With 89.27% of Election Returns counted, GMA.TV has released the results of the voting for the Representative for the First District of South Cotabato.

From the looks of it, incumbent GenSan City Mayor Pedro “JUN” Acharon, Jr. could be the clear winner.

Consider this GenSan Election results….

Partial Unofficial Tally as of 2010-05-12/ 7:14:08am/ 89.27% of ERs

1. Acharon, Pedro Jr. B   –   157,550

2. Angangan, Aldwin B.   –   934

3. Gacal, Franklin Jr. M.   -  6,130

4. Garcia, Rogelio B.   –   13,551

5. Melliza, Ramon B.   –   49,470

6. Plaza, Abelardo S.   –   708

Even if one adds up the votes of Acharon’s five rivals, it is not even 50% of what he got at 156,624!
Mayor Jun Acharon‘s good track record in pushing forward GenSan’s economy to what it is now certainly left a mark on the people’s minds.

These results only mean that people would want him to continue doing what he did to ensure that the quality of life of the constituents of GenSan and with the rest of the 1st District of South Cotabato (Tampakan, Tupi, Polomolok) would continue to improve even more.

Let us hope that the new Congressman in Jun Acharon still manages to live up to that challenge as all eyes will be on him once he enters the august halls of the Sangguniang Bayan in Quezon City.

And of course, Bariles will be there to record that momentous event.

FLASH: Congressman-elect Pedro B. Acharon, Jr. was proclaimed winner by the COMELEC at 3am last night at the Regional Headquarters in Koronadal City! – May 20, 2010

As of this writing, Boxing World Champ Manny Pacquiao leads in the race for the lone congressional seat in the Province of Sarangani.

His opponent, Roy Chiongbian, son of James who was responsible for carving the province out of South Cotabato, could not even muster 50% of his total votes.

The figures below are from the GMANEWS.TV website.

Partial Unofficial Tally as of 2010-05-12 11:06:11 88.60% of ERs

*Chiongbian, Roy L.  -  56,199 votes

*Pacquiao, Emmanuel D   -  111,287 votes

As for the rest of the officials of Sarangani:

Governor:

*Dominguez, Miguel Rene A  -  83,531 votes

*Domino, Juan D.  -  78,289 votes

Vice-Governor:

*Basino, Fredo  -  70,053

*Solon, Steve  -  82,222

If this continues, then Sarangani will experience a major upset which never happened in its history.  Bye Mayweather?  Hello Congressman Manny?

Your guess is as good as mine.

Notes on Election 2010:

• The first automated elections in history in the country was generally peaceful in Socsargen.
• As early as 6am, voters were waiting outside the gates of the different polling centers.
• Bariles immediately found his precinct through a map posted at the bulletin board of Lagao National High School, Aparente Avenue, Purok Malakas.
• Bariles started lining up for his priority # starting at 8:30 am.  His feet were about to give away two hours after when he finally got a stub which has the number 243 on it written in pentel pen.
• Since it was noon time, he went out for a bowl of batchoy at a nearby carenderia and a bottle of coke.  No food vendors were allowed inside the Lagao National HS except for peanut vendors who were able to sneak in.
• An hour later, he was able to go inside his precinct and cast his vote.  He finished voting after 5 minutes and stayed inside the precinct for a total of 7 minutes only. It was faster than the time he spent during the early days of manual voting.
• When the PICOS flashed “Congratulations!” he felt his heart skip and clapped his hands loudly.  It was such a tiring exercise but all well worth it.
• Despite its flaws, Bariles feels that the first automated elections in the Philippines is heaven-sent!

One of the newly-established GenSan restaurants has steadily been packing it in these days.  Clients are mostly from the office-rich area of the local government center of the city who either eat there or have their orders delivered to their nearby working places.

Welcome to downtown GenSan’s best-kept secret -  Zheztah Chicken and Burgers!

ZheZtah is owned by Dimpie Zuzon-Lim and her family and is tucked away at their old house along the busy Balimbing Street, adjacent to the OVAL PLAZA. The standing structure now is the newly-renovated portion of their residence.  Below is how the new facade looks.

Inside this new GenSan Restaurant is a cozy air-conditioned two-storey dining affair which has been painted in sea greens and sky blues, evoking images of the ocean, since the Zuzon Family members are all accredited divers.

Interestingly enough, the posts of the dining tables are made of old oxygen tanks and there’s even a mini tableau under the stairs representing the family hobby.

Most of their recipes are secrets handed down from Dimpie’s grandparents, who were both Capampangans.

