GenSan News Online Mag

Once more, the whole Philippines will come to a standstill on the morning of Sunday, May 3, 2009 when their living national sports hero, Manny Pacquiao meets British Ricky Hatton on a fight dubbed as “Pacquiao vs. Hatton: War of the Worlds” in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Here in General Santos City, Manny Pacquiao’s home turf, the “generals” will once again be treated to a Free “Pacquiao vs. Hatton Fight” Live Telecast via Pay-per-view at the airconditioned GenSan City Gym.  This is of course, sponsored by the offices of City Mayor Jun Acharon and Congresswoman Darlene Antonino-Custodio.

The  Free “Pacquiao vs. Hatton Fight” Live Telecast Ticket courtesy of 1st District of South Cotabato Representative Congresswoman Darlene Antonino-Custodio and GenSan City Mayor Jun Acharon

For the “subscribed readers” of Bariles Republic, Bariles is giving out 30 General Admission Tickets, 20 Upper Box Tickets and 20 Courtyard Tickets to the Free “Pacquiao vs. Hatton Fight” Live Telecast.

Just leave your name below and your email address (which will not be shown to the other readers) and I will try to contact you from there.  Deadline of requests will be 12 midnight Friday, May 1, 2009.

To excite you even more and before watching this Free “Pacquiao vs. Hatton” Fight live telecast, check out the Pacquiao-Hatton 24/7 Episode One, Episode 2 and Episode 3 TV Specials first.

Another “general” has again given recognition to the city and this time, it’s our very own Miss GenSan 2008,  Romarie Ivy Cunanan!

Romarie receives her mock gift cheque and poses with the Elizaldes, owner of MBC which owns the Aliwan pageant (photo by Jun Pilapil)

18-year old Romarie Ivy bagged the 1st Runner up crown in the 2009 Festival Queen Beauty Pageant at the annual Aliwan Festival held at the Aliwan grounds, Roxas Boulevard in the city of Manila. She represented the “Tuna Festival“ which General Santos City celebrates during the first week of September in time for its City Charter Anniversary. Ivy received P50,000 in cash!

Miss GenSan 2008 in her Festival Costume at the Aliwan Festival Search for Festival Queen (photo by Earicheta)

Miss Sinulog, from Cebu, 23-year old Sian Elizabeth Maynard was adjudged  of Queen of the Festival and got P100,000.

Queen of Aliwan Festival winners (from left), Miss Panagbenga, Miss Kadayawan, Miss Sinulog (Queen), Miss Tuna Festival Romarie (1st Runner-up) and Miss Pamulinawen  (photo by Jun Pilapil)

Bagging runner-up honors are:  Aliah Heitz (Kadayawan, Davao City), Parul Framil Shah (Panagbenga, Baguio City) and Kate Lao (Pamulinawen, Laoag City).  Each of them received P10,ooo.  A total of 23 candidates representing their locality’s different festivals joined the pageant.  Miss Aliah who represented Davao City by the way, is actually from General Santos City!  How’s that?

Romarie shows her winning form in the Queen of Aliwan Festival Swimsuit Competition (photo by ritratostudiophotography)

Please check back in a few hours…. will be adding more pictures.  Promise!

Bariles Republic is pleased to announce that finally, after so much delay, the Tahanan ni Maria Photo Exhibit has been scheduled to open on May 1st, 2009 at the  Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Parish grounds, along Roxas Avenue, General Santos City.

This piece of good news was relayed to Bariles by Fr. Manny Gellez, CP, Vice Rector of the OLPGV Parish.

The photos to be featured in the exhibit are the top 30+3 entries to the same-themed “Tahanan ni Maria Photo Contest” which ran early this year in coordination with GenSan Camera Club.  They will also be part of the 50th Anniversary Commemorative Book of OLPGV Parish, the cover of which will be unveiled on May 1st too.

From among these same photos, the readers of Bariles Republic chose their winner in the Bariles Republic Top Reader’s Choice Award, a photo by amateur photographer Dino Kintanar named “God is Watching”.

And speaking of that contest, Bariles is proud to give to you the winners of the  Best 5 Photos among the lot.  The photographer of each of these photos will receive P5,000 and a token from the OLPGV Parish.   The non-winners will receive a token each.

These will be awarded during the Opening Program of the “Tahanan ni Maria Photo Exhibit” on May 1st at  8:30am.

So here in no particular order are the “Tahanan ni Maria Photo Contest” Winners:

To all the winners of the Tahanan ni Maria Photo Exhibit, Bariles Republic congratulates you and thanks you in behalf of the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Parish.  See you at the Opening of the Photo Exhibit on May 1, 2009 at the OLPGV Parish Grounds.

With just a week to go, the buzz on the Pacquiao-Hatton fight is reaching feverish pitch.

Here in GenSan, the local government is preparing the Gen. Santos City Gym for the free live airing for 8,000 of its generals.  Just like his last fight with Dela Hoya, City Hall and the Congressional Office plus some friends will be paying Solar Sports more than P200,000 to earn the right to air it via their live feed.

But before that, Bariles Republic is giving you the complete Pacquiao-Hatton 24/7 Episode 3 Video, the latest installment in a four-part series leading to the two boxing champs’ encounter on May 2, 2009 (May 3 in the Philippines) in Las Vegas.

But before that, you may view the Pacquiao-Hatton 24/7 Episode 1 by CLICKING HERE.

Then, the  Pacquiao-Hatton 24/7 Episode 2 may be seen by CLICKING HERE.

And now, for the 1st part of Episode 3, here it is….

Be ready for the 2nd part of the Pacquiao-Hatton 24/7 Episode 3 below….

Next is the 3rd and final installment of the Pacquiao-Hatton 24/7 Episode 3 video below…

Watch out for the last installment of the Pacquiao-Hatton 24/7 Episode 4 next weekend, only here at Bariles Republic’s GenSan News Online Magazine.

Bariles is reposting this article he wrote earlier this year during his mother’s death anniversary, as a tribute to the former President Cory Aquino, who was first and foremost a mother to her children and a lola to her grandchildren.  This is for Kris Aquino and her bereaved family, as well.

Tomorrow, April 26 being  the 2nd death anniversary of my mother, Maria, allow me, my dear readers, to post here the exchange of email between me and my friends, days after I informed them of her worsening condition in the hospital up to the days when she finally met her Maker. I hope they could provide comfort for those experiencing the loss of a loved one right now, as it did they to me.

“Maria Ortega-Manansala, 1926-2007″

It was just a few months away from her 82nd birthday on October 17th, 2007 where we were planning something memorable for her.  But with her health gradually fading away, it was just  too much for me, her eldest son to bear.

Here then, is the email I wrote  to my friends, sharing with them my innermost fears, doubts and uncertainties.

Email of Bariles to his friends..

April 13, 2007

Dear Friends,

Thank you for your concern and prayers.

Cirrhosis of the liver is something like cancer.  It’s been wasting away mommy’s body and mind but not her mother’s instincts.  All these times with a lot of needles and tubes stuck into her at her hospital bed, she still worries about us, our jobs, her granddaughters’ welfare, the open gasul, the food for our dog and cat, the unlocked doors and windows and even says sorry for being “samuk” (nuisance).

