GenSan News Online Mag

Are you a blogger from this part of South Central Mindanao?  Do you have a travel blog or simply put, do you often write about your experiences while on travel within the country or abroad?

Then this event, organized by the Soccsksargen Bloggers, together with GenSan News Online Mag and in celebration of the first blogoversary of  GandaEverSoMuch‘s First Blogoversary is for you.

This is BYAHE NA: Travel Blog Tales, Tips & Tricks.  This is basically a FIRESIDE CHAT with three professional travel bloggers coming from Manila, Cebu and Iloilo.

They are Enrico Dee (Byahilo), Cebuano Sinjin Pineda (Sinjin’s House) and Ilonggo Marc Caratao (Explore Iloilo).

All three of them will be converging in General Santos City on July 6 and will be meeting the Soccsksargen Bloggers for the first time during the fireside forum.  The two-hour chat and eyeball will be free-wheeling and will basically deal with their experiences as travel bloggers and the tips and tricks they can share with the participants.

Byahe Na! is scheduled on July 7, 2010, Wednesday evening, 7:30pm at LITTLE DUBAI Kebab Grills, SAFI Arcade, Bula-Lagao Road (beside KCC Parking Lot).

Admission is FREE but we will be limiting the gathering to about 20-25 bloggers only.

If you want to join and learn from these renowned professional travel bloggers, then simply do these:

• Write a message below stating your intention to join BYAHE NA.
• Give a most convincing reason why you want to be there.

If chosen, be sure to be at the venue before 7:30pm and bring extra money for the snacks and drinks you might want to order from Little Dubai Kebab Grills delicious Mediterranean food and drinks while listening to the tales, tips and tricks of our guest bloggers.

Check back for more updates!

Thanks to Xyrilloid and Alexis for the wonderful poster!!!!

Byahe Na! Travel Blog Tales, Tips and Tricks is brought to us by the Soccsksargen Bloggers, in coordination with GenSan News Online Mag and in celebration of the first blogoversary of GANDAEVERSOMUCH.COM.

The newly elected officials of General Santos City were sworn into office in a touching ceremony which had some of the guests in a jampacked PBA Sports Center teary-eyed.

The program started late since the earlier rains made the organizers transfer the original venue from the Plaza Heneral Santos to the oval covered court.  It was almost 7pm when everything began.

After a soulful rendition of the Lord’s Prayer by three former “GenSan Pop Idol” winners and the National Anthem by the GSC Government Employees Choir to start everything, the elected cityofficials were called singly by the two hosts, Atty. Elvie Albano and RMMC Dean Joana Banting-Lapore to ascend the stage.

The officials then had to walk from the main entrance of the covered court up to the stage and pass through the center aisle flanked by numerous seated guests, a good mix of generals from the private and public sector, most in their finery.

When it was time for the new mayor, Darlene Antonino-Custodio, resplendent in her sister Eliza’s ecru Oskar Peralta gown, to ascend the stage, the audience rose from their seats and cheered her on while walking across the aisle.  A mini-pandemonium ensued with people reaching out to her.

Upon reaching the front row where they were seated, Mayor Darlene then kissed her parents, the former mayor Adelbert Antonino and the former representative Lualhati Antonino.

Representative Pedro B. Acharon, Jr. was the last to traverse what was supposedly a short distance but it took him a while to do it.  Almost everyone who were seated at the courtyard rushed to the middle aisle also to shake the former mayor’s hand hand to congratulate him.  There were so many that he could only execute “high fives” with the rest.  He finally reached center stage after more than five minutes with a few people near him noticing that he was teary-eyed.

With everyone accounted for, Judge Oscar Noel then administered the oath of office of the 12 city councilors and Vice Mayor Shirlyn Banas.

"COUNCILORS BAGONOC, ATENDIDO, LEYSON, LLIDO, OCO, DE CLARO TAKE THEIR OATHS OF OFFICE"

"VICE MAYOR SHIRLYN BANAS IN BLUE EMI ENGLIS TAKES HER OATH OF OFFICE BEFORE JUDGE OSCAR NOEL."

"COUNCILORS SANTOS, LAGARE, VICENTE, NATIVIDAD, DINOPOL & RIVERA TAKE THEIR OATH OF OFFICE"

Then it was Mayor Custodio’s turn to be sworn into office with her parents and husband businessman Benjie Custodio.

