GenSan News Online Mag

On February 20, 2010, a week to the day that she was proclaimed the Big Winner of Pinoy Big Brother Double Up reality show of ABS-CBN, Melissa “Melai” Cantiveros flew in to General Santos City where she hails. From the time she boarded a Cebu Pacific early morning plane from Manila until the time she landed at the General Santos City International Airport, the MSU Education student had no idea that the whole city was waiting for her.

At that time, Bariles was at the airport along with Ms. GenSan 2008 Romarie Cunanan, and some staff of the Mayor’s Office together with members of the Task Force Champ, the team who’s regularly incharged of welcome honors for visiting “generals” or big time guests. ABS-CBN’s local correspondent, Chat Ansagay was also there ready with her crew and anticipating the short interview she was to conduct with Melai.

Melai had no inkling that she will be accorded a hero’s welcome by the city and that all her moves will be filmed and shown on a new REAL-SERYE morning series entitled ” MELASON“.  She had two handlers on her side during her short visit which made her friends and new fans harder to go near her.  Eventually, Bariles came to realize that Melai doesn’t belong to GenSan alone now.  Melai already belongs to ABS-CBN who will dictate all her actions after seeing a “goose that lays the golden eggs” in her.  We just hope they do not over use her and instead guide her carefully to becoming the next comedienne star that she is turning out to be –   shades of what they did to another General, Gerald Anderson.

Here are the pictures of Melai’s arrival at the GenSan International Airport and up to the motorcade to the city until the time she visited GenSan Mayor Jun Acharon, an event which was not part of the original plan but thanks to the insistence of some well-minded individuals, was finally granted by ABS-CBN big bosses in Manila who were directing the whole “homecoming”.

PBB BIG WINNER MELAI RECEIVES FLOWERS FROM MS. GENSAN 2008 ROMARIE CUNANAN AT THE TARMAC OF THE GENSAN INTL AIRPORT

WELCOMING GROUP FROM THE CITY MAYOR'S OFFICE POSE WITH MELAI TOGETHER WITH MS GENSAN 2008, YOUTH LEADER AND MELAI'S FRIEND FLOYD AND BARILES HIMSELF.

"THE CROWD AT THE GENSAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT ALL WANTING TO SEE MELAI."

"MELAI ON BOARD THE ABS-CBN RED PICKUP FOR HER CITY MOTORCADE"

"MELAI REACHING OUT TO HER FRIENDS FROM CALUMPANG WHO CHARTERED A BUS TO MEET HER AT THE AIRPORT"

"THE MELAi MOTORCADE PASSING TRHOUGH THE HIGHWAY NEAR THE FATIMA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL."

"MORE PEOPLE LINE UP THE STREETS AT BARANGAY FATIMA TO CATCH A GLIMPSE OF THE NEW PBB BIG WINNER MELAI"

"THE MELAI MOTORCADE IS MET RIGHT AT THE ROASIDE BY OVER-EAGER FANS"

"ENTERING THE GATES OF MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY, BARANGAY TAMBLER, GENSAN"

"WAITING FOR MELAI AT THE MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY-GENSAN GYM"

"MSU SCHOOL BAND WELCOMES THEIR FAMOUS STUDENT MELAI INFRONT OF THE GYM"

"MELAI COULD HARDLY GET INTO THE GYM WITH ALL HER SCHOOLMATES RUSHING TO MEET HER. IT WAS PANDEMONIUM TO SAY THE LEAST."

"MSU STUDENTS FILL THEIR GYM UP TO THE RAFTERS JUST TO GET A GLIMPSE OF THEIR SCHOOLMATE AT THE STAGE"

"MELAI DELIGHTS HER SCHOOLMATES WITH HER RAPID FIRE DELIVERY OF HER THANK YOU SPEECH"

After her MSU visit, the motorcade proceeded to Barangay Calumpang which passed by their Barangay Hall,the Sports Complex and Melay’s residence.

"MELAI'S MOTORCADE PASSES BY BARANGAY CALUMPANG HALL. THIS IS WHERE MELAI RESIDES."

"MELAI'S MOTORCADE SLOWS DOWN ACROSS HER HOME WHERE SHE IS MET BY HER FAMILY AND NEIGHBORS"

"GENERALS RECOGNIZE MELAI AS HER MOTORCADE PASSES THROUGH PIONEER AVENUE"

"STUDENTS FROM GOLDEN STATE COLLEGE AND HOUSEWIVES FROM BARRIO TINAGO AT P. ACHARON CHEER FOR MELAI"

'MELAI GETS A KISS EACH FROM HER PARENTS INSIDE THE KCC MALL PRIVATE MESS HALL WHERE SHE IS TO GUEST IN A SHOW"

"MELAI IN A SOUVENIR SHOT WITH ABS-CBN STAFF"

"THIS TIME, KCC MALL OF GENSAN STAFF WITH MELAI"

"MELAI WITH GENSAN CITY MAYOR JUN ACHARON AND HIS WIFE DR. ROSE DURING HER COURTESY CALL AT THE CITY HALL AT 6:30PM"

"MELAI WITH THE CITY MAYOR'S OFFICE STAFF"

Now we will present to you the You Tube videos of Melai’s homecoming to GenSan.

First is the You Tube video of her arrival at the GenSan airport.

Next is the You Tube video of Melai at the MSU Campus and the continuation of her motorcade which passed Calumpang, her homegrounds.

Here is a You Tube video of her visit to her house in Calumpang, GenSan.

Here is a You Tube video of Melai’s visit to the City Hall of General Santos City.