GenSan News Online Mag

Tomorrow, Friday, June 11, 2010, a ground-breaking ceremony for General Santos City’s P362 million SANITARY LANDFILL PROJECT will finally occur at its 63.3-hectare property in Barangay Sinawal!

The landfill project which is about 15 minutes from the city central was awarded to construction company R-II Builders and Philippine Ecology Systems Corporation Consortium. They have been contracted  under a design-build-operate scheme which means that they will “design, build and operate a solid waste management and disposal facility”.

Click on the map below of the GenSan Sanitary Landfill Project for a larger view.

The project is funded by a soft loan from the World Bank’s (WB’s) support for strategic Local Development and Investment Project, which is coursed through the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP).

City Mayor Pedro Acharon Jr. and now congressman-elect for the First District of South Cotabato, who wants the implementation of the project before the end of his final term on June 30, 2010 revealed that the whole thing includes a Materials Recovery Facility or MRF, Sanitary Landfill and Waste Disposal Management System, and other support facilities for the correct disposal of the city’s and neighboring towns’ solid wastes.

Project Coordinator Engineer Nael Cruspero, City Planning Department Head said that work starts with the concreting of the 4 1/2 kilometer road leading to the landfill at Purok Cabuay, in the rolling hills of Sinawal. Then the construction firm would assume the construction, operation and management up to May 2013.

Part of the task is to train assigned city government personnel on every aspect of project’s operation and maintenance.

The city also intends to secure the consortium’s assistance in preparing a closure plan for the old and current municipal solid waste disposal site in Barangay Tambler and lead to its progressive rehabilitation , Cruspero added.

As far as we are concerned, this GENSAN is only the 3rd city in Mindanao which will be having its own SANITARY LANDFILL, next to Davao and Surigao Cities.  What makes this special is the fact that the Tuna Capital is the only one who will be running it together with the private sector is the DESIGN-BUILD-OPERATE scheme!

Bariles wonders how the critics of Congressman-elect Acharon would say now that this project will soon be available for the people of his beloved General Santos City under the able tutelage of his equally reliable and hard-working party-mate, Mayor-elect Darlene Custodio.

But one thing is sure, with Acharon’s assumption of his new post in congress, expect more infrastructure projects to come in our way leading us to say that, “THE BEST TIMES ARE SOON TO COME IN GENSAN!”

For Father’s Day on June 20, 2010, and up to June 21st Robinsons Place GenSan has already come up with a promotion meant for the daddies who want to celebrate out there with their families.

Check out this poster below.

As it says, if you dine at any of the al fresco restaurants at the Robinsons place on Father’s Day JUNE 19 AND JUNE 20 with your Dad; you can have a FREE Photo Keepsake to bring home with you.  There you can keep your  latest picture with your Dad .

If   you are old enough to treat your fathers, then choose from any of the al fresco restaurants like Big Ben’s , Pyesta KTV Resto Bar, Sunset Bistro, Mandarin Tea Garden, Giacomino’s Pizza, Grab A Crab Restaurant, Bigby’s, BluGre Cafe and Coffee Club 101.

They are open until the early hours of the morning.

Bon Apetit and Happy Father’s Day!

In celebration of 9 solid years of being the Reader’s Digest Trusted Brand Platinum awardee when it comes to mobile phones, Nokia launched a 3-month contest -  The Nokia Stories.

With this, comes an opportunity to relate the greatest, funniest, heart-warming or most interesting experiences you’ve had with your Nokia phone.  You can start now by just logging on to www.nokia.com/ph/nokiastories, follow the simple directions and starting writing about your experience.

Relate how your Nokia phone saved the day, how it helped you escape a major predicament, how it assisted you in that long distance relationship with your loved ones, how it has become your new BFF, etc.

Nokia will then publish the best entries on their site and every month, two winners will be chosen to receive a brand new Nokia 2220 slide each.

The Nokia 2220 slide is a compact quality slider that helps you express yourself while giving you practical ways to stay connected and organized.

