GenSan News Online Mag

Last night, while Bariles was busy dodging the invitations of barkers to enter their bars to “take a look” at their go-go girls or go-go boys while exploring Patpong, in the Silom district of Bangkok, Thailand, a different kind of bar introducing a brand new concept was supposed to be opening back in the Philippines, in his hometown in General Santos City.

This is the BLOODWORX TATTOO BAR.

The Bloodworx Tattoo Bar is the first in GenSan to introduce the laid-back ambience of a bohemian pub offering the services of master tattoo artists.

When it opened its doors last night, they offered 50% discounts on henna tattoos, so one could just imagine how cool everyone look while getting tipsy over their bottles of Colt 45 or Red Horse Beer, the choice of young people who want their kicks fast and hard

Once he is back from his Asean Tour, Bariles will surely try out this place and maybe, just maybe have the face of his mom tattooed on his butt.  :)

The 2010 Tuna Festival is about to happen and this early, the list of events and happenings that was leaked to some people make for some very festive and spectacular celebration.  These include the performance of Manila-based artists during the one week duration of the commemoration of GenSan’s Charterhood.

One of them is the country’s Soul Siren, who goes by the one-liner NINA.

Nina Live in GenSan which will open the Tuna Festival on the evening of August 28, 2010, Saturday is a FULL PARTY CONCERT.  This means that spectators will not only be listening to Nina as she belts out her repertoire but will also be expected to dance along with her performances.

And why not?  The venue, the 18th Hole Driving Range calls for it!  The last time Bariles had so much fun with this same concept was during the concert of SOUTH BORDER.  But that was so many ages ago and this time, even though Nina will be performing alone by her lonesome, she will more than convince the generals of how fantastic she is as a world class artist and how lucky GenSan is to be able to watch her perform right here.

Watch out for the Blog Contest on NINA LIVE IN GENSAN to be announced next week or as soon as Bariles comes back from his Asean sojourn.

NINA LIVE IN GENSAN is brought to us by the Tuna Festival Council, Dadiangas Sun Trading and Crocodillos. For ticket enquiries, please call 0916-88560083.  Tickets are worth P125, P250 and P350.

We do not have words, as generals to express how we feel about XB GenSan Dance Crew’s MAJOR WIN at the Grand Finals of ABS-CBN’s nationwide talent search! (Check out an earlier article about them by CLICKING HERE.)

For taking home the GRAND PRIZE of P1,000,000 and being afforded the rousing and unanimous roars of approval from the thousands of witnesses at the stadium who gave them perfect scores while chanting the word, “GENSAN” over and over again, we could only cry with the boys from Barangay Bula for making us proud.

“Nakakakilabot kayo!”, as what a host Vhong Navarro said.  Very apt. We couldn’t find a better word.

Now watch the video below and relieve the moment when a group of young dancers from the Tuna Capital, who call themselves “XB GenSan” and who lost the first time but came back for revenge, made us weep in amazement and exhiliration and pride.

Thanks to ABS-CBN for the video.

Mabuhay ang XB GenSan!! Mabuhay ang mga kabataang generals!

8,000 runners are set to answer to the starting gun this Sunday, July 25, 2010 at the City Oval Plaza, General Santos City at the 34th National MILO® Marathon. The event sets its sights on an advocacy to inspire public school children to excel in sports by providing running shoes and will be giving away 160 pairs of rubber shoes to students of Dadiangas West Central Elementary School.

A portion of the registration fee of the National MILO® Marathon participants will be allocated to the advocacy and in return, MILO® will donate the equivalent amount raised to add to the production of the running shoes. The event aims to raise 4,000 pairs of rubber shoes which will be donated to student beneficiaries who excel in sports and have balanced academic standing.

The inspiration behind the advocacy comes from previous MILO® Marathon events in which a number of children participate in the marathon even without shoes. MILO® Sports Events Executive, Pat Goc-ong shares “MILO® is committed to helping more children realize their potential. It knows the importance of developing one’s talent and wishes to give these kids an opportunity to shine and achieve something for themselves.”

The National MILO® Marathon experience is also made exciting with additional innovations this year. First, a more competitive qualifying time per age group category has been introduced for 42K Manila eliminations and 21K Provincial Eliminations. Also, over 6 Million in total cash prizes will be given away to individual race winners and the fastest male and female champions, MILO® Marathon King and Queen stand a chance to win a Php 300,000 cash prize.

The 34th National MILO® Marathon has held races in Metro Manila on July 4, Dagupan on July 11 and Baguio last July 18. Topping the 42 K race of Metro Manila was Kenyan runner Abraham Missos with a finish time of 2:39:43 for the male division, and Luisa Raterta of the female division with a record time of 3:28:41. 22 year old track and field bet of University of Baguio, Flordiliza Doños led the Female 21 K category of Dagupan with a finish of 1:25:10 while Kiven Aregalado of San Fernando La Union cornered the top spot of the Male 21 K race category with a record time of 1:22:45. Clutching the top spots for the Baguio races were Marathon King Vertik Buenavista who finished at 1:06:36 and rookie 21 K topper Mercy Taypoc who clocked in 1:35:35.

After the General Santos race, the marathon heads to 14 more cities including Davao City (August 29), Cebu City (September 5), Tagbilaran City (September 12), Dumaguete City (September 19), Iloilo City (September 26), Naga City (October 3), San Pablo City (October 10), Batangas City (October 17), Puerto Princesa (October 31), Tarlac City (November 7), Olongapo City (November 14), Butuan City (November 21) and Cagayan de Oro City (November 28). The grand National Finals will be held in Manila on December 12.

To view the GenSan Race Route Map, please simply CLICK HERE.

The National MILO® Marathon is made possible by event sponsors, Bayview Hotel, Gatorade, Nestle Pure Life, Brooks, Department of Tourism and WWWExpress.

