GenSan News Online Mag

With the  succesful conduct of the 2nd Mindanao Bloggers Summit or MBS2 last year, spearheaded by a small group of bloggers from GenSan headed by Bariles, under the leadership of the Mindanao Bloggers network, the clamor to organize the “generals” and their regional neighbors formally began.

Since the Soccsksargen-based bloggers who attended that summit barely had time to bond with each other, Bariles thought of emulating the Cagayan de Oro-based bloggers who opened a GROUP blog ala Facebook using the Social Network site named Ning and have been active lately with various get-together events and projects.

And so, on November 11, 2008, the SOCCSKSARGEN BLOGGERS Social Network was born.

Bariles invited another GenSan-based blogger, Hector Minoza to be his co-administrator.  Hector immediately went to work and developed the group badges which could be imbedded in the members’ blogs.  Unfortunately, while others began used it, I was so busy with a lot of things that I forgot about it.

It was easy at first to invite people since I have the email addresses of all the MBS 2 participants.  Hector and I also went hopping from blog to blog, whether it’s  hosted by WordPress, Blogger, Live Journal, I.ph, Friendster or Multiply, informing everyone of the new group.

After a month, membership has ballooned to 50 members.  Then it stopped.

That was when I remembered to embed the Soccsksargen Badge in Bariles Republic’s homepage knowing that a good number of new bloggers or bloggers who have not been to MBS2 drop by there from time to time.

I was not mistaken.  On a daily basis, new bloggers we have not encountered before started applying for membership.  We had to choose well however since the requirement for acceptance in the Social Network is that he should have a functioning Blog.  Some applicants who did not know this have to be turned down.

On my last check, SOCCSKSARGEN BLOGGERS now has 83 members, mostly from General Santos and South Cotabato.  We still have to work on getting more membership applications from North Cotabato although I have high hopes that Bro. Vince Celeste, FMS who now teaches at Notre Dame of Kidapawan could help us on this matter.

With this, we have been trying to meet in small groups.  Later we plan come up with a set of officers who could help run this fledgling organization.  From my talks with the members, most are excited on the making our presence felt even stronger not only here in Mindanao but althroughout the country.

Individually, we might not be able to effect much positive change within our locality, but together, we could be a formidable force to reckon with in our desire to bring about a truly Magandang SOCCSKSARGEN.

Some of the SOCCSKSARGEN Bloggers during the Bloggers Night courtesy of Genee’s Restaurant at the GenSan Oval Plaza. Watch out for a separate post on this event soon.  Photo courtesy of Kyawster. (Click on the photo to enlarge it.)

IF YOU HAVE A BLOG AND WANT TO APPLY FOR MEMBERSHIP, GO TO http://www.soccsksargenbloggers.ning.com .

Starting today, your favorite blog, Bariles Republic’s GenSan News Online Magazine (haba!) will now devote a PAGE solely for available JOB POSITIONS (called GenSan Jobs) courtesy of information gathered from the Public Employment Service Office ( PESO) of the local government.

The page link of GenSan Jobs can be found up there, below the header.  It may also be found at the right sidebar, under PAGES.  Look for GenSan Jobs.

Or you may just click this —>  GenSan Jobs.

Thanks to Mr. Arnel Borela of the PESO for committing to update us weekly with their list of vacancies available to the generals and helping make this GENSAN JOBS PAGE a reality.

Students who will soon graduate and will be on the lookout for GenSan Jobs

In an older post here at Bariles Republic, we featured The Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Parish and her Tahanan ni Maria Photo Exhibit, which is a joint venture with the GenSan Camera Club.  The Exhibit which will be held in a later date will feature the 30 + 4 BEST PHOTOS taken from a gallery submitted by the club’s members and will be included in the OLPGV 50th Anniversary Commemorative Book.

Bariles is proud to present all these 34 photos, which a panel of judges picked out from the more than 100 photos submitted by GCC.  Five of these photos has been judged as the TOP 5 BEST and will be announced during the first day of the exhibit sometime in March 2009.  They will each receive P5000 and a Token of Appreciation from OLPGV Parish.

In relation to that, Bariles Republic is running a POLL for the Bariles Republic BLOG READERS CHOICE Award.  Just VOTE for your BEST PHOTOGRAPH at the end of the article by leaving a message with the name of your choice.  The name of each photo will appear once you hover your CURSOR over them. 

Deadline for voting for the Bariles Republic BLOG READERS CHOICE Award is on February 28, 2009.

Your choice winner for the Bariles Republic Blog Readers Choice Award will receive P2500 and a special token from Bariles Republic’s GenSan News Online Magazine.

To the TOP 34 Qualifiers from the GenSan Camera Club, good luck!  Now do some marketing on the side and promote your photos among your friends, fans and families. 

And yes, do check back for more updates.  Or better still, subscribe to Bariles Republic with your EMAIL ADDRESS and do not miss a single update from now on.

Kung Hei Fat Choy!  Gong Xi Fa Cai!