Visibly, it is her who is suffering but deep inside, it is me as her eldest son who is suffering the most.  Ever since daddy died in 2004, I have held off any plan of working outside of Gensan inspite of the lucrative offers and vowed instead to be as close to her as possible.

I just wanted her not to suffer this way for in her suffering we are also suffering…. for in her pains, we are also in pain… and in her every moan, we are crying.

God is good for giving me a job which gives me flexible working hours.  That way, I could tend to her needs and spend more time with her as my schedule permits.  It was a continuous bonding session with her, to say the least.

Thus, this ordeal she’s going through is something I couldn’t fathom or understand initially.  I kept blaming myself for anything amiss, for something I might have done or not do which could have caused this disease to gradually take her away from me, from us.  I keep on wishing that the tears I am shedding for her each time I witness her feeble attempts at communication could at least wash away any pain, any discomfort that she must be feeling right now.

I couldn’t even lift her up to God fearing that He might take her away from us.  I just wanted her not to suffer this way for in her suffering we are also suffering…. for in her pains, we are also in pain… and in her every moan, we are crying.

Until I opened my email today and read a Daily Devotional message about sanctification…

“Suffering is another tool God uses for our good. A suffering believer runs directly to the heavenly Father for comfort and aid. God freely offers us comfort and help. But He also uses our painful circumstances to shape us even more.

When we submit to His work, we exit our suffering by looking more Christlike than ever
God’s transforming work goes on all the time. If we wish to glorify our Lord by faithfully reflecting Him, we must yield to His sanctification tools.”

This somehow opened my eyes to what our family is undergoing now.  It still won’t be easy, my dear friends.  She might lapse into coma any time and that is one thing I dread the most… not being able to hear her voice again, not being able to look into her eyes  and see their glow at my presence and not being able to clasp her hand and feel her clasping back.

Through all these, my younger bro Orman has been holding us together, veering us away from depression and hopelessness and making us laugh at the right times.   He is one treasure of a brother.

I also want to be strong for mommy and for my siblings, dear friends.   If this is a form of sanctification, so be it.  God knows what’s best for us and I am submitting myself to His holy will.

There’s just one last thing I am asking from you.  Please pray for me too.

Avel

Email from Erickson, Davao:

April 13, 2007

To my dear friend Avel,

I know it has been a long time since the last time we saw each other and it’s been a long time since i have been reading your emails. some of which really amaze me but required me not to reply but to just digest the information you give to me and to your friends.

this time, i was truly moved by the thoughts you have on this email. please allow me to share with you the feelings i had the time i read your email.

Our mother is also sickly but thank God, she has been keeping herself together. keeping strong despite of the normal ordeals our poor family face in our daily lives. our father died a long time ago, but she never re-married. up until this day, i can very well remember what she told us about not getting married again, to quote “i don’t want you, my sons, to adjust to somebody you cannot understand you and who m you cannot understand as well. i can raise you well by my own efforts and i want you all to be safe always, under my care.”

very simply said, but as i have aged, i have come to realize what our mother meant when she uttered those words. she so deeply cares about us that she is willing to give us her lifetime just to see us grow with the discipline and the grace of a Christian individual.

Vel, what you are going through now is one thing I most fear for our own mother. she is sickly and it really isn’t easy everytime i receive news about her having health concerns. i salute you for being brave enough to stand by your mother’s side.

Reality is, we will all pass away for we all came from our Great God, and it is in Him we all belong.

very few people would sacrifice wealth and career progress just to care for their mothers. our mothers will always be our mothers, we are their own blood and it is our duties, being their children, to take care of them. to show gratitude of what they have done for us. had they been careless during our younger days, we would never be who we are now.

Reality is, we will all pass away for we all came from our Great God, and it is in Him we all belong. What i have always been telling myself is to exert extra efforts in giving my mother a better life than what she is having right now. to give back what she had sacrificed for us and to show her how much i truly love her. we are not that expressive of our feelings, but i know my mom knows how much i truly care for her.

be strong my friend, everything happens for a reason. and yes, it is only God who knows what is best for us. all the trials you/we are having now are to test the faith we have for Him. just believe in Him. draw strength from Him. and you will see, everything will be just fine.

You have my prayers for your mother, my  friend. i am always here for you. be strong and be proud.

sincerely,

erixon

Email from Nuel, Metro Manila…

Dear Friend,

First, thank you for entrusting to me the prayers for your Mom. I am deeply touched with the devotional message you shared.

True enough, suffering is painful for people who dont really understand it. But for Christ believer, suffering is a tool for them to draw closer to Him. To pray and ask for strength. When we understand the meaning of suffering, it is easy for us to understand God’s way regardless of the questions in our mind.

Continue going God’s way and I’ll assure you that His light be upon you. Rest assured that I will always include you and your whole family in my prayers.

Be strong.. God knows best and God has a purpose for everything.

God Bless..

Nuel

Letter from Boyet, Cavite…

April 13, 2007

Hi Avel,

You made me cry Avel.

Three years ago, we were in the same situation. We almost lost our father.

My brothers and sisters have succumbed to the idea that we will lose him any day.

When I went home and saw my father, I can’t help but kneel in front of him and cry. I never expected to see my 5?11, large-framed father to turn into a shrunken person, my arms being bigger that his legs.

It was painful, I also felt the same way and I know that it’s hard.

As I said, yes we offered him back to our Lord but deep inside, we really want him to get out of that bed and walk.

Tender loving care, prayers can do a lot. a miracle that is. If you wish it, it will happen.

I’m very touched by your letter my friend. I salute you.

You’re a great son.

For now, I will offer you my prayers, first for you so you will have the strenght to handle things and for Mommy to be well.

Regards,

Boyet

Email from Kimberly, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia…

My dearest Avel,

I’ve been doing this letter for you for quite sometime…I just couldn’t seem to start it right, lest of all wouldn’t know how to end it…

Looking at your fotos with Mommy is breaking my heart…. I can see the sadness in your eyes… the bravery of putting up a smile despite the pain that’s hurting you deep inside your heart. I can feel for you Vel! My heart hurts for you as well right now… if only there’s anything i can do to change the circumstances. How I wished that I’m there with you at this moment… I just want to put my arms around you and tell you that “everything will be alright.”

“When you face hard times, there is no burden beyond His strength… no boundary to His Love… no limit to His mercies…no problem outside His solution… no need beyond His care!”

So, when I think of you… I do the best thing I can – I pray for you and for Mommy.

Vel, it’s not easy and we don’t like to say “goodbye” to those whom we love especially to a beloved mother. Sometimes words are just too deep or heavy to get out… or to say; Sometimes things are just too hard for us to talk about.

We sometimes want to touch a soul or soothe a wounded heart, but we don’t  even know the words or where we ought to start. This is a wordless sometimes… and I really don’t know what to do- so I just  pray for you.

Sometimes it’s hard to understand why God allows us to go through certain painful situations… but please do remember that, no matter what, God is there with  you through it all  and that others (batchmates & friends) who truly care are keeping you and your family in their prayers.