For more info on the National MILO® Marathon and how to be part of its advocacy, visit the exciting new MILO® website via www.milo.com.ph

About the National MILO® Marathon

The National MILO® Marathon is an annual marathon event sponsored by MILO® open to amateur and professional runners. From its humble beginnings in 1974 as a single marathon race in Metro Manila attended by 767 participants, the National MILO® Marathon has grown to be the biggest, longest, grandest national running event in the country attracting more than hundreds of thousands of runners across the country.

Now celebrating its 34th year, the much-awaited running event will be conducting consecutive races in 17 cities across Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao and will be opening its doors to 200,000 participants.

For more information, please contact:

Ada de Pedro

Strategic Edge, Inc.

Tel: +632-892-0247 / +632-892-0250

Email: group3@seinc.com.ph

Robinsons Place General Santos City continues to offer great deals to its shoppers and has started drumbeating the existence of its Robinsons Value Card for its customers.

The Robinsons Value Card is meant for their customers who prefer to shop for their groceries at the Robinsons Supermaket.  They just have to apply for membership of the supermarket’s VALUE PLUS and voila!  They will be given the card for free.

Each time a card-carrying member  makes a purchase, the amount is then encoded into the card to earn a corresponding number of points.

These points may then be redeemed for special gift items in the future.  At times, just by showing to the cashiers will earn one discounts on certain items being sold inside the supermarket.

For the month of July 2010, holders of Robinsons Value Card who purchase at least P2,000 worth of goods at the supermarket are entitled to a FREE Healthy You Orange Juice 1 Liter.

For inquiries, please call Robinsons Place GenSan at Telephone #s (083) 553-3188.

Not a lot of people here in the Soccsksargen Area know that the TARSIER also thrives in our forests.  Instead, they believe that this night creature can only be found in Bohol, which has even adopted it as their tourism mascot.

First the good news.  One doesn’t have to go far to the Visayas to see a tarsier because they actually live in our own wilderness-  in the  mountains of Sarangani and in the thick forests of Mt. Matutum.

In fact, the municipality of Tupi has set aside a sanctuary for them in Barangay Linan, within the protected landscape of Mt. Matutum.

The bad news however is the fact that their numbers are dwindling, the Linan Tarsier Sanctuary needs rehabilitation fast and it will only be a matter of time before they completely disappear from our region.

Before this happens though, the Municipal Government of Tupi, South Cotabato, with the support of the South Cotabato Arts, Culture, Tourism and Sports Promotion Unit (ACTS), the South Cotabato Culture and Arts Foundation, Inc. (SCAFFI), and the Arts, Culture, Tourism and Sports Coordinators of South Cotabato (ACTS-SC), together with Barangay Linan is spearheading a  ”SAVE THE TARSIER FUN WALK“.

The project aims to raise funds to save the TUKAL MAL, the B’laan word for tarsier.  The shout then  for everyone to join the T’mana Tu di Linan (Fun Walk for Linan) rings loud and clear!

This worthwhile activity will involve walking from the Tupi Municipal Town Hall up to Barangay Linan’s Water Falls and Tarsier Sanctuary at 4:30 AM on July 31, 2010, Saturday.

All one needs to do is to pay the Registration Fee of P100 which includes the payment for the Environmental Fee, an ID, a Certificate of Participation and the chance to witness the performances of a cultural troupe and a Live Band.

A souvenir shirt however will cost an additional P150.

Here is the schedule of the Save the Tarsier Fun Walk:

T’MANA tu di LINAN – WALK FOR TARSIER

July 31, 2010

4:00 am – 4:30 am           Briefing Tupi Municipal Hall

4:30 am – 7:40 am           Walk from Tupi Municipal Hall to Green House (3 hours)

7:40 am – 8:00 am           Coffee Break

8:00 am – 10:00 am         Walk from Green House to Municipal Forest Park (2 hours)

10:00 am – 1:00 pm         Water Falls and Hot Spring Hopping

Lunch

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm          Walk from Municipal Forest Park to Tarsier Sanctuary  (2 hours)

3:00 pm – 5:00 pm          Sight seeing tour at Tarsier Sanctuary

Cultural Presentation

5:00 pm – 5:30 pm          Walk from Tarsier Sanctuary to Barangay Plaza (30 minutes)

5:30 pm – 6:30 pm          Tent pitching at Barangay Plaza/prepare dinner

6:30 pm – Onwards         Social Nights w/ Live Band

Awarding of Certificates

August 1, 2010

5:00 am – 6:00 am           Wake up call/Breakfast

6:00 am – 8:00 am           Walk from Barangay Hall to Municipal Hall

—-HOME SWEET HOME—-

Since this is a fun walk, it is open even to beginners. All that is required are healthy lungs and strong legs for the long walks. And yes, camping gears are a must because you will be sleeping under the stars at the grounds of Linan Barangay Hall.

For more information, please contact any of the following:

• Tupi Municipal Tourism Office – Tel. # (083) 822-0087
• Dennis Pacres – 0999-4630778
• Arnold Campos – 0905-8159212
• Or check out www.tupi.gov.ph

For the first part of this series on the Soccsksargen Summer Safari (click here), we featured the over-forty blog posts/articles written about the biggest escapade of bloggers from Southern, Central and Northern Mindanao.  Today, it’s all about the Safari establishment and individual partners who were mainly responsible for its success.

This is therefore our GRATITUDE POST and following are the people and establishments we would like to thank for the success of the First Soccsksargen Summer Safari. Daghang salamat for the bloggers who supplied the photo collages below:  Miah Laborte, Kuya Migs Hipolito, Dr. Charles Ortiz, ChiQ Montes, Lyle Santos. (Please message me if I forgot your name. Links to follow soon.)