Today, January 26, 2009, our Chinese brothers and sisters all around the world are celebrating the Chinese New Year or what is known in Mainland China as the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival.

Here in General Santos City, a good number of Chinese Families open their homes to their friends starting on the eve of the New Year and wait for the clock to strike 12 before they set loose their fireworks into the sky.  And that’s where their culinary feasts begin in their individual homes.

In my travels around Southeast Asia, I have noticed that it is only in the Philippines where the Chinese New Year is not declared as a public holiday considering the large ethno-Chinese population that we have.  A major portion of Philippine business is dominated by 2nd and 3rd generation Chinese mestizos now and we once had a lady President, Corazon Cojuangco-Aquino who traces her roots in China.  Even our national hero, Jose Rizal has Chinese blood.

In one way or the other, most of us have some traces of Chinese ethnicity and it is quite a shame that we don’t give the Chinese New Year its much deserved place in the country’s calendar of holidays as we should just like the other countries in Asia.

Anyway, here in South Cotabato, the pioneering Chinese of General Santos City arrived in her shores long before it became known as the Municipality of Buayan in the mid-1940s.  Most of them set up diverse businesses in the area such as rice and corn trading, livestock, general merchandise, copra trading, hardware, construction, and realty, among others.

As a tribute to them and in celebration of the Chinese New Year, here is the earliest photo taken of the Pioneering Chinese Settlers in GenSan, most who came from Amoy, China, taken sixty years ago in 1949, when then Consul Mih of China visited this part of the Philippines known as Dadiangas, Buayan Municipality.

This picture was taken at the General Santos Park, along the coastline of the city, Silway District.  The buildings on the left is where Rey Store is now while the buildings on the right are the ones behind Kimball compound.  Consul Mih is the person with the mark X while the one with two X marks is trader Ang Lin Bee. CLICK ON THE PICTURE TO ENLARGE IT.

 

The rest of the Chinese settlers in the photo above are Go Sek Yu, brothers Rubi Ang (agri-business/realty) and Ang Ling Bee (owns Angkalian Building, among others), Yu Se Chong (Hardware & Sarangani Restaurant at the former ChowKing Pioneer area), Yu Se Peng (agri-business/realty), Tony Diya (Rice Mills), Jose Lao (agri-business), brothers Tan Pi and Rudy Go Huy (realty including the Veranda building, livestock and agri), and Pedro and Seraphin Lim of Lim Bros. Harddware.

The rest are Boo Che Lu (trading), Conrado Du (Rice & Corn trading), Jose Abawag (shipping/ manager of Compania Maritima), Tony Sun (general merchandise), Go Siong (copra), Lu Ten (agri trading), Go Tai Ching (Lucky 7 Hardware) and Jose “Agurang” Catolico, Sr. who was not Chinese but considered then as the “Godfather of the Chinese”.

To all these Chinese pioneers and the others who came right after them like the Chiongbians, the Teng Brothers (Kimball & TSP), Johnny Ang, the Yaphokuns, the Ceds, Fred Ang-Sanidad, Johnny Tan, etc., Bariles Republic offers this post as a salute for your contribution in making General Santos what it is now. 

To sha.  Shie shie.

Photo is courtesy of Sir Jong Balagtas Ramirez’ WHO IS WHO, DATABANK, Volume IV, 1995. Copies of Volume VIII, 2007 are now available.

Finally, a forum which could answer queries from a lot of entrepreneurs and businessmen in GenSan City and the rest of the SOCCSKSARGEN area who are interested in securing a slot at the Robinsons Place General Santos has just been scheduled.

Bariles recently got hold of an invitation from Robinsons to what they have named as “Amazingly Gen San Robinsons Place General Santos Tenant Conference“.

The Front portion of the Robinsons Place GenSan Tenant Conference

The Back portion

Why “Amazingly GenSan” and not a more original slogan ?  That I don’t know.  But it’s catchy although it sure copied from “AMAZING THAILAND“.

I think the guys behind this should be briefed on the new city brand, “MAGANDANG GENSAN.”

Anyway, the invite states that the Robinsons Place General Santos Tenant Conference will be held on January 28, 2009, Wednesday, 5:00 P.M. at Paseo del Sol, National Highway.  Paseo del Sol happens to be where Pablo’s Steaks and Crabs is also situated.

Together with the invite is an interesting foldout  brochure of Robinsons Place General Santos containing some info on the upcoming mall plus a page on the “Tuna Capital of the Philippines“.  Below is the front cover.  (Click on all the pictures for larger views.)

And this is the other page on Robinsons Land Corporation, a briefer on the mall’s developer and owner.

Below is their one-page briefer on the host city, General Santos.

The most interesting pages however are those which make up the centerfold showing an artist’s rendition of what the  mall would look like when fully operational.  Here it is….. dyaaaraaaan…..

Inside Robinsons Place GenSan when finished (click on the image for a larger view)

See?  Drawing pa lang, maganda na?  What more when it’s all finished for all of us to enjoy?     By the way, here is what we can expect at the first floor….

