GenSan News Online Mag

The people of General Santos City are in for a real treat this Christmas Season as three renowned composers from Manila will be flying in to regale them with original Filipino love songs they have penned themselves and a number of  Christmas carols.

A Christmas Dinner Show with the Maestros (click on the image for a larger view)

Collectively known as The MAESTROS, they are Nonoy Tan, Mon del Rosario and Tito Cayamanda who will be showcasing their musical pieces in a concert billed as “A Christmas Dinner Show with the Maestros” on December 13th, Saturday, 9pm at the San Mig Sports Bar beside the Six’Blings Ostrich RestoBar inside the NCCC Compound, National Highway, GenSan.

Here is their Profile Sheet which I got from Kuya Bebot Haw, their Christmas Concert producer:

MAESTRO is composed of 3 highly acclaimed and multi-awarded songwriters, who individually have carved their own place of recognition in the music industry. Many of their songs have become standards in karaoke and videoke shops in the Philippines and in the Asean region.

The name MAESTRO reflects the group member’s depth of experience in the field of songwriting and music production. In a literal sense, the name embodies what each of them are- Masters of Songwriting!

MON DEL ROSARIO
A film composer, music arranger and record producer whose hits include Sino ang Baliw?, Isang Linggong Pag-ibig (Imelda Papin), Somewhere in My Past (Julie Vega), Boy (Timmy Cruz) and Tamis ng Unang Halik (Tina Paner). A recording artist himself since 1981, he released an album of his hits in 1998 under Harmony Music. As a Film Composer, he has more than 300 full length films to his credit. He is currently the President of FILSCAP (Filipino Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers).

TITO CAYAMANDA
The youngest among the group but equally talented as well, being a composer,  musical arranger, keyboardist, guitarist and singer rolled into one. His hits include Kailan Pa Man’y Ikaw (Christian Bautista), Till My Heartaches End (Ela Mae Sayson) and Bakit Di Totohanin (Carol Banawa). While being a very idealistic person, he is also one who has the knack to see the brighter side of things no matter how hard conditions are at the moment. Such view in life is reflected not only in his songs but also in his community involvements such as Couples for Christ, where Tito currently holds a very important post as Musical Director and Sector Head for Laguna.

NONOY TAN
A former member of the famed band WADAB, he has distinguished himself as the composer of the karaoke mega hit “My Love Will See You Through” popularized by Marco Sison. A record producer who discovered the multi-platinum selling group AEGEIS, he is a seasoned record producer with an eye for great talent. He is presently, the Chairman of FILSCAP and serves his fellow composers side by side with Mon del Rosario.

Tickets which are inclusive of DINNER is priced at P500 per head only!  That’s quite a steal considering you get three very good artists in one sitting. 

As an added treat for the song and music lovers of General Santos City,  Sabrina Voice Recording Studio and Hitback Music…. Today @ SanMig Sports Bar Is inviting aspiring & professional Singers, Musicians, Songwriters & Artist to a SONGWRITING WORKSHOP on the afternoon of that day, December 13, (Saturday) 2008 from 1 to 5 pm at the Home Theatre of Shalom Crest Wizard Academy, to be conducted by the MAESTRO’s themselves.

Workshop Topics for the generals are:
1.)    How to write a Hit Song
2.)    Know your rights as a composer.
3.)    How to make a demo and break into recording scene and other related matters.

REGISTRATION FEE is only P200 inclusive of Snacks.

Wow!  This is like hitting two birds with one stone!  For just one day, not only will the young talented people of GenSan  be entertained by three of the country’s best composers but will also be learning how they improved on their craft.

Thanks to Kuya Bebot Haw for this very special Christmas gift for the composer and perfomer in all of us.

For reservations to both the “A Christmas Dinner Show with the Maestros” and “Songwriting Workshop” events, please call 0917.715.2528, 0922.859.1961, 302.1961 & 553.8808.

Finally, the event that everyone has been waiting for, the formal opening of Pasko sa Gensan 2008 Celebrations, dubbed as Enchanted GenSan: Once Upon A Yuletide Season is now scheduled to happen on December 5th at the Oval Plaza Stage.

Originally set on December 1st, the opening was moved to the 5th since the first day of the month has been declared a holiday by Malacanang.

That means everything, from the Drum and Lyre Parade Competition and the Grand Fireworks Display will all happen on December 5 instead.

Below is the Schedule before the move.  Click on the image to enlarge it.

Last September 2008, I blogged about the plan to put up a Regional Consular Office of the Department of Foreign Affairs here in General Santos City, following a directive from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.  That article elicited a lot of positive responses from Bariles Republic’s readers, especially those availing of their passporting services.

Now, according to General Santos City Tourism Officer Cora Tito, a site has finally been found for the proposed office which will be called the Regional Consular Office of the DFA.

After weeks of scouting for the venue, she added that DFA Davao Consular Officer Daniel Te has revealed that his bosses has opted for the vacant portion of the Annex Building of Gaisano Mall of GenSan.  This is the leftmost 2-storey unit of the building which also houses Shakey’s Restaurant, Uno Cafe and Big Chow Chinese Resto.

On December 2, 2008, top honchos from DFA Manila, among them Consular Officer ASec Domingo Lucenario, Personnel Officer ASec Corazon Yap Baijin will be flying in to seal the deal with the Gaisanos for the use of their building.

And yes, before I forget, they want to open the office to the public before Christmas 2008.

I received this invitation yesterday from my friend and fellow blogger Danny Sabino of the Kapayapaan Kapatid Council (KKC) to the Art for Peace Exhibit Opening at 1pm today, November 28th at the KCC Mall of GenSan mallway. (Click on it for a larger view.)

