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