Bariles has always been fascinated by the mausoleums inside the sprawling 19-hectare Forest Lake San Carlos Memorial Park ever since he and his family started visiting the place to pay respects for their dead.  He had an inkling on how expensive these edifices must have cost and was curious about the identities of the rich and famous buried inside these small burial houses of different designs.

While he and his family of mortals along with thousands of  other cemetery visitors would just spread themselves out on the grass on top of their dearly departed’s burial lots during All Saints and All Souls Day, Bariles would notice the small parties undergoing inside these mausoleums.  Some would even have private masses presided inside their edifices.  Eventually, it was his mother, Maria, a public school principal who would whisper to him who these people were.

And so now, in the spirit of the season of the departed souls, GenSan News Online Mag is featuring these mausoleums which have fascinated Bariles as a kid, to show you the state of Mausoleum Architecture in GenSan and make you realize the extent of how the rich and famous of General Santos City care for their dead.

Thanks to both Bariles and Marz for these pictures.  Identities of the owners of each mausoleum, to follow soon…(misplaced my list..hehehe)

"The FALGUI FAMILY Mausoleum"

"The Yabon Family Mausoleum"

"The Barreras Family Mausoleum"

"The Maduramente Family Mausoleum"

"The Congson Family Mausoleum"

"Mausoleum #6 belongs to the BULAONG FAMILY."

"The Du-Enojado Family Mausoleum"

"The Catolico Family Mausoleum"

"The Espanola Family Mausoleum"

"The Laiz Family Mausoleum"

"The Mirabueno Family Mausoleum"

"The Panlaque Family Museum"

"The Sabando Family Mausoleum"

"The Pontino-De Jesus Family Mausoleum"

"The Pontino Family Mausoleum"

"The Lopez Family Mausoleum"

"The CM Seranillo Family Mausoleum"

"The Gonzales Family Mausoleum"

More pictures coming up in Part II of this feature.

Thanks to his blogger friend from Cotabato City Ark Hilario, Bariles was finally able to score a video of the Pacquiao-Cotto 24/7 HBO Special Episode 4 (Tattoos) which was aired last weekend in the US of A.

"The poster of FIREPOWER - Pacquiao vs. Cotto courtesy of Behance Network"

The four-part TV documentary billed as “TATOOS”, aims to drumbeat the upcoming fight of Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto on November 14, 2009 in Las Vegas, christened as “FIREPOWER“.  As with the other HBO 24/7 docus on the past fights of Pacquiao, the camera follows both boxers in a span of four weeks leading to the big day.

Here then is the Pacquiao-Cotto 24/7 HBO Special Episode 4, Part 1 – “TATTOOS”:

The Pacquiao-Cotto 24/7 HBO Special Episode 4, Part 2 of “Tattoos” is below…

Part 3 of the Pacquiao-Cotto 24/7….

Right on the heels of the smash hit concert of the Air Supply in General Santos City, comes a couple of events meant to end 2009 with a bang!

One of them is from a group which has withstood the test of time and is Bariles‘ personal favorite, having followed their career since he was in highschool.  He has not seen them perform live yet and that is why he is very much excited for their concert billed as “APO Hiking Society Live in GenSan!”

"The poster of the APO Hiking Society Live in GenSan Concert"

A project of McDale Productions, the same team who gave GenSan the riotous comedy concert, “POOH-K Laugh-Out-Loud“ with Pooh and Kaye Brosas, the “APO Hiking Society Live in GenSan” will happen on November 21, 2009 at the General Santos Gym, Barangay Lagao, which incidentally is the biggest gymnasium in Mindanao, with a capacity of 8,000 people!

APO Hiking Society‘s music has been reintroduced to the younger generation about 3-4 years ago with the revival of their songs by the country’s top bands and performers.  Songs which became famous during the 70s and 80s like Ewan, Nakapagtataka, Dobidoo, Yakap sa Dilim, Awit ng Barkada, Paano and many more, were given new treatment and once more, became bigger hits.  The APO’s songs and music are truly timeless!

