Photos of Robinsons GenSan Grand Opening
The Grand Opening of Robinsons Place GenSan on October 5, 2009 should be one of the most anticipated events in the history of the Tuna Capital. This is judging from the countless comments that we got here in every blog post that we published about the mall and from the various forums, news articles, blog write-ups which tackled the issue prior to its inauguration.
Being his biggest mall project in Mindanao, JG Summit‘s Chairman of the Board John Gokongwei‘s children, Lance (President of JG Summit Holdings) and Robina Pe, were present for the Opening Program, together with what must have been all their board officers and members.
When asked by ABS-CBN news reporter Jay Dayupay on their reasons for putting up a mall here, Mr. Lance Gokongwei specified three things: GenSan’s population, its being the “crossroads and trading center of Soccsksargen“, and “a very enlightened political leadership“.
These were corroborated by Robinsons Land Corporations COO and General Manager Frederick Go and Commercial Center Division President Cornelio Mapa, who revealed that the property on which the mall stands was bought 15 years ago.
Of course, GenSan City local officials headed by Mayor Jun Acharon and Congresswoman Darlene Antonino-Custodio were there to personally welcome and thank the city’s biggest investors. They were joined by GenSan celebrities like Dionisia Paccquiao and daughter-in-law Jinkee who were most sought after for photo ops among guests from Manila.
The Pacquiaos opened a franchise of BluGre Coffee in the mall plus their very own Team Pacquiao Novelty Shop.
Ably emceeing the program was ABS-CBN host Donita Rose while Christian Bautista provided the kilig factor with his rendition of a couple of songs. Congressional spouse Ms. Dawn Zulueta-Lagdameo, image model of Robinsons Department Store was also there with her son, adding glamour to the event.
Here then are the Robinsons GenSan Grand Opening exclusive photos shot by Bariles himself.
"Robinsons Land Corp Group Property Manager for Mindanao Dan Camat; his boss, Frederick Go, President & COO; Dionisia Pacquiao; Press Secretary Jess Dureza; Jinkee Pacquiao; Congresswoman Darlene Custodio; GenSan First Lady Rose and Mayor Jun Acharon, moments before the program started."
"The simply elegant Robina Gokongwei-Pe, Rolee's Bakeshop's power couple Armi Magtoto and Bing Royeca, Hotelier and Giacomino's debonaire owner Romeo Bartolome are all smiles for Bariles' camera."
"The pretty and perky emcee Donita Rose with GenSan Mayor JUn Acharon."
"Champion Balladeer Christian Bautista pose with lovely generals, Ms. GenSan Tourism 2008 Alex Ho and Ms. GenSan 2008 Romarie Cunanan."
"GenSan Mayor Jun Acharon in a huddle with JG Summit Holdings President Lance Gokongwei and Press Sec Jess Dureza"
"Robinsons Department Store Endorser and Congressional Spouse Dawn Zulueta-Lagdameo with Takuyaki and Senior Chito's Tortillas' owner Junit Bugayong and daughter Eliza."
"Dancers perform a muslim dance minutes before the official cutting of the ribbon signalling the opening of the mall at the Main Entrance."
"Two famous and feisty GenSan beauties, side by side: Jinkee Jamora-Pacquiao and Representative Darlene Antonino-Custodio."
"Mayor Acharon holds the ribbon after its ceremonial cutting with other special guests."
"RLC Pres Frederick Go, Robina Gokongwei-Pe, Mayor Acharon, Dawn Zulueta-Lagdameo,Jinkee Pacquiao, Representative Darlene Custodio, Dionisia Pacquiao, JG Summit Pres Lance Gokongwei, Commercial Center Division Pres Cornelio Mapa, and host Donita Rose raise and drink their toasts for Robinsons while balloons fall down from the ceiling."
Finally, here is the video of the ABS-CBN Socsksargen news report on the Robinsons GenSan Grand Opening which contains interviews of Mr. Lance Gokongwei, Mr. Frederick Go, Mr. Cornelio Mapa and Mayor Acharon. Thanks to Rammyboi for uploading it to YouTube.