The Art for Peace Exhibit is a project of the Kapayapaan Kapatid Council and is supported by the GOP-UN ACT for Peace Programme, the SocSarGen Peace Network and the Kalimudan Culture and Arts Center.

It is an event in celebration of the Mindanao Week of Peace (November 27-December 3, 2008) whose theme this year is “Integrity of Heart and Mind, a Way to Reconciliation and Peace“.

So there.

With the long weekend upon us, why not drop by KCC Mall of GenSan and visit the Art for Peace Exhibit together with your friends and family?  The exhibit which runs until December 3, 2008 will not only educate you and give you a glimpse on how talented the Soccksargen artists are.

It will also be a show of support for our people’s seemingly never-ending quest for solutions to a lasting peace in this island.

The entertainment picture in General Santos City has been undergoing a major transformation these days, owing partly to the entry of more and more dining establishments, some of which were featured here like Grab A Crab and Coffee Club 101, EARHotel’s Royale Lounge, Sud-An Restaurant and Grill, Six-Blings Restobar, Euro Kitchen, Afordabolz Oriental Native Food, and Pablo’s Steaks and Crabs.

A new kid in the block has joined this group but is offering a whole new dimension in entertainment.

Capitalizing on the Filipino’s love for singing, Rolee Bakeshop‘s Bing and Armie Royeca has just opened their Bread and Music Box Family KTV, GenSan’s first Videoke Bar which is for General Patronage.

Located at the 2nd floor of their equally new Rolee’s Bakery and Cafe at the RD Buidling along Santiago Boulevard, the establishment has eight themed private rooms: the Britney Spears Room, the ABBA Room, the Beatles Room, the Madonna Room, the Celine Dion Room, Elvis Presly Room, the Michael Jackson Room and the Frank Sinatra Room, which are all equipped with the most modern audio and video equipment.

The Standard Rooms (Britney, Celine and Michael) of Bread and Music Box Family KTV will set you off at P300/hour during Happy Hours (2pm-6pm) and P400/hour beyond 6pm.

The Britney Spears Room (P400/hour)

Celine Dion Room (P400/hour)

The Michael Jackson Room (P400/hour)

The VIP Rooms (Elvis and ABBA) cost P500/hour during Happy Hours and P700/hour beyond that.

The Elvis Presley Room (P700/hour)

The ABBA Room (P700/hour)

The 3 Presidential rooms, (Frank Sinatra, Beatles and Madonna) which could accommodate one purok each, all have a Happy Hour rate of P700/hour and a Primehours rate of P900.

The Frank Sinatra Room (P900/hour)

The Beatles Room (P900/room)

The Madonna Room

All the rates are consummable.

When I was there with my friends Rachel and Rob and Marz, we had the most fun inside the privacy of the Madonna Room.  Their library of songs were the most comprehensive I have seen in years and contained even the more popular newer hits. We had no qualms dancing and prancing around our room which could accommodate at least 10 rowdy singers.

“…like a virgin, touched for the very first time…”

The food we ordered (pancit canton and fried chicken) also tasted good considering that Bread and Music Box Family KTV is still on its soft-opening stage.  Although all the rooms are now equipped with state-of-the-art audio and visual equipment which, the owners attest, are better than Greenbelt Makati’s The Red Box, they are still bringing in more features and services to better give their clients a whole new enjoyable experience.

For one, they are planning to add a comfort room at the 2nd floor so that their guests wouldn’t have to go down to the Rolee Bakery and Cafe at the 1st floor to relieve themselves.  Secondly, they will install more sound-proofing materials for each room to ensure a quiet atmosphere all your own.

With all that commitment, there is no doubt that Bread and Music Box Family KTV will soon turn out into one of the most patronized entertainment places for the whole family in GenSan.

Bread & Music Box Family KTV is located at the 2nd floor of Rolee Bakery & Cafe, RD Building, Santiago Boulevard, General Santos City.  Doors open at 1pm-12 midnight. For reservations, please call (083) 304-9171.

It’s all over the papers this week.

According to reports from Philippine Star and Business World, to name just a few, General Santos City has the second lowest poverty incidence in Mindanao (at 13.98%), based on the latest survey of the National Statistical Coordination Board in the region for 2006.

Topping the list is General Santos’ sister city in Soccsksargen, Kidapawan with a poverty rate of only 12.46%.

Th NSCB refers to “poverty incidence” as the “proportion of population (or families) with per capita income which is less than the per capita poverty threshold to the total number of pupulation (families) of an area“.

In simple terms, this is an indication of the percentage number of people living below the poverty line in a certain area.

Here then is Mindanao’s Top 10 Cities and Municipalities with the lowest poverty incidence or according to Philstar, “Mindanao’s 10 Richest Municipalities” and Cities:

1. Kidapawan City – 12.46%
2. General Santos City -  13.98%
3. Polomolok, South Cotabato – 14.29%
4. Davao City – 14.94%
5. Tagum City – 15.42%
6. Cagayan de Oro City – 15.5%
7. Koronadal City – 16.18%
8. Digos City – 18.22%
9. Padada, Davao del Sur – 21.99%
10. Hagonoy, Davao del Sur – 22.60%.

To all these cities, especially the ones from Region XII (Soccsksargen), congratulations!

And to the administration of GenSan City Mayor Jun Acharon, kudos!

