Even before the wave of new specialty-restos blossomed in General Santos City, one has already been dominating the lunch scene and is the fave of local businessmen who need to show off the Tuna Capital’s kind of cuisine to their guests and clients.

If you have not been living under a rock for the past 10 years or so, then you would know which one  – the Sunglao’s Ranchero Grill Steak and Seafood Restaurant.

Conveniently located in a veranda setting  beside their year old Paseo del Sol party venue near Mitsubishi Motors along the National Highway, this top GenSan restaurant Ranchero Grill is famed for a variety of dishes it made popular in General Santos such as babyback ribs, steamed pompano, tuna cuisine like grilled tuna jaw (panga), sizzling tuna belly, pochero, and fried quail (pugo), among others.

Ranchero Grill is also the first to offer non-traditional fruit dessert and juices such as Honey Dew Melon, Dragonfruit and Passion Fruit which the owner, Mr. Pabling Sunglao grows himself.  Combined with good service from their cowboy-outfitted staff, the establishment is up there in the list of must-visit dining places not only in General Santos but all throughout SocSarGen.

The same holds true for Davao Ranchero Grill, their branch at Tiongco Street, situated just across the Central Bank, which Bariles and his group of bloggers from GenSan, Davao and Cagayan de Oro discovered when they dropped by as part of the 2009 Davao Food Appreciation Tour.

Davao Ranchero Grill, Tiongco Street

Used to the small regular servings that other restaurants offer, the bloggers (from GenSAn, Cagayan de Oro and Davao City) couldn’t believed their eyes when served Ranchero’s blockbuster offerings – the Angus Feast and the Brahman Feast.

A waiter carried the giant wooden platter containing the Angus Feast to their table. (Photo by Arnel Lim)

The Angus Feast was a mix-match of : a heapful of white rice topped by tuna kinilaw and surrounded by servings of King Crabs, Fried Quail (pugo), pork barbecue, prawns, pinakbet and lato seaweeds.

Ranchero Grill’s Angus Feast, good for a small poblacion! – P700 to P500 per platter (Photo by Lyle Santos)

Two giant plates of the Angus Feast were served to our group of 15 people and it would have been enough but wait, there’s more:  the Seafood Platter, Babyback Ribs and Pochero!

Ranchero Grill’s famous Babyback Ribs (photo by Lyle Santos)

Ranchero Grill’s Pochero (photo by Bariles)

Ranchero Grill’s Seafood Platter (photo by Arnel Lim)

The bloggers couldn’t contain their satisfaction over the lavish feast laid out before them and after finishing everything, agreed that Ranchero Grill’s food tasted good as they looked and with the way they were pampered by the staff, had nothing but praises for being treated and fed like princes and princesses.

A few weeks after the GenSan delegation got back home, some including Bariles visited Ranchero Grill’s main branch in GenSan to again try the Brahman’s Feast (containing grilled squid, pork chops, tuna belly, chicken barbecue, grilled tahong, kinilaw).

Once more, the bloggers were treated to a culinary experience reserved for royalty.

Ranchero Grill’s Brahman’s Feast – P700 to P900 per platter (photo by Bariles)

Again, thanks to Ranchero Grill’s Marketing Manager Paolo Sunglao and Consultant Nestor for making sure all of the bloggers will have something to remember in their visit to both the GenSan and Davao branches of Ranchero Grill Steak and Seafood Restaurant.

Thanks to my blogger friends for joining the ride:  Jinky, Sheng, etc.

Ranchero Grill Steak and Seafood Restaurant is the sister establishment of Pablo’s Steaks and Crabs which has branches in GenSan and Davao cities, too.

I was on my way out of the KCC Mall of GenSan compound through the KCC Road when I again saw this small billboard on the vacant lot across the mall, approaching the Bula-Lagao Road.  I have noticed it for quite sometime now and was curious about the announcement it was featuring.  This time, I stopped the car, walked out and took its picture.

Here it is…

The announcement billboard was for the “SAFI MALL FOOD VENUE“, the same company behind the Sydney Hotel and Isla Parilla, among other business ventures.

Upon calling the name indicated on the contact number however, I found out from her that the mall project will not push through and instead, the owners have offered the area behind RCBC along the same KCC Road but nearer Jose Catolico Avenue, and subdivided it for rent to would be investors.  This is the current terminal of the public vans travelling to Sarangani.

So far, SAFI has signed up three local companies already.

So if you have lots of money to spare for a new business venture, and  you’re interested in capitalizing on KCC Mall of GenSan‘s captive market, why not call telephone numbers (083) 302-1382, look for Damen and inquire about the vacant lots they are offering.

And by the way, are you curious about the area behind this parking lot across KCC Mall of GenSan, with the new concrete fence, sandwiched by the NFA compound on the other side?

The KCC Group, which owns the property is planning to build a grand 5-star hotel on it… ready to take on the big guns coming in… much like the expansion moves it is doing are right to its own mall in preparation for Robinsons and SM.

For more of that story, just be patient, subscribe to my feeds and watch out for the updates soon!

