GenSan News Online Mag

Bariles was very fortunate to have been able to attend the blessing of Robinsons Place General Santos City yesterday, September 29, 2009, Tuesday.

"Photo of Robinsons Place GenSan's Main Entrance ready for today's soft opening."

The mall which is Robinsons’ biggest in Mindanao, occupying almost 4 hectares of its 8-hectare property along Jose Catolico Avenue, Barangay Lagao at the Tuna Capital was still closed to the public when a Catholic mass was celebrated at its cavernous atrium at 3:00pm, prior to its blessing.

"GenSan News Online Resident Photographer Marz at the center of Robinsons Place GenSan Atrium. Photo by Romarie."

Only a few tenants, some mall personnel and invited guests were invited to the spiritual service officiated by no less than the Bishop of the Diocese of Marbel, His Excellency Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez, DD and six other priests who were later dispersed to bless the different areas of the mall.

"Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez, DD concelebrating a mass with 7 other priests at the Atrium of Robinsons Place- GenSan on September 29, 2009."

Although carpentry work has stopped on most of the leased spaces inside Robinsons, Bariles discovered that some workers were still doing finishing touches on a good number of establishments scheduled to open today, September 30, the “SOFT-OPENING DAY”.

"Councilor Meg Santos, representing Mayor Jun Acharon cuts the ribbon at Jollibee Robinsons with franchisees, Philip and Doming Teng. Behind them is Cherry, Philip's ageless beauteous wife.""

Those ready to serve its customers when the mall opens its doors at 9am, like the Jollibee Franchise of the Teng Family, Giacomino’s Restaurant of Rombar and Aymie Bartolome, and Sunset Bistro of Tony and Petite Veneracion with Mandarin Oriental Garden had their own individual and separate inaugural parties after the mass.

"Giacominos Robinsons and its all new hot fastfoods concept."

BluGre Coffee Shop the Team Pacquiao Shop of Manny and Jinky Pacquiao followed suit in the evening and graced by the lovelier and sexier Jinky herself.

"The reinvented Sunset Bistro also had a private opening last night."

Today, other locally-owned stores like Havaiianas supplier Sun Lab of Tisha Ang, Big Ben Steaks of Ben Tupas, Ice Crops of Rey Billena, among others, will likewise be serving their first customers.

"Jinky Pacquiao smiles for the cameras at her husband Manny's Team Pacquiao Novelty Store, behind her 2nd BluGre Coffee shop Franchise."

Bariles was able to visit most of these establishments and had a grand time hobnobbing with a lot of GenSan’s movers and shakers.

Most of them were visibly ecstatic with what will be a major change in GenSan’s shopping habits and night life.  All the mentioned restaurants also have alfresco dining spaces outside the mall, fronting the National Highway.  This also includes FIESTA RESTO KTV BAR of Donna Mae Congson, opening on October 2, Friday.

It is good to note that all of the owners and franchisees of these establishments are GenSan residents and so with most of the tenants of Robinsons.  This plus the fact that 80% of the staff and workers of the mall owners themselves have all been certified to be genuine “generals”.

Robinsons Place General Santos will have its Grand Opening on October 5, 2009, Monday.  This is when its flagship stores, the Robinsons Department Store, the Robinsons Supermarket, the HandyMan finally open wide its doors to the people of Soccsksargen.  Its four Robinsons Cinema follow suit on October 15, 2009.

"Bariles' FAN Ernan at the entrance of the soon-to-open-on-October-15th Movieworld leading to its four cinemas."

From us here at GenSan News Online, congratulations to the Gokongwei Family and the people behind this mammoth project.

Special shout-outs of gratitude and commendation also go to the local entrepreneurs of General Santos City who joined them in this endeavor.

And to Group Property Manager for Mindanao Danilo Camat, who’s overseeing the whole thing, Bariles would like to say, “Mabuhay kayo!”