In what is the longest celebration of Octoberfest in the World, San Miguel Beer continues its nationwide concert series’ OKTOBERFEST 120 (120 days aapaw ang saya) by bringing the band RIVERMAYA to General Santos City on Friday, November 28, 2008.

The band Rivermaya which recently took in a new vocalist Jayson Fernandez after former lead Rico Blanco left to pursue a solo career, will perform in a FOAM PARTY at the parking lot of the East Asia Royale Hotel.

Foam parties seem to be in vogue in GenSan these days as every month, one happens at the East Asia Royale Hotel.

Anyway, foam party or not, what’s more important is that our young generals have good reason to go out and have fun on a regular basis these days.

To open the Foam Party are the bands Cold Four of Davao City and Interfaith Band of GenSan.

Entrance Fee is only P100 inclusive ONE FREE SAN MIGUEL BEER.

WOW! At 1OO bucks, I would have to be at East Asia Royale as early as 7:00pm! Am sure that this would be another jampacked part event in GenSan!

Here is Part Two of the HBO TV Special for the forthcoming Dela Hoya-Pacquiao Fight on December 6, 2008 happening at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.  If you have not seen the first part of Dela Hoya-Pacquiao 24/7 HBO Special yet, then do so by CLICKING HERE.

Watch out for the interviews of Manny Pacquiao’s mother Dionisia and father Rosalio at their home in General Santos City.  Open your eyes and be sure to catch the awesome shots of interiors the 50-year old Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Church in downtown General Santos where Dionisia was filmed was hearing a mass.

I was there at that time trying to get into the camera’s sight but to no avail.  I knew that the American crew present was fiming Dionisia for their Dela Hoya-Pacquiao 24/7 HBO Special and was conscious of the fact that I could be caught on camera.

Too bad.  God must have other plans that day. 

Catch Part 3 of the Dela Hoya-Pacquiao 24/7 HBO Special after a week only here at Bariles Republic.

Early this November, ESPN USA came out with their TV special on the forthcoming December 6th Dela Hoya-Pacquiao Fight in the 10-minute THRILLA, which Bariles Republic featured here.

On November 16th, it was HBO USA‘s turn to start airing its series of episodes for their Dela Hoya-Pacquiao Fight Special called Dela Hoya-Pacquiao 24/7.

As a sort of a teaser, they have released a 2 1/2 minute trailer to drumbeat the TV special.

Here is that trailer of that Dela Hoya-Pacquiao 24/7 HBO Special.

And much even better, here is Part 1 (30-minutes long video) of that Dela Hoya-Pacquiao 24/6 HBO Special:

Watch out for Part 2 of the Dela Hoya-Pacquiao 24/7 HBO Special only here at Bariles Republic soon….

A few hours before my blogger friends from Davao which included Blogie, Migs, Chattee, Lyle, Brendel, Patrick plus a Kidapawanon Richard left for their homebases late last month after the conduct of the 2nd Mindanao Bloggers Summit, I had a chance to take them to a Gensan restaurant, the Sud-An Grill and Restaurant.

Inside Sud-An Resto

Ever since Sud-An Grill and Restaurant opened along Santiago Boulevard in General Santos City, it has been lording it over competition in the so-called commercial and banking hub of the Tuna Capital.  Aware of this fact, I wanted my friends to try it and find out for themselves why this fine-dining resto of couple Tony and Petit Veneracion specializing in Pinoy fare including GenSan’s famed TUNA, has achieved this status.

Our group arrived at the airconditioned Mediterranean-designed resto that Monday a little after 12 noon and were led inside by the amiable staff to our reserved places.  In a while, Petit arrived and joined us but not before instructing her staff to serve us her specialties.

What came out one by one from Sud-An’s kitchen was an array of dishes which had the Davaoenos and the lone North Cotabatenio nodding in agreement after every taste.  In less than 30minutes, nothing was left on our plates.

Here are some of the pictures of the sumptuous feast laid down before us which Petit has handpicked:

Crispy Tuna Tail

Malutong na Buntot ng Tuna (Crispy Tuna Tail)

Grilled Tuna Belly

Inihaw ng Tiyan ng Tuna (Grilled Tuna Belly)

Honey Chili Chicken

Honey Chili Chicken

Sugpo in Aligue

Sugpo in Aligue

Baby Back Ribs

Baby Back Ribs

Baby Squid with Garlic

Baby Squid in Garlic (foto grabbed from Lyle Santos)

Crispy Maki Sushi

Crispy Maki Sushi

Mixed Fruit Fiesta

Mixed Fruits Fiesta

Bariles’ specially liked the crispy Tuna Tail which crackled at his every bite; the Sud-An exclusive Sugpo-sa-Aligue and its addicting sauce which I swear, can be “pang-ulam” in itself.  Then the Baby Squid in Garlic, and its most tender-to-the-bite white tiny bite-sized mollusks was also something which couldn’t be found anywhere in GenSan.

All these plus the warmth and undivided attention afforded to us by Petit Veneracion and the Sud-An staff convinced my blogger friends that indeed, Sud-An Grill and Restaurant is up there when it comes to native Pinoy fine dining in the Tuna Capital of the Philippines.

Sud-an Grill and Restaurant is located at Santiago Boulevard, beside the Medical Plaza.  For reservations, please call (083) 3017471.

November 14, 2008 turned out to be an auspicious day for the generals (or residents of General Santos City) currently working at the United Arab Emirates because for the first time in history, 45 of them gathered together in a Grand Eyeball in Dubai, where most of them are based.