You may listen to the built-in FM radio and stay entertained, browse the internet with GPRS connectivity and access social networking sites, keep up with the news, and search for useful information, all on the move.

You could also use your free email address from Ovi by Nokia on your Nokia 2220 slide, or access free webmail on any PC, write yourself notes to help remember shopping lists, directions, and other information you need throughout the day, and store up to 1000 entries in the phone book.

With all these features in one tiny device, you’d surely find another best friend in the Nokia 2220 slide.

Luck is indeed smiling on the generals these days because another famous Manila visitor will soon invade the shores of their beloved City by the Bay to provide them with unparalleled entertainment through laughter and humor.

Right after the heels of Pooh, K Brosas, and Anton Diva among others, who were in GenSan recently, comes a comic star of even greater magnitude, for having more than a million Facebook Fans!

Guys, let’s welcome the funny and witty Vice Ganda to Gensan in her comedy show entitled, “May Nag-Text, May Show Ako!” Live in Gen. Santos City.

According to Bariles’ lovely and vivacious friend, Ms. Dolly Santos who is the project’s over-all coordinator, the show is scheduled June 27, 2010, 8pm at the General Santos City Gym in Barangay Lagao.

Vice Ganda who is a regular at the daily noontime talent show, It’s Showtime! is now one of the country’s most sought-after comedy artists after his hugely-successful concert at a jampacked Araneta Coliseum two weeks back, which was heavily featured by his home station, ABS-CBN. This makes it the most anticipated concert show in GenSan then!

Ticket prices are at P250 (General Admission), P500 (Lower Box), P750 (Courtyard, Back Portion) and P1,000 (Courtyard, Front Portion).

In closing, GenSan News Online Mag commends the producers of this and other upcoming concerts in General Santos City for continually enlivening the lives of the hardworking generals who definitely need this kind of entertainment from time to time.  Take a bow, MANIO EVENTS MANAGEMENT for bringing Vice Ganda to GenSan!

Watch out for our upcoming “MAY NAG-TEXT! MAY SHOW AKO?” LIVE IN GENSAN Tickets Giveaways, soon!

For more info and ticket reservations, please call Ms. Dolly Santos at (083) 554-2123 or 0922-8898-285.  Or Mara de Pedro at 0918-5809800. Tickets are also at available at ASIA UNITED BANK, Santiago Boulevard, GenSan.

Updated 6/25/10: Instead of Kean of Callalily, GLADYS REYES of Showtime will be guesting at Vice Ganda’s Concert!  Mas masaya ito!

Although the French, Japanese and Canadian governments have not totally lifted the whole of Mindanao in the list of areas to avoid by its citizens, they have already excluded the tourism and financial hubs of the island, according to a report filed by Sunstar Daily.

This means that cities like General Santos, Cagayan de Oro and Davao are now excluded in their travel advisiories.

For instance, France in its latest advisory urges its nationals to avoid the “western half” of Mindanao, including Zamboanga Peninsula up to the Sulu Archipelago, then down to the provinces of Lanao, Misamis, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Maguindano, even Sarangani, with the exception of General Santos City.

According to Sunstar, “The travel advisory has been primarily premised on the areas of activity of the armed terror group, Abu Sayyaf.”

The Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, for its part advises “against all travel the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), which includes Basilan, Sulu, Tawi Tawi, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao and Sharif Kabunsuan, as well as the Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga del Sur, Saragani, Lanao del Norte, Davao del Sur (excluding urban areas of Davao City), South Cotabato, North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat“.

These welcome developments would hopefully encourage more investments to come into these cities which in turn,  could also help the rest of the countryside in the long run.  We have to give credit to the improving peace and order climate in these urban centers and in their burgeoning trade and commerce.

And of course, we in GenSan News Online Mag have always believed that the more favorable news from these areas, courtesy of their vibrant blogging communities (Soccsksargen Bloggers, Davao Bloggers, CDO Bloggers) have also been instrumental in changing how foreign governments’ perceive them.