“When you face hard times,  there is no burden beyond His strength… no boundary to His Love… no limit to His mercies…no problem outside His solution… no need beyond His care!”

You are not alone Avel… we are all here for you… sharing your sadness and praying for your comfort… praying that the Lord will see you through this difficult times. God loves you and we all love you! Take care of yourself always and God bless!

Love always,

Kimberly

Email from Jerome, Zamboanga City...

Avel,

you know i couldn’t help myself but cry reading your letter.  but truly your attitude towards all these things humbled me so much.  how you face your predicament is worthy of emulation.

i know GOD is working into your lives because we are big in HIS eyes.  i will always pray for you and your family.

GOD bless

jerome

Email from Ito, Manila…

Dear Avel,

I am sorry to hear about your mom and, yes, I shall include both of you in
my daily prayers!

It is truly difficult to fathom the Plan of God. Only He knows what is best
for all of us. Whatever your mom is going through right now, elevate it to God
that He may give you comfort.

IF ever your mom is suffering now, I believe, that this is already Purgatory (on earth) so that when the Creator calls upon her, she shall go straight to heaven. All her suffering now is not for nothing.

Be strong. God wants you to be optimistic and hopeful despite the trials He hurls on you.

Warmest regards,

Ito

Email from Gigi, US of  A…

Dear Avel,

I am so sorry to read about your Mom.

You wrote an insightful letter which endeared you more to us.

I have empathy with what you and your family is going through.  My mom was in a coma for ten days until we decided to pull the plug.

To date, i regret not having loved her more, not having served her more, not having held her more.  You, on the other hand, have unselfishly given yourself to her.  She is blessed.

Strength comes from the support of family and friends.  Most of all, it comes from God.  This and peace i pray for you as well as for your mom.  In suffering, we become more blessed.

This may be difficult to understand; just pray and your faith will answer you.  Let go… let God, Avel.  I continue to pray for your mom, your family and you.  May God enlighten you all and bless you in His Abundance.

Thanks for sharing and I wish i had a son just like you! )

Love,

Gigi

Email from Momots,  Cagayan de Oro

Hi avel,

i’m so touched and feel so helpless at the thought that i couldn’t be there with you to at least make you smile lang naman.

sometimes bad things happen to good people … and we cannot find the reasons why..

we can only pray  that the pain will be brief or far in between…

my words, i know, may not be enough to mend your broken spirit or heal mom’s physical pain… but i can pray, my friend… for you…for mom…for us…

hold on…

love you,

momots

Email from Belle, Iloilo City

Dear Avel,

I can deeply empathize with what you’re going through right now regarding your Mom. I also went through that many years ago.

But do not hold on too tight.  Let God’s will be done.  He knows better and He knows what to do, and when to do it.  Just pray, pray, pray hard.  We will also pray for her…. take faith my friend.

Love,

Belle

Email from Lelen, Canada

Dearest vel,

You and your family, esp your mommy is with us, in our thoughts and in our prayers.

Like belle said, mahirap kase pinagdaanan niya na rin yon. Much as we would like to help you lighten your paghihirap dahil nakikita mo ata nararamdam mo ang paghihirap niya, we can only extend our love and support (spiritually and/or financially) kase malayo kami physically.

Thank you for sharing with us your personal experience reading God’s word through the daily devotion. It may not mean as much to other people, but I am glad that it has blessed you at your point of need. Truly, God’s word is our comfort. And whatever process God may use, whatever plans are in His will, we have no right to question because He is the author and finisher of life, being Alpha and Omega.

Kim said stop na daw sa pag ngawa mo… she was just trying to comfort you. Smile naman.

Thanks also to jes, belle and tale for writing.

May God be gracious to us always.

Peace and blessings,

lelen

Email from Kenneth, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Dear Avel,

I have been apprised of the situation these past days by Kim and want to tell you that you and your family
are in my thoughts and prayers.

I cannot begin to imagine what you are going through and won’t even volunteer to offer any of the usual platitudes because my own life’s journey has not brought me to face what you are facing at the moment.

But I can say to you, my dear friend, that the depths of depression and sorrow that you are going through is never going to be permanent. In this fact we can all be steadfast in the knowledge that there is always going to be something to live for, even if we don’t know yet what it is.

My Christian inclinations tell me that there is an afterlife. I do believe in this deeply. Life as we know it is a transition. Your mother’s journey and the pain she is going through is a necessary part of that transition and HER life’s experience. It may seem odd, but we can rejoice in the fact that God has given her this opportunity to go through what she is now going  through. So my friend, don’t beat yourself up over what she is going through, because when you realise that its all due to His will, how could it ever be due to something you had done or omitted to do?

The very fact that you are there now tending to her, seeing her in pain, may be as much meant for you as it is for her…

Be strong my dear Avel.

Love,

Ken

Mommy passed away a few days after we took her home from the hospital, which was her last wish before she lapsed into coma.  She died inside my room while my sister Mara was trying to feed her.  The day was April 26, 2007.  The time was 2:20pm.

To this day, I still feel grateful for these outpouring of messages of comfort and love from friends near and far.  The ones posted here are just a fraction of what I received and they have kept me stronger all throughout our ordeal.

Reading them again now made me realize more of the need to share them with the world hoping that they could also comfort a grieving soul out there who happen who drop by this blog.

And as for you Mommy,  we love you more than ever but you can rest easy now.  Tell Daddy we are ok.  The kids are fine.  The Lord has continued to bless us with His love through our memories of you.

And that is all that really matters now.

FORMER PRINCIPAL HONORED. Retired DedEd Superintendent of Schools Leonora Peñalosa hands over to Avel Manansala, of the City Mayor’s Office a Philippine flag at the necrological rites during the funeral of his mother, Maria Ortega-Manansala at the Forest Lake San Carlos Memorial Park..  Mrs. Manansala, who was 80 at the time of her demise, was principal for 10 years of the Datu Acad Dalid Elementary School in Buayan and was instrumental in the establishment of Buayan National High School in the early 80′s during the term of then Congressman Adelbert Antonino.  A native of Guiuan, Samar who migrated to Dadiangas in the late 40s, she was married to the late Avelino Manansala (of Pampanga) and devoted over 40 years of her life as an educator.  She is also survived by her two other children, Orman and Maravel and five nieces.  Together with Mrs. Peñalosa in the foto are other officers of the Retirees Association of Gensan, Mrs. Josefina Datago and Ms. Priscilla Mari.

The Bikini Open 2009 Night last weekend was one of the better-produced shows from Dolores Tropicana Resort which I have witnessed.   Again directed by Al-Nehzar Ali with a theme invoking images of the Orient, the whole thing was a visual delight.

The program was also a paean of sorts to Bikini Open’s legacy since it is now on it’s 10th year having started in 1999 when Bariles was still Marketing Officer of  Nation Broadcasting Corporation’s Anna@Rhythms 97.5 FM, its media partner and co-presenter then.  At that time, now VP for Dolores Resorts and Hotels Teresa “Tata” Mondido was still part of RD Hospitality Group’s Marketing Department.