Related posts:
- Photos of opening program of GenSan’s 69th Foundation Day
- List of GenSan WiFi Hotspots
- Manny Pacquiao’s latest Gensan homecoming photos, Part I
- Robinsons GenSan’s Oct Opening and new photos
- Robinsons Place GenSan Soft Opening today, September 30
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Bariles is a Filipino word for “Tuna”, the primary source of income of the people of General Santos City which hosts 6 of the Philippines’ 8 tuna canneries and more than 80% of its tuna processing plants.
fahdingding Says:
Nice SHOTS Kuya!
Posted on October 15th, 2009 at 8:15 AM
bariles Says:
@Fahdz, thanks! Check out the video and listen to the interviews of the owners.
Posted on October 15th, 2009 at 8:19 AM
Paolo S. Says:
Hi Sir Avel. I just want to share my thoughts and feelings about the new Robinson’s Place General Santos.
This is a very good opportunity for GenSan to show it’s economic power to the whole country… This has been a good sign for us… Sana marami pa ang mag invest dito sa Gensan…
Last Sunday, pumunta ako and my parents sa Robinson’s. What I immediately noticed is that wala silang proper signage for the traffic flow. As in. Pagmakapasok ka na around the mall, masikip ang daanan… Sana they would impose a ONE WAY traffic scheme para di na magkagulo ang mga sasakyan… ^_^ Buti na lang sadyang matulungin ang mga guards doon.
Sa loob ng mall, napansin ko rin na di pa lahat ng mga stalls are open and marami nang tao. What if na lang kaya kung fully operational na lahat ng mga stalls doon. Mas dadami siguro ang mga tao. hahaha!
Anyways, marami din akong likes sa Rob mall. One is ang pag open ng Team Pacquiao. I was really curious about that stall because I am a really big fan of Manny. I was really delighted to see his products being sold there…
Overall, I would say na maganda talaga ang Robinson’s and I think GSC is not faraway from being the best city in the Philippines… (sana nga… xD)
Posted on October 15th, 2009 at 8:36 AM
fahdingding Says:
Miss PHOTOGENIC: NANAY DIONESIA! lol
Posted on October 15th, 2009 at 8:49 AM
liezl Says:
nice photos…nakipagsiksikan din kami sa grand opening ng robinsons, hehe. hoping for more investors to come here in gensan
.-= liezl´s last blog ..Bloggers’ Eyeball =-.
Posted on October 15th, 2009 at 8:53 AM
fahdingding Says:
Nakita at Narinig ko na ‘to Kuya saTV Patrol SocSkSarGen! Makes me proud again of my hometown (to the highest level)…
Finally, GENSAN is now living up to its name as “THE BOOM CITY of the South”
OT: METRO DADIANGAS magandang pangalan if maging metro na ang area!
Posted on October 15th, 2009 at 8:54 AM
gboy Says:
ganda talaga ng mga crush ko! double D as in Dawn and Donita!
Posted on October 15th, 2009 at 9:58 AM
bariles Says:
Posted on October 15th, 2009 at 10:27 AM
Bone Says:
Very nice “coverage” and pics kuya.
While I might not totally agree that super malls are landmarks of prosperity, it is an indicator of the city’s progress, it’s stable source of income and more importantly, a better shopping option for the people of Gen San. So all well is good Generals!
I echo Paulo’s comments above, about the cumbersome traffic signage and flow. It took us almost 30 minutes just to get around the mall and park. But I guess, that’s the reason why they have the so called ‘soft opening”. Hopefully this will be okay soon.
And I think I like Darlene’s “tan” more than Jinky’s anemic white recon skin…Must be my bias to our kayumanggi ladies.Hahaha
Congrats koya!
.-= Bone´s last blog ..Talakudong Festival got even better this 2009! =-.
Posted on October 15th, 2009 at 11:06 AM
bariles Says:
@Paolo S., and Bone, Robinsons is here to stay and let’s give her some slack muna. Am sure some of its managers have been reading all your comments, together with our local officials and will be acting upon some very immediate concerns, especially the traffic issue. A new traffic lights signal system will be set up at the corner Bula-Lagao Road and J. Catolico in the next few months and hopefully, will be the answer to the buildup of traffic in that are. Thank you, my friends. DocBone, mahilig ka nga pala sa Morena. Joy to the world! Hehehe!
@liezl, yes I agree. The more investors, the better for the city! Nice to see you at the Eyeball.
Posted on October 15th, 2009 at 12:58 PM
John Marshall Says:
Hi Bariles,
Nice shots!!!!