Watch out for a series of blog posts on the different stores of Robinsons Place GenSan, only here at GenSan News Online Mag!  Check back regularly or SUBSCRIBE WITH YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS.

On September 28, 2009, General Santos City’s top quality supplier of frozen tuna and other seafood products is turning THREE!

Yes, you read it right!

Pacific Seas Seafood Market, along the National Highway, GenSan City is celebrating its third anniversary.

Pacific Seas which is a subsidiary of Frescomar Seahelm Corporation, a processed tuna and seafood exporter to the US and European Union, is the first in General Santos City and Soccsksargen to offer premium quality frozen tuna products.

Although priced higher than its competitors, people are assured of export-quality merchandise through the use of vacuum-packaging in its plant at the General Santos Fishport.

Vacuum-packaging ensures the freshness of the frozen fish and fish value-added products and is more hygienic than the common loose packing employed by other suppliers.

Due to this adherence to quality packaging and selling only export-quality frozen processed seafood, Pacific Seas Seafood Market has already earned its share of loyal clientele not only in South Central Mindanao but all throughout the country.

And as its thanksgiving gesture to its loyal customers, it has come up with a simple yet tuna-filled promotion beginning tomorrow, September 28 until October 4, 2009.

“For every P500 worth of purchase of assorted tuna products (including canned Ocean Deli), the buyer is entitled to a FREE PACK OF  TUNA VALUE-ADDED PRODUCT, as an anniversary gfit.  Value-added products include tuna longganiza, tuna tocino, tuna embutido, tuna siomai, tuna nuggets, tuna hotdog, among others.”

How’s that for an anniversary special? And so with that, Congratulations to the staff and crew of Pacific Seas Seafood Market – GenSan National Highway Branch, especially Store Manager Rosemary Cea, Cashier Jonilo Bayo-on and Melvin Segara.

Have you ever been to Caicos?

No, not the group of islands in the West Indies but Caicos Resto and Grill, located at the El Pueblo Resort, at the old Dacera Farm, near the Mabuhay-Klinan Road.

"The two-storey Caicos Resto and Grill in a shot taken at dusk by Marz"

The two-storey Caicos Resto and Grill, owned by a group of former high school friends headed by Vincent New (son of the owner of the defunct “Carmela’s Fastfoods“), is one of the newer restobars in GenSan which has already attracted a good share of habitues basicially for two reasons.

And what are these?

First is its location.

"The terrace of Caicos looks out into a large pond perfect for the romantics among us."

The two-storey building which houses the diner stands right beside a large idyllic pond straight out of a Nicholas Spark novel. The scenery is so ideal for lovers or families who want a completely serene setting for their special lunch-out or dinner.

"Caicos back door opens into another world."

You could choose to stay at their ground floor area or up at their rooftop area, which transforms into a bar at night, complete with popular music blaring out of their loudspeakers.

"The rooftop terrace which turns into a bar at night."

The second reason why Caicos has already captured a loyal clientele is of course, its menu.  First on the list is its best-seller, the Calzone Grande which, according to Vincent, is basically a pizza but tastes just like lasagna.  Best when served hot, it goes well with Caicos iced tea.

"Caico's major bestseller, the Calzone Grande is a delicious pizza-lasagna hybrid. Do not ever fail to try it!"

Then there’s the Caicos babyback ribs, to which Bariles swears, must be the tenderest and juiciest in town.

"Caicos' famous babyback ribs, soft and tender to the bite."

These plus the personalized service that Vincent extends on his customers immediately made Caicos, a popular haunt among the generals.

And the good news is, Caicos in cooperation with Montage Digital Photography, Sophisticut and Minda Ponce have come up with a unique theme-party on Saturday, September 26.

This is Caicos’ ONE NIGHT STAND, an Evening of Portrait and Glamour.