Anyway, a short opening sequence featured a video presentation of the past decades’ Bikini Babes and Hunks which am sure made everyone from the staff of Dolores Hotels feel nostalgic.  What Bariles noticed though was that through the years, the swimsuits of the ladies became more and more conservative.  This could be due to the GAD Code (Gender and Development) being passed and implemented by the city government which prohibits very skimpy attires for candidates of any beauty pageant.

Past winners of the Bikini Open:  Bikini Hunk 2007, Bikini Babe 2008, Bikini Hunk 1st runner-up 2008, Bikini Hunk 2008

This year’s event also heralds Dolores Tropicana Resort’s expansion plans, according to Ms. Tata.  On the pipeline is a two-storey building at the vacant portion of its hotel cottages which will add 30 or more rooms to its existing 35 rooms (all equipped with satellite TV and wi-fi connections).

Sharing jury duties for the 10th Bikini Open along with Bariles were Oliver “Blogie” Robillo, Dr. James Haw and Ms. Jocelyn Enriquez of Emcor, who all had a grand time selecting from the 10 Bikini Babes (most of whom where of the shorter variety this year) and 10 Bikini Hunks (who were much better-bodied than last year’s batch).

Below are some of the shots taken by Bariles Republic resident fotog Marzz, Davao photoblogger Chattee Lara, problogger Lyle Santos, and award-winning fotog Leonard Pe.

The evening opened with the performance of this much-applauded Fire Dancer.

The entry of the 20 finalists with their faces covered by white masks.

Pair #1: Nur Weda Isnirajil & Greggy James Dela Pena

Pair #2: Elcar Jeck Gabutan & Naiza Balindo

Pair #3: Naiza Balindo & Jonathan Ogayre

Pair #4:  Ivy Shane Presbitero & Kenneth Paul Salva

Pair #5:  Emilio Bacalso & Jay Ann Rivera

Pair #6: Jerold Cabanog & Vanessa Yee

Pair #7: Sheena Toribio & Emilio Bacalso

Pair #8: Kristine Jagus & Mubarak Ismael

Pair #9: Jecrist Canape & Je Java

Pair #10: Kenneth Paul Salva & Magnolia Mae Lauron

And now for the major winners, here they are…

From left:  1st runner up Elcar Jeck Gabutan & Vanessa Yee; Bikini Hunk 2009 Greggy James dela Pena & Bikini Babe 2009 Naiza Balindo; 2nd runner Kristine Jagus & Kenneth Paul Salva

Bariles Republic wishes to thank Ms. Tata Mondido for inviting us and the rest of the bloggers from Davao and GenSan. Special thanks to her senior staff which include Ms. Mae Solizar, Mr. Bernard Lauron and waiter Nonoy Padilla.

General  Santos City will play host to the forthcoming 39th National Road Safety Convention a month from now, on May 17 to 20, 2009 at the Family Country Hotel and Convention Center.

This early, the city through a directive from Mayor Jun Acharon, has already finalized, the needed preparations to make the gathering a success.  He has assigned a Task Force headed by Chief of Staff Ernie Quisay to ensure that the four-day gathering of all the officers and members of the Safety Organization of the Philippines will be a success.

According to its website, “the Safety Organization of the Philippines (SOPI) is a non-profit, non-govermental, national public service organization dedicated to protecting life and promoting health. Members of SOPI include businesses, schools, public agencies, private groups, labor organizations and individuals. Founded in 1959, the primary focus of SOPI is preventing deaths and injuries that occur in workplace, homes, communities and roads.”
For this year’s convention, the theme is, “Think DEEP (Discipline, Education and Environmental Protection for Road Safety).”

The topics during this 39th National Road Safety Convention will be:

• Road Safety:  Back to Basics
• Defensive Driving
• Innovative Projects for Children on Road Safety
• Drunk Driving
• Road Safety Action Plan Updates
• OBR “Organized Bus Routes”
• LGU Road Safety Program
• Pollution-Free Emission
• Commuter Role and Protection
• Insurance Education
• Enforcement Safety/Protection
• Motor Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance System
• Managing Truck Overloading in the Philippines
• Update on UP Diliman Traffic Safety Model Zone Project

There will also be an awarding ceremony for the different Road Safety Categories:

• Outstanding Transport Category
  • City Bus
  • Provincial Bus
  • Taxi
  • Transport Coop
  • Truckers
  • Haulers
  • Motorcycle Club
• Outstanding Road Safety Program
  • Private Sector
  • Government Sector
• Outstanding Drivers of the Philippines
  • Jeepney
  • Taxi
  • Truck Driver
  • City Bus
  • Provincial Bus
  • Private Company/Organization
• Outstanding Road Safety Practitioners
  • Enforcement Category
  • Engineering Category
  • Education Category
  • Environmental Category

Bariles learned that around 250-300 participants are expected to attend this convention.  The convention fee is P6,000.00 (Live-out package).

For more information, contact the Safety Organization of the Philippines, Inc. with telephone #s (02) 531-0739/ 531-0766.  You may email them at sopi@pldtdsl.net or visit their website at www.sopi-phil.org .

General Santos City has just gotten itself a new free-TV channel!

Known as TV 46 Socsargen, this new channel is owned by Asian Multimedia & Productions (AMP) chaired by former ABS-CBN President Freddie Garcia.

According to his son, Miguel, AMP’s National Managing Director, TV 46 (which is a UHF channel, just like Studio 23) will initially air purely ABS-CBN’s Tele-Radyo which is a live broadcast of its radio station DZMM‘s programs.

Miguel is in the Tuna Capital to formally launch the official airing of TV 46 this morning through a tree-planting activity at Barangay Lagao, as the new entrant ‘s Homage to Earth Day 2009.

The event which was attended by Vice-Mayor Flor Congson, Barangay Lagao Captain Minard Avila III and members of his council together with residents of the barangay, was meant to represent Asian Multimedia and Productions‘ desire to plant the seed as “The Alternative News and Public Information Channel“ covering the SocSarGen Region.

Eventually, added Miguel, they will be airing  local news programs and features to cater to the people of South Cotabato, Sarangani and General Santos City.  He envisions TV 46 to be THE Socsargen Channel in the near future.   Right now, they are in talks with SKYCABLE so that their locally-produced programs would get a lower range channel.

Bariles also learned that TV 46 is their first foray into TV programming and that the company will eventually expand up north, targetting key cities with sizeable populations.

Their transmitter tower with a power of 1KW, by the way is located at the 4th floor of Perfect Image Building, Osmena South, downtown GenSan.  Their signal however reaches as far as Polomolok and the coastal municipalities of Sarangani Province.

TV 46‘s will start broadcasting daily from 6am to 10pm.

From us here at Bariles Republic’s GenSan News Online Mag, we can only wish AMB TV 46 all the best of luck!

Got an email earlier today from my good friend Pilar Afuang, Executive Director of the General Santos City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. informing me of the upcoming “4th Mindanao Franchise Expo” which GenSan City will be hosting on June 26-28, 2009.  It is an official event of the “Yaman GenSan”, or GenSan Business Month which occurs from the last week of June up to the 3rd week of July annually.

Now, here is their Press Release…

Franchising has evolved through the years to be the most successful way to expand a business or to go into a business by yourself. The fastest way for business owners to grow a business is to franchise it out instead of opening own branches. On the other hand, the safest way to invest money is to get a reputable franchise as franchises offers the advantages of being proven profitable, provide training, opening assistance and operations manual.