O, Anynomouse, happy ka na?  Thanks, English professor.

Due to millions and millions of requests from the readers of Bariles Republic’s GenSan News Online Mag, I am featuring another set of Manny Pacquiao‘s funny pictures which I found on the Internet. This time, most of the photoshopped funny pictures of Pacquiao shown here were done by just one person, who calls himself Sairilh.  He is a talented photobuff from Cebu.  Except for the photos which do not have his name, the rest are the products of his creative imagination.

Pacquiao Funny Picture #1 – DEFIANCE

Pacquiao Funny Picture #2 – Saving Private Ryan Spoof

Pacquiao Funny Picture #3 – James Bond 007 Spoof

Pacquiao Funny Picture #4 – Lord of the Rings’ Legolas Spoof

Pacquiao Funny Picture #5 – Superman spoof

Pacquiao Funny Picture #6 – Hulk spoof

Pacquiao Funny Picture #7 – Star Wars’ Anakin Spoof

Pacquiao Funny Picture #8 – Pirates of the Carribean’s Jack Sparrow spoof

Pacquiao Funny Picture #9 – Naruto Spoof (with Dela Hoya)

Pacquiao Funny Picture #10 – Diosa Spoof

Pacquiao Funny Picture #11 – Diosa Mermaid Spoof

Pacquiao Funny Picture #12 – Diosa Winged Goddess

Pacquiao Funny Picture #13 – FHM Model Spoof

And the last but not the least…

Pacquiao Funny Picture #14 – PacGlo for President in 2010

Here are my earlier posts featuring Manny Pacquiao funny pictures:

• The Many Faces of Manny Pacquiao
• More Funny Pictures of Manny Pacquiao
  

For three fun-filled days this week, from May 28 to 30, 2009, visitors to Sarangani Province should be ready for the surprises and adventure that lies ahead in what is the region’s much-awaited paean to summer – the Sarangani Bay Festival 2009!

Conceptualized years ago by the Sarangani Provincial Government to focus people’s awareness on programs to preserve Sarangani Bay, this year’s incarnation of the Sarangani Bay Festival has more events to choose from and are centered on 3 activity areas – Kiamba, Maasim and Glan (Gumasa White Sand Beaches).

Consider this Calendar of Activities of the Sarangani BayFest 2009 (the ones in Red are must-see’s for Bariles):

Sarangani Bay Fest Day One: Thursday, May 28, 2009 – KIAMBA

• Opening Program and Show
• Lumba Bugsay Competition
• Sayaw Sarangani
• Hataw sa Tag-Araw
• Sarangani Bike Adventure Race (Maitum to Glan with 6 Pitstops)
• Underwater Photography Contest in Maasim and Scubafest
• Skimboarding Finals
• Beach Concert and Party
• Artifical Reef Deployment

Sarangani Bay Fest Day TWO: Friday, May 29, 2009 – MAASIM – GLAN

• Swim-Across-the-Bay Competition (Maasim to Glan)
• Beach Volleyball
• Beach Football
• Jetski Clinic
• Sand Sculpture
• BayFair
• Skimboarding Clinic
• Baybodies Competition
• Beat Lab DJ MIX

Sarangani Bay Fest Day THREE: Saturday, May 30, 2009 – GUMASA WHITE SAND BEACHES, GLAN

• Beach Volleyball
• Beach Football
• Skimboarding Clinic
• Jetski Clinic
• BayFair
• Awarding Ceremony
• San Miguel Beer Concert and Beach Party
• Beat Lab DJ Mix
• Bombo Bancarera

Public Vehicles to Kiamba and Maasim from GenSan are available at the private van terminals along North Osmena Street, General Santos City.  Airconditioned vans to Glan are available from the private terminal behind McDonalds, Jose Catolico Avenue, across the KCC Mall of GenSan. For more info, log in to www.gosarangani.com .

Update: July 28, 2009

Job Vacancy for Robinsons Appliances:

STORE MANAGER

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Responsible for the achievement of store sales and profitability targets, excellent customer service at all times and the initiation of competitive shopping/pricing; reviews merchandise movement for purchasing update.

REQUIREMENTS:

Candidate must possess at least a Bachelor’s/College Degree in any field.
At least 3 year(s) of working experience in the related field is required for this position.
Applicants must be willing to work in General Santos City.
Applicants should be Filipino citizens living within the area or nearby town.
Preferably Assistant Manager / Managers specializing in Purchasing/Inventory/Material & Warehouse Management or equivalent in the retail industry preferred.
Full-Time positions available.

SALES ASSOCIATE (CASHIER)

Candidate must possess at least a Bachelor’s/College Degree in any field.
With experience in POS and cashiering functions
Applicants must be Female only and willing to work in General Santos City.
Applicants should be Filipino citizens living within the area or nearby town.
Possess positive attitude and excellent customer service.

Interested applicants are requested to send their resume with picture to paquito.bodegas@robinsonsappliances.com.ph stating position applied for and expected salary.  – END OF UPDATE.