Finally, the new Congressman Pedro B. Acharon, Jr. was joined on stage by wife Dr. Rose, brother Yolando and children PJ, Honey and Pedro III.

Mayor Custodio then delivered her inaugural address, which focused on her administration’s agenda, based on the SHEEP Program.  She also revealed that together with Congressman Acharon, she will push for the establishment of the GenSan Economic Zone.

The inaugural rites ended on a high note with small kids representing the youth of the city handing out tokens which are representations of the different committees that they will be heading.

Note:  Thanks for Gandaeversomuch for some of the pictures.  Check out his blog’s first birthday contests.

As part of the month-long GenSan Business Month or YAMAN GENSAN, the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) under the local government of General Santos City, will be conducting a 2-day JOBS FAIR on July 1 and 2, 2010.

According to PESO Division Chief Elisheba A. Valdez, the Jobs Fair will be held for the first time at the Atrium of the Robinsons Place GenSan and will be open from 9:30am up to 8:00pm.

She also added that a total of forty companies and agencies, both local and foreign will be on hand to receive applications, interview applicants and hire promising job-seekers on the spot.

Some of the companies which will be on the lookout for applicants for overseas assignments are:  D.A. Rodrigo, CarePlus, GBMLT, J-MAC, Merbin, 5-Star, Sunflower, N Queen, Global, Non-Stop, Green Gate, Online Hiring, MMML and Zontar.

Local companies on the other hand will be represented by GenSan Shipyard, Robinsons Place, Alliance Tuna, Gen Tuna, TEMPCO, MSS Cycle Trading, Dadiangas Glass, ASIAPRO, ANR Unlimited, RD Fishing, RD Corporation, COMGLASCO AG, Vicente T. Lao, BAYANTEL, TOYOTA, Sta. Cruz Seafoods, Philbest, Six Eleven, Chiu Kim, P.G. Ang & Sons, Inc., FEM Trading and MUTI, among others.

Over 300 job opportunities will be up for grabs at the duration of this annual Yaman GenSan JOBS FAIR.

For enquiries about this Yaman GenSan Jobs Fair, please call the PESO Office at telephone #s (083) 553-3479.

Congressman Manny Pacquiao finally took his oath as the new representative of the province of Sarangani in simple rites this morning at the Sarangani Capitol Park.

Pacquiao was accompanied by his wife Jinkee, his children and his siblings.  His father was also there although there was no sign of his mother Dionisia.

Thirty one year old Congressman Pacquiao in his speech said he will concentrate on improving infrastructure, medical services and peace in order for the next three years.  Although he said that he will continue boxing, he promised to be more effective as a legislator and representative of the country’s 14th most impoverished province.

Below is  Congressman Pacquiao‘s oath-taking photo courtesy of Sarangani Blogger and Soccsksargen Bloggers co-founder Ariel Lalisan.

Associate Justice Antonio Carpio officiated the swearing in together with Judge Jaime Infante, who was personally requested by Congressman Pacquiao to be there.

Third termer Governor Miguel Dominguez and Vice Governor Steve Solon also took their oaths together with Congressman Manny Pacquiao at the same venue afterwards.

From us here at GENSAN NEWS ONLINE MAG, congratulations Congressman Manny Pacquiao!  Here’s hoping you fulfill your promise and work together with Governor Dominguez to achieve both your goals to help Sarangani.

Again, thanks to Ayel Lalisan for Congressman Pacquiao’s oath-taking photo.

Former child wonder Aiza Seguerra is coming to GenSan!

Aiza Seguerra, who was here years back in a concert for the Passionist Fathers, will be in town again.  She will be promoting her new album “Perhaps Love” at the KCC Mall of GenSan Convention and Events Center on Sunday, July 4, 2010, starting at 5pm.

From the above poster, we find that this will be a FREE meet and greet session with the ASIA’s ACOUSTIC SENSATION.  Hopefully, she will be singing some cuts from her album.  

Aiza, after venturing into the recording industry is now a famous performer in Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia with her albums having done brisk sales in these countries.   This free show at the KCC Mall of GenSan is therefore something not to be missed.