United Arab Emirates Map (Click for larger view)

According to their hardworking Group Organizer Dennis Dospueblos, formerly of the GenSan City Mayor’s Office who now works as I.T. Officer there, they were only expecting about 30 attendees but were overjoyed when 45 arrived at the venue at Al Mamzar Beach Resort that Friday, a holiday in the Arab states.

AccordIng to Dennis in his email to Bariles, “Ang mga tuna namalik sa dagat.  45 ang nag attend. KA KURAT!!!”

They all came, some in pairs, others in groups, from Abu Dhabi, Ajman and Sharjah, all excited to meet their fellow generals for the first time, all wanting to share stories and swap news from their beloved home.

Most only knew each other from their email addresses, being members of a mailing list at yahoogroups called “GenSanGenerals”.

Shortly, the merrymaking started.  A few parlor games were played, and a number of songs were sang courtesy of Dennis who is a folk singer on the side.

UAE Eyeball Organizer Dennis Dospueblos, folksinger extraordinaire

They were simple activities but nonetheless were pure bonding moments for these lonely, homesick expats.

Past mid-day, when these modern-day heroes were all settled down after a festive salu-salo, a meeting where some important issues were discussed was conducted.

First, they all agreed that as a follow up, a Christmas Party should be scheduled asap.  They set the date on December 4th at the Le Meriendien Hotel, also in Dubai.  This time, they are targeting more GenSan expats to join and have arranged to contact those from farther away states like Al-Ayn.

And in a sadder but hopeful note, they also decided to gather a list of their fellow generals who had to make an exit out of the UAE after their visas have expired and are now stranded in Kish Island and Oman, in order to extend help to them any which way they can to tide them over.

“Life is not a paradise here,” Dennis further wrote in his email, “especially for our kababayans who come here are tourists and end up as illegal overstaying aliens.”

However, with the economic crunch in the country growing worse by the day, expect more and more people from the SOCCSKSARGEN area flying to the UAE for what they deem as “greener pastures”.

This time, howeve, they will be luckier than their precedessors because there will be a group, the GenSan Generals, who will be there to assist them, offer them advices and make life far away from their home at the Tuna Capital more tolerable.

Now if that aint something which would make a General proud, I wouldn’t know what else would do.

To the UAE-based GenSan Generals, “CONGRATULATIONS for this worthy endeavor.  MABUHAY KAYONG MGA BAGONG BAYANI!!!  MABUHAY ANG MGA GENERALS NG UAE!”

The GenSan Generals may be reached through Coordinator Fernando Muto for Sharjah & Ajman Area and  Coordinator Rommel Guillermo for the Abu Dhabi Area.  For the rest of you at the UAE, you may contact Dennis Dospueblos. Email them at gensangenerals (at) yahoogroups (dot) com.  Or leave a note here at the CONTACT BARILES page so that we could endorse your message to them.  Or if you want to join their YahooGroup, please follow this link – http://www.leonardorealestate.com/gensan.html .

Photos are courtesy of Dennis Dospueblos and Jose Gayda.

The controversial building of WBC World Flyweight Champion Manny Pacquaio along Osmena South Avenue, which was featured by Bariles Republic a few months back in an article which can be found by CLICKING HERE was a subject which was one of the most heavily discussed in this blog.

There was a fair share of comments from readers who either liked the design or abhorred it.  Some responses were too much for its architect Rex Acdal to bear that he had to come out and post his reply too.  I did not have to referee it because eventually some responders were doing it for me.

But one thing for sure though, all of them were one in saying that it will soon turn out to be one of GenSan’s tourist destinations, once it is finished.

On September 8, 2008, the JMP Building (after Jinky and Manny Pacquiao), was finally inaugurated with no less than Pacman’s former political foe, Congresswoman Darlene Antonino-Custodio as one of the sponsors.

Congresswoman Darlene Custodio and building owner Manny Pacquiao cut the inaugural ribbon together

A priest from the nearby Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Parish blessed the whole two-storey affair and it took him more than 30 minutes to do so because of the so many rooms he had to exorcise.

Manny throwing coins for good luck

Manny’s brothers, WBO Asia-Pacific Lightweight Champion Bobby Pacquiao and Apopong Barangay Captain Rogelio Pacquiao were there to lend their support.  Of course, the indefatigable Mommy Dionisia was not to be missed and brought in her own posse of amigas.

WBO Asia-Pacific Lightweight Champ Bobby and Brgy Apopong Captain Rogelio (in white)

Manny was the tireless and amiable host and was busy table-hopping during the event since the visibly pregnant-heavy Jinky preferred to sit it out.  This was months before the Pacquiao-Dela Hoya Fight and so he was being himself, not feeling any pressure.

Three caterers served the more than 200 guests and being a Pacquiao affair, free booze overflowed.

Despite the heat due to the fact that no airconditioning has been installed yet in the newly-built building, most of Manny’s friends stayed until late into the afternoon, enjoying the presence of their hometown hero inside one of the better trophies of his rewarding career.

Now, more than two months after that day, this trophy, the MJP building stands bare although a few spaces on the upper floor have been occupied already.  According to Architect Rex, Blue Gre Cafe is opening in one of the lower ground’s spaces together with Amanah Bank (!) who’s renting out another one.

Bariles says it could have been better if all the ground floor occupants are dining and entertainment establishments considering the fact that the building itself is surrounded by restaurants.  Then he could get to watch the telecast of the live Pacquiao – Dela Hoya fight there.