In a full page ad in Sunstar SOCCSKSARGEN Business Weekly which came out today, the Robinson’s Retail Group announced a list of JOB VACANCIES for their General Santos City Branch, the Robinsons Place – GenSan.

The Robinsons Place – GenSan Jobs available are for their Store Operations Group and Support Group.

The Robinsons Retail Group comprises the Robinsons Supermarket, Robinsons Department Store, Handyman Home Center and Robinsons Appliances.

Interested applicants may attend their GENSAN JOBS FAIR at the Conference Center of the Family Country Hotel and Convention Center, Mateo Road, Lagao, in GenSan.  This is scheduled on May 27, 2009 to May 29, 2009, from 9am to 5 pm.

Applicants have to bring their updated resume wth 1 piece of 2×2 photo and Transcript of Records (original and photocopy).

Here is the complete list of vacant Robinsons Place- Gensan Jobs:

ROBINSONS PLACE – Store Operations:

• Store Manager
• Assistant Store Manager
• Receiving Supervisor
• Receiver
• Administration Officer
• Administration Clerk
• Cashiering Supervisor
• Selling Supervisor
• Cashier
• Sales Clerk
• Secretary
• Information Clerk

ROBINSONS PLACE Support Group

• HR Specialist
• Graphic Artist

For inquiries, please email any of the following:

• humanresources@rsc.com.ph
• humanresources@handyman.com.ph
• humanresources@robinsonsdepartmentstore.com.ph
• humanresources@robinsonappliances.com.ph

The Robinsons Place – GenSan City is opening by September 2009.

In a letter dated March 19, 2009 to Notre Dame of Dadiangas University President Bro. John Y. Tan, FMS from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairman Emmanuel Y. Angeles, the head of Soccsksargen’s newest university was informed that the institution has been granted Autonomous Status.

The date of effectivity will be from March 10, 2009 to March 30, 2014 – good for five years!

NDDU Lagao High School Building

With this status, Notre Dame of Dadiangas University as a Private Higher Education Institution (PHEI) will enjoy the following benefits: (Source: CHED website)

1. Exemption from the issuance of Special Order (SO).
2. Free from monitoring and evaluation activities of the CHED. However, identified PHEIs shall submit requested data as part of the data gathering activity of CHED for its Management Information System.
3. Entitlement to grant of subsidies and other financial incentives/assistance from the CHED, whenever funds are available.
   NDDU now has the privilege to offer a new course/program
4. Privilege to determine and prescribe their curricular programs to achieve global competence.
5. Privilege to offer a new course/program in the undergraduate/graduate level/s without securing permit/authority from the CHED. However, the PHEI must inform the CHED Regional Office concerned of the new course/program to be offered.
6. Privilege to establish branch/es or satellite campus/es without the prior approval of the CHED, but with information to the CHED Regional Office where the new branch/campus is to be located.
7. Privilege to offer extension classes and distance education course/program to expand access to higher education, and to establish affiliation with recognized foreign higher education institution/s in pursuit of international standards of education.
8. Authority to grant Honoris Causa to those deserving, per pertinent provisions of existing CHED issuance on conferment of honorary degrees.

Furthermore, the three (3) general criteria for NDDU’s selection as recipient of autonomy status from the Commission are: (Source: CHED website)

1. NDDU has established itself as a Center of Excellence or Center of Development with FAAP Level III Accredited programs.
2. Outstanding overall performance of NDDU’s graduates in the licensure examinations administered by the Professional Regulation Commission.
3. NDDU’s long tradition of integrity and untarnished reputation.

Notre Dame of Dadiangas University is the only private higher education institution in Region 12 to be granted this status.

Ibang klase talaga ang ALMA MATER ni Bariles!!!!

Mabuhay ang NDDU!!  Congrats to Bro. John and all the teachers and staff for this newest achievement!

Do you plan of getting married this year but dread the preparations that go along with it?

Do you know of somebody who wants to tie the knot this year and is in need of advise of how to go about it?

Then fret no more. The Kasalan Sa GenSan Wedding Fair and Exhibit will be here from June 19 to 21, 2009 to help you out.  It is the 7th leg of the nationwide series of bridal fairs called Kasalang Filipino 2009.

Check out the poster below designed by Leonard Pe.

For the first time in GenSan City, a Wedding Fair of this magnitude will be conducted at the Gaisano Mall of GenSan Atrium.  Aside from featuring booths offering their products and services for the future bride and groom, Kasalan sa Gensan will conduct the following activities over the 3-day period:

• Themed weddings competition
• Table setting and floral decoration competitions
• Bridal make-up competition by Ever Bilena
• Wedding Fashion Shows (traditional, modern, Filipino and muslim weddings)
  
• Raffles.

Admission is free for this Wedding Fair which will open at 10am and close at 6pm.

If you want to feature your products and services, you may register at their website at http://www.kasal.com.

Kasalang Filipino’s “Kasalan sa GenSan Wedding Fair and Exhibit” is co-presented by Kasal.Com, E2 Concepts, Asia United Bank, Gaisano Mall of GenSan, FluidLight Studios and ABS-CBN Socsargen.