For the APO Hiking Society Live in GenSan, expect most of these songs to be sung their own way that they were performed for the past four decades but backed up by the latest concert enhancements available today.  These plus their witty and funny takes on current political and national scenes infused into their acts will surely make the APO experience worthwhile for every general.

Ticket prices to the APO Hiking Society Live in GenSan are P250 (Silver); P500 (Gold); and, P1000 (Platinum).

And what is a GenSan Concert posted here without a corresponding BLOG CONTEST?

Watch out for an upcoming FEATURE on the “APO Hiking Society Live in GenSan” Blog Contest SOON brought to you by GenSan News Online Mag and McDale Productions.

General Santos City’s economy is really on a roll!

In the 2008 Annual Audit Report released by the Commission on Audit of the financial operations of the local government units,  General Santos City had a total income of P1,005,912,377.66!

This makes the Tuna Capital of the Philippines a certified member of the Billionaires Club!

This is also 12.7% increase from previous year’s (2007) income of P892,530,170.71!

Check out this comparative analysis between the incomes of 2007 and 2008 below…

"Comparative INCOME ANALYSIS of GenSan in 2007 and 2008"

Out of this 2008 total income of GenSan (which includes the IRA – Internal Revenue Allotment from the National Government), expenditures amounted to the following:

• Personal Services – ——————— ————–            P  402,030,712.39
• Maintenance and Operating Expenses -               P  391,552,510.80

TOTAL EXPENDITURES              -                                           P  793,583, 223.19

Deducted from the Total Income for 2008, this leaves the city with a Net Operating Income of P212,329,154.47 in 2008.

According to City Administrator Marcelino Dospueblos, a portion of this will go to paying off ongoing Capital Projects which are part of “continuing appropriations.“  The other portions will be subject for appropriations for the succeeding years.

NOTE: “Continuing Appropriations” is money devoted to Infrastructures and Capital Items which have not yet been completed or have not yet been started.

Congratulations to General Santos City for continuing to grow, glow and go!

Kudos to the local government under Mayor Jun Acharon for steering the wheel towards making the city truly a Magandang GenSan!

The unexpected happened on Saturday, October 24, 2009 at the 2009 Philippine Blog Awards Awarding Ceremony, the concluding activity of the 3rd Mindanao Bloggers Summit at the Pearlmont Hotel, along Limketkai Drive in Cagayan de Oro City.

Most of GenSan News Online Mag‘s readers know that this blog has been nominated in the CHIKKA Readers’ Choice Award for Mindanao of the PBA and there was less than 5 days for people to vote for it via Text Messaging.

With that limited time, Bariles was able to post an article about it, and put the link on his Facebook, Plurk, Twitter, Multiply and Friendster accounts. He informed his friends via email and notified his yahoogroups Notre Dame Highschool 1978 and the GenSan Generals in the Middle East . He also wrote to his Google Groups GenSan Camera Club, the Soccsksargen Bloggers Group and the Mindanao Bloggers E-group.

Bariles believed that if people liked what he has done with GenSan News Online Mag, then surely they will show their appreciation with their text votes! He even coined the phrase, “A vote for Bariles is a vote for GenSan!” to drive home his point.  And Bariles left it at that.

On Saturday evening, the night after the deadline of the text voting,  Bariles went up the stage after Juned Sonico, of the Philippine Blog Awards announced to a jampacked hall of Pearlmont Hotel in Cagayan de Oro that due to an overwhelming lead in the text voting, GENSAN NEWS ONLINE MAG is the CHIKKA READERS’ CHOICE AWARDEE for Mindanao!!!

"Bariles receiving the prize for GenSan News Online Mag's win as CHIKKA READERS' CHOICE AWARDEE from Philippine Blog Award's Juned Sonico."