Ice Castle Experience

Thanks to Ice Castle Experience, GenSan’s first themed-hotel owned by marketing guru Rey Billena who is the distributor of Nestle ice cream and drinks in Region 12.   It was the OFFICIAL RESIDENCE of the bloggers from Davao, Cagayan de Oro and Kidapawan for two days and the guests swear by the comfort and homey feel of their rooms.

The hotel facade which is nearing completion is being made to look like a medieval castle and is built on top of the owner’s huge freezer storage compartments for his Nestle products.  Basically, Ice Castle Experience is the hotel that ice-cream built.

Last we heard, the SMI Group is commissioning all the rooms of the hotel for its staff after seeing how fully-equipped and well-furnished the rooms are.  If that is the case, then only their soon-to-be-resurrected Genee’s restaurant and coffee shop will be open to the public.

"ICE CASTLE BOASTS OF 16 WIFI-EQUIPPED AND FULLY FURNISHED TWIN-BED ROOMS. IT WILL HAVE A RESTO-BAR, COFFEE SHOP AND A SALON SPA."

Ice Castle Experience is located inside the Glex Business Center, Ambassador Provido Village, City Heights, General Santos City.  For inquiries, please call them at (083) 554-4423 or check out their website at http://www.gensanice.com as soon as its available for viewing.

Pacman Sports Bar

We have to thank Ms Jinkee Pacquiao, the lovely wife of boxing champ and now Congressman Manny Pacquiao of Sarangani Province for agreeing to sponsor the pre-dinner welcome drinks and refreshments of the newly-arrived bloggers during the early evening of Day 1 of the Safari.

For an hour or so, the group played billiards, tried darts and just lazed inside the Pacman Sport Bar while trying out an assortment of pica-pica and pulutan which the attentive staff served them.  To die for is their beef sisig, according to Bloggers Jun Macarambon and Lyle Santos.

"PACMAN SPORTS BAR IS EQUIPPED WITH IMPORTED BRUNSWICK BILLIARD TABLES AND DART BOARDS. IT HAS A WELL-FURNISHED BAR OFFERING LIGHT MEALS FOR PLAYERS. WALLS ARE ADORNED WITH INTERESTING PACQUIAO MEMORABILIA" (COLLAGE BY MIAH LABORTE)

Pacquiao Sports Bar is located at the ground floor of JMIX 2 Building, at corner of Aparente Avenue and Provido Village.  It is Sarangani Representative Manny Pacquiao’s favorite hang-out and if one is lucky, just like the CDO and Davao bloggers, you can catch the new Congressman playing billiards there up until the wee hours of the morning.

Arnevel’s Restaurant and Catering Services

GenSan News Online Mag is also grateful to Tita Nits Velasquez, owner of Arnevel’s Restaurant and Catering Services.  Arnevel’s provided the Safari participants a huge feast during the welcome dinner at the poolside of their sprawling Le Jardin Arnevel’s along Mabuhay Road.

Here, the bloggers feasted on a whole lechon with skin so crispy and the meat tender you’d think it was DE LECHE; grilled tuna jaw with matching seaweed salad and an assortment of veggies for the veggie salad mix.  Then there was the crabs cooked in their own yellow delicious crab fat which had them eating with their bare hands; the freshly mixed kinilaw na tanguinge with mango strips; boiled tasty tahong; and the delectable juicy chicken barbecue.  Tita Nits also served them steamed lapu-lapu!

"LE JARDIN ARNEVEL'S PREPARED MOSTLY PINOY BESTSELLERS DURING THE WELCOME DINNER AT THEIR POOLSIDE FOR THE BLOGGERS. PHOTO SHOWS OWNER TITA NITZ AND SON ARNOLD VELASQUEZ. AN ASSORTMENT OF SEAFOODS, CHICKEN, PORK, BEEF PLUS A WHOLE LECHON AND PINOY VEGGIE SALADS WERE SPREAD OUT FOR ALL TO PARTAKE."

Piyesta KTV & Resto Bar

The group, now filled up to their necks with glorious food, headed to Robinsons Place Al Fresco strip where the Grand Eyeball is gonna happen.  There, they met the GenSan bloggers for the first time and immediately bonded with each other.  Free drinks courtesy of bar owner, Kikay Blogger Donna Mae Congson overflowed while chopped lechon donated by Congressman Jun Acharon, of the first district of South Cotabato was passed around.  Thank you Ms. Donna and to the former GenSan mayor.

Everyone had a fill of Piyesta’s exclusive fare like kurat sticks, Pinakurat dish, Gello syringes, the drinks in test tubes, the sisig, etc.   Those who did not drink opted to update their Plurk and Facebook accounts using the bar’s free Wi-Fi.

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"THE BLOGGERS EYEBALL GATHERED THE ONLINE WRITERS FROM SOCCSKSARGEN, DAVAO, CDO AT ROBINSONS TOP RESTO BAR OWNED BY KIKAY BLOGGER DONNA MAE CONGSON. ASIDE FROM CONGRESSMAN JUN ACHARON'S CRISPY LECHON, THEY TRIED THE EXCITING DRINK CONCOCTIONS WHICH WERE EXCLUSIVE TO THE BAR."

Dolores Farm Garden Resort

Day 2 of the Soccsksargen Summer Safari started with a breakfast at Dolores Farm Garden Resort, 15 kilometers away from GenSan, at Polomolok, South Cotabato.  Not only were the mixed group bloggers served with delicious Filipino meals but were also given a tour of the green farm resort, which is the municipality’s top tourism draw.

"BREAKFAST FOR BLOGGERS CONSISTED OF NATIVE FARE LIKE FRIED BANGUS, CORNED BEEF, CRISPY TILAPIA, EGGS AND AN ASSORTMENT OF TROPICAL FRUITS. THEY TOURED THE PANGASIUS POND, AND THE MINI ZOO WHICH FEATURES A NAUGHTY MONKEY."