Gosh!  If you’re not excited after reading this, BATO ka na talaga.  BATO!!!!

Robinsons Place General Santos is scheduled to open sometime in June 2009.  See you at the entrance!!!! 

Action Superstar Robin Padilla was recently in General Santos City for an event sponsored by Talk and Text.

Bariles was lucky to have been invited to a Press Conference at The Tent of Orange Bistro along the Lagao National Highway, GenSan City heralding his visit.

Up close and personal, Robin was ever the good-natured and humble gentleman, so much different from his onscreen persona. He was articulate in his answers to the questions from the media personnel present and was game enough to tackle even the more controversial “showbiz” types of queries.

Of course, he wouldn’t be THE Robin Padilla if he did not pay notice to the ladies in the room, showering them with just the right adjectives, melting their hearts in the process and literally (as I saw with my own two eyes) making them swoon even more. It was KILIG GALORE all throughout the one-hour presscon arranged by SMART’s Haydee Bernabe.

The years have been kind to the Binoe, with nary a wrinkle on his fair-complexioned face and he looks even younger with his new short crop. Fatherhood has really done wonders on the former Bad Boy of Philippine Movies.

Here are some pictures of that eventful day in GenSan City when Robin Padilla melted the hearts of the ladies…. and some men, too. Please click on them for bigger views.

On Monday, January 26, 2009, at 5:00 in the afternoon, at the Oval Plaza, corner of Matalam Street and Pendatun Avenue, the newest General on the block will make himself known to all the people of Soccsksargen.

The newest General on the block before his unveiling

Watch out for him!!!! And stay tuned to Bariles Republic for an exclusive look on his coming out party with GenSan city’s movers and shakers!

Here are the newest photos taken of the new General in town…. CLICK on each photo for a larger view….

It was raining hard when I arrived at the Queen Tuna Park early Friday morning for the annual Fluvial Procession in honor of the Feast of the Sto. Nino, the patron of the Bula Parish Church.  This event is spearheaded by the city’s fishing magnates who originated from that barangay and is participated by 50 or so sea vessels of all shapes and sizes.

These boats normally depart from Bula after the 5am Fiesta Mass and is led by a lavishly decorated mother ship which carries with it the image of the Sto. Nino owned by the parish.  They then set sail across Sarangani Bay, passing by the newly expanded GenSan Fishport, up to the marine shipyard of TSP Kimball, to finally make a turn back to the shores of Dadiangas, specifically the Queen Tuna Park.

Despite the downpour that day, about 7 groups of costumed dancers were performing their street dances for the Isda-Isdaan Festival, at the park in front of a set of judges at a makeshift stage which seemed to sway and rock at every strong gust of the wind from Sarangani Bay.  I was afraid that lighting might strike anyone from among them since the beach was an open area, but thank God, that did not happen.

I found a good vantage point at the lifeguard tower where I could see everything around me, the performers from behind, the approaching fluvial parade ahead which was barely visible behind the mist and the throng of worshippers, devotees and curious onlookers waiting for the Sto. Nino and the chance to get a piece of any of the flowers adorning her official vessel.

Here are some of the pictures I shot.  You may click on each photo for a larger view.

Good news to all Mindanao-based bloggers, especially those from SOCCSKSARGEN (South Cotabato-North Cotabato-Sultan Kudarat-Sarangani-General Santos) and Davao!

Bariles Republic is running a blog contest on the forthcoming and most awaited concert of the “King of Love Songs” in General Santos City on February 14, 2008, the “A Valentine’s Affair with David Pomeranz“, which I blogged about in an earlier article.  Click here to read it.

Five VIP Passes worth P1,500 each and five Gift Certificates worth P1,000 each for Grab-A-Crab Restaurant and Coffee Club 101 will be up for grabs for the TOP 5 bLogs!  Plus, they will have the chance to have their pictures taken with David Pomeranz himself!!!!  How’s that?

The MECHANICS for interested participants are simple, and they are, as follows:

1. You should be a Mindanao-based blogger with your blogs hosted by either WordPress or Blogger.
2. Just write a post of the upcoming “David Pomeranz Concert in GenSan” while mentioning this Blog Contest .
3. Feature the official concert poster which you can grab from this post.
4. You can dress up your blog post with photos or videos of David Pomeranz.
5. Put the Links of this blog post and a previous blog post about  Grab-A-Crab/Coffee Club 101.
6. And lastly, subscribe to Bariles Republic’s feeds. You can subscribe by CLICKING HERE.
7. Submit your blog post entry link by leaving a message below.
8. Deadline of submission of blog entries is on January 31, 2009.
9. The winners of the 5 Best-written blog posts of the “David Pomeranz Concert in GenSan” Blog Contest will be announced on February 6, 2009.

Again, each of the 5 winners will receive a VIP Pass worth P1,500 and a Gift Certificate worth P1,000 at Grab-A-Crab Restaurant and Coffee Club 101, and a chance to have their pictures taken with the “King of Love Songs” himself.