Anyway, here are other pictures taken during the blessing which you may click for larger views:

Manny Pacquiao poses for some pictures for his guests

Rex Acdal, the architect of Manny and Jinky Pacquiao Building… and other buildings to come

Princess Divine Grace Pacquiao kisses the hand of Tita Darlene Custodio-Antonino while Manny Pacquiao guides her

Manny Pacquiao with (from left) Asia United Bank AVP Orman Manansala, General Logismarks Corp President Rey Billena, AUB’s Lea and Dave.

Manny Pacquiao thanks his guests for coming to his new building’s inauguration

Effective today, November 17th and until the 21st, sixteen students, from among the city’s premier high schools will immerse themselves in their new roles as the junior versions of the elected officials of the local government of General Santos, the Tuna Capital of the Philippines.

A yearly endeavor of Youth Affairs and Development Office under Elmer Cequina, this program seeks out the best and the brightest among the Tuna Capital’s highschoolers  and through a series of interviews and exams, 16 of them will be tapped as younger counterparts of the mayor, the vice mayor and the fourteen city councilors.

The assignment of posts however are determined by the students themselves who will vote among them their choices for the different positions.

For this year, elected Junior City Mayor is Hope Christian School’s Hennela Jin Kwan who also topped the exams and panel interviews.  Vice Mayor is Mindanao State University’s Charis Kay Antonio.

The rest who will assume the positions of the fourteen juniors city councilors are Romeo Martin, Jr., Lara Mae Lorenzo, John Mar Dangane, Charmane Dawn Esper and Gwenbelle Acharon (all of Notre Dame of Dadiangas University – IBED Lagao Campus); Christel Anne Chu-Santos, April Joy Ong, Ciarra King, Kycia VAnelie G. Cue and Glenn Francis Gacal (of General Santos Hope Christian School); Shareen Miranda and Quenny Guibone (of Notre Dame of General Santos); Mindanao State University‘s Katherine Anne Facelo and General Santos City High School‘s Jay Vaughnn Pelonio.

General Santos City Mayor Jun Acharon himself administered their oath taking at the City Mayor’s Conference room after giving his short pep talk.

Now that the nights are longer and the air is cooler and balmier in and around the Tuna Capital of the Philippines, it is almost time for one of the city’s most-awaited and well-loved festivals.

This is the month-long Pasko Sa Gensan, a brainchild of Mayor Jun Acharon which was envisioned to provide the generals with more reasons to celebrate the festive Christmas season, by way of events and activities designed for the “generals” of all ages.

Now on its sixth year of incarnation, Pasko Sa Gensan for 2008 goes a notch higher by transforming the central oval park and major throroughfares of the Tuna Capital into one magical dreamland, aptly named Enchanted Gensan.

The Poster for Enchanted GenSan. (Click on it for a larger view)

First Lady Dra. Rose Acharon, chairperson of Pasko sa GenSan ’08 celebration disclosed that they will be putting up 8 Castle Pavilions inside the Oval Plaza transforming it into an Enchanted Kingdom by night for the whole month of December.

These Castle Pavilions are the following:

1. Fairyland – with elements of fairies, fairytale stories, etc.
2. Magicland – with elements of magic shows, magic world
3. Santa’s Kingdom – with elements of Santa Claus, reindeers, sleigh, etc.
4. Toyland – with elements of toys and fun, etc.
5. Fruit and Flowerland – with elements of fruits and flowers
6. Circus Land – with elements of circus, carnival, carousel, etc.
7. Galaxy Land – with elements of space, astronomy, etc.
8. Safari Land – with elements of adventure, animal land, etc.

A number of public and private schools have committed to construct these themed castles at the Oval Plaza, the centerpiece for this Christmas Festival.  Each castle-pavilion will compete for the Best Fairytale Kingdom Contest.

Complimenting the castle-pavilions at the Oval Plaza are these attractions:

• Disneyland – Oval Plaza Children’s Playground

• Disney Towers – Decorated/lighted towers

• Magic Wands X’mas Tree – Giant Christmas tree at the center of Oval Plaza

• Grand Castle Ballroom – decorated Oval Stage

Additional Fairytale attractions in key locations are the following:

• King Arthur’s Castle – City Hall façade

• Knight’s Ballroom – City Hall lobby

• Way to Camelot – Pioneer Avenue, P. Acharon blvd.

• Santa’s Sleigh Stations – Gas Stations

• Disney Castles – Banks’ façade

• Bayfront Castle – Queen Tuna Park

• Fairy Parol Contest – Fishport

There will also be various competitions and shows like Ground demonstation, Drum & Lyre, Dance Fusion, Himig Pasko Christmas Carol, Disney Towers, Fairy Parol Contest, Fairytale makeover, Pasiklaban ng Radio Stations, Christmas Cantata, Fairytale Nights, Christmas Carnaval, Party Zone, Libreng Gupit, and Fireworks Display.

Pasko sa GenSan 2008 Artistic Director Edgar Cadiente, explained that this year’s theme which is, “Once  upon a Yuletide Season / An Enchanted GenSan”, captures a fairytale, dreamy flavor.

“We will transform the whole Tuna Capital into a fairy tale landscape,” he added.

With that, expect General Santos City to be the place to visit this December, by residents of nearby towns and provinces as they experience for themselves the spirit of Christmas in this magical city while being cast under a spell with all its promise of an adventure in fantasyland.

Sitti Navarro, or simply Sitti was into her third song already when Bariles came barging in through the back door of the Phela Grande Convention Center along the National Highway near the Silway Bridge of General Santos City at the night of her self-titled dinner concert.

All the ushers/usherettes must have been too engrossed with getting a good view of the Philippines’ Bossa Nova Diva that they the door was unmanned except for some bodyguards. And yes, where in the world was Orange Bistro’s Cathy Teng, who promised to meet me at the entrance?