"One Night Stand in Caicos POSTER"

Montage, one of Caicos partners in this project is owned by a group of young talented photographers who are members of the GenSan Camera Club. For ONE NIGHT STAND, at P300, customers can avail of a bottle of beer (for men) or cocktails (for ladies) plus a chance to have their photos taken by any of these guys, together with printed copies of their best shots.

They can still order the food mentioned here plus any of the items in their menu that has proven to be Caicos major crowd drawer.  So it won’t be just Fashion and Glamour but Fabulous Food althroughout  this much-awaited One Night Stand at GenSan’s most romantic getaway!

Bariles just came from a meeting of Task Force Champ, the informal body organized by the City Mayor Jun Acharon of GenSan to handle arrival honors for visiting dignitaries and famous personalities or homecoming ceremonies for returning champions.

In fact, the group headed by Chief of Staff Ernie Quisay spearheaded all the hero’s welcome for champion boxers Manny Pacquiao (CLICK HERE),  his brother Bobby, and Donito Donaire, and, Little Star Grand Dreamer Philip Nolasco/Nadela (CLICK HERE), who are all residents of the Tuna Capital.

This time, the Grand Welcome with matching motorcade through the city’s major thoroughfares will be for returning general Marvin “Marvelous” Sonsona, a 19-year old boxer from Barangay Bula, who grabbed the title as WBO Super Flyweight Champion from 39-year old Jose “Carita” Lopez at the Casino Rama in Ontario, Canada last September 4, 2009.

Sonsona who has already amassed a record of 14 wins, 0 loss, 12 of these knockouts started boxing when he was 7 years old under an uncle who taught him about the sport.

As an amateur, he has already fought over 150 times.  His debut as a professional boxer earned him his first win on points but his next 10 victories were all by knockouts!

Although these were unknowns, he was also able to knock out an experienced fighter from Thailand named Wandee Singwancha who has a record 57-10 during the 2nd round.

With a new trainer, Nonito Donaire, Sr. (father of IBF Flyweight Champion and fellow general, Nonito Donaire, Jr.), Marvin Sonsona went up in weight to challenge Jose Lopez, the reigning WBO Super Flyweight Champion.  On Septembe 5, 2009, the new king from General Santos City was crowned after scoring a knockout in just the 2nd round.

According to Task Force Champ, the new WBO Super Flyweight Champion will be flying in via Cebu Pacific from Cebu on Saturday, September 26, 2009 at 11:15am.  He will be met at the General Santos City International Airport by GenSan Mayor Jun Acharon and Ms. GenSan 2008 Romarie Cunanan and her court.  A motorcade to the city which includes the main streets of Barangay Bula, from which Marvin hails will follow.

Last stop will be the City Hall where a brief Press Conference will be conducted at the Sangguniang Panlungsod Hall, care of the City Public Information Office.

Bariles hopes to be there to have his picture taken with the young champion before he becomes even more famous someday and by then, it would be very, very difficult to approach him, for sure.

But for now, Bariles could only wish WBO Super Flyweight Champion Marvin “Marvelous” Sonsona the best of luck in his newfound fame. 

Mabuhay ka Marvin!  Mabuhay ang mga Generals!

This is just the 3rd or 4th time that General Santos City will be celebrating the National Tourism Week but it has already evolved into a major tourist draw for the Tuna Capital.

For one week, officially starting this afternoon with a program at the Oval Plaza Covered Court, GenSan’s version of this nationwide endeavor promises a bigger and more cohesive take on the theme:   TOURISM – Celebrating Diversity.

The poster for the National Tourism Week Celebration 2009

Scheduled activities are:

• Photo Contest and Exhibit
• Please-Bring-Antique Contest
• Cleanest Restroom Contest
• Mural Painting Contest (MSU HS Campus Wall)
• Extempotarenous Speaking Contest
• Tourism Quiz Bee
• Search for Miss Tourism
• Cocktail and Mocktail Competition
• Mindanao Cultural Dance Competition

The National Tourism Week 2009 Celebration is spearheaded by the City Government of GenSan through the Office of the City Economic Management and Cooperative Development (CEMCD) under Mr. Edgar Cadiente, so expect this year’s conduct to be as colorful and as vibrant as the hues of the logo of “Magandang GenSan“.