Ever since the GenSan Camera Club was organized two years back, the Tuna Capital’s amateur and budding photographers have been regularly visited by the Masters by way of the various seminars on photography they have been offering.

Now for the second quarter of 2010, the clickers of GenSan and the rest of Soccsksargen are once again afforded the visit of another famous Pinoy photog, and this time, he is no other than Mark Ryan T. Ortega.

This time, he will be conducting a PORTRAITURE WORKSHOP on June 27, 2010 at a still undisclosed place here in General Santos City.  For a workshop fee of P3,500 (which is basically a bargain, mind you) you get to learn valuable lessons, tips and tricks from him, and be let on the reasons why he’s one of the country’s most sought-after portraitist (may word bang ganyan?). 

To find out more about Mark Ryan Ortega, here are some facts about him and his work, in short, his credentials. 

Art-Related Awards

PLDT-DPC Painting Competition 3 Consecutive Year – National Finalist 2002-2003-2004

ArtPetron Competition – National Finalist 2003

Grand Winner, Singapore MPT Auto & Motor Festival – 2009

Workshops Conducted

(1) Basic Photography

Fundamentals 1- Basic Photography – Singapore, April 2009, Holiday Inn

Fundamentals 2 – Basic Photography – Davao City, October 2009, Lispher Inn

Fundamentals 3 – Basic Photography – Davao City, October 2009, Villa Margarita

Fundamentals 4 – Basic Photography – Davao City, May 2010, Lispher Inn

(2) Portraiture

Statement 1 – Portraiture Workshop – Davao City, May 2009, Leighton Photo Studio

Statement 2 – Portraiture Workshop – Davao City, May 2010, Eden Nature Park

Statement 3 – Portraiture Workshop – Davao City, May 2010, Lispher Inn

Statement 4 – Portraiture Workshop – Davao City, May 2010, Lispher Inn

(3) Post-Processing Workshop

P 1 – Post Processing Workshop – Davao City, November 2009, Lispher Inn

P 2 – Post Processing Workshop – Davao City, May 2010, Lispher Inn

To see Mark’s works, check out these sites:

-Portrait Collection by Mark Ryan Ortega
-http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkryanortega/
-http://www.mkryanortega.multiply.com
-http://www.mryanortega.com

For more information, please call Tzu at 0921-594-8699.

Calling out all pretty young generals who feel they’ve got what it takes to be another beauty queen! The Search for Miss Silka 2010 GenSan is on!

Check out this poster below….

The Search for Miss Silka is an annual endeavor of Cosmetique Asia Corporation, makers of Miss Silka beauty products which have been growing each year in terms of prices and grandeur.  For 2010, the Grand Finals will be held at the GenSan Gymnasium in Lagao, the biggest airconditioned gym in Mindanao!

If you want to join the likes of the past Miss GenSan’s or Lakambini ng Kalilangan, make sure you possess the following  beauty queen qualifications:

• Must stand at least 5 feet and 3 inches;
• Must be at least 15 years old and not more than 21 years old;
• Must be kutis silka;
• Must both possess beauty and brains (!);
• Must be presently enrolled in school.

Now, if you have all those stamps required of the next Miss Silka Beauty Queen 2010, don’t forget the following dates:

• June 19, 2010 – Screening at East Asia Royale Hotel, 2pm.
• June 26, 2010 – Screening at EMR Center, Koronadal City, 2pm,
• July 10, 2010 – Presentation of candidates at Gaisano Mall of GenSan Atrium, 2pm.
• July 21, 2010 – Swimsuit Elimination at Family Country Hotel poolside, 2pm.
• July 31, 2010 – Grand Coronation at GenSan Gym, Lagao, GenSan, 3pm.

Prospective Miss Silka candidates may register by texting their name/age/school/contact # and send to 0923-7191012.  You may also call (083)3030489 for more info.

Here’s something for amateur photographers of General Santos City.

Check out the Search for the “Kids of Big & Small” Photo Competition!!!

Big & Small is an kids apparel shop at the KCC Mall of GenSan which is about to celebrate its first birthday.  It carries four brands – Big & Small Company, Orange Juice, Spin and HAB.