Luck of all lucks, I immediately spotted the pretty wife of Architect Brix Teng, with friend Gigi Fernandez, the equally lovely missus of Mt. Matutum Lions Club prexy Jesse, at one corner of the hall, enjoying Sitti’s rendition of the “Samba Song”.

Seeing that it was full house with no vacant chair within my view, I just stood where I was and focused my attention on Sitti’s performance while trying to make out the faces from the audience in the dimly-lighted hall.

Sitti, who has been Bariles’ idol since 2003 when she first broke into the Pinoy’s consciousness, was even much prettier in person, exuding a combined aura of innocence and sexiness, with a sweetness that was not forced but was coming out naturally.

Her crystal-clear singing voice was surely enthralling the members of the audience whom I found out later were composed of the creme de la creme of GenSan, including a good number of the scions of families with one-syllable “apellidos”.

I also spotted Mayor Jun Acharon whom Sitti tried, but failed to coax onstage for a dance with her. He was in the same table with Mt. Matutum Lion Prexy Jesse Fernandez, Lion Director Doming Teng and Councilor Meggie Santos.

That’s GenSan City Mayor in the center flanked by TSP Marine’s Doming Teng and Mt. Matutum Lions Club prexy Jesse Fernandez. Farther behind them is Metrobank Manager Boboy Dumago laughing his heart out.

After I think 8 or more songs, Sitti called it a day, but not before profusely thanking the sponsors that night including the generals who really came out, basically for for two reasons. First, was to watch her perform live; And secondly, to help the concert organizers from the Mt. Matutum Lions Club with their commendable project to build one two-room school building for one of the city’s rural barangays.

That is one thing I like with this city’s movers and shakers.

Seldom do they come out for concerts or other party events but for those with good causes just like this one benefitting underprivileged school children, they surely do not skip a beat.

Sitti’s fans all lined up with Mayor Acharon after the show are (from left) a much sexier comebacking resident Grace Lim, businessman Robert Lim, Hope Christian School student Kycia Cue, businessman Kerwin Cue, Shakey’s Virgie Cue, Fortune Tobacco’s Jimson Lim, Mayor Jun, and KCC Malls’ Mr. and Mrs. Shui Lam.

Also enjoying the evening are (standing from left) future blushing bride Gay-gay Llido and friend Dr. Carlo Dimacutac. Seated from left are (with backs behind the camera) Yvonne and Clement Asencio of Paper View Office Supplies; Jenny and Toots Lim; Doc Carlo’s fiance Mabel and Wangyu Tan of SAFII.

Cathy Teng of Orange Bistro and Gigi Sagalongos-Fernandez, wife of Mt. Matutum Lions Club president Jesse, during a break from their ticketing duties.

Smiling for Bariles’ camera are Unionbank Pioneer branch head Jasmin Belarmino, and businessman Boyet Oville with gorgeous wife Anna. Behind them is the hardworking City Tourism Officer Cora Tito and Sarangani entrepreneur Francis Martinez.

Alabel Municipal accountant Marvin Lachica is still all eyes and ears for Sitti while his friends Michael Sanchez and Jhune “Cavang” Compasino of Sophisticut Salon give their beauty queen smiles for Bariles’ camera.

Sitti is flanked by bosom buddies Regie Lim and Geraldine Oville at the Orange Bistro after her concert.

In celebration of her 16th Foundation Anniversary, General Santos City’s neighbor, Sarangani Province will once again showcase her colorful history, diversified and rich culture and bountiful resources in the week-long Munato Festival 2008, commencing on November 24 and culminating on November 29.

This year, the province has adopted the battlecry, “Ang Galing mo…. Sarangan!”

Judging from the activities indicated in the poster above (please click on it for a larger view), the festival organizers have lined up more events meant to delight Sarangans of all ages and encourage more tourists to participate in the festival.

Most noteworthy are the Band Competition among Highschool and Elementary students, the Walkway Chalk Drawing and Painting Contest, the Tribal Sportsfest, streetdancing competition, Search for Pearl of Sarangani, Horsefights, Boxing at the Capitol, “kFite Ded Sau!” Tribal Fashion Showcase, Peryahan sa Kapitolyo and Munato Arcade, among others.

There will also be performances by Davao’s Joey Ayala featuring MSU’s Kapapagariya Ensemble on the 27th and one of Manila’s top bands, SugarFree on the 29th.

Also timed during the Munato Festival are the following – Sarangani Athletic Association Meet (November 26-29), the Groundbreaking of the Sarangani Provincial Employees Housing Project (November 27), and the inauguration of Sarangani Justice on Wheels (on the 28th and 29th).

To the Sarangans, Bariles Republic wishes you all the best during your Munato Festival.

Congratulations to the winners of Bariles Republic’s 1st Blogoversary Contest.  A few could have made it if only they fulfilled the first requirement – SUBSCRIBE first to the blog’s feeds.

At any rate, a giant thank you to all the well-wishers, who made my day and to my generous sponsors – Bob Martin, Blogie Robillo, Jehzeel Laurente, Dennis Paul Custorio, Winston Almendras, Job Oberio,Toto Lozano and Coffee Club 101.

I divided the winners into two groups – One for the bloggers and one for those without blogs.