The General Santos City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc., Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), SMED Council, Inc., the City Government of General Santos, and RK Franchise Consultancy together with the Filipino International Franchise Association (FIFA), will hold the 4th Mindanao Franchise Expo on June 26-28, 2009 at the Gaisano Mall of GenSan Atrium, General Santos City.

The three-day 4th Mindanao Franchise Expo is one way of bringing franchise opportunities closer to the Mindanao regions where the franchise market is growing stronger. This event is definitely a showcase of successful franchisers from Manila, Cebu, Davao and General Santos City to prospective Franchisees and new and promising concepts in food, retail or services to consider franchising.

The expo timed during the GenSan Business Month (Yaman GenSan) is open to the public and is designed to allow aspiring owners to get a close-up look at a range of different franchises, meet with the company representatives, attend franchise seminars and become familiar with the growing world of franchising.

Interested exhibitors may get the APPLICATION FORM by CLICKING HERE.

This exhibition is managed by the CEO Events and Expos Organizers, Inc. (02) 995.0734 or email to info@ceoexpos.com and sponsored by FranchiseToday for the Yaman GenSan/GenSan Business Month.

Last Monday, Bariles Republic gave you the HBO Special Pacquiao-Hatton 24/7 Episode 1 video. Now, as promised, here is what you are all waiting for – the HBO Special Pacquiao-Hatton 24/7 Episode 2 Video.

The whole thing aims to drumbeat the May 2 fight between GenSan’s pride Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton of Great Manchester, England. Bariles featured the first episode in THIS LINK.

So, without much further ado, here is the Part 1 of the Pacquiao-Hatton 24/7 Episode 2 Video:

Below is part 2 of HBO’s Pacquiao-Hatton 24/7 Episode 2 video…

And here is part 3 of  the HBO’s Pacquiao-Hatton 24/7 Episode 3 video...

Now, this is the final and part 4 of the HBO Pacquiao-Hatton 24/7 Episode 4 video…

Now do tell your friends about it now before YOUTUBE gets jealous and takes this Pacquiao-Hatton 24/7
Episode 2 video out of circulation….

Or better still, subscribe to Bariles Republic so you will get regular updates on the next Pacquiao-Hatton 24/7 videos.

First-time visitors to General Santos City, wanting to be treated to its famed tuna, will surely be ushered off to a restaurant called Jam’s Resto Bar, a few kilometers away from the barangay wet market area along Nunez Street in Barangay Lagao.

There, they will be served various tuna dishes they probably have not tasted before. There is the tuna kare-kare (stewed tuna with peanut sauce & veggies), the adobong bihod (tuna roe), adobong bagaybay (tuna male eggs), the uniquely spicy palikpik (fins), the crispy deep-friend tuna tail, the sizzling tuna kusog sisig (tuna tendon) or most likely, the famed inihaw na panga (grilled tuna jaw), and fresh tuna kinilaw (unmixed), among others.

Spicy Sauteed Tuna Innards

Jam’s Resto Bar is owned by Soledad “Sol” Manangquil, a tuna processor in General Santos City. “I put this up to entertain my friends and visitors,” she said.

Of course, that is quite an understatement considering that she has done more than that. Everyone in the fishing industry knows that Sol is Gensan’s “Queen of Tuna Cuisine”.

Soledad was an enterprising teenager from the fishing village of Bula in General Santos, peddling “maruya” (fried bananas coated in batter) to fishermen who land their catch early at dawn at the nearby Fishlanding area along Lion’s Beach during the early 80s.

Extroverted, sociable and with a natural talent for business, her maruya which she prepared and cooked herself was usually sold out in time for her to rush to her first subject in college. Even then, her easy-going and friendly nature earned her a lot of friends among the fisherfolks who were taken by her generosity.

“I usually give out extra pieces of maruya to my loyal clients or give discounts when the catch is not that good,” she recalls.

Fresh Tuna Kinilaw with Cucumber

It was not long after when the Congson and Damalerio families that were jointly involved in fishing ventures noticed her industriousness and took her under their wings. They assigned her to various tasks at the fishlanding whenever their vessels arrive from their expeditions. All these, she admirably handled with ease.

Her working hours eventually caught up with her studies and so she decided to drop out of college with only a year left before graduation.

Gradually, her employers started entrusting her with bigger responsibilities. Eventually, she became in-charge with their exports business, involving large tuna, to Japan and the U.S.

Tuna Bagaybay (fish roe), photo by Lyle Santos

“The Gensan airport at that time was at the old Buayan area and the solitary PAL plane then flying in and out of GenSan daily could not handle large cargoes,” Sol explains.

Because of this, she had to bring the tuna to Davao airport and have it flown from there. This became a regular and tiring chore for her.

Finally in 1987, with her employers’ blessings, she ventured in the world of business by herself and partnered with high school friends, Tito and Joel Santos. They put up SSB Traders, a small tuna-processing and exporting company.

Sol, being the more experienced and outgoing among them was in-charge of buying raw materials. Her partners handled the processing and marketing aspects of the business.

With only a limited capital, whatever profits they made were immediately plowed back into the business. Thus, Sol had to augment her earnings by doing what she did best, peddling wares and everything.

She sold everything she can: fishing accessories, designer-labeled clothings, make-up kits, perfumes, shoes and foods and many more.

Sizzling Tuna Tendons, photo  by Lyle Santos

It was during one of her selling and buying sorties that she met one of Joel Santos’ high school classmates, 1st Lieutenant Jess Manangquil. A PMA graduate who was just recently assigned at the 601st Brigade, the army lieutenant liked what he saw in the pretty businesswoman and immediately wooed her.

On May 28, 1988, the wedding bells were heard and people saw Sol and Jess before the matrimonial altar.

Tuna tendons Kilawin

In less than a year, first son John Ray was born and was followed immediately by Jefferson.

Things started changing for Soledad. Now as a junior officer’s wife, she had to learn to juggle her time between dealing with her suppliers at the fish landing and entertaining Jess’ military superiors and colleagues who are the frequent visitors in their home. Luckily, their processing plant was just within their yard and it was easy for her to whip up a tuna dish or two at short notices.

Later on, with a lot of fresh tuna within reach to work with, she also started experimenting with the tuna by utilizing it, with the usual Pinoy fare.

Crispy deep-fried Tuna Tail, photo by Lyle Santos

She says: “I substituted the usual pork and chicken with tuna in a variety of Filipino dishes. Some actually worked and some simply didn’t taste right. I also used the entrails and the innards plus some other usually “unwanted” parts. I felt that it would be a senseless to throw these parts away. Finally, I had compiled more than a couple of recipes to fill up my own menu.”

Word eventually got out that the new Mrs. Manangquil prepares exotic tuna dishes in town. Soon, lunches and dinners at their home at Rosario Subdivision were like mini-parties since friends keep dropping by to taste her inventions using different parts of the tuna.

In 1992, she decided to establish her very own Sol Fish Traders. Then, upon the coaxing of friends who were fans of her recipes, she also put up a native nook along the Lagao National Highway called Jam’s Ihaw-ihaw.