Tickets to “A Valentine’s Affair with David Pomeranz” are available at Coffee Dream KCC, Grab A Crab Restaurant, Coffee Club 101, MISO, East Asia Royale Hotel and ABS-CBN Office at Purok Malakas.  For inquiries, please contact telephone #s (083) 303-0060, 0919-8912259 or 0917-3639191. Or log on at http://www.ticketbox.com.ph.

Here are the blog post entries as of January 31, 2009, 7:42 pm.  Please click on each title to access the blog post or article. Let us see what you think are the best-written posts.  Go!  :)

1. David Pomeranz Live in GenSan
2. David Pomeranz’ Magic Lingers On
3. The Magic of David, A Special Date
4. Crossing My Fingers in Trying to Get the Feeling Again..
5. Limited Chance to be with the “King of Love”
6. Les Chansons de Pomeranz, live in GenSan, this Valentines
7. David Pomeranz  Live in GenSan
8. David Pomeranz to Serenade the South on Valentine’s
9. I Will Sing My Heart Out Loud for David Pomeranz
10. A Night to Remember:  The David Pomeranz Valentine Concert in GenSan
11. Libretto of an Artist
12. David Pomeranz Serenades the Generals
    
13. That I was Born for You, It is written in the Stars
14. David Pomeranz: Songs that Serenade the Soul
15. An Ear-satisfying Night with David Pomeranz
16. Songs of the Heart

On Monday, January 19, 2009, I, your author and friend Bariles will be celebrating my birthday.

In that case, I want to invite all of you dear readers to gift me by leaving your birthday greetings below.

That  I guess, will make me the happiest birthday celebrant in the blogosphere.

Please don’t ask me how old I am.  You don’t ask a gentleman that question anymore.

Just smile, be happy for me and do your thing!

And yes!  We could set a WORLD RECORD here for the most number of birthday greetings to a single person on the World Wide Web!

Baptism of Bariles sometime during the last century at the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Parish

Wow!!!!!   Let’s go for it, friends.  Wouldn’t you want to be part of this soon to be amazing feat? And please, please… help tell the world about it.

Gracias!  And good luck to us! 

The multi-awarded Ramon Magsaysay Memorial College adds another feather to its cap with its recent victory.

Besting other schools in the city, their entries to the Kalilangan Festival 2009 (Inter-Collegiate) Design Team Competition got the nods of the judges making them the Official Design Team for this year’s festival, according to Festival Director Orman Manansala.

The winning 2009 Kalilangan Festival logo by the RMMC GreaseArt Studio Team

The required entries which are to be used for this year’s Kalilangan Festival commemorating the city’s 70th Foundation, consist of the following elements:

1.    Festival Logo in various formats (2D, 3D, static, with animation), (hard and soft copies required)
2.    Poster Design using festival logo (hard and soft copies required)
3.    Billboard Design with Festival Schedule (soft copy required)
4.    Vertical Tarpaulin (2.5mx5m size),(soft copy required)
5.    Individual event logos for the following events (soft copy):

• Kalilangan Street Dancing Competition
• Lakan at Lakambini ng Kalilangan Pageant
• Kalilangan Sayaw Barangay Dance Competition
• The Best of Gensan Variety Show

6.    Production of a 30 sec TVC (television commercial) in video (DVD) format ( materials used may come from previous Kalilangan festivals) for the festival
7.    Production of 30 sec radio ad in audio (CD) format for the festival
8.    Production of OBB (opening billboard) and CBB (closing billboard) of major events in video (DVD) format.
9.    Tabulation and equipment requirements for all competitions of the festival including sample scoring and tabulation templates.
10.    Production of other video requirements for major events of the festival.

The RMMC Group which calls itself the GREASEart studio team composed of animation students is under the guidance of Mr. Marthin Millado.  They will receive P20,000 from the Kalilangan organizers for their winning efforts.

Congrats to Sir Marthin’s team and to the whole of the Ramon Magsaysay Memorial College.  Keep making us proud!

Now, here are the rest of their awesome champion designs.

The winning poster design by RMMC (CLICK on it for a larger view)

The two winning tarpauline designs

Winning logo for the 2009 Kalilangan Festival Lakan at Lakambini Pageant

The sun was mercilessly hot that Christmas Day of 2008 that my siblings and I decided to hie off to the nearest inland resort in GenSan City and cool ourselves.

Too bad! We found out later that the available springs resorts and pools from our place at Yumang Street in Purok Malakas were full of people like us wanting to escape the heat.

Finally, one of my nieces remembered that she attended a children’s party one time at the swimming pool of the  T’boli Hotel along the GenSan City National Highway beside the Yellow Bus Compound. Well, I have been driving past that landmark GenSan hotel numerous times already and it was apparently the right day to check out this place owned by Mr. and Mrs. Orly Mirabueno. We immediately drove to the place.

A GenSan Hotel along National Highway, called T'boli

We were in luck. Except for a couple and their kid, T’boli Hotel’s pool was vacant and seemed to be waiting for us.