Whoa! Bariles was holding back his tears when negotiating the short distance from his table to the stage.  He was very proud, to say the least and felt vindicated for the almost two years of hard work on his blog about his beloved city.  Looking out into the crowd, he beamed.  He really beamed!

But that was not all.  After a few minutes, Juned Sonico called the 10 names for the Globe Tatoo Digital Tribe Awardees for Mindanao, and yes, you are right!  Bariles was again summoned up the stage to receive his SECOND AWARD!  Other awardees were Oliver Robillo, ChiQ Montes, Migs Hipolito, Councilor Peter Lavina, Lyle Santos, Chattee Lara, Ria Jose, Bob Martin, and Andrew dela Serna.

"Bariles together with the 9 other recipients of the GLOBE TATOO Digital Tribe Award - Mindanao, Influencers and Movers of the Blogging Community."

Bariles was mega ecstatic over his double win and went back to his seat to relax and enjoy the rest of the evening.  He was only about to warm his seat when the familiar announcement, “…and the award goes to “GENSAN NEWS ONLINE MAG” reverberated inside the hall again!!!  This time, it is Google Philippines’ Aileen Apolo calling out the winner for the “BEST DESTINATION BLOG AWARD for Mindanao.“

"Bariles receiving his 3rd award, The Best Destination Blog in Mindanao, from his good friend and soon-to-blushing-bride, Google Philippines' Aileen Apolo."

When given the microphone to say something, Bariles was speechless. He would have wanted to share a wisecrack, say something witty or funny, being the natural comedian that he is but nothing came out.  All he could muster, after suppressing the tears that he was holding back for quite sometime now, was the awkward shout, “PARA SA GENSAN!”, while raising his 3rd trophy.

"Bariles and his trophies at the Philippine Blog Awards 2009- Mindanao."

And so with those unexpected wins, please allow Bariles to thank the following: (List to be updated later with links and additions… Sorry, hina na memory.)

• The Lord God Almighty.
• The 2009 Philippine Blog Awards Team, led by Juned Sonico.
• The 3rd Mindanao Bloggers Summit Team, led by ChiQ Montes.
• The Mindanao Bloggers Convenor, Blogie Robillo and his team.
• The 4 other co-founders of the Soccsksargen Bloggers:
  • Hector Minoza
  • Bro. Vince Celeste, FMS
  • Mark Aethen Agana
  • Job Oberio
  • Ariel Lalisan
• His ever-supported-till-the-very-end brother Orman Manansala of www.gandaeversomuch.com, who wrote a TOUCHING POST on this development.
• His Adsense teacher, Lyle Santos and his supportive gf, Brendel Balaga.
• The faithful readers and subscribers of GenSan News Online Magazine.  And yes, the lively and raucous commenters too!
• The Soccsksargen Bloggers, especially the more active ones who are always ready with their presence during meet-ups, plurk fiestas, eyeballs!
• The plurk fiesta sponsors of the GenSan Bloggers.
• The Blog Contest Sponsors of GenSan News Online Mag, especially Mr. Michael Wee of Dreamwork Ventures and owner of the soon-to-open in Robinsons’ Grab A Crab Resto and Coffee Club 101.
• Mr. Leonard Pe and the rest of his supportive colleagues at the CMO and up there at the SP.
• His boss, the incumbent chief executive who was instrumental to the grand success that is the 2nd Mindanao Bloggers Summit which Bariles spearheaded.
• The lady representative of the 1st District of South Cotabato, who has been a faithful reader all these months.
• His Facebook, Multiply and Plurk Friends, Fans and Followers… you know who you are.
• His bloggers friends from Soccsksargen and GenSan; Cagayan de Oro; the whole of Mindanao; and Manila… you know who you are.
• His late parents, Avelino and Maria for the inspiration and for instilling in him the virtue of patience and humility.  And beauty for that matter. (lol)
• And the last but not the least, YOU, the reader of GenSan News Online Mag who was able to put up with it for almost two years.

To all of you, MARAMING SALAMAT at isang MAS MAGANDANG GENSAN!!!!