Finally, we are releasing the winners to the “May Nag-Text, May Show ako: Vice Ganda Live @ GenSan Concert” ONLINE Contest.

But before that, we are thanking the all the bloggers who submitted entries and to the few commenters who joined.  We would have like to reward everyone but we only have very limited tickets as prizes to give away.  And yes, unluckily, one blogger did not follow instructions and was therefore disqualified.

Anyway, here goes:

WITTIEST COMMENT WINNERS:

Each winner will receive a Consolation Prize of one (1) Lower Box Ticket each (P500).  Only three comments qualified in the witty department, so we are giving the other two tickets as CONSOLATION PRIZEs for the Blog Writing Contest.

1. AIRWIN
2. FAHDINGDING
3. IAMSTAR

BLOG WRITING CONTEST WINNERS:

• Grand Winner of 2 GOLD Tickets (P1000 each) – I AM SUPERMARK
• 2ND Prize Winner of 1 GOLD Ticket (P1000) – TOTALLYVICE
• 5 Major Consolation Prize Winners of 1 SILVER Ticket (P750) each-
  • BUSY B
  • IANESCENCE
  • DINNADIN
  • TIMBERLINE
  • ZHEN CHEN
• 2 Minor Consolation of 1 BRONZE (LOWER BOX TICKET) (P500) each -
  • WHEN9TUT
  • LITTLE ANIKA

The selection of winners was done by Bariles and blogger MSU Professor Gilbert Tan of KnowRead-KnoWrite.  Thank you Sir Gilbert!

Congratulations to all who joined.  You may claim your tickets at Piyesta KTV Bar and Resto, starting now and until 5pm.  Please bring your Identification Card.

Again, thanks to this blog contest major sponsor, SR Food Philippines, the exclusive distributor of Ming’s Mei Pa Koa and Ming’s Herba Health Products.  All the winners will receive FREE samples of their products.

In another effort to strengthen its consumer base and cement its hold on the retail/wholesale markets, KCC Malls is running two mega-promotions for their branches in South Cotabato and GenSan!

Effective June 18, 2010, the biggest homegrown malls in Soccsksargen are running the following…

First is their annual but much bigger KCC COMPUTER INSTANT PRIZES for KCC Mall of GenSan.  This one is limited to supermarket purchases of participating brands which are given corresponding points.

Then for KCC Mall of Koronadal is their MILYON MILYON NA CASH!  This time, every P100 purchase from both the supermarket and department store of participating products is eligible to join this promo.

Both mega-promotions of KCC Mall of GenSan and Koronadal run from June 18, 2010 to August 1, 2010.  

Dimsum is the Cantonese term for a type of Chinese dish that involves small individual portions of food, usually served in a small steamer bamboo basket or on a small plate.

What calls to mind when talking about dimsum are dishes like dumplings (siomai) (beef, pork, crab, quail egg, etc), chicken feet, siopao, spring roll (lumpia),  siopao, rice toppings, among others- all deliciously served piping hot and usually affordable to the average Filipino income earner.  

A testament to the popularity of dimsum among PINOYS is the proliferation of dimsum restaurants and fastfoods in the country.  Here in General Santos City, we have more than a few restaurants operating at the malls, in stand-alone stores and through the ubiquitous carts one can find in alleys of Robinsons, KCC and Gaisano.  

DIMSUM is easy to order, readily available, not complicated to eat and is served steaming hot.

So now on its 4th year and seeing the need to offer more variety in its menu and to cash in on the popularity of DIMSUM, the restaurant which revolutionized the eating habits of the generals, restaurateur Michael Wee’s  Grab A Crab Restaurant levels up and has started to serve DIMSUM dishes at its branches at Laurel East Avenue and Robinsons Place GenSan Al Fresco strip.

At the newer Robinsons GenSan outlet, DIMSUM is served readily through a small cart pushed by a waiter. The cart contains various DIMSUM dishes in bamboo baskets or small plates, still hot from the nearby kitchen.

This time, there’s no wait and hungry mouths can be fed as soon as they get seated on their tables.

Bariles has tried the dimsum dishes himself and he’s swearing that they’re one of the best, if not the best he has ever tasted.  One thing more, the servings are plentier and their siomai‘s (Bariles’ favorite) are bigger!  GOD!  SIOMAI IS KING!  And Grab A Crab’s version lords over them all!  