I couldn’t resist the crystal clear treated water and so I jumped in and immediately started a few laps. God! It’s was pure cool heaven on a dry, sizzling hot day! There was a deep part (around 7 feet for adults) and a separated shallow portion for kids. A giant white toadstool which served as a non-stop shower at the center was a refreshing idea. I even tried the blue slippery slide and due to my weight and size, I slid down like a rocket in less than 5 seconds.

Just imagine the splash I made! Hahaha!

Swimming has always been my most favorite sport since I was a kid in GenSan City and I am usually in my best elements when floating on water. God, I never had so much fun in a swimming pool for a long time like that visit to one of the landmark GenSan hotels, the T’boli Hotel and Restaurant at the Tuna Capital.

Now if only they served food that morning, I could have also reviewed their culinary offerings. (The cook was off for the Christmas Day.) So better watch out for that later.

By the way, we were charged P50 each person only for the use of the pool. Not bad huh?

Hey! Come to think of it…. Why don’t I just spend my Birthday celebration there on Monday? Sponsors anyone? Lord, I really need kind souls to hear my call!!!!!

Here are some of our pictures which you can click on for enlargement.

Just hot off from the Press.

The Philippine Star in its online edition today, January 13, 2009 published a report by writer Abac Cordero which states that the business manager of  Manny Pacquiao, Eric Pineda revealed that his boss and Hollywood heavyweight actor/director/producer Sylvester Stallone are in talks for a Pacquiao-Stallone movie!

Sylvester Stallone aka Heavyweight Champ Rocky Balboa delivering his deadly leftie in the latest Rocky installment

Sylvester Stallone is well known for his roles as the boxer Rocky Balboa in a series of hit movies, the Vietnam vet Rambo, the gun-for-hire Cobra, among others.

Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao battering Oscar dela Hoya in real life

According to Pineda, Pacquiao (fresh from his month-long birthday celeb) and Stallone met at the LA office of the actor who brought along his sons, Michael and Jimwell, who were later gifted with boxing gloves.

The two later discussed plans for the Pacquiao-Stallone movie which could be some sort of a “Rush Hour” type, the hit comedy starring Jackie Chan and Cris Tucker.

Well, considering that Manny has been acting in movies and commercials here in the Philippines for quite sometime, I am sure that if this Pacquiao-Stallone movie materializes, he will give us one hell of a performance which could be worthy of an OSCAR.  Hehehe!

Question is, whose name will be billed first?  And how much will the sharing be in the revenues from the box office receipts and DVD sales/rentals later?

And lastly, will it be under Rocky Balboa Productions, Golden Boy Promotions or MP Promotions?

Am sure with Atty. Jeng Gacal around, Manny Pacquiao will get the best deal in what promises to be a future monumental epic of a movie that is bound to break box-office records everywhere!  Hehehe!  

On February 27, 2009, General Santos City will be celebrating its 70th Foundation Anniversary and a week-long 2009 Kalilangan Festival will likewise be conducted to commemorate this monumental event.

I have just received through my email this layout, commissioned by GSC Tourism Council Vice-Chair Rey Billena and Kalilangan Festival Director Orman Manansala and designed by Montage’s Ronald Velasquez (newly married to City Mayor’s Office’ Gaygay Llido) to serve as the official poster-calendar and billboard artwork for the city’s 70th birthday!

Dyaaa….raaan….!!!!

Click on the poster for a larger view.

The poster features the photos of the city’s past mayors and vice-mayors, the incumbent councilors, Mayor Jun Acharon, Vice-Mayor Flor Congson and Congresswoman Darlene Antonino-Custodio.

The theme for this year’s 70th Foundation Anniversary which will run from February 16-27, 2009 is “Pagbabalik gunita sa pitumpong taon ng Kapayapaan, Kaunlaran at Kasiyahan”.

The official list of activities will be released in a few days.

Tuna Handline fishing is an important component of the Philippines’ fishing industry, 80 percent of which is centered here in General Santos City, the country’s “Tuna Capital.”

A tuna handline fishing boat at the General Santos City Fishport Development Authority Compound

The sector consists of 2,500 outrigger boats, employs over 40,000 fishermen, and lands over 30,000 MT of high-value tuna each year. The TUNA handline fishing sector posts annual revenues of around P4.5 billion, with the frozen sashimi processing sector accounting for more than 50 % of this figure or P2.5 billion in total export earnings.

Handline fishing uses the traditional hook and line method and is considered one of the best means of catching large tuna and marlin. The method is also eco-friendly as handline fishermen catch only  mature fish and so is prudent in terms of fish resource management.

Last year, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed into law Republic Act 9379 or “An Act Defining Handline Fishing, Providing Effective Regulations Therefore and for Other Purposes,” which frees the handline sector from restrictive government policies and sets more practical manning and registration requirements for hand-line operators and fisherfolk.

South Cotabato First District Representative Darlene Antonino-Custodio sponsored the handline bill in the Lower House, while Senators Ramon Magsaysay, Manuel Roxas and Senate President Manuel Villar sponsored the counterpart bill in the Senate.

