GenSan News Online Mag

As they have been doing for the past forty years or so, the Aguman Capampangan of GenSan, an organization of people who have roots in Pampanga is conducting one of the most traditional ways of observing the Lenten Season.

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the PABASA 2010 da deng Aguman Capampangan!

The Pabasa is an old HOLY WEEK practice of the Gregorian chanting of the poetic prayer story of the life, passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, in the Filipino vernacular or in this case, in the Pampango dialect. ONe family in GenSan who uses the Tagalog version is the Laiz Family at their Sampaguita Street residence all throughout the years, was featured in an old blog post here.

For the Aguman Capampangan PABASA 2010, it will start tonight, Holy Wednesday until Good Friday evening at the Nana Beth’s Garden, along Yumang Street in Purok Malakas.

If you’re looking for a way to spend your long lenten holiday, why not drop by Nana Beth’s Garden and try chanting/singing the words from either the Tagalog or Pampango PABASA guides. Here it doesn’t matter if you’re out of tune.

What matters most is your sincere desire to do your share in fulfilling a traditional Filipino Lenten tradition.

Just in time for the recent launch of his new album of Jose Mari Chan‘s songs, “Romance Revisited” all over Southeast Asia, Romantic Balladeer and Asia’s Prince of Pop Christian Bautista is out to conquer the hearts of General Santos City!

This is through his concert, “Constant Change”, happening at the GenSan Gym in Barangay Lagao on April 23, 2010.  “Constant Change” is the title of one of the songs from the said album.

This won’t be Christian Bautista’s first time to perform in GenSan.  Bariles remembers watching him at the Parish Center together with Sheryn Regis about five years ago when both were just fresh from their runner-up wins at the Star For A Million of ABS-CBN, where Eric Santos emerged champion.

Then last October 2009, Christian was the featured performer during Robinsons Place GenSan’s formal opening ceremony where he sang “Beautiful Girl”, his first cut from the “Romance Revisited” album.

For his “Constant Change” concert in GenSan, expect him to sing these songs again plus more.  What Bariles would like to witness though is Christian doing fast R&B and hip-hop songs in his own romantic way.

Now that would be a sight to watch!

The proceeds of the Christian Bautista “Constant Change” Concert in GenSan will go to the benefit of “People’s Advancement through Leadership and Management, Inc”.

To front act for Christian Bautista is PRASIA and surprise local artists.

"THE MEN AND WOMEN OF PRASIA WHO WILL FRONT ACT FOR CHRISTIAN BAUTISTA."

Ticket prices to the Christian Bautista “Constant Change” Concert in GenSan are at P1,000, P800, P500, P300 and P200.  For ticket reservations, you may call (083) 553-1588; 553-3635; 302-1277.  For the list of ticket outlets, please refer to the poster above.

As a prelude to the Earth Day 2010 Celebration, Earth Day Network Philippines, Inc. and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources launched the 10 Million Movement Campaign website sponsored by the Smart Communications, Inc.

This website, accessible via http://www.10mm.ph is part of a campaign to gather 10 million commitments for the environment from all over the country.  It is designed to encourage every Filipino to commit to save mother earth and be part of this global movement.

To launch the 10 Million Movement Campaign website in SOCSKSARGEN, an online sign-up activity will be conducted tomorrow, March 30, 2010 from 1 to 7pm at Robinsons Place GenSan.

There will be two kiosks for ONLINE PLEDGES to the 10 Million MOvement campaign of Earth Day Network.

Simultaneously, an Art Workshop will also be given to students from selected public elementary and secondary schools.  The students will be encouraged to express their views on environment concerns through visual arts.

The theme of the Art Workshop is “Hamon ng Panahon:  CLIMATE CHANGE 10 Milyong Soluson (Kilos Na! Ngayon Na!)”

Since Bariles will be signing up at their kiosk tomorrow, he hopes that the readers of his blog sign up to, whether personally at the Robinsons or just at the privacy of their homes or offices or suking internet cafes.

Kitakits to the 10 Million Movement Website launching tomorrow then!  All in support of the Earth Day 2010 Celebration!

While most of us were complaining about the daily power interruptions, the heat and the hundred and one reasons to stay away from the sun, Calda Pizza opened without funfare just last week at their location at the corner of Champaca and Kadulasan Streets of Barangay Dadiangas East here in GenSan. You would not easily notice it at first.