In what is to be his first official function as the country’s Ambassador of Peace and Unity, the new IBO/Ring Magazine World Light Welterweight Champion Manny Pacquiao joined President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in meeting a few rebel returnees in General Santos City to release to them cash loans for their re-integration into the mainstream of society.

The occasion which was actually the Awarding of the Social Integration Program Benefits under the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) was conducted at the Phela Grande Convention Center last Monday, May 18, 2009, the very same place where Mommy Dionisia Pacquiao celebrated her 60th birthday.  The President, assisted by Ambassador Pacquiao and General Avelino Razon handed out P10,000 to each of the former rebels present.

Before that and while waiting for the President to finish her Regional Press Con with the local GenSan media, Ambassador Pacquiao waited at the hall where her Cabinet Meeting was going to be held.  There, he hobnobbed with some of GMA’s secretaries and staff members.

Manny with presidentiable MMDA Chair Bayani Fernando

Cabinet Secretary Silvestre Bello III, former Governor Chavit Singson, Manny and Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales

A lot of these people turned into starstruck fans and for more than 15 minutes, Manny was obliging them with photo requests and autograph signings.  Ever the observant photog, Bariles did not see any slight sign of irritation, hesitation or discomfort at all from the People’s Champ.

Bariles himself had 4 photos and one and a half pair of gloves signed by Manny, too without the slightest delay.   Thanks Champ!

Eventually, the President arrived and the Awarding of the Social Integration Program Benefits started at the next room.  They were joined by the media, military officers and members of the OPAPP.

GenSan Vice Mayor Flor Congson, Representative Darlene Custodio of the 1st District of South Cotabato, Manny Pacquiao and President GMA while listening to a rebel returnee speak

Here again is President Gloria Macapagal’s pictures during her brief speech during the program.

The laughing and smiling President while publicly

After the awarding, Manny Pacquiao was, as usual interviewed by the local and national media.  Here he mentioned that he is developing a wide swath of land near the sea to serve as an Economic Zone and further help the economy of Soccsksargen.

GMA’s Kara David interviewing Manny after the awarding ceremony

To close this post, here’s a shot nobody every thought of taking…. that of Manny Pacquiao’s diamond-studded Rolex!

Hello Jinky?

Manny Pacquiao’s diamond-studded Rolex! Nice no?

In an apparent move to up the ante, KCC Mall of GenSan is going Big Time with is upcoming BIG KCC Sale on May 29-31, 2009!  It has commissioned no less than MegaStar Sharon Cuneta‘s ex-hubby and KC Concepcion‘s father, Gabby Concepcion to headline its Midnight Sale offering on the 3oth!

Gabby Concepcion who just made a succesful comeback to Philippine showbiz via his participation in a couple of telenovelas in ABS-CBN, is the first star of his magnitude to grace KCC’s regular weekend sales promotions in GenSan city. KCC has been bringing Manila based performers to their GenSan and Koronadal malls for the past two years to drumbeat their store sales promos.

Together with him is Mr. Ogie Diaz, showbiz reporter and a  cast member of the Primetime Bida hit, “May Bukas Pa” or loosely translated as “Something is Still Open” (joke).  Mr. Concepcion also appeared in one episode of the telenovela.

The variety show on which both Gabby and Ogie will appear will be staged at the KCC Convention Center on the evening of May 30th.  It will also serve as the grand launching of local band Centerpoint’s first album.

Centerpoint Band will launch their Album during KCC Mall of GenSan’s Midnight Sale too

They will be joined by local artists Datu Prince, Kinetic Boyz, Experience Kids, Creepin’ Crew, the Corpillians and Internationally-acclaimed Hip-hop group, the Exquizyth Dancers.

The Exquizyth Dancers during their visit to GenSan Mayor Jun Acharon after their trip to Australia where they got the Silver

KCC Mall of GenSan is currently undergoing expansion and will open the first phase of its expanded upper level in June 2009.  It is clearly meeting the challenge of the impending opening of Robinsons Place GenSan further up in Lagao in September this year head on.  It has also put up its own website at http://www.kccmalls.com although on my recent check, it has not been updated.

The KCC Mall of GenSan Midnight Sale is also sponsored by RRJ Jeans and K101 Love Radio.

Ever since the GenSan News Online Magazine was set up, it has featured events held at the Orange Bistro like their Bossa Nova Valentine Buffet Treat, and their Kalilangan 2008 Minutemen Concert.   It was also the venue for the Talk and Text Caravan Press Conference, the Sitti in GenSan post-concert party and the regular Breakfast Meetings of GenSan City Mayor Jun Acharon with the GenSan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Owned by Mr. Philip Teng and managed by daughter-in-law, the very pretty Cathy Teng, Orange Bistro has continued to be one of the choice diners of the generals along the Lagao District ever since it opened more than two years ago.  Occupying what was once an old house and renovated by Philip’s architect son Brixton, the homey feel of the place is only one of the reasons why people keep coming back.