Dolores Farm Garden Resort is under the RD Hotels and Resorts Group.  They have overnight hotel rooms, a large hall which could be  divided into smalle and two large swimming pools.  The bloggers had breakfast at their Wi-Fi equipped Kiosk overlooking the pool.  Thanks in particular to RD Hotels and Resorts VP Tata Mondido for hosting the group.

Next summer, Dolores Farm will be the site of the “Bikini Hunk and Babe 2011″.

Punta Isla Lake Resort

We are also indebted to Lake Sebu’s most patronized destination, the Punta Isla Lake Resort.  After visiting the Seven Falls and the Zipline Jump-Off area on Day 2, Punta Isla Lake Resort was obviously the next stop.   The bloggers were all famished after the trek they did going to and from the Seven Falls and was expecting a treat.

"THE SEVEN FALLS OF LAKE SEBU AND THE ZIPLINE DESIGNED TO FLY YOU ABOVE THEM ARE RUN BY THE LAKE SEBU MUNICIPALITY LGU. EACH RIDE COSTS P250."

They were not disappointed after waiting quite long.  Punta Isla Resort served the hungry bloggers with all sorts of tilapia dishes other than entertaining them with a dance performance from their resident T’boli dancers.  It was delicious Tilapia all the way.  The visitors also had a field day filming the majestic view of the Lake from the resort.

"PUNTA ISLA LAKE RESORT SITS ON A HILL EXTENDING DOWN THE LAKESHORE AND THUS OFFERS A BREATH-TAKING VIEW OF THE LAKE. IT HAS OVERNITE COTTAGES FOR INDIVIDUALS, SMALL & BIG GROUPS AND HAS FUNCTION ROOMS TO BOOT. IT ALSO HAS A FLOATING RESTO AND OFFERS ONE-HOUR BOAT RIDES AROUND THE LAKE."

Merl’s Garden Resort

The bloggers last stop at Lake Sebu was the refreshing Merl’s Garden Resort, located a few kilometers from the lake.  It boasts of two swimming pools and their own Zipline!!

"MERL'S GARDEN RESORT HAS ADULT AND KIDDIE SPRING WATER POOLS AND A RESTAURANT WHICH SERVES THE FINEST PANCIT CANTON."

It’s zipline though shorter and less high than that at the 7 Falls was still a thrill ride for the GenSan bloggers who braved it.  The zipline passes above the resort’s pools so if in case the line breaks, you’ll land safely into the waters below. (Joke!)

"MS. GENSAN ROMARIE CUNANAN HAVING FUN RIDING THE MERL'S GARDEN RESORT ZIPLINE. ON HER WAY BACK, SHE HAD TO CLIMB A VERTICAL LADDER GOING FARTHER UP A TREE TO REACH THE SECOND ZIPLINE STATION.""

Merl’s Garden Resort also offers overnite cottages and function rooms.  For inquiries, text or call them at +63-919-4577221 or +63-922-5713078.

Sa Balai Bistro

Koronadal City was represented in the Soccsargen Summer Safari by its hip and trendy Sa Balai Bistro.  Thanks to owner and master chef Carlo Ebeo who also assisted Bariles in getting Punta Isla Lake Resort to sponsor the tourists along with Zion Travel and Tours’ Francis Sablon.

Dining at Sa Balai Bistro was an experience in itself.  The place is packed with all sorts of antiques and mementos collected from the owner’s travel abroad and around the country.  Being a nature lover, Carlo served the group cool and refreshing Mulberry Iced Tea,  sweet and healthy pandan salad, and reinvigorating native tsokolate.  Too bad, it was not his Pasta and Pizza Day because for sure, they will leave the place even more convinced that it is Koronadal’s MUST-VISIT place in anyone’s itinerary.

"SA BALAI BISTRO IS KORONADAL CITY'S MOST FAMOUS CULTURAL ICON. IT SERVES THE MOST DELICIOUS PASTA, PIZZA, LENGUA AND BEEF CASSEROLE IN TOWN."

The Red Tent Steak House

GenSan News Online Mag also in indebted to The Red Tent Steak House which was the last stop for Day 2 of the Soccsksargen Summer Safari.  Located at the Shell Petroleum Station at the corner of Mabuhay Road (P. Dacera Avenue) and Yumang Street, the place is just what its name says – inside a Red Tent.

The simplicity of the establishment stops there however, because what followed is the superb variety of food that it offered  and the quality of service that the owners showered on the famished and tired bloggers.  Owners Dexter and Dina Dumaran, a young and good-looking couple made sure, just like with all the rest of the Safari’s sponsors made sure that it was one dinner which will forever be etched in their minds.  The juiciest, fattest steaks, the tastiest’s tenderest pork roast and the yummiest crabs on earth were finished off in no time at all!

The Red Tent, we take off our hats to you for giving the Soccsksargen Summer Safari a glorious finish.  Thank you blogger Gilbert Tan, who facilitated their participation.

More thanksgiving to follow…. Check back later.. for the contact #s of the different Safari partners too.

Thanks also to the following:

• Kakanin, Atbp. – for the pabaon they distributed to the visitors.
• Rolee’s Bakeshop – for the cupcakes which helped ease their hunger at Lake Sebu.
• Robinsons Place GenSan – for allowing the bloggers to take photographs inside their mall.
• Pablo’s Davao – for the lunch they served during the CDO Bloggers’ short stop in Davao on their way to GenSan.
• MP Princess Printing Shop – for the free printing of the safari tarpauline streamer.
• GenSan City Mayor’s Office – for facilitating the use of an extra vehicle for the bloggers.
• Davao Bloggers – for always being there to support their counterparts from Soccsksargen.
• Cagayan de Oro – for making it here and showing us their warm brand of friendship.
• Orman Manansala – for providing the oars to the sailboat which launched the Safari.
• Lord God Almighty – for the safe, peaceful and fruitful conduct of the tour and for giving Bariles the strength to join the escapades although having just been released from the hospital.