In fact, grandma Lola Mading is the supplier and maker of the famous “Lola Mading’s Pastillas” (which they also sell at the resto).  She also happens to be Bariles’ baptismal Godmother.

Currently, one of  their best sellers is their GARLIC FRIED CHICKEN, which is the favorite of Bariles’ office mates.  Its skin is crispy and yet still juicy and its meat is tender and buttery-tasty.

The portions’ light brown color only means that it was not fried in used oil.  A two-piece order with rice costs only P50.

Then there’s the ZheZtah burger, the patty of which is made from “quality pure beef”, according to their menu board.

At P37 bucks, it is quite a steal since you don’t get the usual patty with extenders and instead, you will be served real tender beefy meat, sandwiched in a fresh bun with sesame seeds and garnishings of tomato and fresh lettuce.

A smaller version of the burger, the ZheZtah Jr. Burger can be had for only P27.00.  Then there’s also the ZheZtah Ultimate Diver’s Burger which is actually a double-patty burger served with lettuce, cucumber, tomato, onions and fries on the side.  This costs P110.00 a pop.

Not to be missed is another dish which will surely make customers come back for more.

This is Papa’s Crispy Pata which is the recipe of Dimpie’s dad, Frannie.    At only P380, what you’re having is a big platter with a heap full of soft and uber-delicious deep-fried cut pork thighs with super-crackling skin.  It comes  served with their very own side dip of vinegar, fish sauce with some secret spices.

And that is not all of course!

ZheZtah Chicken and Burgers still has other dishes to offer including pasta, salads, steaks and sandwiches…. and CAKES!!!!  YEY!

Bariles however, wishes to concentrate first on the three bestsellers above but for sure, upon his return, the rest will be given their proper time and space in his ever-growing tummy. 

For orders and reservations and food deliveries, please call ZheZtah Chicken and Burgers at Telephone #s (083) 301-9425.

KCC is going all out this month to celebrate Mother’s Day!  The mall is extending the celebration beginning this Saturday, May 8, 2010 until the 30th of the month.

This month-long tribute for our mothers will focus on activities meant to enhance their skills and improve the way they take care of their bodies.  Consider these free demo-seminars…

• Free Skin Care Demo by Face & Body by MENDEZ, on May 8, 2010
• Free Cooking Demo by Gerardo’s School of Culinary Arts, on May 8th
• Free Cooking Demo with GOLDEN STATE COLLEGE, on May 9th
• Free Skin Care and Waxing Demo by FLAWLESS, on May 15th
• Free Cooking Demo with GOLDEN STATE COLLEGE, on May 16th
• Free Skin Care and Waxing Demo by FLAWLESS, on May 22nd
• Free Cooking Demo by Gerardo’s School of Culinary Arts, on May 23rd
• Free Cooking Demo with GOLDEN STATE COLLEGE, on May 29th
• Free Skin Care Demo by Face & Body by MENDEZ, on May 30th, 2010

Freebies and gift certificates will be given to lucky mommy participants.

For more info on KCC Malls Mother’s Month Tribute, please call KCC at (083) 554-5555.

If you plan on treating your hardworking and ever-reliable moms on Sunday, May 9, Mother’s Day, why not bring them over to Ranchero’s along the National Highway, here in GenSan?

And why not?  Aside from their delicious and generous servings of their bestsellers, they have prepared a gift for each deserving mother who will dine there.  Check out this poster.

They’re giving out FREE CELEBRATORY CUPCAKES for all the moms!!!

Ranchero’s is known for its delicious pastries, cakes and cookies and this promotion is surely a treat for sweet-toothed mothers.

This just came in.

Finally, the leaders of the influential Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) in General Santos City have released the list of local candidates they are endorsing to their followers, most of whom are from the Liberal Party-aligned AIM.  This came after the national leadership under Ka Eduardo Manalo endorsed the tandem of Aquino-Roxas for the presidency and vice-presidency, both from the LP too.

The INC flock who have been known to go for block voting might just sway the votes in favor of the following candidates from the Tuna Capital.