The winners from the first group and their corresponding prizes are:

1. A copy of Virtual Earner Video from Bob Martin goes to Sarangani teacher and MBS2 Convenor Ariel Lalisan of HomeWard Bound who wrote a blog post for me.  Ariel always links my posts in his blogs (he has several).  This video will come in handy for his economic pursuits. 
2. A bundled domain with webhosting for a year each to the following from Mindanao Bloggers.Com convenor Oliver “Blogie” Robillo,
   • Nate Marx, for his limerick cum poem;
   • Millet “khalela” Kaindoy, for her touching blogpost about Bariles;
   • Mark Aethen, for his historical “backgrounder”.
3. One year free Webhosting with 200mb capacity from Toto Lozano goes to two winners:
   • Sarah or Rashid’s Mom, for the delightful visayan poem;
   • Lyle Santos, who also blogged about Bariles Republic’s blogoversary.
4. One year free Webhosting with 200mb capacity from Dennis Paul Custorio for Joana Grace Lapore, for her early (#2) heartfelt wishes.  Joana co-hosted the MBS2 magnificently.
5. One year free Domain Name from Jehzeel Laurente of Jehzlau Concepts for the following:
   • Jinky Borela
     
   • Ryann Elumba
   • Grace Ivy Tutor
   • Lianne Baino
   • Hector Minoza
6. One Free Domain Name for one year each, from Winston Almendras, of Batang Techie for:
   • Rammy Boi
   • Kristan Jan Franco
7. One Free Domain Name for one year, from NoKia Webhosting Philippines for Anah.
8. One Free Premium WordPress Theme each from ChiQ Montes, of WP Theme Designer, to the following, for their extra efforts in writing a blogpost for Bariles Republic:
   • Millet Kaindoy
   • Ariel Lalisan
   • Lyle Santos

And the surprise 10 winners from the 2nd group, a cup of any coffee variant they want from General Santos City’s latest coffee bar, Coffee Club 101:

1. Rachel A of GenSan
   
2. Bernie Allen of Manila – when you’re here next month
   
3. Archmykel of GenSan
   
4. Amie of the US – when you’re home for the holidays
   
5. Kim of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – when you’re home for christmas
   
6. BlackMeat of Davao – when you’re back next weekend
   
7. Whiteknight of GenSan
8. Gorg of GenSan
9. Gensanite of Cebu – see you in December
10. Ram of UAE – likewise, when you’re home for Christmas
    

Again, congratulations to everyone and thanks for participating here.

Watch out for our future contests, coming soon. 

To all the readers of Bariles Republic, I would like to pose this question:  Where in General Santos City can one find a restaurant cum folk house, a sports bar and more than 5 badminton courts all under one roof?

If you have not been living under a rock for the past 12 months, then you might know that the answer is found at the NCCC Compound along the GenSan National Highway.

There, occupying an old warehouse are 6′Blings Ostrich Bar and Restaurant, San Migs Sports Bar, and Mr. Big Shot Indoor Badminton Court.

Owned by entrepreneur par excellance Thomas “Bebot” Haw, this all-in-one entertainment and fitness complex never runs out of gimmicks and promotions since it was established a few years back.  Now managed by eldest daughter Sandra May, it is already one of the city’s must-visit destinations.

Six’Blings is actually named after Bebot and wife Meme‘s children aside from Sandra May.  These are Sabrina Augustine (to whom he also named a audio recording studio), Stephanie Vannie, Steven Thomas, Sophia Shalom, and Spencer Thomas.

Always the astute businessman, Bebot (who is the Tuna Festival Director) is the first to offer ostrich dishes in GenSan.  And as an extra treat to his young clients, he also has opened an ostrich petting farm right at the NCCC Compound too.

The humungous Galante Ostrich Burger.

One of the more famous concoctions that Six’Blings has come up with is the DILIKAGUAPO, a healthy appetizer made up of sliced green guavas, pomelo and friend dilis.  Ever since the time that Bariles has tried it, he never fails to recommend it to friends and visitors he brings there.

Dilikaguapo, a combination of dilis, guava, pomelo.

And as a throwback to the days when he was still into the exciting world of commercial tuna fishing in General Santos, Bebot  whipped up another dish, which he calls PAKURA (local term for  Fish Aggregative Device), a boat-shaped plate stuffed with all sorts of grilled and friend fish, chicken, pork and veggies, salads, etc.

6′Bling’s PAKURA

Now with Sandra May at the helm of his entertainment and dining complex, Bebot has again come up with another winner, his witty-named Haw’s of Lechon ni Mang Thomas, located at Barangay Lagao.

With the establishment of this lechon house, the father and daughter team came up with the KADABARKADATEN, which at P3,499.00 is a package which includes a Rellenong Bakten d’Leche (roasted suckling piglet), 10 ice-cold beer, Sizzling ostrich sisig, stuffed nitibong manok, kinilaw, Dilikaguapo and steamed rice.

This amazing and generous treat is recommended for groups of 10 or less.

By the way, Bariles swears that Haw’s of Lechon ni Mang Thomas’s home-made lechon sarsa is the best in GenSan, made of chopped liver and other secret spices.

The KadabarKadaTen Package!

Now if you feel you’ve had too much of Six’Blings gastronomic delights, then change into your sports outifit and play at any of the indoor badminton courts at Mr. BigShot.  If you’re still a newbie, they have available instructors willing to teach you the basics for a minimal fee.

And to wind down, grab an ice-cold beer (frozen at minus 6 degrees) at either the non-airconditioned but airy Six’Blings Bar (and listen to their acoustic singers) or at the San Migs Sports Bar inside a refurbished and air-conditioned container van, where you can relax by watching sports events on a widescreen TV.

With all these entertainment choices under one compound, would you still want to go anywhere else in General Santos?