Until next time, bloggers!!!  See you soon in Sarangani for the Sarangani Discovery Tour: SARANGANI, YOUR ADVENTURE.

For our first blog entry for this week, we are publishing  the twenty six (26) entries to the “Search for the Kids of Big and Small Photo Contest“.

This contest by the Big & Small Group of baby and kids apparel’s which is for their patrons and clients was announced earlier by GenSan News Online Mag in a post which can be found by CLICKING HERE.

Now all you have to do is CHOOSE WHAT YOU THINK IS THE BEST PHOTOGRAPH AMONG THESE 26 ENTRIES.

Leave a message in the REPLY SECTION below stating your choice of the BEST PHOTO.

You can not vote more than once if you are planning to do so.  Therefoee so give it up because we would know if you are bogus or not.

Good luck on your search for the best “Big & Small Kid photo.”  You may campaign if you want to for others to vote the same way you did.

Voting period is only up to August 15th.  Announcement of winners will be on August 20th!  VOTE NOW!!  BUT YOU CAN VOTE ONLY ONCE.

Great news for Kapuso fans!

Two of the most famous teen Kapuso stars will be in town this weekend.

Barbie Forteza and Joshua Dionisio, current performers in GMA’s “Pilyang Kerubin” will topbill Robinsons Place GenSan’s Family Day at their atrium starting at 5pm on July 18, 2010 which is already TOMORROW!

Barbie and Joshua first appeared together as a love team in the teleserye “First Time” also in the same network.  Their pairing was such a hit that a follow-up TV series was immediately hatched – Pilyang Kerubin.

Their appearance at Robinsons tomorrow will surely equal if not surpass the jampacked Meet-and-Greet stints there of Derek Ramsey, Mark Herras and Aljur Abrenica earlier this year since their fan base is made up mostly of pre-teens and teens – your basic mall rats.

GenSan News Online Mag is thankful that the Jimenez-controlled network, GMA and its Artist Center continues to allow their stars and talents to grace invitations from the local malls here, mindful of the joy they give to the local fans.

The same can not be said of course of the  ABS-CBN Talent Center, who as Bariles’ insiders from the malls here have revealed,  is so caught up with paranoia since it has been banning its artists from performing in General Santos City in particular, and Soccsksargen in general, due to their perceived “security concerns”.

This has been ABS-CBN’s stand inspite of the people here making them #1 in the region, which for sure will be in jeopardy once GMA under Channel 8 begins producing and airing local news programs on the 3rd quarter of 2010.

That’s when the real network battle begins and it’s up for you to decide whom to patronize considering the way they have been showing their support to the city.

Kapuso or Kapamilya?

If you happen to drive along the National Highway going to the Makar-Koronadal Junction, a few meters before reaching Phela Grande Convention Center on the left, and right across the Shell Gasoline Station, you will not miss the former Caltex Gas Station lot, now with a blue plastic sheet covering, hiding what’s behind it.

It cannot however conceal the frantic construction work on a building beside the right wall of the compound, and upon closer look at the tarpauline streamer hanging at the edifice’s facade, the mystery is revealed!

It is the building of a soon-to-open Mercury Drug outlet, their 6th in General Santos City which they are naming as their North National Highway Branch.  Why North?  Maybe because it lies within the jurisdiction of Barangay Dadiangas North.

Their first five branches are located at Pioneer Avenue, Pedro Acharon Sr. Boulevard, Santiago Boulevard, Jose Catolico Avenue Lagao and Robinsons Place.

Mercury Drug has chosen a good spot for their new outlet since GenSan News Online Mag couldn’t think of a reputable drug store which could better serve the needs of the city’s constituents in this barangay and across Silway River.

Funny but despite some drugstores who operate on a 24/7 basis, there is still no 24-hour Mercury Drug outlet in GenSan.  Hopefully, this branch could be their first.

But do you think GenSan is ready for a 24-hour Mercury Drug outlet?

SM Prime Holdings, Inc., the country’s largest mall operator, is finally pushing through with the ground breaking of its much-vaunted and much speculated multi-million peso investment in General Santos City -  their first mall in South Central Mindanao by the third or fourth quarter of 2010.

To be called SM City GenSan, the mall according to Bariles’ reliable source, is purported to fill up all of 90,000 square meters of a three-story structure inside the 6-hectare property of the Salazar Family straddling the corner of Santiago Boulevard and San Miguel Street, which they have leased for 50 years. Please note that SM City Davao covers only 50,000 square meters of floor space.

See the GenSan MAP of the location by clicking here.

It is scheduled to open after eleven months of construction, in August-Seprember 2011.

Last week, the Human Resource Manager of SM City Davao, Ms. Rosemarie Beltran and three other managers paid a courtesy call on new GenSan Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio.  They discussed with her and City Administrator Atty. Jong Gonzales their company’s intention to seek for tax incentives for their upcoming investment in the city.

According to Mayor Custodio, the tax breaks or incentives would be granted in exchange for the mall’s assurance that 80% of their job vacancies would go to the city’s residents, among other things.

For their part, the SM City Davao people will be conducting a JOBS FAIR for their GenSan Mall sometime in October 2010, in coordination with the PESO (Public Employent Services Office).  This is on top of the regular job vacancy announcements they have been running for job seekers all over the Internet.

By the end of this month of July, it will be the turn of another group of SM managers, this time from Manila to visit Mayor Darlene Custodio.  Where that meeting will again lead to, we could only speculate of wonderful things for the future of General Santos City.

What do you think, dear readers?  Are you ready for SM City GenSan?

If you noticed very recently, the pesky brownouts are back!