RA 9379 defines commercial handline fishing as “a traditional, passive fishing method which utilizes a single line and an attached hook.” A commercial tuna handline fishing vessel, on the other hand, is defined as “a commercial fishing vessel that exclusively utilizes the commercial hand-line fishing method.”

Under the new law, a tuna handline boat master need not be a licensed boat captain, and will be issued a license by MARINA once he or she undergoes theoretical and practical training. Further, boat engine officers  are not required to have college graduate diplomas or to be licensed as boat engineers if they completed the training required by MARINA.

Moreover, RA 9379 clearly specifiies the roles of Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). The registration, inspection, manning and other documentation requirements of tuna handline fishing boats as “flag” boats will be done by MARINA, while the licensing and related documentation of these vessels as fishing boats will fall under the mandate of BFAR.

To better understand, how tuna handline fishermen catch these big, giant tuna, here is a video I got from Youtube of the similar traditional fishing method practiced by fishermen in Maldives.  I couldn’t find anywhere else a video with Pinoy or GenSan fishermen in it.  Anyway, here goes…

Source: GEM

If you happen to pass through Aparente Avenue lately on your way to City Heights, you will notice a building under construction at the corner of the road leading inside the Provido Subdivision, just a few meters from the National Highway.

This actually belongs to World Flyweight Champ Manny Pacquiao and is his second two-storey mixed use commercial building in General Santos City even before the first one has been fully occupied.

Artist’s Sketch of the MJP Building of Manny Pacquiao which is still under construction along Aparente Avenue. (Click for a larger view.)

If the first one along Osmena South is named JMP Building (after Jinky & Manny Pacquiao), this one will be known as MJP Building (with Manny’s initial coming up first).  It is also designed by the same guy, Architect Rex Acdal.

The JMP Building of Manny Pacquiao along South Osmena Street which still has to be fully occupied. (Click for a larger view.)

My blog post about the first Pacquiao Building elicited a lot of comments from readers who either loved or hated the design.  Making the matters more interesting is a response from a person who said that he was Architect Rex Acdal, challenging everyone to take up Architecture and come up with better designs.  Replies to the diatribe of this person, who I unmasked later as an impostor, flew off the roof.

The JMP Building along South Osmena at night (Click for a larger view.)

Then, a few weeks later, another email from “The Real Rex Acdal” appeared, which was really from him (I talked to the architect personally about it) and this time, giving the readers his thoughts about his design of the Pacquiao South Osmena Building.

Here’s what the “Real Architect Rex Acdal” wrote, unedited.  Highlighted words are courtesy of  Bariles:

Hello guys,its only now that i was able 2 read some of ur comments regarding d new pacquiao bldg. ur comments amused me (sori,i wasnt able 2 read d others).i hope d author cud update u w/ d latest picture wherein ur concern about d parking will b answered(we have parking slots n front of d bldg). I cant put here n detail d rationale behind d design,it wil take me until morning 2 do so.but i promise,every detail has meaning & purpose.every mass,every plain & curve has intentions.d “sashimi plate” was inspired by d hull of fishing boats.those “trellised” balconies & sunshades were designed to minimise d effect of d radiant heat.the color scheme?…well,green goes well w/ earth tones…and is d favorite color of my client.how wud u feel i u see a mountain,all clay w/o a tree?…dry,monotonous,lifeless.we filipinos love color,we are hapi pipol. Watch out guys, BLUGRE CAFE is coming to town…syempre sa bldg ni pacman. Architecture is the mother of ol arts `coz its 3 dimensional & u can feel d space.it is also more art than science.for me,that bldg of pacman is ARThitecture. i hope some of u cud get inside it and feel the space. Some may not like it(they are entitled to their opinion & i respect it),but im proud to have created it…IM PROUD TO HAVE CREATED SOMETHING NEW, SOMETHING DIFFERENT!….why follow when u can be a step ahead?..GUDNYT GUYS!THANKS!

And so with that, I hope you dear readers will be more than clarified on the first building’s design’s intent and purpose and that you will be more objective with your opinions about this second Pacquiao Building along Aparente Avenue, parang awa ninyo na.   

In June of last year, Pablo’s Steaks and Crabs was featured here at Bariles Republic when it opened with a bang and once again in August when it showcased balladeer Richard Poon in a dinner show.

Since then, this new dining destination along the National Highway in General Santos City with a relaxed garden setting located inside the Paseo del Sol, has become the choice venue of many a wedding, debut, baptismal, diplomatic and other receptions for the more discriminating ones with more than 150 guests.

During a visit one moonless starry night, I and my friend Rachel chose a table under a large tree illuminated with tivoli lights near the outdoor bar. We were in an elevated portion of the ranch-inspired diner.   From our semi-discrete location, we could see a group of people dining inside the airconditioned function hall a few meters from us having the time of their lives.  An acoustic pair were serenading them, their well-blended voices wafting unto our side of the large compound of Paseo del Sol.