Sana nga maayos na ang traffic sa area na yan and also sa buong Gensan na rin…isa sa mga solution to ease the traffic in that area is to strictly implement the travel routes of the jeepneys so that habal-habal, tricycles and trisikads dont converge on that area daily..
I noticed an error in one of the captions of your pictures taken at the opening day of the mall, I would like to correct you in what you mentioned as “Press Sec Jess Dureza” while in fact he longer holds such office because he is now the Presidential Adviser for Mindanao…
Posted on October 15th, 2009 at 6:55 PM
ging Says:
Im so anxious to see the ROBINSON MALL,cant wait to see na tlaga,so happy gensan is on highest level na,d na behind sa other cities,go go gensan!
Posted on October 15th, 2009 at 11:39 PM
ging Says:
Even though i did not been on robinson yet some of my friends told me that prices is high compare sa ibang malls….wish pang masa lang hehe
Posted on October 15th, 2009 at 11:40 PM
ging Says:
Boom na talaga ang gensan grabe,i been always watching on net mag ng gensan everyday….cant wait to be home in my homeland……
Posted on October 15th, 2009 at 11:42 PM
huge evan Says:
just curious. about dionisia and jinkee, they seem to be in all the pictures. were they invited to join? thankx.
Posted on October 16th, 2009 at 6:24 AM
fahdingding Says:
Indeed, GENSAN is one of the most progressive cities in the country… In terms of population, we ranked 14th overall in 2007 with an approximate population of 529,000… We are expecting that by 2010 close to 600,000 inhabitants na tayo! WHAT A HUGE MARKET it is for investments! In fact, isa ‘to sa ating competitive advantage kaya madami ng nagiinvest ngayon sa GENSAN and especially the peace and order situation here in the city is improving at stable din ang political leadership…
As far as income is concerned, malaki rin itinaas ng GENSAN… From a realized income of 892,000,000 plus in A.Y. 2007… Now, according to the latest release of COA Annual Report, GENSAN has a realized income of 1,005,000,000 Pesos or 12% increase (113,000,000 plus increase) in just 1 year. Thus, our city is now a bonafide member of the elite “BILLIONAIRE’S CLUB”
And there’s more… LET’S JUST WAIT AND SEE for further developments in our BELOVED GENSAN… MAGANDANG GENSAN!
Posted on October 16th, 2009 at 7:56 AM
gboy Says:
It’s Triple D for my mga crush pala….. Dawn, Donita and Darlene!!!
How much tickets sa Movieworld? Maganda ba?
Posted on October 16th, 2009 at 11:13 AM
BrAvO SiX Says:
calling the attention ng mga taga ibang lugar na mahilig mag-comment sa Gensan..
hala! mag-comment na kayo..! hahahahahaha
how i miss reading those posts….kakatuwa!
anyway… Goodluck to Robinson’s Gensan..
Posted on October 16th, 2009 at 12:11 PM
white knight Says:
@fahdingding., nice information. so gensan now belongs to billionaire’s club in terms of revenues contribution. wala pa kasali diha ang robinsons sales this year and the year to come. plus SM will be coming so dako na jud ang income sa city when this development keep on going. Unta, mas ma improve pa ang infrastructure,services, agricultural and industrial sa gensan. We should be a balance city, environment and economic wise.
Posted on October 16th, 2009 at 6:34 PM
Pre Says:
Hi Sir Avel! Thanks so much for all your support in Robinsons Place Gensan. I’ve been reading your entries and comments and I’m very overwhelmed with all the things people have been saying about the Mall. We are trying our best to make operations better, doing marketing, leasing out new and better players etc so that every General and other neighboring consumers will enjoy the Robinsons mall experience.
There will be more shops that will be opened before this year ends. Mercury Drug Store, National Bookstore, Res/Toe/Run, to name a few, more exciting activities in the upcoming season. Thank you again for all these! See you around the mall!
Posted on October 16th, 2009 at 9:24 PM
Paolo Says:
@Pre! NICE! I know you’re going to visit this site! hahaha! Well, I think I you have a point there… I think it’s too early to tell about the traffic thing, but I hope this situation would not last… (^_^) Na-enjoy ko talaga ang first trip ko sa mall… hahaha! Parang kelan lang, dinaan-daanan ko lang yang place na yan papuntang Davao, but ngaun, bungga na kaau. hahaha! Well, I hope there’s more to come… Pre, kita tau sa Rob Mall one time? hahaha! Meet ang mga Dopples ba. Ikaw host… ^_^
@Kuya Avel – Thank you for the reply… I am sorry I think I acted prematurely… It’s too early to say those things pero I think these inputs will help Rob to improve later on. hahaha!