Credit goes to Chef Sau del Rosario, a famous cook from Manila who improved Grab A Crab Restaurant‘s menu and introduced DIMSUM.

Now, if you want to find out if what Bariles says is true, then hie off to Grab A Crab Restaurant at Robinsons which is open from 10:00am up to midnite or at their main branch downtown.  Wait for the dimsum cart to be wheeled to you but if you want more than the usual, then call them in advanced at (083) 554-2248.  Look for Rick, the manager.  At their JP Laurel East Branch, call (083) 553-5430.  Look for Arnie.

This blog post will be very brief because Bariles is certain that you know what this is all about judging on its title!

It is the first. It will be the biggest. And it will be held at Soccsksargen’s Party Capital so expect it to be the best.

GenSan News Online Mag is referring to the biggest buzz on the online world these days in GenSan – the onslaught of FACE2FACE – The first FACEBOOK-themed Party in Mindanao occuring on on June 26, 2010 at the Tuna Capital’s premier happening place, the Babes Bar, East Asia Royale Hotel Arcade 1!

Somehow, somewhere, it had to come to this.

Facebook is now the world’s largest social networking site with the Philippines and the Filipinos as its most avid users.  While other countries have been throwing successful Facebook parties, it is only now that we have heard of one being planned in the Philippines, and in GenSan at that!

For this Facebook Party dubbed as face2face, producer Ms. G promises a night of purely party music with very short recesses for some gimmicks.

To provide the evening’s house beats will be Davao City’s very own BEAT LAB DJ’s, presumably the best that the Durian City has to offer.

A premiere offering of Ms. G, this is the first in a series of NITRO – party events which will dare to be different from the usual and change the way the generals have fun.

For face2face, the entrance fee is P200 inclusive of a Facebook Drink.   Not bad since you will be sure that the partygoers here will be most likely your type of crowd – hip, trendy, smart, highly educated,  independent and self-assured.  Basically, the Facebook guy or gal.

And hey, don’t forget to come in white tops and denims.  And if you may, wear a hat too!   And why not?  This is a themed-party for God’s sakes!!!   It is not the usual run-of-the-mill disco party so you have to look your best!

Who knows?  They might choose the best-dressed Facebook guys and gals in the middle of it all!  Now, that would be something to really watch out for!

GenSan’s very first FACEBOOK PARTY is brought to us by San Miguel Corporation, Litratista, EZ Capture Photo Booth, St. Boniface, Little Dubai, St. Blaise Enterprise, Sophisticut and Killer Bee.  For ticket reservations, please text or call 0939-2055635.  Look for Ms. G.  Poster above was designed by the talented artist, Ms. Luzie Miag-ao.

Good news for all those seeking available GenSan jobs!  

Silver Finance Incorporated (formerly Silver Lending and Investor, Inc.), one of the leading lending companies in the Philippines is soon to set shop in General Santos City!  And before that happens, they are on a hiring mood!

Silver Finance Inc.  with main offices at 181 Bonny Serrano Road, Murphy, Cubao, Quezon City was incorporated and registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on November 27, 1986, initially as a lending investor.

Less than twenty years later, in July 26, 2004, Silver Finance was granted by SEC to operate as a Financing Company.  

Currently, Silver Finance Inc. has twelve (12) branches scattered all throughout the country.  It has recently identified Panganiban Drive in Naga City as its next branch location, prior to the establishment of its GenSan Branch.

And for their GenSan office, Silver Finance is announcing the following job vacancies:

• Branch Heads

- Male or Female

- Age not more than 35 year old

- Graduate of Management or Marketing

- With experience in handling & recruiting sales teams (Agents)

- Local resident

- With excellent interpersonal skills

- Computer literate

• Credit Assistants

- Male or Female

- Graduate of any four year course

- Age not more than 35 year old

- Fast learner and can handle daily transactions

- Computer literate

- With good communication skills

If you know of somebody whom you think could fill in these GenSan Job vacancies for this top-ranked lending company, please inform them to submit their application letters and resumes with their latest colored photographs (jpeg file) by emailing them to slvrfinance@gmail.com.

But what’s most important is to indicate in your email that you managed to find out about these job vacancies through GenSan News Online Mag.