The one thing which still tickles my fancy every time I visit Pablo’s is the giant menu (19 inches x 26 inches) which is the biggest this side of the world.  At that visit, while approving of the food suggested to us by Manager Nestor Paras, I was pointing out to my dinner companion the colorfully drawn artwork designed by Marketing Head Paolo Sunglao, son of the owners Pablo and Sol, of the adjacent Ranchero Grill.

Front Page of the Menu designed by Paolo Sunglao

Inside Pages of Pablo’s Steaks and Crab’s Menu

Eventually, for starters, we tried and shared the Insalata del Sol.  Insalata which means “salad” in Italian is a delightful toss of green lettuce, ripe mangoes, grapes and herbed chicken with fruit dressing.  The croutons were crunchy, the leaves were crispy, with the dressing giving everything just the right sweetness to them that we finished these appetizers in a jiffy.

Insalata del Sol

Next we had our individual servings of steaming Clam Chowder, which was creamy clam souped served in a bread bowl.  I immediately finished my share and would have eaten all of the bread if not for the next item which was served before us.

This was a piece of King Crab cooked the way we preferred it, in olive oil and garlic, lots of it.  My God!  The crab was in its purest state of perfection, having come from Surigao, with so much white meat.  When dipped in either the grape wine vinegar sourced from Pablo’s farm or in the lemon-butter dip, you could literally see our eyes squint with each bite.

King Crab, cooked in olive oil and garlic with grape wine vinegar dip and lemon-butter dip

Since the crab was very rich in oil, we had to wash it off in Pablo’s very own blend of Dragonfruit Juice.  Dragonfruit or “pitaya” is a large red fruit native to Asia.  It was our first time to try it and it tasted like guava, but less sweet and more fragrant.  It was very refreshing, to say the least.  We found out that night that the Sunglao’s have also started harvesting this plant together with Honey Dew from their own farm.

Dragonfruit Juice

For the main course, Rachel and I settled for nothing less than the US Angus Beef Steak, prepared Ranch Style, which was quite a treat since it was cooked right before our eyes.

The imported US Angus Beef, sliced and waiting to be cooked.  Beside it is the plateful steamed veggie sidings and sweet corn.

We both wanted our steaks done “MEDIUM-WELL” that Miko, our waiter only cooked it in olive oil in less than two minutes.  It came out so tender and juicy to my taste that I forgot what my name was for about a few seconds.

Miko, our waiter cooking our US Angus beef steak, Ranch Style at our table

Through it all, we did not order and eat any rice.  Instead we had their gourmet bread which is Rosemary bread served with Herbed Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar.  When I first tasted a piece of the bread after dipping it in the special sauces, I then realized that its sweet and sour outcome was the perfect foil to the rich and heavy main dishes.

Rosemary Bread, ready to be dipped in herbed olive oil and balsamic vinegar

We could hardly move after this succulent feast but we still have to try the dessert we ordered earlier, called by its mysterious name, DESSERT SAMPLER.  When it finally arrived, we were overjoyed to find that it was a combination of mouthful-sizes of Pavlova, a meringue topped with fruits; Molten Cheese; Blue Cheesecake and Cream Brulee, a lovely end to our fulfilling royal meal.

The sinful Dessert Sampler:  Pavlova, Molten Cheese, Blue Cheesecake and Cream Brulee

And yes, as an additional treat, the servers and cooks of Pablo’s Steaks and Crabs performed a latino dance number midway into the night, making it an even more unforgetable evening for us and the rest of their satisfied diners.

Pablo’s Steaks and Crabs Dancing Cooks and Waiters

Pablo’s Steaks and Crab’s is located inside the Paseo del Sol, just beside the GenSan Ranchero Grill Restaurant along the National Highway.  For reservations, please call telefax # (083) 55553-9298.  Look for Mr. Nester Paras, their Operations Manager.           

In one of my blog posts last year, I wrote about the year-long Golden Anniversary celebration of the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Parish in 2008.

As an offshoot of that, the parish, through her parish priest, Fr. Edward Loberiano, CP has announced that they have collaborated with the GenSan Camera Club for a Photo Exhibit dubbed as “Tahanan ni Maria” – Mga larawan ng Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Parish Church.

This photo exhibit will feature 30 of the best photographs of the church taken by the young members of the GenSan Camera Club during the Christmas and New Year periods and chosen by a panel of judges.

Tentative venue of the photo exhibit is the KCC Mall of GenSan Atrium on February 14 and 15, 2009.

The event will also serve as the formal launching of the “50th Anniversary Commemorative Coffee Table book cum Souvenir Magazine” of the parish, a fund-raising project started last year by the Parish Economic Council.  The 30 photos from the GenSan Camera Club will be featured in the full-color book magazine to be printed by Gregoria Printing Press.

Yes, you read it right!  And no, you’re not dreaming!

David Pomeranz, the man behind the hit songs, Born for You, Tryin’ to Get the Feeling Again,  If You Walk Away and countless more, (including the two hit songs from my favorite 1982 movie, “Zapped” – Got to Believe in Magic and King and Queen of Hearts) will be serenading lovers and lovestruck “generals” on the Day of Hearts, at the General Santos Gym in Barangay Lagao!