There was no looking back for the “maruya” seller from then on.

Jam’s Resto Bar at night, in a photo by Lyle Santos

Now, 17 years after that small ihaw-ihaw venture, on a daily basis, Sol still shuttles back and forth between Market 1 of the Gensan Fishport and her Jam’s Restaurant at its current location at Nunez Street, in the suburbs of Lagao.

In this fine-dining restaurant situated in a 1,000 square meter lot,  things usually perk up during the weekends when groups rent it for functions such as parties and other gatherings.

Now blessed with three kids, the youngest being Jim Claude, Sol feels she still has a lot going on for her, especially with regard to her restaurant business.

“With this new restaurant here, I am highlighting my tuna dishes at a far more pleasing ambience. I am bringing tuna cuisine to the next level.”

With her track record, there is no doubt in mind that Sol will continue to fascinate GenSan’s palate and soon of the world with her delectable and sumptuous recipes that have put the tuna in a whole new, different light.

UPDATE April 18, 2009:  Jam’s Resto Bar which opened last year now caters to families and groups who want to enjoy a relaxed and classy ambience and be served with various native, oriental and mediteranean dishes and a wide array of Soledad’s famed tuna concoctions.  It’s located at Nunez Street, Purok Malakas, Barangay San Isidro.   Watch out for its upcoming shows featuring stand-up comedians  Jam’s Restaurant has a large function room for private occasions and a videoke bar on its balcony.  (Photos by @marzz, unless otherwise stated)

In one August night last year, a good number of male “generals” developed fever while watching a concert of four of the country’s alluring sex symbols – Andrea del Rosario, Katya Santos, Jennifer Tan and Maui Taylor, all members of the Viva Hot Babes and considered as FHM icons.

That event (which I blogged about HERE) proved that these ladies are total performers because not only are they good movie actresses but they can also impressively sing and dance live on stage as well.  All the people in the audience  at the KCC Convention Center really had a grand time at that time.

Now for those who missed that show, here’s good news for you.

One of them and decidedly the most famous of the four will be in town this May 8th for a one-night affair to again excite the generals with her own brand of sexy performance.

Guys, meet Maui Taylor in person in an event billed as….

The event which is a DINNER SHOW costs only P800 and will be held at the newly-renovated Tierra Montana Hotel, formerly known as the Tierra Verde, along the National Highway in GenSan.

As you can deem from its title, MAUI, An Intimate Dinner Show, the concert will be a private and personal performance by the FHM icon who was four times featured as the FHM (Philippines) Cover Girl (April 2002, January/February 2003, November 2005 and February 2009).  She was the resident Photo Blogger of Maxim (Philippines) for quite sometime.

Here is a video of the photo shoot of her latest FHM 2009 cover.  Just click on the photo and you will be led to the FHM site.

For pictures taken during her concert in GenSan last year with Katya, Andrea and Jennifer, CLICK HERE.

And below is FHM Icon Maui Taylor without those pesky crawling vines and flowers…

Tickets to Maui:  An Intimate Dinner Show can be ordered through Bariles.  Just leave a message below with your private email address (we will not share it to anybody) and we will contact you from there.  See yah!

NOTE:  Thanks to FHM Philippines for the pictures of Maui Taylor.

Bariles Republic is proud to announce the winners to the “Pooh-K Laugh-Out-Loud Concert” which will happen on Sunday, April 19, 2009 at the General Santos Gym, Lagao, GenSan.

Mainly because of their well-written informative posts and the extra efforts to feature videos of either Pooh and Kay Brosas, here are the TOP 5 Winners who will each receive a GOLD TICKET.

1. Tanchi – Pooh and K Live in GenSan;
2. Rammyboi – Total Laugh Out Loud;
3. Lito – Pooh-K Live in GenSan… You’ll Laugh Until You Drop;
4. RainCidy – Pooh and K will be in GenSan;
5. Anika -  Laugh Till U Drop

As for the rest of the entries, their blog authors will each receive a Bronze ticket.   Here they are:

• Kyra Sofya - Laugh Til U Drop
• Jinky – A Wacky Evening with Pooh and K in GenSan
• Dimple – Pooh-K
• Gheltac – Two Comedians Unite
• Ikang – Pooh and K, Live on Stage
• IanStar – Let’s escape the reality with Pooh and K
• Payatot – Pooh & K invades my hometown
• Daxi Weida – Pooh-K is coming to town
  

Directions on how to get your tickets have been emailed to you by Bariles himself.

To the winners and participants, congratulations and many thanks for joining.  Watch out for our future contests. 

For more information about the Pooh-K Laugh-Out-Loud in GenSan, CLICK HERE

Bariles and his group of GenSan bloggers were among the privileged few who were invited to tour the newly-constructed  3rd floor of the St. Elizabeth Hospital a week before it was unveiled to the public.

Hospital Administrator Tony Veneracion, husband of Bariles Republic’s good friend Petite of Sud-An Grill and Restaurant, proudly showed them around the area which boasts of 18 new private rooms, 15 new suites, six executive rooms and a deluxe room, totalling to 40 sparkling new rooms.

St. Elizabeth Hospital Administrator Tony Veneracion (extreme right) orients some of the GenSan Bloggers on the new 3rd Floor’s facilities

All of these are equipped with state-of-the art beds and overhead paging panels plus a  flat-screen 24-inch telelevision each for every room.  And  in terms of manning, aside from hiring 18 new nurses and six housekeeping staff they have also trained four nursing aides to act as “butlers” for the needs of their patients and their watchers.

Earlier during the tour, Bariles and the GenSan bloggers were immediately blown over by a spacious lounge complete with comfortable sofa and couches which greeted them upon reaching the third floor.

Other than providing a whole new dimension in health care services, Tony hope that with their expansion, they can also contribute to the city government’s goal in promoting health and wellness services for locals and visitors alike.

Currently, St. Elizabeth Hospital admits around 40-50 patients daily, most of which are children, a fact which is not lost on Tony and the hospital’s administration since they have about 25 specialists, 15 of which are pediatricians, where 9 are resident doctors.

They also have 150 nurses currently including the new hires for the 3rd floor.

St. Elizabeth’s expansion does not end here since they are still upgrading their facilities, starting with their next project – the renovation of their old wing.  This is in line with their inclusion as “pilot test hospital” in Philhealth’s accreditation program for health care institutions who have passed their “seven quality standards“.  Among these are patient’s safety, patient’s rights, quality management, etc.

From left, Mrs. Bebe-i Gonzales, Councilor Jong Gonzalez, City Administrator Mar Dospueblos, Mr. & Mrs. Jesus Veneracion prepare to cut the ribbon during the inauguration of the 3rd floor on March 30. 2009

A priest proceeds with the blessing of the 3rd floor.

Tony added, “This accreditation process has been ongoing since 2007 and it’s a very tedious thing.  Less than 30% of the hospitals in the country have passed Philhealth’s standards.  We are proud to say that in Region 12, we are the only institution they have chosen to be the pilot hospital and we are already in the final stage of evaluation.”