Bariles is very proud to introduce to everyone the distinguished members of the Board of Judges for his project launched last week which was the “What Air Supply Song Are You?” Blog Contest.

"Who will emerge as the Heavyweight Champ of the 'What-Air-Supply-Song-Are-You? Blog Contest'?

This blog contest is in line with the upcoming “Air Supply in GenSan” Concert happening on October 2, 2009 at the GenSan Gym, Lagao, General Santos City.

Since the deadline for the submission of entries is fast approaching; Friday, September 25 to be exact, it is high time he presents the bloggers who will determine the winning entries to this contest which is being supported BIG TIME by Michael Wee’s Dreamwork Ventures, the concert producers.

What Air Supply Song Are You?

The judging criteria which will be the basis of finding the winners to “What Air Supply Song Are You?” Blog Contest are:

Originality – 25%

Story Development – 25%

Quality of Writing – 25%

Ability to Engage the Reader – 25%

There!  That should make this contest more interesting now that the criteria is out.  To knock their heads together and determine the best among the entries to this blog contest are the following JUDGES who are all Internet Celebrities and Blogging Superstars:

1. Aileen Apolo – Soon-to-be blushing bride.  Google Phils. consultant. Author of An Apple A Day.

2. Jay de Jesus – Soon-to-be dashing groom.  Author of Titik Pilipino – Online Resource for Filipino Songs.

3. Blogie Robillo – Single but not necessarily on the hunt.  Lead convenor of Mindanao Bloggers Summit.  Author of  Ang Dabawenyo.

4. Brendel Balaga – Lovely nurse.  Loving girlfriend. Maid of Honor of Bariles. Author of Blogging Frenzy.

5. Mark Aethen Agana – Scholar.  Ilonggo.  In love.  Author of Aethen.

6. Flow Galindez. – Kapamilya. Looking for a Kapuso. Author of Ang Sa Wari Ko.

7. Jehzreel Laurente – Millionaire. Top blogger. Taken.  Author of  Jehzlau Concepts.

8. Bro. Vincent Celeste, FMS –  Marista. In love with the Lord.  Author of The Itinerant’s Path.

9. ChiQ Montes – Theme designer. Mother Hen of CDO Bloggers.  Author of WP Theme Designer.

10. Winston Almendras – Most Eligible Bachelor.  Engineer. Author of Ang Batang Yagit.

11. Ryann Elumba – Conquistador. Zamboanga’s Bariles. Author of Hola Zamboanga.

12. Orman Manansala – Banker. Single for the moment. Larger than life. Author of Ganda Ever So Much.

13. Migs Hipolito – Manilenio in Davao.  Big Brother.  Author of Migs Mobile.

14. Michelle Lopez-Solon – Dutiful Vice-Governor’s better-half.  Local Tourism advocate.  Author of Go Sarangani.

15. Janette Toral – Pinay SEO Queen.  Jump shot artist-non-paralleil.  Author of Digital Filipino.

Great list, isn’t it?  GenSan News Oniline Mag is very grateful that these A-list bloggers came on board for this competition.  This will make our participants work even harder to make their entries stand out above the rest.

Bariles, who is the 16th Judge, will be emailing to his 15 co-judges the URLs of the first batch of blog entries by 12:00pm tomorrow, Monday, September 21, 2009.

The second batch will be forwarded to them on the 23rd, also at 12:00pm.  Then the  fnal batch on September 26th.

Announcement of the winners will be on September 28, 2009 at the 2nd floor of Grab A Crab Restaurant, a major sponsor of the Air Supply in GenSan concert.

To our distinguished set of superstar judges, thank you for accepting the invitation to be part of this small endeavor of GenSan News Online Magm despite your busy showbiz schedules.  Owe you lots.