This  February 14th concert  is billed as “A Valentine’s Affair with David Pomeranz – A Special Kalilangan Festival Presentation”.

It is produced by the City Government of GenSan, Dreamwork Ventures and High Frequency Productions.

General Santos City is the first major stop of David Pomeranz this year,  to be followed by performances in Cebu and other parts of the Philippines.

David’s gig in GenSan comes in the heels of the concerts of foreign artists last year in this area,  The Lettermen (in Koronadal) and Toto (GenSan), a clear indication of better things to come for Soccsksargen’s concert circuit.

Ticket prices to the “A Valentine’s Affair with David Pomeranz” are at P 1,500 (Courtside), P 1,000 (Lower Box) and P350 (Upper Box) which Bariles thinks are just right.

In fact, these must be the cheapest prices to a concert of a renowned international artist ever.

Besides, we do not have to travel to Manila or Cebu for that matter to enjoy a romantic night with one of the world’s prolific songwriters and soulful balladeers.  And on Valentine’s Day at that!

Be sure to get your tickets as early as now because last time I heard… a world famous boxer might buy all the tickets at the lower box.  Gosh!

Tickets to “A Valentine’s Affair with David Pomeranz” are available at Coffee Dream KCC, Grab A Crab Restaurant, Coffee Club 101, MISO, East Asia Royale Hotel and ABS-CBN Office at Purok Malakas.  For inquiries, please contact telephone #s (083) 303-0060, 0919-8912259 or 0917-3639191. Or log on at http://www.ticketbox.com.ph

Check out this blog post for updates and details.

Do you know that on the evening of that fateful Sunday in December 2008 when the whole country was raving over Manny Pacquiao’s victory over Oscar dela Hoya in Las Vegas, USA, another group of “generals” was also fighting brilliantly in their own battlegrounds in Sydney, Australia and later taking home the Silver?

The group -  the EXQUIZYTH Dancers, General Santos City’s top hip-hop artists who were representing the Philippines at the 5th World Supremacy Battlegrounds (Hip-Hop Dance Competition) at the Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre in Sydney, Australia.

The Exquizyth Dancers during their courtesy call on Mayor Jun Acharon, a week after their victory in Sydney, Australia.

The Exquizyth Dancers, all 16 of them including manager Richie Mulders arrived at Sydney two days ahead of the date of the competition and were mobbed by fellow Pinoys and Fil-Australians everywhere they went.  The Pinoy factor was crucial during the competiton since they provided the GenSan hip-hop performers with the morale support by way of their presence and collective cheers.

Making their trip to Sydney a reality were assistance from various groups such as GenSan Mayor Jun Acharon and the local government,  Congresswoman Darlene Custodio, former Mayor Adelbert Antonino, Barangay San Isidro Captain Renato Salangsang and other generous generals.

Below is the video of  performance of the Exquizyth Dancers.

In the end, however, Auckland, New Zealand’s SWEET & SOUR, captured the prestigious Open crown while Australia’s PSYKE! placed third overall to gain the bronze.  Not bad though since 32 groups competed for the championships.

Below are the actual results of the competition.

WORLD SUPREMACY BATTLEGROUNDS HIPHOP DANCE CHAMPIONSHIP

Dec 7 2008 Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre

OPEN DIVISION

1. SWEET & SOUR (New Zealand)
2. EXQUIZYTH (Philippines)
3. PSYKE! (Australia – NSW)
4. FEARLESS (New Zealand)
5. DVP (Australia – VIC)
6. TMC (New Zealand)
7. CLOCKWORK (Australia – QLD)
8. ELECOLDXHOT (Singapore-Malaysia)
9. DEJA (Australia – NSW)
10. ALPHA DELINKWENTZ (Australia – VIC)
11. Odyssey (New Zealand)
12. Reborn (New Zealand)
13. Infinite Dance Crew (New Zealand)
14. Dance Central (Australia – ACT)
15. Celcius (Australia – NSW)
16. Unbreakables (Australia – WA)
17. Vikings (Australia – VIC)
18. KaLADYscope (New Zealand)
19. Trick Nasty (Australia – QLD)
20. Grand Jester (Australia – ACT)
21. XC!TE (Australia – WA)
22. Limited Edition (Australia – NSW)
23. Flava (Australia – SA)
24. Raw Flava (Australia – SA)
25. Bounce (Australia – QLD)
26. Lockdown (Australia – ACT)
27. Fresh Funk Flava (Australia – ACT)
28. Fresh Funk Force (Australia – ACT)
29. Chaotic Funk (Australia – NSW)
30. B3BOP CR3W (Australia – NSW)
31. Sweet (Australia – NSW)
32. Pure Funkstaz (Australia – SA)

Now, if you want to compare the Exquizyth  with the declared Champion, New Zealand’s Sweet and Sour, watch first this video below of that group’s supposedly gold medal-winning performance.  Then, tell the whole world what you think.