The place which occupies three units of a new single-story commercial building,  has a simple nondescript open setting, blending it well into its neighborhood of old residences, mom and pop stores, boarding houses and a car wash across the street.  Farther ahead is Marasa Grill and Sonly Pension House.

Bariles has been passing the area usually from his office to make a detour to the National Highway but did not notice anything until a friend pointed out to him its existence.  Excited at its discovery, and after finding some vacant time on his way home, he dropped by last Friday late afternoon.

The place was semi-full  and some of the wooden tables and chairs which were spilling out into the sidewalk were already taken when he arrived.  The customers were a mix-match of pizza lovers who did not seem to mind that it there was a brownout at that time since the area was quite cool and airy.

There were several couples, two families, and a group of friends obviously just out from work.  Good thing a small table was still available by the side for Bariles.

Calda Pizza (literally meaning “HOT PIZZA” in Italian) is actually a franchise from Cebu City where it has several branches, brought here by the family of Randy and Claire Yap and their siblings.

Upon noticing that it clicked well in middle-income neighborhoods in the Queen City, the family thought of getting the franchise for GenSan where majority of the households are from the same bracket.  Part of their plan is not to advertise it and just let word of mouth do the marketing since they believe that they have a good product.

The good news is, a week after they sofly opened, a steady stream of customers have been visiting their outlet.

Of course, Bariles wouldn’t want to take their word for it and has to try it himself.  And so from the Menu, he ordered their bestseller, the CALDA Regular Pizza which promises toppings of Ground Beef, Ham, Salami, Mozarella Cheese, Onions, Green Bell Pepper and tomato sauce.  When it was served to him after 15 minutes, its look and aroma did not disappoint!

Whoa!  The original Calda Pizza was actually wider than its supposedly 10-inch diameter and the toppings were so hefty and overflowing that not a few kept falling off each time Bariles took a bite from each slice.

According to Randy Yap, his bakers do not measure the amount of toppings they put on each serving with weighing scales which limit their “creativity” but scoop and spread them by the handful.  Customers then get more than the usual amount of meat, veggies, cheese and other toppings due to this method.

Bariles is partial to thin crusts but not the super crispy ones which taste like biscuits already.  Calda Pizza’s crust was doughy and chewy enough to enjoy it mixing with the flavorful meaty, cheesy and veggie toppings inside his mouth.  His choice of the original Calda pizza had also the right spicy bite to it, not too much, and which could be tolerated by any kid.  He immediately consumed 4 slices while sharing the rest with Randy’s little nephew who was helping out as a bus boy.  The whole thing costs P190.

The other group near them ordered the biggest pizza at 36 inches, called the SUPER EXTRA!  It filled their whole table and dwarfed the little boy with them.  The gigantic thing has a prize ranging from P850 to P950 depending on the flavor.

Calda Pizza has more varied fare with such names as Margherita, Funghi, Etna, Hawaiian, Capricciosa, the familiar Calzone (closed baked pizza), Milanese, Vegetariani, Succulenta, Bolognese, Filipiniana, Carousela, Roma, among others which come in different sizes.  These are the Regular (10 inches), Family (15 inches), XL (20 inches), Super (30 inches), and Xtra Super (36 inches).

Bariles is mighty sure that you will proceed to Calda Pizza after reading this.  Once there, just don’t forget to utter the immortal line, “BARILES SENT ME.”

Who knows? You might be rewarded by Calda Pizza’s baker with more generous amount of toppings on your order of their delicious, tasty and chewy thin crust pizza.

Bon appetit!

Calling all sexy ladies from all over South Central Mindanao and elsewhere!!

If your are aged 18 years and above, stand at least 5’2″ and possess a whistle-bait figure, then why not show the world what you’ve got?   

Visit Tierra Montana Hotel, located along the National Highway in General Santos City because they are now organizing their annual “Summer Bikini Crush” for 2010!

This is the second time that this  GenSan Hotel is running their version of a Bikini Open competition, since their very succesful initial salvo last year.  For 2010, the Summer Bikini Crush Finals will be on May 15, 2010.

Unlike Dolores Tropicana Resort Hotel’s own Bikini Open though, but just like Sydney Hotel’s Bikini Grind, Tierra Montanao’s Bikini Crush feature female contestants only

Interested ladies who want to show off their wares at the competition would need to fill up an application form which they could get from the Sales and Marketing Department of Tierra MOntana Hotel.  They just have to look for Chris May or Kathleen.