In a television interview, SOCOTECO GM Rudy Ocat said that these were unannounced power interruptions from Transco, hence they had no or little time to inform their consumers.

Here is their Power Advisory.

NGCP MAINTENANCE TO EFFECT LOAD CURTAILMENT

ON SOCOTECO II FRANCHISE AREA

JULY 12-17, 2010

(2-2.5HRS,daily)

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) notified SOCOTECO II last Thursday, July 8, 2010, that repair of its 50 MVA power transformer due to oil leaks, will cause rotational brown-out on July 12-17, 2010.

The one-time rotational brown-out will range from two (2) to two and half (2.5) hours, daily. All SOCOTECO II feeders will experience this load curtailment, starting July12, Monday and will end on July 17, Saturday.

Meanwhile, a 15-minute outage will be felt by all areas covered by SOCOTECO II SARI, Glan, Ligaya, Main Office and Leon Llido substations on the switching operation on July 12                        (8-8:15AM) and July 17 (4:45-5PM).

SOCOTECO II has to implement this load curtailment notice to ensure protection of NGCP’s transmission system which supplies power to all SOCOTECO II customers.

For inquiries on this matter, please call 553-5848 to 50 or text 09177205365.

Thank you for bearing with us.

Approved for release:

(Sgd)GERONIMO C. DESESTO

Manager, Institutional Services Department

July 9, 2010

553-5848 local 133

____________________________________________________________________________________

Copy Furnished to:

Mayor’s Office (GSC, Polomolok, Tupi, Alabel, Malapatan, Glan, Malungon, Kiamba, Maasim, Maitum)

Governor’s Office (Sarangani, South Cotabato)

All SOCOTECO II sub-offices

ABS-CBN

Skycable

Radio stations (Bombo Radyo, RMN, Brigada, Campus, Wild FM, Home Radio)

Now, here is the new schedule for the period July 14-17, 2010.

July 14-17

Feeders as of Feb 2010

Please be guided accordingly dear readers.

USWAG Sarangani 2010 officially started yesterday with an Opening Ceremony at the Sunken Arena in the Municipality of Malungon. That will open the doors to almost three weeks of events and activities aimed to develop and strengthen Sarangani Province’s burgeoning micro, small and medium enterprises.

For this year, USWAG Sarangani, or Move Forward Sarangani in English, is motivated by the battlecry “Negosyo… Tagumpay Mula Sa Kahirapan.”

Check out the list of activities below.

Uswag 2010 Activities

To give you a more detailed description of this year’s USWAG Sarangani, here are the images of its newsletter.

It has been almost 5 weeks already since the succesful conduct of the Soccsksargen Summer Safari which GenSan News Online Mag and GandaEverSoMuch spearheaded for the Soccsksargen Bloggers and yet the repercussions are still being felt all over the blogosphere and the net, in general.

"THE AWESOME POSTER DESIGNED BY ALEXIS CHUA AND XYRILLOID LANDICHO"

Bariles is therefore writing a two-part post in grateful appreciation to all who were instrumental to its success and dedicating this most especially to the safari partner establshments, to whom he promised worldwide exposure through the blogs of the participants.

May 29-30, 2010 should go down in history as one of the most hectic albeit fun-filled adventure-laden eyeballs of bloggers from Northern and Southern Mindanao in GenSan and one of the most chronicled.

Over twenty A-list and notable personages in the blogosphere from Davao, Cagayan de Oro and Kidapawan Cities accepted the invitation of the brothers Bariles and Ganda Ever to discover the culinary and tourist destinations of South Central Mindanao and meet up with the rest of the bloggers from this side of the island.

"BLOGGERS FROM DAVAO, CAGAYAN DE ORO, KIDAPAWAN MEET THE SOCCSKSARGEN BLOGGERS AT THE GRAND BLOGGERS EYEBALL AT PIYESTA KTV AND RESTO BAR ON DAY 1 OF THE SOCCSKSARGEN SUMMER SAFARI"

Now, a month after that momentous weekend escapade, here are the over forty (40) blog posts written about it and which are currently flooding the Internet – featuring of course Soccsksargen Summer Safari’s PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS, DESTINATIONS and SPONSORS.

For details on the events and activities which transpired during these two days in May, complete with photos and videos, check out the following blogs by clicking on their links:

