in an exciting Gala Show less than an hour ago, this night of Sunday, October 5, 2008.

Philip who was a student of the SDA Elementary School in Barangay Calumpang, did a heartfelt rendition of the famous Josh Groban anthem, “You Raise Me Up”.

He received more than 190,000 text votes from his supporters, am sure majority of which came from GenSan.  The Sangguniang Panlungsod earlier passed a resolution giving all out support for this talented son of a policeman of Barangay Fatima.   City Mayor Jun Acharon himself called upon all his barangay captains to encourage their people to form text brigades and distribute flyers urging the “generals” to vote for one of their own.

Philip brings home one million in cash, their own house and lot in a subdivision in Manila, and a video and audio showcase.

This is indeed the year of excellence for GenSan as once again, another talented “general” made it to the roster of “EXCEPTIONAL GENERALS” who will be role models for generations to come.

From all of us here at Bariles Republic, MABUHAY KA PHILIP NADELA!  MABUHAY ANG GENERALS!  MABUHAY ANG GENSAN!

See you during your performance here for the Pasko Sa GenSan 2009!

Finally, the General Santos Park, formerly known as the Carlos P. Garcia Park across the City Hall building will be improved and renovated starting this month, according to Mayor Jun Acharon.

This was after the winning bidder to the P22.5 million project was announced by the Bids and Awards Committee, the Dellosa Design Build Services, which incidentally is a supporter of the 2nd Mindanao Bloggers Summit.  Yipeee!!!!!

The announcement billboard of the Gen. Santos Park rehabilitation

The project will include the construction of a parking area inside the 4.8 hectare tree-filled plaza, cobbled walks, plant boxes, new lamp posts and landscaped promenades for the whole family, among others.

This is a far cry from the plaza of my youth when it was just a wide grass field where my brother and I used to catch grasshoppers with our bare hands and jump over the newly planted tree saplings.  Back then, there were no trees to provide shade to park-goers, no benches, no plant boxes, no nothing… and yet, they bring back a lot of good memories.

And so, with this welcome development, I immediately took shots of the plaza (as it is commonly called here) knowing that these images will soon be just be part of GenSan’s history.

Click on these pictures for a larger view.