And to our entries’ authors,  good luck and continue to propagate blogging to the rest of the world.

Magandang GenSan!

After a year of renovation and improvement work, Plaza Heneral Santos was finally unveiled to the public on the night of September 4, 2009.  GenSan City Mayor Jun Acharon, Congresswoman Darlene Antonino-Custodio and First Lady Rose Acharon together switched on the ceremonial button to signal the simultaneous lighting up of all the city park’s lamp posts.

It was a sight to behold.

"Plaza Heneral Santos in a photo shot by Chattee from Sydney Hotel Rooftop Grill (September 4, 2009)"

People from all walks of life immediately descended upon the 4.8 hectare park. Since it was the eve of the Tuna Festival culmination, there was hardly any vacant bench left and it was shoulder-to-shoulder for people walking along the paved paths.

The same thing was repeated the following day, September 5th, with whole families enjoying the features of the new park until late after midnight.  The generals clearly missed their park and now that it was given back to them,  all new and dressed up, it was all for them to enjoy!

Kudos to the local government of GenSan, most especially Mayor Jun Acharon and the Sangguniang Panlungsod members for giving this project the go-ahead, believing that city plazas are the hearts and souls of any major city, municipality or poblacion.

At a cost of P34 million, this endeavor which was ably undertaken by Dellosa Design Builders, Inc. is just the first phase of the total improvement of the park.  Hopefully, they could add a fountain, an ampitheater, portable toilets, and maybe, just maybe, a Park Administrator to oversee its maintenance, security and upkeep.

"The marker of Plaza Heneral Santos with the 'magandang gensan" LOGO."

Bariles has been there more than a couple of times already, in the afternoon, at night, early morning…. or just passing by.  Every moment that he was there seems to lift high his spirits with the comforting sight of parents with their kids lounging around, students studying under the trees, teenagers just strolling, lovers admiring the mini-fountains at the lagoon, and old folks doing some stretching exercises.

Let these pictures taken by Marz tell the rest of Bariles’ story…

Kids in formation hopping on the concrete steps.

"A couple relaxes at one of the cobbled clearings of Plaza Heneral Santos with the Sydney Hotel in the background."

"A white-washed trellis dominates this area near the Dadiangas Parish Church."

"Teeners enjoy each other's company on top of one of the bridges over the LAGOON."

"One of the umbrellas for the creeping vines scattered all over the plaza."

"One of the rock gardens dotting the plaza, the brainchild of First Lady Dra. Rose Acharon."

"Bariles trying out the new hiking/jogging tracks surrounding the peripheral of Plaza Heneral Santos."

"A LED lamp post formed as a dancing figure of a man."

"Green, green, green and more greens everywhere...."

"Big Sister and Little Sisters with Big Brother strolling happily in the GenSan Park."

"Another Rock Garden here. The GenSan City Hall at the background."

"The winding pathway flagstones of Plaza Heneral Santos."

"An old promenador rests on a bench with the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Church on the background."

"The repainted statue of General Paulino Santos. More improvements will be made soon."

More photos of Plaza Heneral Santos (GenSan Park) coming up. Please check back again…

Bariles was on his way back to downtown GenSan after covering the Fishfest sa Fishfort earlier this month at the General Santos Fishport Complex when he chanced upon an ongoing construction site covered with blue tarps by the side of the road, across the Philbest Canning Compound.

"The mysterious construction site along Tambler Highway, GenSan."

Upon closer inspection, this is what he saw…

"The JMP Multi-Purpose Gym Billboard."

As the billboard suggests, it is another one of World Boxing Champ Manny Pacquiao and wife Jinky’s investments in General Santos City, following the JMP Building in South Osmena and the MJP Building in Aparente Avenue.  This time however, it is the JMP Multi-Purpose Gymnasium.JMP

Judging from the layout of this project on the billboard, their will be four buildings on the site, with a huge closed-door gymnasium near the back. If this turns out to be a fully-equipped gym with state-of-the-art equipment comparable to Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym in the US of A, for sure Manny Pacquiao will not have to travel far to train for his future fights.