The gorgeous Veneracion women (including Petite, of Sud-An) with Dionisia Pacquiao

Sarangani Governor Migs Dominguez and Tony Veneracion

Congratulations Tony V and to the rest of the St. Elizabeth Hospital Family. With you leading the way, there is no doubt that very soon, St. Elizabeth will be known as South Central Mindanao’s premier health and wellness institution.

After the tour: (from left) Tanchi, Rammyboi, Samara Fae, Rosilie, Arnel, Tammy Rose, Jinky, Gilbert, Bariles, Tony V and Sheng. Photo taken by Kyawster.

Thanks to Leonard Pe and Tanchi for the rest of the photos.

Fueled by a maverick owner, a new fine-casual dining restaurant in General Santos City pulsates and invigorates the budding urban sprawl’s day and night life.  Soulful sounds, soothing lighting and   sleek leather couches spell modern glam. This is not your typical fine-casual dining restaurant -welcome to Grab A Crab. (Click on each image for a larger view please.)

Leading the dining revolution in General Santos is Michael Wee.  Grab A Crab is his first restaurant business venture and so far, business has been doing very well. Having always dreamt of opening his own restaurant where he can chill-out with friends, Wee finally decided to push through with his culinary vision.

“Grab A Crab essentially represents my passion, love for classy lifestyle,” says 41-year old Michael who also owns a construction firm. “It’s a venue where young, progressive and responsible citizens can come together and dine and hang out,” he adds.

The place is a veritable melting pot as urban professionals and coffee aficionados all meld together in pursuit of good food and great times. Opening at 11 o’clock in the morning, loyal customers come in droves to fill up the dining area just in time for lunch. Dinner time is no exception either, as Grab A Crab will be at its peak operating capacity all through the wee hours of the morning, usually closing at 2 am.

“We are jam-packed on weekends! We offer  palatable  gourmet fare, all-time Filipino favorites and noodles,” enthuses Michael Wee. The restaurant also offers vegetables and rice, its ubiquitous crab dishes, grilled specialties and Chinese cuisine. Even after a hearty dinner, Grab A Crab gives one a reason to stay until the late evening.

Nearby is Coffee Club 101, a coffee shop which serves not only aromatic coffee but it offers  two computers and a mini- library where you can do your homework after a sumptuous lunch or dinner.

Other than their own coffee concoctions, Coffee Club 101 also offer smoothies, cold blends, sandwiches and pasta delights.   For the sweet tooth, there’s their pastries and home-baked cookies and mini-cakes.

Classy interiors, superb music, excellent service and great crowd aside, Grab A Crab’s real star is its delicious food.  Their menu is well thought of, thus offering dishes that are imaginative and scintillatingly mouth-watering. The creativity in the kitchen does not end with its fantastic set fare as new standards in cosmopolitan dining are also in store for the resto’s guests.

“Basically, it means that aside from the items offered in the menu, we can prepare whatever dish you crave for, as long as we have the ingredients in our kitchen,” explains Michael.

Grab A Crab bestsellers and specialties include, for appetizers, the Sliced Marinated Beef Kimchi and the Sharksfin Supreme Soup or the Fishlip and Sea Cucumber Soup.

Being the Tuna Capital, any visitor to the city should try the Grilled Tuna marinated in Grab A Crab special sauce.

Michael also suggests the Crab by the Bucket Big ( 4 pcs of 400 grams crab served with soup of the day and plain rice  for P850) where the crab  is de-boned and covered in breading infused with different spices to enhance the flavor.

Bariles Republic’s favorite however is the Grab A Crab Rice which is a complete meal in itself.

Other menu items that come highly recommended are the ever-present San Francisco ‘s Wharf  Spicy Salt and Pepper ( deep marinated in herbs and spices).

For diehard seafood lovers, the Pampano Sea Bass is highly recommended, along with the Sea Asparagus with 3 Kinds Mushroom.

Whew!  And that’s not even a fourth of their menu.  To all of that, Bariles Republic can only toast a glass of Grab A Crab’s Margarita and say, “CHEERS!”

- by guest writer, Ayo Gunting

Grab a Crab is located at Laurel East Avenue . For reservations , please call (083) 553-5430, 553-4878, 301-0555 (look for Arnie or Rick) OR email them at coffeeclub_101@yahoo.com.  Rooms are available at the 2nd floor for PRIVATE FUNCTIONS.

Grab A Crab and Coffee Club 101 are proud sponsors of the 2nd Mindanao Bloggers Summit.

Bariles loves meat sandwiches and burgers.

Whether it’s beef, pork, tuna, chicken, veggie, as long as it is a sandwich, with meat in it, he will go for it.

One of his most favorite however is the OSTRICH BURGER which is offered in GenSan only by Six Blings Restaurant, a diner owned by entrepreneur Bebot Haw and featured here sometime last year.

That is why when he found out through a funny, funny poster similar to the one below that Six Blings now offer TRIPLE DECKER OSTRICH HAM SANDWICHES, he immediately was certain that this will be another winner from Bebot.

Bariles has yet to try the new Triple Decker Ostrich Ham Sandwich and is quite excited about it considering how inviting their their slogan  is: So tastylicious it will square your appetite.

His answer to that?

He will take it!  He will have it!  He will eat it…. even though he will look like the girl in the poster!

Six Blings, watch out for Bariles and his friends real soon!

One of the most awaited events every summer in General Santos City is Dolores Tropicana Resort Hotel’s Bikini Open.  It has been ongoing for almost a decade now and each year, the candidates are getting better and better and the pageant program more and more exciting.

For 2009, the generals and their neighbors from the other places in Soccksargen may now rest easy because, this year’s installment of the Bikini Open spearheaded by Soccsksargen’s premier beach resort hotel will happen this very weekend, April 18th, Saturday,7pm, according to this poster below.

“This year, for only a P100 entrance fee, not only will our guests be mesmerized by the all-new production which is directed again by Mr. Al Nezhar-Ali but will also be entertained by the performances of GenSan’s top band, the KWERDAS Band together with the KALAYO Fire Dancers during the Beach Party which follows the pageant,” says Teresa Mondido, Head of the RD Hotels and Resorts Group.

She added that 10 sexy ladies and 10 hunky gentlemen, from all over Mindanao island, are vying for this year’s titles as Bikini Babe and Bikini Hunk 2009.  Given the difficult task of judging the best and sexiest among them as members of the Board of Judges are Davao Blog guru Blogie Robillo and Bariles himself.

It has been awhile since Bariles set foot at the resort and he’s doubly excited with the prospect of visiting it once again since he enjoyed the presentation last year.  Blogie on the other hand will be with his official photographer Chattee and some other A-list Davao bloggers who will check out Soccsksargen’s finest hotel resort.

Here is a picture of the 2008 Bikini Open candidates taken by Bariles Republic resident photographer Marzz:

For more photos from last year’s Bikini Open 2008, please CLICK HERE.

The 2009 Bikini Open is brought to you by Dolores Tropicana Resort and Dolores Hotels and Resorts, Allied Pacific Packaging Solutions Corporation and Coca Cola. This is in cooperation with San Miguel Beer, Dolores Hotel and Dolores Farm Resort.