Note:  Here is the complete set of winners of the 2009 Philippine Blog Awards – Mindanao.

• Best Business Blog – Negosyo Ideas
• Best Beauty Blog – The Doctor is Vain
• Mindanao Bloggers Choice – Davao Base
• Mindanao Advocacy Blog – Peace Initiatives in Socsargen
• Mindanao Destination Blog – GenSan News Online Mag
• Uniquely Mindanao Blog – Hola Zamboanga
• CHIKKA Readers’ Choice – GenSan News Online Mag
• Globe Tattoo DIGITAL TRIBE Awardees:
  • angdabawenyo.com
  • mindanao.com
  • alleba.com/blog
  • riajose.com
  • migsmobile.net
  • gensantos.com
  • katherinevlara.com
  • lylesantos.com
  • ptlavina.wordpress.com
  • chiqmontes.com

Here is a short video of the 2009 Philippine Blog Awards-Mindanao courtesy of fellow honoree Ryann Elumba of HOLA ZAMBOANGA.

The PACQUIAO-COTTO Fight in November 14, 2009, is one of this year’s most awaited boxing matches and we are sure that most of the readers of GenSan News Online would want to watch it live on pay per view in one of their locality’s movie houses, restaurants, malls and in the case here in GenSan, at the GenSan Gym in Barangay Lagao.

"A rendition of the Pacquiao-Cotto Fight Poster by artist Brian Brobbey-Griffiths"

At this point, one would know that the Pacquiao-Cotto fight is almost here when HBO starts drumbeating the event on TV.

Just like the past Pacquiao-Hatton and Pacquiao-Dela Hoya fights and the fights previous to these, HBO produced a 4-part documentary on the match, this time, entitled, “TATTOOS“.

To herald the airing of the first episode of the four-part series of the Pacquiao-Cotto 24/7 HBO TV Special, “TATTOOS” on Saturday in the US (Sunday, Philippine time), the producers just released earlier this week the Pacquiao-Cotto 24/7 HBO Trailer.

And so without much further ado, here now is the Pacquiao-Cotto 24/7 HBO Trailer, “Tattoos“.  Enjoy!

Thanks to HBO for allowing us to post this Pacquiao-Cotto 24/7 HBO Trailer. I hope they do the same with the regular episodes of their 24/7 TV Special of Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto.

Watch out for our feature on the Pacquiao-Cotto 24/7 First Episode here.

Yes!  GenSan News Online Mag is an official nominee to the Philippine Blog Awards – CHIKKA Readers’ Choice Award for Mindanao!!

"The Philippine Blog Awards Website"

The Philippine Blog Awards is a yearly event that aims to give recognition to outstandings blogs in but not limited to the Filipino Blogging Community since 2007.

For 2009, it adopted the theme:  One Blogging Nation.  For this reason, it included a search for outstanding blogs on a regional level.

Thus on the evening of October 24, 2009, during the 3rd Mindanao Bloggers Summit in Cagayan de Oro City, it will hand out awards to blogs by Mindanaoans, chosen through text messaging.

One of these is the CHIKKA Readers’ Choice Award where our humble blog, GenSan News Online Mag is nominated.

So, if you are a fan or a friend of Bariles and like what he does for General Santos City, please vote for this blog.

To vote, user just has to text CHIKKARC M4 and send to 2929 (Only via SMART & GLOBE). You an vote more than once.

Deadline for voting is October 23, 2009 which is on Friday already.

SMS voting = 3 votes per SMS sent (each SMS vote costs PHP 2.50)

If you are out of the country now, you can still help Bariles make it by ASKING YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS back home to do the voting for you.  Now, how’s that?  Or else, if you have a roaming number, that will do.

Thanks to all of Bariles’ friends, fans, family, readers, and subscribers!!!  I love you all!!!

REMEMBER:  A vote for Bariles is a vote for GenSan!!!  GO GENERALS GO!!!