Screening for qualified contestants will be held starting March 27, 2010 and April 3, 10 and 17, 2010.

For more info on Tierra Montana’s Summer Bikini Crush 2010, they may call the following telephone #s: (083) 554-7733; 553-8433 or Telefax # 553-8553.

If you have been a coffee connoisseur for the past few years in GenSan, then you must know that Fagioli Coffee Club was the one who started the “coffee shop” trend in the city, changing the way the “generals” take their coffee.  And of course, you must admit that Fagioli Coffee Club led the way for the others that follow, to come up with beautifully designed interiors, comfortable seats, spa-like restrooms and FREE Wi-Fi services.

All these aside from its coffee blends which as some expats swear to as having the most authentic taste and aroma in them and not to mention their delicious pastries, glorious pastas, mouth-watering cakes and heavenly panini (Italian Sandwich).

And now, as a way of thanking their customers who have patronized them for the past fives years or so, Fagioli Coffee Club has come up with a promotion as a tribute of sorts to the Graduates this month.

Consider this….

If you happen to be in any of their two branches in General Santos City at Kare Petron and KCC Mall or in Davao Quirino or Lanang District, and order any of their Blended Beverages, then you can avail of a 50% DISCOUNT on their famous Pasta Dishes!!

Now isn’t that something?!  Bariles hopes that this promo from Fagioli will also urge the rest of the GenSan coffee shops to come up with their very own gimmicks to entice more of their customers to continue drinking cup after cup after cup of their coffee concoctions.

In a few weeks time, a whole new adventure awaits YOU in General Santos City!

GenSan, are you ready for the ICE CASTLE Experience?

The ICE CASTLE Experience.

To enchant you.

Soon.

In this blog almost two years ago, on August 8, 2008, Bariles wrote about the ground-breaking of a proposed four-story building inside the new campus of a fledgling school.  The building and the campus belonged to the Gen. Santos Doctors Medical School Foundation, Inc., the same group behind the Gen. Santos Doctors’ Hospital.  The location was at the Bulaong estate, beside the GenSan Bus Terminal.   (Check the write-up on the ground-breaking by CLICKING HERE.)

Nothing much was heard of it since then although Bariles would regularly notice the ongoing construction of the building designed by Architect Susan Demontano, during the times he would be at the vicinity of the city terminal inside the Bulaong property.

Finally, last Saturday, March 20, 2010, what was then a vision two years ago, has become a reality!  The Gen. Santos Doctors Medical School Foundation, Inc. building was inaugurated and blessed, witnessed by most of her staff and a good number of the city’s medical community.

"THE NEW GEN.SANTOS DOCTORS MEDICAL COLLEGE FOUNDATIN< IC.

The inauguration ceremony was graced by the presence of Representative Darlene Antonino-Custodio who cut the ribbon together with Dr. Genaro Valencia, Jr., Founding President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Mr. Fred Ang Sanidad, among others.

"CONGRESSWOMAN DARLENE CUSTIO

The Gen. Santos Doctors Medical School Foundation, Inc. is one of the three schools in General Santos City offering Nursing and other related courses in its curriculum.  With the new building, it is now on a level playing field with the Notre Dame of Dadiangas University and the Brokenshire College.

But of course, since the school also owns the Gen. Santos Doctors’ Hospital, which is Bariles’ favorite hospital in the city owing to its attentive staff (Read BLOG POST ABOUT THE HOSPTAL E.R. HERE), it has an advantage over the other two in this deparment.

"THE SET OF STAIRS GOING UP THE UPPER FLOORS AT THE SOUTH WING OF THE BUILDING OF THE GENSAN DOCTORS MEDICAL FOUNDATION COLLEGE"

Anyway, for information on who compose the Board of Directors and Administrative Officers of the Gen. Santos Doctors Medical Foundation, Inc., here is the marker attached to the wall at the main entrance of the new building.

Congratulations to all the people behind the new campus and building of the General Santos Doctors Medical School Foundation, Inc.!  May you continue to produce the best and the brightest medical practitioners in this side of the islands.

Here’s good news to all jobseekers in Soccsksargen or South Central Mindanao!

For two days this week, on March 26 and 27, 2010, Sykes, a global company delivering business process outsourcing (BPO) services, is conducting a GENSAN JOB FAIR at the STI College, Jose Catolico Avenue, General Santos City.