And of course its menu which suggests Asian and Western fusion at its finest plus its function rooms and its prized party place, The Tent, makes ORANGE BISTRO  the favorite venue of the more discriminating generals.

Inside The Tent, adorned for one of its functions

The GenSan Bloggers who have been making the rounds of  the city’s diners for its Plurk Fiestas were lucky to have been allowed to use Orange Bistro in one of their eyeballs.  Here are some pictures to show for it.

Fried Dumplings at P215 only!

A platter of Nacho’s full of cheese and ground beef at P220

Spaghetti with Salami at P200 plus…

Beef with Brocolli and Mushroom

Orange Bistro’s Mini Cakes from P50 to P120

Bottomless Tropical Iced Tea at P50

GenSan Bloggers with Davao Blogger Blogie Robillo and Orange Bistro Staff

Orange Bistro is open 7 days a week from 10am to 12 midnight,  For reservations and inquiries on catering, please call 301-0992.

Other Blog Posts on Orange Bistro: (click on each one)

• Orange Bistro
• Gensan Tastebud: Orange Bistro
• My First Plurk Fiesta: Orange Bistro
• Our Soccsksargen Bloggers Community Escape (again)
• Oh Orange Bistro
• Plurk Fiestas in GenSan
• Plurk Fiesta: Orange Bistro
• A Week of Thanksgiving
• Plurk Fiesta: Orange Bistro
  

If you were among the millions who watched the Pacquiao-Hatton fight as aired on delayed telecast by GMA TV, then you must have been among those who were pissed at the number of commercials they put in every moment they can.

What saved the day for everyone however is the intermittent showing of a new TV ad featuring a little girl named Trisha Luice Canete or Cha-cha Canete.   Here it is.

Upon closer look on the cute commercial, you will notice that the ad which we now call the “Bulilit TV Ad” is actually that of Camella Homes, as part of their move to drumbeat their presence nationwide, including General Santos City.

The Bulilit TV Ad which utters the blurb “Ganito Na Kami Ngayon” ushers in what used to be a gated community known as The Grenadines but has been renamed as Camella General Santos. Why the change? Apparently, the owners, Vista Land must have thought that it is easier to sell the more widely known Camella than The Grenadines which have encountered trouble here due to non-compliance of some provisions in the Housing Law.

Anyway, everything seems to be fine now and the first few houses in Camella General Santos, located in a 12-hectare property in Barangay San Isidro are slowly being built.

According to their handouts, Camella General Santos is the “first master planned subdivision in General Santos City with exquisite looking Caribbean-Style Houses that are Cable and Internet-ready. Its modern features and amenities include Grand Entrance Plaza, well-paved roads, underground storm and drainage system, caribbean-inspired Clubhouse, swimming pool, CCTV Camera security system, Multi-court activity area, parks and pocket gardens“.

The Bulilit Print Ad with Trisha Luise Canete or Chacha Canete

Camella Homes General Santos is of course not the first “master-planned subdivision” in the Tuna Capital because La Cassandra Homes of RD Realty along the Sinawal Road beat them to it. But I must say however that their model houses definitely look better and they have more models to choose from.

I just wish that security would also be tops on their agenda since friends of mine, a couple who stay in La Cassandra were robbed more than a month ago inside what should be a heavily-secured gated community. That’s a major fail, if I may say so.

For more info on Camella Homes General Santos, please contact Ms. Ivy Soliva at 0909-7482352.  Tell her Bariles sent you. 

Teatro Ambahanon is at it again!

This multi-awarded and internationally acclaimed resident dance-theater group of the Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges has put up another showcase in a must-see event on Saturday, May 23 2009, called: Teatro Ambahanon‘s  Tecla Atbpng. Mga Gawa-gawang Sayaw.

This project will mount various performances which are the results of the college’s Cultural Development Center‘s workshops through the Teatro Ambahanon.  Thus the performers will include GenSan’s up and coming talented kids in a segment called “Thumbelina”..

Tickets to the event to be mounted at the OLPGV Parish Center cost only P50 and proceeds shall go to the support of the scholarships of the cultural scholars and artists of RMMC Teatro Ambahon under Director Bing Carino‘s tutelage.

Teatro Ambahanon is not new to the blogging community because they gave a heavily-applauded performance during the conduct of the 2nd Mindanao Bloggers’ Summit last year at the Family Country Hotel and Convention Center.  Bariles hopes that the GenSan bloggers will go out in full force to support them and enjoy their exciting presentations once again.

To give the readers of GenSan News Online Mag’s readers a break from the usual features, Bariles is posting the latest funny pictures of Manny Pacquiao which came out in various websites and passed on via hundreds and thousands of email. You may check out the first batch of Funny Pictures of Pacquiao Bariles posted last year by checking this link —-  Many Faces of Pacquiao.

Again, this just shows that Manny Pacquiao has already achieved ICON STATUS to be given this attention by some of the talented photoshop artists in this planet.