I LOVE ROBINSON’S PLACE GENSAN!
I LOVE GENERAL SANTOS CITY!
Magandang GenSan to all! hahaha! Peace Ya’ll…
Posted on October 17th, 2009 at 9:32 PM
none_air Says:
Pertij jud posing nii mommy D.!!! Pagka gwapa na lang
Posted on October 17th, 2009 at 9:40 PM
Sunlab, the Havaianas Store plus more in Robinsons GenSan | GenSan News Online Mag Says:
[...] the country’s most hip cult fashion brands with a strong street following, has just opened in Robinson’s Place, General Santos City. It is jointly owned by a young and pretty “general” Tisha Ang and her equally [...]
Posted on October 18th, 2009 at 12:03 PM
SAMIEL Says:
NICE SHOTS!
absent ako sa rob nung opening
Posted on October 20th, 2009 at 2:40 PM
Maima Says:
PRE! ikaw na ged!!! hahaha… well again, in behalf of the whole RLC team, Thank you for all the support and we hope that you will continue to support us. More exciting activities are in stored for the Generals so yuo guys better watch out..
God Bless Robinsons Place GenSan!
Posted on October 21st, 2009 at 1:55 PM
robin Says:
kami dito sa butuan city of caraga region inggit sa inyo dahil may robinsons place na kayo , kami dito nagtitiis sa gaisano mall na bisaya talaga ang serbisyo figurativley and literally speaking , sana di kayo matulad sa butuan na nagboom during the 70s pero nadown ng magcollapse ang logging industry, sana masustain nyo ang pagiging tuna capital, baka kasi maubos na ang supply dyan ng tuna magclose tuloy ang mga factories ,dahil sa global warming nasa ilalim na ang mga isda at ayaw magsilitawan
Posted on October 27th, 2009 at 5:43 PM
nice A Says:
Oh, i can no longer wait to see my fave shopping mall here in Bkk. I love Robs because of the quality products it sells so even if it’s a bit farther from our place, I really go there to shop. Buti na lng meron na sa Gensan.
At grabeh, si mommy dionisia ganyan na pala kasikat tlga di na paawat:)
.-= nice A´s last blog ..Somtam with raw crabs, anyone? =-.
Posted on November 10th, 2009 at 5:48 PM
GenSan Restaurants offering “Pacquiao-Cotto” Fight Live Telecasts (updated) | GenSan News Online Mag Says:
[...] Robinsons Place GenSan Movieworld offers its luxurious upholstered seats and cinema ambience for their own Pacquiao-Cotto Fight Live Telecast to the tune of P250. Below is their poster. [...]
Posted on November 12th, 2009 at 3:00 PM
meme Says:
i w went to rob mall gensan yesterday for the 1st time and i was disappointed i thought malaki sya pero parang mini mall lang walang second floor and it just took me 20 minutes nalibot ko na ito na siguro ang pinakamliit na rob mall na napasok ko i dont konow sa rob mall tacloban kung ganito din ba kaliit parang nag tiptd ang mga gkongwei kung magput up sila ng mall yong malaki na mas malaki pa ang kcc mall at parang sm ang dating by the way im from cagayn de oro may mga mall din kami but not kasing liit ng rob mall gensan
Posted on November 21st, 2009 at 1:59 PM
mark Says:
Well,our own Robinsons mall in Gensan is not that big but convenient for us shoppers to shop around for several minutes unlikes other supermalls that u had to walk for hundred meters just to buy your goodies inside which makes our feet tired easily..haha..Robinsons mall Gensan is a unique classy mall and caters to middleclass and upper market kaya sosyal ang dating .hehe..Mas malaki ata Robinsons mall d2 in comparison with other Robinsons in Mindanao..This is the best Robinsons mall branch kc flagship store e2 nila in Mindanao.. I’m an avid shopper to Robinsons and were happy to shop here almost everyday..hehe..I love Robinsons a lot..hope more shops to open soon and fashion shows..hehe..Good luck po..GOD blez
Posted on November 28th, 2009 at 12:03 PM