• Representative, 1st District of South Cotabato  -  Engr. Pedro “Jun” Acharon, Jr. (LP)
• Mayor  -  Darlene Antonino – Custodio (LP)
• Vice Mayor -  Dr. Jose Orlando “Odjok” Acharon  (LP)
• The Councilors: (in no particular order)
  1. Margareth “Meg” Santos  (LP)
     
  2. Nepthale “Nep-nep” Natividad  (LP)
     
  3. Vivencio “Bing” Dinopol  (LP)
     
  4. Richard “Ric” Atendido  (LP)
     
  5. Elizabeth “Beth” Bagonoc  (LP)
     
  6. Marcelino “Dos” Dospueblos  (LP)
     
  7. Eduardo “Ed” Leyson IV  (LP)
     
  8. Virginia “Virgie” Llido  (LP)
     
  9. Dante “Vic” Vicente  (LP)
  10. Ronnel “Nel” Rivera (IND.)
      
  11. Francis “Kiko” Martinez  ((LKS-KAM)
      
  12. Dominador “Dom dom” Lagare III  (LKS-KAM)

As you can see, it’s 12-3 in favor of the local party AIM (Achievement with Integrity Movement) which is aligned with the Liberal Party.  Four of them are re-electionists:  Santos, Natividad, Atendido and Dinopol while the rest are first-timers.  This leaves 3 other LP candidates Remus De Claro, Dr. Jan-jan Oco and Atty Nonoy Henares out in the cold.

Also making it are two candidates from Lakas-Kampi, re-electionist Dom-dom Lagare and Francis Martinez.  The last one is Independent Candidate Ronnel Rivera, son of fishing magnate Rudy Rivera.

Now that the INC has come up with their list, are you ready with yours?

After the Search for the Lakambini and the Queen of Mindanao Festivals during the Kalilangan Festival 2010, now comes another exciting beauty search in GenSan.  This time however, it involves our MOMS!  Yes, you read it right –  our moms as in, our MOTHERS!

If you think your mother still has that radiant glow and soft, smooth, fair skin, why not convince her to join the Search for FLAWLESS MOM 2010?

An exciting marketing project of Flawless GenSan, Jinkee Pacquiao’s franchise outlet of the famous skin care clinic, this Search for Flawless Mom 2010 will run differently from the usual Beauty Search Campaigns we are used to.

Consider these mechanics:

1. Contest is open to all bona fide mothers.
2. To join, avail of P700 worth of services or products.
3. To earn points, refer friends and relatives to Flawless.
4. To earn votes, invite friends and relatives to avail of Flawless’ services and/or products.
5. Contest runs from May 1, 210 to May 29, 2010.

• Every referral is equivalent to 5 points.
• Votes are determined from availed services and/or products, e.g. Classic Facial – P350 = 350 points, Whitening Soap – P140 = 140 votes.
• The winner with the highest total accumulated points and votes win as Flawless MOM.

The winner of the title FLAWLESS MOM will receive the following:

1. Free FACIAL every month for 12 months at Flawless.
2. Free OVERNIGHT ACCOMODATION at Dolores Tropicana Resort Hotel.
3. Free Dinner for Four (4) at Bamboo Bar ad Restaurant.
4. Free one day pampering at Clips an Shears.
5. Free Solo Portrait courtesy of Jojo Greatson.
6. Free 20% OFF on Non-medical treatments and products and 5% OFF on Medical Treatments.
7. 10% OFF at participating stores:  Jinkee’s, Blu Gre Coffee Shop and Team Pacquiao.

Another specialty restaurant is about to open in General Santos City and this time,  it goes one notch higher than the more common barbecue dining establishments we have by offering popular food staples from Middle Eastern countries.

Ladies and gentlemen, get ready for the unveiling of LITTLE DUBAI KEBAB GRILLS!

This new upcoming GenSan restaurant is owned by a former OFW based in Dubai who has developed a particular liking to the food there and thus enrolled herself  in culinary classes to teach her the rudiments of Mediterranean cuisine, among others.  

Now ready and determined to strike it on her own, Dimples, a daughter of former Vice Mayor Mike Odi, wants to have her own tiny corner where she can serve her versions of Mid-eastern dishes, especially the very famous kebab which is basically  grilled meat in skewers,  Thus, the idea of LITTLE DUBAI was born.  

Although not the first in the city to offer Mediterranean food since “The Old South“ opened ahead last year (read post on The Old South by clicking here), Dimples believes that there is room for one more especially with her promise of “food delights” meant to make “you come back for more”.  And besides, hers is situated in the central shopping district of the city while The Old South operates in the suburbs of GenSan.  

Bariles has been invited to grace the opening of Little Dubai Kebab Grills on May 18th at its location at the newly opened SAFI Arcade at the back portion of the outdoor parking lot of KCC Mall of GenSan.  The arcade faces Bula-Lagao road and can be easily accessed from there.

Bariles hopes that the opening of Little Dubai Kebab Grills  and other such diners will urge more generals to go out more often and patronize them.  Only by doing so will more investors be encouraged to establish additional restaurants of various themes and specialties, thus strengthening General Santos City’s reputation as the Food and Entertainment Haven of South Central Mindanao.