Here is their poster announcing the event and the AMAZING PAYOUTS if you land a job with them……

The Job Fair will run from 9am to 5pm on those two days and if you think you’re cut it out to be a call center agent or if you want to receive all the PREMIUM BENEFITS and PERKS which come along with the job’s high-paying salaries,  why not pay them a visit on March 26 or 27.

Please tell them that BARILES sent you. 

The cold month of February has just left us but it seems that summer is already here much, much earlier courtesy of the El Nino Phenomenon.  The series of daily brownouts that ensued has made matters worse for everyone, disrupting work schedules, bedtime habits and sleeping hours due to the sweltering heat and humidity, especially in this city of what was once the barren lands of dusty Rajah Buayan.

It seems that all everyone wants to do right now is to hie off to the nearest beach getaway in GenSan or nearby Sarangani Bay or fresh water pool resort to escape from all these.   

The good news is one such resort has come up with their Summer Weekdays Escapade Promotions in time for the long hot Summer break.

Friends, below is Isla Jardin Del Mar Resort’s Summer Weekdays Escapade Promo which have been adjusted to accommodate more barkadas and families looking for the perfect and affordable getaways.

Isla Jardin del Mar, located at Gumasa, Glan, Sarangani opened less than three months ago in a star-studded affair and   has lowered their rates for beachgoers and vacationists who hate the usually crowded weekends and go for the more peaceful weekdays at the beach.

The Isla Jardin del Mar Weekdays Escapade Promo is valid only from Mondays to Thursdays and runs from Marh 8, 2010 to June 30, 2010.   Please read the mechanics of the two packages they are offering in the poster above.  They have separate packages for DAY TOURS and OVERNITE STAYS plus separate fees for their OPEN and CLOSE COTTAGES.

"THE TWO ROWS OF OPEN COTTAGES OF ISLA JARDIN DEL MAR RESORT LOCATED AT THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE BEACH"

"SOME OF THE 10+ OVERNIGHT COTTAGES OF ISLA JARDIN DEL MAR RESORT FOUND AT THE NORTH SIDE OF THE BEACH FRONTAGE EQUIPPED WITH EITHER FANS OR AIRCONDITIONING. EACH COTTAGE HAS TWO ROOMS WITH DOUBLE-DECKED BEDS."

Here are some of the pictures we took during our visit there at the Inauguration, courtesy of Manager Wanchin Tan-Delfino.

"THE NORTH SIDE BEACH OF ISLA JARDIN DEL MAR"

"BEACH VOLLEYBALL IS JUST ONE OF GAMES ONE CAN PLAY AT ISLA JARDIN DEL MAR"

"A JET SKI COULD BE RENTED WHILE AT ISLA JARDIN DEL MAR RESORT. AN INSTRUCTOR WILL BE ON STAND BY TO ASSIST YOU"

"THE LARGE LAGOON BEHIND THE OVERNIGHT COTTAGES. IT COULD ALSO BE SEEN FROM THE HILLSIDE ROAD LEADING TO ISLA JARDIN DEL MAR'S MAIN ENTRANCE."

"THE CLUBHOUSE BESIDE THE ENTRANCE OF THE RESORT SERVES AS THE MAIN RESTAURANT/CANTEEN OF ISLA JARDIN DEL MAR."

"THE CONCRETE ROAD BEHIND THE OVERNIGHT COTTAGES."

"SOME PICNICKERS ENJOY THE SHADE OF THE TALISAY AND COCONUT TREES AT THE BEACH:

"THE ENTRANCE OF ISLA JARDIN DEL MAR AFTER NEGOTIATING A ROAD CARVED OUT FROM THE HILLS OF GUMASA GLAN COURTESY OF THE PROVINCIAL GOVT OF SARANGANI. THAT'S THE BUS WHICH OFFERS FREE RIDES TO PICNICKERS."

"BARILES IN A SOUVENIR SHOT WITH (L-R) BING & ARMI ROYECA; ISLA JARDIN DEL MAR MANAGER WANCHIN TAN-DELFINO; BLOGGERS JINKY BORELA; MANDI NICOLAS (GENSAN GAZER); LYLE SANTOS, ORMAN MANANSALA; RIC DUMALAY DURING THE OPENING OF THE NEW TOURIST DESTINATION."