And hopefully, he could also give training space here for the budding boxers of General Santos City because if there is somebody who can give them the support they need to follow in his footsteps, that person is him.

Amen?  Amen.

Great news to all outbound and inbound travellers using the General Santos City International Airport!

The GenSan International Airport which is to undergo a major rehab this year (CHECK THE STORY HERE), is now a WIFI HotZone!

Bariles got this piece of information from an email from SMART Communications’ Haydee Bernabe.  She further explained that the pre-departure and arrival terminals of the airport already have FREE Internet Access through SMART Bro, effective yesterday, September 17, 2009!

Wow!  This means, passengers can surf the internet, check their email, chat, update their Facebooks with their laptops, PDAs or cellphones while waiting for their flights at the pre-departure areas or while waiting for their luggage at the arrival area.  We just hope that the 2nd floor coffee shop run by Family Country Hotel and Convention Center is also within the range of Smart Bro’s Wifi Hotzone.

SMART Bro, a major supporter of the recently concluded 2009 GenSan Tuna Festval Xperience is also responsible for making the GenSan City Hall Lobby the first government WIFI Hotzone in Region 12 in March of last year. (Read the old blog post about it by Clicking Here.)

SMART Bro Logo

With this development, plus the major rehab it will undergo this year, there is no doubt that the GenSan International Airport is well on its way to becoming one the country’s “Most Passenger Friendly Airports” in the coming months.

Again, thanks to the generosity of SMART Bro who keep on springing surprises for the people of GenSan.

Smart Bro’s next stop?  Free Wi-Fi access for the newly-renovated PLAZA Heneral Santos perhaps?  How about it Sir Mon Isberto? Sir Manny Pangilinan?

The generals are waiting with bated breath….. 

"Plaza Heneral Santos, SMART Bro's next surprise HotZone for the generals?"

Has anyone ever heard of Hummus?

Hummus is a classic Middle Eastern blend of chickpeas, tahini and hint of garlic, drizzled with olive oil and dusted with paprika.  A delicious Mediterranean appetizer, it is  eaten with Pita bread, a round leavened flatbread generally made with wheat which one dips into it.

What about Muttabal? Another Middle East staple, it is a smokey-flavored puree of augbergine sharpened by garlic and olive oil and garnished by tahini.  Just like the Hummus, it is a good dip for the Pita bread.

And of course, there’s Lamb Tikka, much like the shawarma; the Kebabs, skewered meats (lamb, beef, chicken) and veggies which are grilled or broiled; the Tzatziki, the Chicken Tandoori, the Iraqi rice… the list goes on and on.

If you want to try these stuff and are the food lover that you say you are, then we have good news for you.  All these are now available in GenSan, in this little place called THE OLD SOUTH.

The Old South Grill and Resto Bar is GenSan’s first dining establishment to offer Meditteranean Food plus a little Spanish Cuisine.

Jointly run by brothers Attorney Onie Baliao and Butch, this GenSan restaruant is still less than a month old since it opened, but has already started to gain a sizeable following among the city’s discriminating food lovers on the lookout for something novel.

The Old South Grill and Resto Bar is not hard to find if you know your way around GenSan.  Located at the former house of Atty. Onie  which he transformed to resemble a Spanish Villa, it can be found inside the Romana Estate II, along the Mabuhay-Klinan Road.

Your landmark should be the Iglesia ni Cristo temple being constructed on the left shoulder of the Mabuhay-Klinan Road.  Just beside the construction is a roadsign leading to LC5 Farm and Resort.  Turn left here to a dirt road and immediately you will see The Old South’s building a few meters away.

Bariles and his photographer actually visited this newest GenSan restaurant at night.  They were immediately received by Atty. Onie who was Bariles’ classmate in high school at the NDDU and introduced to his brother and Master Chef Butch who is actually a practicing architect.