Spockquiao or Spockman

Limang Pisong Pacman

Dragonball’s Gokku

Twilight’s Edward and Bella (Manny and Jinky Pacquiao)

Wolverine – The Origins

Now below is a powerpoint display of more Pacquiao funny pictures which Bariles found in Youtube. Enjoy.

It was one birthday party which could have been dreamt about by any woman who turns sixty.  As for Nanay Dionisia Pacquiao, whose name was spelled as “DionEsia” in the giant backdrop of the stage, knowing her generous heart, it was a celebration which she would have dedicated to all the hardworking Filipino mothers out there.

Dressed in an exquisite purple gown which accentuated her slim figure and coiffured and made-up to make her the most beautiful woman that night, the Pambansang Ina took all of 10 minutes, escorted by her son Manny who was in simple jeans and poloshirt, to walk from the back door of the Phela Grande Convention Center to reach her official throne at the stage due to the mad rush of TV crews, cameramen, guests and wellwishers wanting to take a good shot of her.

Since the theme for the night was “Debut”, the convention hall was arranged like one, the dominant colors being violet and pink.   There was the requisite 18 roses (with matching dance partners for Dionisia) and 18 candles and wishes for her, too.

People she cared for and close family members who comprised about 80% of the guests were all there for her, together with her newly-found friends from her “ballroom club” where she is the new “vice president“.

(left pic) Dionisia’s best friend, Lilia Lao.    (right pic) Dionisia’s 87-year old mother Christina

Bariles only spotted a few local politicians and except for former Governor Chavit Singson, there was no other national figure in sight, no showbiz personalities, no Imelda Marcos, as purported by advanced releases.  Which Bariles thinks is a good idea since this was solely Dionisia Pacquiao‘s night and she should be the only shining star around.

The birthday cake of the 60-year old debutante, prepared by Mix and Magic which also did Manny’s birthday cakes last December 2008 and Queenie’s, last February 2009.

Below are the other pictures Bariles took that night which hopefully could give you a glimpse of the night that the mother of world champ Manny Pacquiao was rightfully given her special tribute in a debutante-themed birthday party (reportedly costing the champ P150T for the food and party decor alone), which she should have celebrated four decades and four years ago.

A beaming 60-year old debutante

Manny and the debutante on the floor after giving her a large bouquet during the 18-roses-dance

Dionisia and two of her seven-commissioned dance instructors dance up a storm complete with acrobatic lifts ala-Alma Moreno, while Manny waits for his turn (below)

In the middle of the party, the debutante rested for a while, and came out for the 18 candles ceremony, this time dressed differently in a purple halter dress and matching purple dance shoes, all ready for the dance marathon to follow later.

The mom celebrity waving to her well-wishers among the 600+ crowd.

Jinkee Pacquiao hugs mom-in-law Dionisia during the 18 candles ceremony with her kids and a nephew in the foreground

The Phela Grande Convention Center crowd

Manny singing “Mapalad Ka” for the luckiest woman that night….

…while a flawless and elegant Jinky enjoys the spectacle from nearby.

In closing, here is a news video of Mommy Dionisia Pacquiao’s birthday party courtesy of GMA. Just click on the link below for a much clearer video from Kapuso’s site.

Dionesia Pacquiao’s Birthday Party VIDEO, CLICK HERE.

Now here is ABS-CBN’s news video of the party:

Not everyone knows this but there a new bar cum restaurant had a soft opening last week at its location at the 5th floor of Constar Lodge Building along Pioneer Avenue.  This is the TAAZ Bar owned and managed by Ms. Donna Mae Congson, the proprietor of Envy Me Salon and one of GenSan’s famous lady bloggers!

Taaz Bar’s logo with the blurb: Where style meets culture. This logo was designed by Tanchi.

Taaz Bar occupies what used to be the top crowder during the early 21st century, the Rooftop Ihaw-ihaw which featured the famous live bands of GenSan before  including  the 7th Patronage (the only one I can remember actually…hehehe).

Now the area already has a roof but is still open-air so you can Pioneer Avenue down below and Sarangani Bay in the distance.  They offer a lot of grilled food and pica-pica and ice-cold beer of course.  Later on, Taaz Bar will be equipped with WI-FI so that bloggers and plurkers can bring their laptops in the afternoons when the place is still quiet.

For their initial major salvo, which is happening tonight, Saturday, May 16, 2009, Taaz Bar is presenting along with cable channel Musika del Zur an event called:  OUTLOUD GOES TO GENSAN.

This time, band upstarts like Scarecrow and Aphrodite will be performing starting at 9:00pm.  I heard that the best of these bands will have to travel to Davao City to compete with other winners from across Mindanao.

By the way, tickets are sold at only P75 inclusive of a botle of cold San Miguel Beer, Taaz Bar’s major partner and “Outloud Goes to GenSan’s” main sponsor.

And thanks to the GenSan Bloggers who made it to the soft-opening last week where plenty of food and booze flowed like there was no tomorrow.  And again, Ms. Donna Mae, daghang salamat to you and your younger brothers. 

Cheers!  The GenSan Bloggers at Taaz Bar’s Soft opening and Plurk Fiesta!