With the advent of Halloween or the Feast of the Dead in less than two weeks time, some establishments in General Santos City have started sending out feelers with regard to their promotions and marketing gimmicks earmarked for those days.

"The poster of Cocytus II"

One of them is Paseo del Sol, which in coordination with its newly-reinvented sister establishment, the Ranchero Grill and the Pablo’s Steaks and Crabs,is coming up with a dance party on the night of October 31, 2009 called Cocytus II (This night’s gonna be a good, good night!).

This is the second installment of their Halloween party which started last year.

Cocytus, which means “River of Lamentation” is a river in Greek Mythology’s “underworld“.

This time, in Cocytus II, R&B and Hiphop music all throughout the evening will be played out by DJ Zirk of Beatlab DJ Club.  With an entrance fee of only P150, guests can avail of a free drink.  And according to Marketing Manager Paolo Sunglao, ladies will be served FREE MARGARITAS!

Now that is really something to look forward to among our generals, don’t you think?   

Halloween night’s gonna be a good, good night!

While everyone was focused on the opening of GenSan City’s newest mall and the guys over at the online forum, Skyscraper City were busy  discussing the merits and demerits of the Tuna Capital’s traffic jams and traffic lights, a 3-story building was quietly inaugurated at Mateo Road, Lagao.

This is the 3-storey Aimican Ladies Dormitory which opened on August 8, 2009.  It is by far General Santos City’s biggest dormitory.

"The newly-built Aimican Ladies Dormitory, ready for occupants."

There was only a new caretaker around when Bariles dropped by one lazy Sunday afternoon. Being relatively new, she couldn’t offer any answer to the few questions the Fishman asked about the place though.  She does not even know the number of rooms inside the building.

Luckily, Bariles saw this tarpauline indicating the rates of the rooms available for would-be-dormers.

"The monthly rates for the occupants of Aimican Ladies Dormitory"

From what is indicated in this tarp, Aimican’s rates are very affordable.  Consider these:

• For a non-aircon room good for 6 persons, the monthly rental is only P1000 per head.
• For a non-aircon room good for 2 persons, the monthly rental is P1,200 per head.
• For an airconditioned room for 2 persons, the monthly rental is P4,000 for the whole room.
• Each dormer is entitled to the free use of an ELECTRIC IRON.
• Other electrical appliances will be charged a certain fee.

The entry of Aimican Ladies Dorm is good news for those parents who prefer a hotel or hospital-like setting for their children studying or working in GenSan.  Besides, it’s conveniently situated near the KCC, Robinsons and Gaisano Malls although quite far from the city’s educational institutions.

Lest we forget, Aimican Ladies Dormitory is located a few meters down the road from Family Country Hotel and Convention Center.  Hope to check out what’s inside soon.

From Notre Dame of Dadiangas University Alumni Affairs Coordinator, the hardworking Reuben Tugari, GenSan News Online received a piece of wonderful news!

After being granted Autonomous Status until 2014 by the Committee on Higher Education, which Bariles blogged about in an earlier post  (CLICK HERE), the premier Catholic university in General Santos City has just been accredited by the Bureau of Immigration to accept for admission, foreign students.

This was contained in a memorandum from the Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan dated August 7, 2009 to petitioner Notre Dame of Dadiangas University, with address at Marist Avenue, General Santos City.

Read the scanned memo below…

"The letter from Bureau of Immigration allowing NDDU to accept foreign students."

Bariles did not know that a university should at first be included in the list of BI-accredited schools for it to accept non-immigrant student before it can do so.    NDDU’s request for inclusion must be because of the much-improved  security in GenSan and elsewhere in the region, with its Board of Directors expecting an increase of foreign students seeking  affordable yet quality education.

Well, here’s hoping that with this development, we’ll be seeing more and more foreign expats who would realize that General Santos City offers not only export quality tuna but also boasts of exceptional educational institutions like the Notre Dame of Dadiangas University.

AMEN.