1. Soccsksargen Summer Safari Day 1 – by ChiQ Montes (Cagayan de Oro)
2. Soccsksargen Summer Safari Day 2 – by ChiQ Montes
3. MFAT/Summer Safari Video Blog – by ChiQ Montes
4. SoCCSkSarGen Summer Safari Day 1 – by Brendel Balaga (Davao City)
5. SoCCSkSarGen Summer Safari Day 2 - by Brendel Balaga
6. SoCCSkSargen Summer Safari – Day 1 Highlights –  by Lyle Santos (Davao City)
7. SoCCSkSargen Summer Safari – Day 2 Highlights – by Lyle Santos
8. ICE CASTLE Experience – by Lyle Santos
9. 1st Day of MFAT/Soccsksargen Summer Safari – by Eldie Aban (Cagayan de Oro)
10. 2nd Day of MFAT/Soccsksargen Summer Safari – by Eldie Aban
11. Ice Castle Experience -  by Atty. Magman (Cagayan de Oro)
12. Thank You Speech – by Atty. Magman
13. MFAT/ Soccsksargen Summer Safari – The Movie – by Atty. Magman
14. The First Soccsksargen Summer Safari – Day 1 –  by Sheng Dumalay (General Santos City)
15. 7 Falls, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato – 2nd Day Summer Safari – by Sheng Dumalay
16. MFAT/Soccsksargen Summer Safari Adventure – Day 1 –  by Michael Abonitalla (Cag de Oro)
17. MFAT/Soccsksargen Summer Safari Adventure – Day 2 –  by Michael Abonitalla
18. MFAT Summer Safari in Mindanao – by  Richard Badilisan (Cagayan de Oro)
19. Mindanao Fat – Soccsksargen Summer Safari Day 1 –  by Mindanao New Media (Davao)
20. Caught on MFAT- Soccsksargen Summer Safari Day 1 –  by Robstroy (Cag de Oro)
21. Caught on Summer Safari Day 2 – by Robstroy
22. Mindanao FAT: Soccsksargen Summer Safari Day 1 - by Mindanao New Media (Davao)
23. Mindanao Food Apprentice Tour & Soccsksargen Summer Safari - by Elva Agbon (Cag de Oro)
24. A Weekend of First Experiences Day 1 -  Venus Mabale (Cag de Oro)
25. A Weekend of First Experiences Day 2 - Venus Mabale
26. My First Zipline  -  Venus Mabale
27. Socsksargen Summer Safari Day 1 -  by Meiyah Laborte (Davao)
28. Soccsksargen Summer Safari Meetups Day 1  - by Faust Principe (Davao)
29. Soccsksargen Summer Safari Meetups Day 2 -  by Faust Principe
30. MFAT Summer Safari in Mindanao  - by CDO Bloggers
31. Mindanao Food Appreciation Tour Day 1  -  by Ria Jose (Davao)
32. MFAT: Soccsksargen Summer Safari Day 2  - Ria Jose
33. Mindanao New Media Bloggers’ 1st Summer Safari & FAT 1 -  by Richard Diongson (Kidapawan)
34. Mindanao New Media Bloggers’ 1st Summer Safari & FAT 2 - by Richard Diongson
35. Soccsksargen Summer Safari Day 1  - Migs Hipolito (Davao)
36. Soccsksargen Summer Safari Day 2 -  Migs Hipolito
37. Pacman Sports Bar -  Migs Hipolito
38. Arnevel’s Restaurant & Catering Services  – Migs Hipolito
39. Piyesta KTV and Resto Bar - Migs Hipolito
40. Pacman Sports Bar  - by Jun Macarambon (Davao)
41. Summer Safari Day 1 -  Kevin Paquet (Davao)
42. How the MFAT and the Summer Safari gave me a good summer - Ariel Lalisan (Sarangani)
43. Summer Safari:  Off to a good start  -  Orman Manansala (GenSan)
44. The Many Miracles of the Summer Safari -  Orman Manansala

That’s over 40 blog posts and articles written about the Soccsksargen Summer Safari which is basically a record of sorts!!!  

Thank God, it was a smooth ride from the start for Bariles, who planned everything with the help of Orman and talked to all the prospective sponsors.  That says a lot about how accepting the establishment owners of Soccsksargen are with regard to the power of the new online media in creating much-welcomed exposure and waves for their businesses on the Internet.

And not only that!  This safari and the blogs chronicling it will further open the eyes of outsiders to the wonders and beauty of the region and erase whatever negative perceptions there are left about this blessed part of Mindanao Island.  That is basically one of the reasons for the existence of the blogs of these writers.

In fact, an offshoot of the Soccsksargen Summer Safari is DTI-Sarangani’s plan to come up with their own Sarangani Blogger Discovery Tour in August 2010, with the intention of showcasing the province’s existing and promising tourism destinations.  Bravo!

Again, GenSan News Online Mag is thanking the bloggers who participated and wrote about their experiences and the rest who will still be blogging about it.

As for the identity of the generous Summer Safari partners, watch out for Bariles’ succeeding blog post about them.  Abangan!

On April of this year, GenSan News Online Mag wrote about the fever pitch construction of a new hotel along the National Highway and their search for job applicants.  The name of the future hotel?  SUN CITY SUITES.

Now less than three months after, Sun City Suites is set to open on July 22, 2010, Thursday!

According to its gracious Sales Account Manager Kate Budke, Sun City Suites will be offering 42 rooms for its guests. For its opening, they are giving HOT DEALS or Discounted Rates on their rooms:

• STANDARD ROOM –  P 1,900 P1,400
• SUPERIOR ROOM   –   P 2,500  P 1,600
• DE LUXE ROOM      -   P 3,000  P 2,000
• SUITE ROOM           –    P 3,800  P2,800

Here below are the Guestroom Features and Amenities:

• Complimentary breakfast
• Free Internet Access in all rooms — YES!
• Cable TV with 32″ LCD Monitors
• Multi-function telephone system with IDD and NDD
• Toilet with hot and cold shower
• RFID electronic door lock system
• Fully automated fire alarm system
• Baby cribs available upon request
• Mini-bar (For suite rooms)
• Coffee/Tea making facilities (for suite rooms)
• Microwave oven, kitchen with counter sink, sofa sleeper (for suite rooms)

As far as we are concerned, they might be the only hotel in GenSan to be offering WI-FI in the most number of rooms although Hotel Dolores‘ first and third floor rooms have internet connection too together with Tierra Montana‘s newer rooms.

The other facilities and services that SunCity Suites will be offering are:

• Function rooms
• Non-smoking rooms
• Disability accessible rooms
• Laundry
• Airport transfers
• Business center and Secretariat services
• Mailing Service
• Safety deposit Boxes

A huge attraction for hotel patrons is the SunCity Complex where the hotel is located.  According to the hotel flyer, it will be an upscale commercial center with a wide array of dining, entertainment and commercial establishments.  

Here are some of the establishment set to open in the SunCity Complex:

• Cafee Firenzo
• Gusteau’s Crabs and Seafoods
• Q Bar
• Central Convenience Store
• Firenzo Deli
• Quality Appliance
• Digital Interface
• Jill’s Specialty Shop
• A KTV Bar
• A salon and spa
• A photography studio

SunCity Suites is located inside the SunCity Complex, National Highway, beside 18th Hole Driving Range, General Santos City.  For inquiries or reservations, please call the following numbers:  (083) 303-3333, 552-3333, 554-3333 or Fax them at 552-3331.