Let’s continue to support Taaz Bar guys, the way  young generals have supported Veranda Bar along the National Highway.  Now it is time everyone does the same to Pioneer Avenue’s new prime after-hours destination and check out why its slogan is “Where Style meets Culture“.

Browsing through the Inquirer Website today, Bariles ran across an article which reports that the United Kingdom has recently revised its travel advisory on Mindanao.  Upon closer look however, he finds out that the advisory only meant “travel to east side of Mindanao‘.

Bariles’ eyebrows began inching upwards ala-Loren Legarda but instead of reacting even farther, immediately searched for UKs Foreign and Commonwealth Office site to find out….

where the bloody hell is “east side of Mindanao”?

Well, according to the UK Foreign and Commonwealth site, updated 11 May 2009…

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with an amendment to the Summary, Terrorism and Local Travel sections. We no longer advise against all travel to the east side of Mindanao.

Then the travel summary proceeds by not identifying where “east side” is but goes on to say….

We advise against all travel to south west Mindanao covering the following areas, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM, including the islands of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi) plus the western provinces of Sarangani, North and South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Lanao del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay.  We advise against all but essential travel to the remainder of Mindanao.  This is because of ongoing terrorist activity there have been a number of terrorist attacks against civilian targets, most recently in December 2008. See the Local Travel section of this advice for more details.

Bariles immediatly took his anti-hypertension pills after reading this.  Eventually however, he relaxed a bit, thought hard and asked this question, “When was the last time has anyone met a Briton around here?”

Oh well, nothing much will change really.  We have been shunned off by Britons, by the Canadians, by the Europeans and the Americans since time immemorial, since this moro-moro wars have progressed into one giant “economic enterprise” for both sides of the fence.  Another travel advisory doesn’t really hurt at all.

And besides, just look at what these people will be missing – the  Sarangani Bay Festival this month of May, the Tuna Festival of GenSan in September, the Talakudong Festival of Tacurong, the white sand beaches of Gumasa, the Lemlunay Dive Resort of Maasim, the col and balmy Kalsangi Golf Course at the foot of majestic Mount Matutum, the idyllic mountain lake resorts and seven falls of Lake Sebu, the flower gardens of Tupi, the world’s largest pineapple plantation in Polomolok, the bird sanctuary of Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat’s local version of Taj Mahal in their provincial capitol, the country’s only European-accredited fishport in GenSan, among others, not counting the abundance of fresh fruits all year round and the freshest tuna and seafood plus the world’s safest pork and cattle.

So there….

Who the hell does not know Mommy Dionisia Pacquiao?

She is considered as the Philippines most famous mother celebrity today, not necessarily because her offspring is World Boxing Champ and national hero Manny Pacquiao but because she is, by herself a quirky, lovable character, a truly Pinoy original which makes her a newsworthy personality.

Her trip to the US of A and back hugged a good number of headlines and even HBO Sports special 24/7 has featured her arrival in Las Vegas after having included her in their previous special on the Pacquiao-Dela Hoya fight. Various news crews assigned to cover the boxer have also been dispatched to get hold of his mother and include her in their interviews. Indeed, Mommy Dionisia, just like her famous son has already acquired a mystique all her own. Men seek her autographs, women want to be pictured with her and reporters fall in line to capture each word that comes out of her mouth.

Mommy Dionisia Pacquiao at her grandchild’s Queenie’s christening party

Mommy Dionisia Pacquiao has arrived! Being Manny’s secret weapon,and his staunchest prayer warrior was not lost on the boxing champ and has been showering her with gifts that only a few mothers in the world could ever imagine receiving from their sons.

Today, May 15, 2009, Mother Dionisia, is celebrating her 60th birthday and the World Boxing Champion is making sure she gets the grandest celebration that she deserves. The party will be held tonight at the Phela Grande Convention Center and no less than former Philippine First Lady Imelda Marcos has been invited to be there, being Mommy Dionisia’s idol when she was just a struggling young mother trying hard to make both ends meet in her small shanty in Labangal, General Santos City.

Mommy Dionisia Pacquiao with her amiga Dyan Castillejo during son Manny’s birthday party last December 2008

Daughter in law Jinky has been reported to have arranged all the preparations to the affair, from the catering to the decorations and has commissioned the best make-up artists to make sure that her fashionista mother in law comes out as the most beautiful and dazzling celebrity birthday lola tonight.

Inquirer’s artist’s rendition of Dionisia Pacquiao in designer garb

From all of us here at Bariles Republic’s GenSan News Online Mag, a very, very happy and star-filled birthday to you, Mommy Dionisia and may all your wishes continue to come true!

This is the 3rd in a four-part series on Bariles’ Balut Island Paradise trip last year courtesy of Dolores Hotels and Resorts.

Read the first two parts there by clicking on the links below:

Part I:  On Board M/V Song of Dolly

Part II:  Olaniban, Enchanted Island

The story on Balut Island Paradise continues….