Six’Blings Ostrich Bar and Resto may be reached by calling these contact numbers:  (083) 553-8808, 302-1961 or 0917-7152528 and 0922-8591961.

First, the bad news.

If you happen to pass by the old Davao Motors Sales (DAMOSA) building along the National Highway fronting St. Elizabeth Hospital, here in General Santos, you will immediately notice that its occupants, the Take All Convenience Store, Tinapay Republic and a Drugstore are not there anymore.  In fact, the whole building is now totally deserted.

Now, for the good news!

According to Bariles’ reliable sources, in its place will be the American fastfood chain McDonalds.  And that’s not all.  Behind it where the old DAMOSA automobile service center used to be, will rise the international budget hotel chain Microtel Inn and Suites. (Click on the map below for a larger view.)

If this materializes, Microtel Inns and Suites-GenSan will be the second city in Mindanao to host it after Davao.

The franchise of the 51-room Microtel Davao and that of GenSan are owned by Damosa Land Inc. of the Floreindo Family.

Its other branches are located in Baguio, Boracay, Batangas, Cabanatuan, Cavite, Mactan, Tarlac and the soon-to-open branches in Palawan and SM Mall of Asia.

According to its website ( http://www.microtelphilippines.com ):

The Microtel Philosophy

Microtel Inns & Suites provide guests with affordable quality hotel services in the true economy and standard categories.

Our mission is to develop a chain of world-class economy hotels in commercial and industrial regions as well as in choice resort locations in the Philippines.

We cater to both local and international business travelers and value-minded tourists. We will fill the growing, and as yet, unmet, demand for cost-efficient business travel.

Microtel stands out from other properties because of the system-wide design of its buildings and furnishings that stress function, comfort and convenience, while at the same time meeting international quality standards.

This entry of Microtel in the city’s landscape is one welcome news for General Santos City’s bid to become the CONVENTION CAPITAL of South Central Mindanao because for one thing, the Tuna Capital lacks hotel and lodging rooms.  We have difficulty accepting conventions or summits with participants of more than 2,500, even with the formation of our HOMESTAY Program.

In another development, the old Anchor Hotel along Cagampang Extension is now being rented out by the RD Group to the Amigo Hotel of Davao City.

What do all these mean for our existing hotels then?

According to hotelier Rombar Bartolome, who is also building a larger extension to his East Asia Royale Hotel, “All hotels and hotel chains are welcome here because it would mean more and more chances for Gen. Santos to host large-scale gatherings.”

He continued, “All of us, stakeholders in the tourism sector will actually benefit from the entry  of more players in the hospitality industry of GenSan. We are looking forward to it.”

Bariles says, it will definitely redound to the whole economy of the city in general.

As for McDonald’s Restaurant which will be competing head-on with Jollibee across the road, as long as it will also be a 24-hour outlet, it will definitely be a MUST-PATRONIZE establishment for Bariles Republic.

So what about the impending traffic chaos at the area?

Bariles says, let the City Engineer’s Office take care of that.  For sure, they have that all figured out with the new traffic lights they are putting up in that are. 

Today, November 8, 2008, Bariles Republic is celebrating its first birthday, or in the world of blogs, its first “blogoversary“.

A lot of things have transpired since I first came out with my first post that day, which sported the boring title “Banana Snack Vendors at the Oval Covered Court”.

As I related before the participants of the 2nd Mindanao Bloggers Summit late last October, I began Bariles Republic as a photo blog about General Santos City.  I wanted to showcase the “positive” side of the Tuna Capital because, admittedly, a year ago, when one google searches about it, all that comes out are news from mainstream media about “bombings”, “terror attacks”, and the like.

Developmental news, if any are relegated far behind the searches, thus painting a dismal view about General Santos City and its environs.

That was why I made it a personal cause to do something about it, in my own small way.

Being a former overseas contract worker myself, I know that this would benefit not only my townmates but also those who are now based abroad and are hungry for good news about home.

So, I started blogging, and blogging, and blogging…… all for the love of General Santos City.

And, now, 268 articles/posts later, I am proud to say that Bariles Republic’s GenSantos.Com has already made it to the front pages of Google Search, landing among the TOP 3 RESULTS if you’re looking for “gen. santos“, or among the TOP 10, if you key in the longer “general santos” or the shorter “gensan“.

Click on the image of the screenshot below for a larger view.

And other than introducing the name “Bariles” to the blogosphere, this blog has also hugged the top pages search for that word.

More rewarding achievements also came in, even before I turned a year old.

First, in August 2008, Bariles Republic was awarded one of 2008′s TOP 10 EMERGING INFLUENTIAL BLOGS, a project of Ms. Janette Toral.

Then just this week, Ratified.Org, one of the top blog ranking sites in the Philippines, released its Top 100 Blogs in the country for 2008.  And guess what?  Bariles Republic also made it, landing #15 among the 2nd set of newer blogs!  Yeheyy!!!

And so to celebrate this milestone, my dear readers and subscribers, I AM RUNNING A CONTEST.

Here are the CONTEST RULES:

1. First, you have to be a subscriber to be able to enter this contest.  The SUBSCRIBE TO BARILES VIA YOUR EMAIL Box is just below the list of Sponsors for the 2nd MBS on the right sidebar, waiting for you.
2. Second, write your short and sweet greetings in the COMMENTS portion below this article PLUS your Blogoversary WISH(es) for Bariles Republic.
3. A team of jurors will decide on the best comments and winners will be declared on November 12, 2008 at exactly 12:00pm (Philippine or Eastern Standard Time).

Happy birthday Bariles Republic!  Happy 1st Blogoversary!