Thanks to my good friend Gilbert Tan, who directed me to his source, I got the links to Pacquiao-Hatton 24/7 HBO Episode ONE tv special early today.

The links (in YouTube) are divided into three parts so you will have to watch them one by one.

So guys, here it is, Part 1 of the  Pacquiao-Hatton 24/7 S HBO Episode One TV Special.  Take note of the montage on General Santos City, home of Manny Pacquiao and beloved hometown of Bariles which was referred to as “one of the country’s poorest cities”. WTF???!!!!!

Now here is the 2nd installment of the Paquaio-Hatton 24/7 HBO Episode One TV Special where the baptism of Manny’s daughter Queenie in General Santos City was featured. (!).

And now, the 3rd part and Finale of the Pacquiao-Hatton 24/7 HBO Episode One tv special where you need to watch out for Ricky Hatton’s t-back.

Anyway, be sure to watch these 3-installment video of the Pacquiao-Hatton 24/7 HBO Episode One TV special over and over now before YouTube takes them all away…hehehe!

And before I forget, you may want to check out the Pacquiao-Hatton 24/7 HBO TRAILER by CLICKING HERE.

And yes, tell your friends about it.

The Pacquiao-Hatton 24/7 HBO Special Episode One aired at Bariles Republic is brought to us by Friends of Bariles: Ms. Amie Zonio of Virginia, USA, Ms. Bambi Santos-Tugano of Sydney, Australia and Ms. Lelen Zabala-Masanga of Toronto, Canada.

It’s Holy Thursday today and people all around the Philippines including the “generals” of GenSan have started the annual Lenten tradition commonly called “Visita Iglesia”.

According to Pinoy traditions, Catholics must visit at least 7 churches to represent the 7 Great Basilicas of Rome, a practice which started during the time of beginnings of Christianity to venerate the Blessed Sacraments.

The St. Peter's Basilica, one of the 7 Great Basilicas in Rome

Here in the Philippines, each visit would require a contemplation of the 14 Stations of the Cross, at 2 stations per church.

Some would go as many as 14 churches, with each church representing one station.

Unfortunately, General Santos City do not have that much number of churches.  As of last count, the Tuna Capital only has 6 churches and parishes.  To make up for the lacking church, the Catholic faithful include the Chapel inside the Novitiate Compound as part of the “Visita Iglesia” since masses are being said there every Sunday.

Here then  are Catholic Churches of GenSan (plus one chapel) which you could visit for your observance of the “Visita Iglesia”.

• Sts. Peter and Paul Parish Church. This is actually GenSan’s oldest church, older than the 50 year-old Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Parish Church.  Located at Lagao Kanan, Barangay Lagao, the church is under the Diocese of Marbel and run by Diocesan priests.  The structure has not changed much for the past 30 years or so, just a few minor adjustments were done to fix the rotting parts plus a couple of major paint jobs.

Sts. Peter and Paul Parish

"Inside Sts. Peter & Paul Parish Church"

• Santo Nino Parish Church.  Located at Barangay Bula, the original home of GenSan’s major fishing industry, this parish church is only 31 years old.  Over the years however, due to the magnanimity of its parishioners, who are among the city’s famed fishing magnates, the parish was to able to build, aside from its sail-like design church, a separate building for the convent.  Look for its replica of the Image of Sto. Nino which is encased in a small wooden boat.

The sail like facade of Sto. Nino Parish Church in Barangay Bula, home of the fishing industry players

The altar of Santo Nino Parish.

• Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Parish Church. One of the most beautiful, if not the most beautifully-redesigned house of worship in South Central Mindanao, this one turned 50 last year and is under the care of the Passionist Fathers.  Based on Architect Michael Ang’s idea, the renovated church is more spacious and well-illuminated.  Strategically located at the heart of downtown GenSan, the best time to visit it for your Visita Iglesia is at night when some of its huge chandeliers and the sky-blue lights of the altar are switched on.

Our Lady of Peace & Good Voyage Parish Church at dawn

A jampacked OLPGV Parish Church

• St. Michael the Archangel Parish Church. This parish is less than 10 years old and yet its huge structure now dominates the skyline of Purok Malakas, owing to the generosity of its parishioners who helped build it from scratch from the time of Fr. Art Pancho, a diocesan priest.  It sits at a donated lot along Yumang Street and could be reached by taking a Purok Malakas jeep which could drop you at the corner of Yumang Street where you could take a small tricycle (or tricykad) again.

St. Michael the Archangel Parish at dusk

A peek inside St. Michael the Archangel Parish

• Holy Cross Parish Church. A church designed to look like the Bishop’s Miter, this one is adminstered by the Passionist Congregation.  Located at Barangay Calumpang and just across its Retreat Center, the church has the widest structure and most spacious interiors among the churches in GenSan.  It’s then safe to say that it is the largest Catholic church in GenSan.

The Bishop's miter-like structure of Holy Cross Parish Church in Calumpang, the biggest church in GenSan

Inside the cavernous Holy Cross Parish Church in Calumpang

• Our Lady of Fatima Parish Church. The baby of  the group, this church is less than a year old since its Canonical Erection last year.  Strategically located in a 2-hectare lot at Barangay Fatima by the local government of GenSan, it is still undergoing construction.

The Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Barangay Fatima and its new roof donated by her parishioners

The altar of Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Barangay Fatima, which is made of bamboo

• St. Paul of the Cross Novitiate Chapel. Due to the lack of churches in GenSan, this chapel has since time immemorial been part of any family’s Lenten Visita Iglesia.  It sits inside the 7-hectare coconut tree-dotted lot of the Passionists along the National Highway where their Novitiate is.

The entrance to the St. Paul of the Cross Novitiate Chapel

The open-air structure of the Holy Cross Novitiate Chapel along the National Highway

Inside the Novitiate Chapel

With this note, allow me to greet everyone a Happy and Blessed Easter Sunday!

HBO Sports has started airing their Pacquiao-Hatton 24/7 HBO Special trailer recently, a series meant to drum up interest on the Pacquiao-Hatton “War of the Worlds” Fight on May 3, 2009.  Just like the 24/7 Dela Hoya-Pacquiao HBO Special, the Pacquiao-Hatton version will have four episodes.

The first one will be aired on Saturday, April 11 and the next three on the subsequent Saturdays thereafter.

The HBO film crew were here last February 2009 to film sequences from the baptismal celebration of Manny Pacquiao’s 2nd daughter Queenie. They were very visible during the christening ceremony at the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Parish amidst the celebrity godparents and curious onlookers and at the wonderland-themed party at the KCC Convention Center afterwards.

If only for these events in Manny Pacquiao’s life being made part of the documentary series, Bariles is pretty sure, that this Pacquiao-Hatton 24/7 HBO Special will even be more dramatic and interesting than the first one.

Meanwhile, here is that Pacquiao-Hatton Fight 24/7 HBO Special trailer.

The Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao vs Ricky ‘Hitman’ Hatton – “War of the Worlds” Fight is a 12-round bout for Hatton’s Ring Magazine and IBO World Junior Welterweight titles which will happen on  May 3, Saturday at MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. The Live telecast on pay-per-view starts at 8am, Philippine time.