Now that we have all transferred our things into our two motorized bancas, and with the waves becoming larger, we went on our way and left behind Olaniban Island, which still remained as mysterious and enchanting from afar as when we first encountered it upon our arrival a few hours earlier.  Next stop is the Sabang Sulfur Hot Springs.

In a few minutes, we were at cruising speed, passing by Balut Island‘s beaches and thick coconut plantations until we approached Patuco Cove.

That’s our vessel M/V Song of Dolly II loading sacks of copra to be sold in GenSan City. It will go back to Mabila Port to pick up passengers for GenSan later.

Patuko Cove, according to our boatman has been since time immemorial the refuge of ships and boats everytime a storm hits the channel. It is also an entry point of shipping vessels coming from GenSan City or Malita, Don Marcelino or Jose Abad Santos, Davao del Sur. It looks more like a pirate’s cove to me though, straight out of a scene from a Fernando Poe movie. During the time we were passing through, saw many fishing boats at berth, their operators on a brief furlough before travelling out into the sea or relaxing after a voyage.

From there, our two motorized bancas proceeded to the northeast part of the coastline of Balut Island in Barangay Lipol where the Sabang Sulfur Hot Spring is located.  After an hour or so of uneventful, relaxing trip, we arrived at Sabang beach which, instead of sand was fully covered with football sized rocks.  It was difficult wading through the knee-deep water because our feet kept falling on the crevices between these rocks.  We finally reached the springs which were equipped with roofed concrete gazebos obviously for picnickers.

Eventually, we discovered that there are actually two Sulfur Hot springs, the bigger one having a diameter of 16 meters wide.  Instead of water though, it looked like boiling bluish mud, with a temperature of 80 degrees celsius.  Before the area was bought by the RD Group of Companies, it was used by local folks to dress chicken and pigs before being cooked.  The smaller spring on the other hand was utilized as a natural facial spa before but nobody from our group was daring enough to try putting the hot mud on the face.

The group stayed on for a few more minutes to grab some snacks courtesy of Dolores Hotels and Resorts‘ staff until finally it was time to head back to Mabila Port and spend the next few early evening hours at Villalobos or Bullet Island before boarding M/V Song of Dolly II at midnite.

To be concluded…..

Good news to all commuters and drivers!

Now that the construction of the  Traffic Signal Systems on two of General Santos City’s major chokepoints (National Highway-Santiago Boulevard and National Highway-Jose Catolico Avenue Junctions) are nearing completion, here comes the news that two more roads junctions will also be equipped with the same.

The new Traffic Signal System along the National Highway will prevent incidents just like this one.

According to Engineer Rizza Paces, of the City Engineer’s Office, these areas are the : Jose Catolico Avenue and Bula-Lagao Road junction and the Makar Port Crossing.  The first one is in preparation for the impending increase of traffic congestion incidents near the Cookie Factory with the opening of Robinson’s Place in September 2009.

The whole project will cost at least 18 million pesos, according to estimates from the City Engineer’s Office.

Ram’s Lechon Manok and Seafood Restaurant, located at Quimpo Avenue, Davao City has been around for sometime now but it was only during the Davao Food Appreciation Tour 2009 that the GenSan Bloggers Group found out about it when it hosted their dinner.

What made the visit there of the “generals” even more special was the discovery that it is owned by a couple, Ram and Ruby Magtoto-Royeca who both also hail from General Santos City!

The bloggers from GenSan who were joined by  Cagayan de Oro blogger Chiq Montes and Davao bloggers Brendel, Lyle and Migs were tired and spent from the day long outdoor activities when they arrived at the open-air dining establishment near the SM City Davao.

They were greeted by an array of various fish, poultry and meat ready to be cooked or grilled.

They were warmly met by the owners Ram and Ruby who instantly herded them to a reserved long table inside the spacious and fully-booked dining area just beside the rotisserie. The smell from the chicken and pork liempo being roasted was the portent of the sumptuous feast ahead.

And they were not disappointed. Consider the following photos.

Ram’s lechon manok, served hot direct from the rotisserie was one of the tastiest and juiciest chickens the GenSan & Davao bloggers ever tasted.

Ram’s sizzling squid was cooked adobo style and was so tender to the bite.

The Sinuglaw topped with a heaping of lato seaweeds was pure delight – the tuna was fresh and the cubed grilled pork was sumptuous.

Each bitesized Tangigue Fish Fillet in Sweet and Sour sauce was finger-licking great while the pancit bihon had a generous mix of veggies and meat.

Ram and Ruby made sure that the bloggers’ visit was well worth it by laying out the best of what their Ram’s Lechon Manok and Seafood Restaurant had to offer. For certain, these guys especially the generals would be bringing home a fond memory of what their fellow generals have achieved in Davao City and will be more than proud to share these with the world.

Sitting from left are Bloggers Migs, Joahanna, Romarie, Leonard, Chiq, Tammyrose, Rosilie.  Standing are Kyawster, Sheng, Ram and Ruby Magtoto, Brendel, Rain Cidy and Jinkee’s daughter.  Not in picture are Lyle and Bariles.