Business must really be good already since Bariles noticed that the place was packed with diners, some who were his friends.  He saw the svelte Sarangan beauty Kye Montemayor of Alsons who were with her family , Law Student and young businessman Dom Salazar with his fiancee, a few people from Smart Communications, and USAID Gem Davao’s lovely Sarah Matalam and her cousin, the dashing Councilor Jeng Pendatun of Maguindanao.

"The Old South front yard with wooden tables laid out under a tent."

Bariles was ushered inside what used to be Atty. Onie’s old living room and was amazed at its new Spanish-inspired look, which the lawyer and his brother collectively designed. On the walls are large original paintings by Master Chef Butch himself and scattered all throughout are antique fixtures from their family’s ancestral home in Glan, Sarangani Province.

"Inside the Old South. The paintings are by Butch, the antique furniture from their ancestral home in Glan, Sarangani."

On the wall beside the side door leading outside into a veranda is a portrait of their maternal grandfather, Tranquilino Ruiz, one of the very first Christians from Cebu who settled in Glan in 1914.

At that time, Glan was already a bustling community,  inhabited by different tribes, many of them Muslim converts influenced by travellers from the Middle East.

Tranquilino, who hailed from Cebu, was a very good cook and studied the locals’ way of cooking, including dishes which had Arabian influences.

He infused his knowledge of Cebuano cuisine with these, eventualy making them his own.

He would later pass his recipes on to Onie and Butch’s mother, who would also taught it to them and her other kids.

The Old South therefore is the sibling’s homage to their old man, giving the place a semblance of their historical haunt in Glan and serving food which would invoke the memories of the good old days far up in the coastal municipality of Glan, along the shores of  Sarangani Bay.

After Bariles and his photographer Marz were settled at their own table in the front yard under a tent, they noticed a big authentic Hookah infront of them.

The hookah, a traditional smoking contraption in the Middle East operates by water filtration and indirect heat. It is used for smoking tobacco fruits, and is healthier than smoking cigarettes.

Each table at The Old South is equipped with one for the use of their clients.  According to their menu,  each cone containing different flavors, is worth only P150.

If only Bariles were not recuperating from asthma at that time, he would have tried their Hookah and was so envious of the group at the other table who were having fun with theirs.

While waiting for their food, Atty. Onie revealed that the old rooms of his house are being converted into airconditioned function rooms.  In fact, a couple of groups have already booked them.

He is also busy with plans on the construction of a 20-room pension house at the back of the restaurant, which although still at the drawing board has already received inquiries from interested parties.

Finally, their food arrived – the house specialty – Mixed Kebabs with Pita Bread.

"Mixed Kebabs with Pita"

Dipped into The Old South’s super mega hot green sauce and its white mayo-like sauce, the grilled beef, lamb and chicken meat rolls had to be eaten with cut-pieces of pita,  grilled eggplants, red tomatoes and white onions. The green sauce was sooooo spicy that Bariles immediately perspired from his head down, with his sweat dripping all over.  Hooossshhh!!!!  Hooot but delicious!!

Another spicy dish they had was the Chicken Tandori, actually chicken in skewers (barbecue) which had an Indian taste to it.

"The Old South's Chicken Tandori, with grilled eggplants, tomato and rice."

Bariles had no time to try the other dishes especially the Spanish offerings courtesy of the sibling’s grandfather’s recipe but will have to reserve them for another day. With more than 20 entries in their menu, it would take more than a couple of visits to try all these exotic sounding food, especially those from the land where Jesus and the prohphets once walked.

Suffice to say, the entry of The Old South Grill and Resto Bar in the gastronomic radar of GenSan abodes well for the generals on the lookout for a wider variety of cuisine.  Now the answer to the question, “Where do we eat?” has found another answer.

And we only have the late grandfather of Onie and Butch Baliao to thank for.