The photo contest is open to all their customers who purchase products from their outlet from June 1 to June 30, 2010  They can then take photos of their kids wearing the products and submit these as their entries to the competition.

There are two categories to which they can choose to submit their photo entries:  INFANTS (if the child is aged 3 months to 24 months) or TODDLERS (25 months to 3 years).

10 entries per category will be chosen as finalists.  These then will be uploaded and displayed on the Big & Small Facebook Fanpage, here at GenSan News Online Mag and at the outlets of Big & Small Group at KCC and Worlds of Fun KCC.

This is where the real fun begins when the voting for the Best Photos start.  In short, the winners will be decided by voting online.

For the rest of the mechanics, check out the poster above.   If you need more info, you may visit the store at KCC Mall of GenSan (across KFC) or call them at (083) 552-2748.

UPDATE:

We wish to inform you that we are extending the deadline of entries until July 14, 2010. We will be posting the finalist on the 16th. Voting period starts of July 16 until August 15. Announcement will be on August 20. Thanks!  - EMAIL from Big &Small.

Sometime back GenSan News Online Mag reported about Robinsons Mall of GenSan’s  plan of conducting a weekly Sunday Catholic mass at their atrium.   Unfortunately, the plan  did not push through.  It could have been an opportunity for out-of-towners who are in the city for weekend R&R and have to miss hearing mass in their local churches in the process.  Apparently the Presbyterium which decides on matters like this did not see it as that.

Last April however, Robinsons informed us that Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez of the Diocese of Marbel agreed to a First Friday mass to be held monthly at the mall instead.   And so, last May 9, 2010, the first Friday mass was finally officiated at the center of Robinsons atrium.

For June 2010, the first Friday mass happens two days from now, on June 4, 2010.

This celebration of the Holy Eucharist will start at 5:30pm allowing office-goers who have just come from work to join in the celebration presided by one of the Diocesan priests of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Lagao or Sto. Nino Parish in Bula or any of the churches of GenSan.

Again, this is another plus point for Robinsons in conceptualizing significant activities inside their mall.  Kudos to the management for having come up with this!

Most of the NBA followers and fans and basketball lovers out there must be very excited these days because of the advent of the Lakers vs. Celtics Finals 2010 Schedule happening soon.

Those who have cable TV are the lucky ones because they get to watch it inside the comforts of their homes.   But for those who don’t, there’s a famous watering hole in GenSan which offers you the pleasure of watching the games on the wide screen.

Yes, as the poster above says, both the San Mig Sports Bar and the ICONS ON SCREEN Restaurant, located at the Mr. Bigshot Indoor Badminton Courts Compound will be airing the Lakers vs. Celtics Finals 2010 Schedule.  And while there, Double Chilled San Miguel Beer or Lights will be served to you together with your pulutan of choice. 

Meanwhile, in case you’re interested to go visit Mr. Bigshot, here is the NBA Finals 2010 Schedule.

Lakers vs. Celtics NBA Finals 2010 Schedule

Game 1 – Boston Celtics @ L.A. Lakers – Thursday, June 3 – 9:00 p.m.

Game 2 – Boston Celtics @ L.A. Lakers – Sunday, June 6 – 8:00 p.m.

Game 3 – L.A. Lakers @ Boston Celtics – Tuesday, June 8 – 9:00 p.m.

Game 4 – L.A. Lakers @ Boston Celtics – Thursday, June 10 – 9:00 p.m.

Game 5 – L.A. Lakers @ Boston Celtics – Sunday, June 13 – 8:00 p.m. (if necessary)

Game 6 – Boston Celtics @ L.A. Lakers – Tuesday, June 15 – 9:00 p.m. (if necessary)

Game 7 – Boston Celtics @ L.A. Lakers – Thursday, June 17 – 9:00 p.m. (if necessary)

So whether you’re a Boston Celtics Fan or an LA Lakers admirer, check out their exciting games at any of Mr. Bigshot’s restobars and enjoy them in the company of your friends.