Mr. Bigshot Badminton Indoor Courts is once again on the forefront of leading the way in promoting sports and fitness among the generals.

For two days this month, on July 16-17, 2010, this premier GenSan sports and recreation haven plays host to the 2nd Powerade Badminton Tournament.

Mr. Bigshot Indoor Badminton Courts has been the choice venue of local and national badminton competitions in General Santos City ever since it opened a few years back. Other than badminton courts, it houses a baskeball court and playing areas for pingpong and billiards inside one big warehouse.

Just outside the courts can be found the famous Six-Blings Ostrich Restaurant, the ICONS Restaurant, the San Mig Bar and the O-ohlang Seafood and Grill, among others.  This is the reason why its the favorite tournament venue in the city.

As for the 2nd Powerade Badminton Tournament, here are the prizes and the guidelines.  Thanks to Mr. Bigshot owner Bebot Haw for this.

The REGISTRATION FEE is P650.00 and it a Tournament Jersey and Dinner.

CATEGORIES & PRIZES:

? Men & Women Class G Champion P 3,000.00 + Medal
Runner Up 1,500.00 + Medal
? Men & Women’s Class F Champion 4,000.00 + Medal
Runner Up 2,000.00 + Medal
? Men & Women Class E Champion 4,000.00 + Medal
Runner Up 2,000.00 + Medal
? Men Class D Champion 4,000.00 + Medal
Runner Up 2,000.00 + Medal
? Women Supermix Champion 4,000.00 + Medal
Runner Up 2,000.00 + Medal
? Men Supermix Champion 5,000.00 + Medal
Runner Up 2,500.00 + Medal

RULES & GUIDELINES:

1. Tournament Format: Round Robin by Bracket
2. Scoring System: 1-21, best of three
3. Entry: Players are allowed to play in not more than two categories provided that he/she will take the consequence of having a short rest interval. Category that does not reach 5 entries is subject for cancellation.
4. Defaulting time: 10 minutes before schedule of game
5. Levelling: The Organizers reserve the right to qualify and disqualify the player/s entry. All entries are subject to screening and evaluation with the available list from various clubs as initial basis. Players who have played in the Regional and National Meets are not allowed to play in Class F and E. Players who played below their class levels will be automatically disqualified and games played will be forfeited. Supermix combinations must be B/D, C/C or A/E. Class G level is for Gensan residents only.
6. In case the levels of the players of the pair are not the same, the higher level player will be the basis in the classification of their category.
7. Deadline of submission of entries is on July 12, 2010. No more entries will be accepted after the deadline.
8. Opening Program and Competition Proper will start on July 16 (Friday) at 7:00PM. Players are advised to arrive at the venue at least 1 hour earlier for registration and distribution of tournament jersey.

For Registration and Reservations, please contact any of the following:

• MS. JENNETH MILLANAR – 09163243319 or 09322681888
• MR. ALLAN MARCILLA – 09216095014 or 09066900531
• ROCELYN MANERO –
• Mr. Bigshot Badminton Court – (083) 302-1961

Due to numerous requests, GenSan News Online Mag is publishing the Inaugural Speech of the new Mayor of General Santos City, the Honorable Darlene Antonino-Custodio here, in verbatim.

GenSan Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio is sworn into office while flanked by parents former Congresswoman Lualhati and former Mayor Adelbert Antonino with husband Benjie Custodio.

Mayor Darlene delivered it on the day she took oath together with Representative Pedro B. Acharon,  Vice Mayor Shirlyn Banas and the twelve city councilors on June 28, 2010 at the Oval Plaza Covered Court. Inaugural Address of Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio

Sarangani Highlands Resort, one of General Santos City’s prime tourist destinations turns three this month and they are celebrating it with a dinner party!

It has been a while since Sarangani Highlands Resort threw a party.  The last two events they conducted were their Full Moon party series, the Takdol Festival.  Then, their name was Sarangani Highlands Garden and Restaurant.

Their name change is in preparation for the opening of their upcoming hotel rooms and spa which we are pretty sure will strengthen its hold on the tourist market.

For their Third Anniversary Special on July 8 next week, at the price of P550 per head, guests can enjoy a DINNER BUFFET and will have no less than GenSan’s famous oldies music band MISMO to entertain them at their hilltop location in Barangay Tambler, which overlooks Sarangani Bay.

For more info on Sarangani Highlands Resorts Third Anniversary Special Dinner Buffet, please contact telephone #s  (083) 304-0752, 303-2291, or 0922-8590043.

Barangay Lagao in GenSan is turning out to be the culinary center of the city.  

It hosts the famous diner’s paradise, the GenSan restaurants‘ haven – Tiongson Arcade which houses specialty restos like Gusteau’s Shrimps and Crabs, Euro Kitchen and Gio’s Mongolian Barbecue plus the 10 or more stalls selling everything from barbecue to seafoods.  

 One can also find the high-end Red Trellis at Tiongson Extension there and the roadside favorite Ballena Kainan.   Not to be missed of course is the Al Fresco strip of Robinsons Place which is Lagao’s crown jewel.  

Recently, a newcomer opened its doors unceremoniously at the corner of Tiongson Street and J. Catolico Avenue.  Guys, say hello to HARVEYS, another GenSan restaurant soon to capture your tastebuds.

Harvey’s owned by partners Malot Veneracion and Didot Calma was only less than two months old when discovered by Bariles and his brother Orman.  Being meat lovers, they immediately warmed up to the place after they were seated comfortably and shown the well-layouted menu.

They first got Harvey’s grilled baby-back ribs which was superb to say the least.  The fat-less meat which was smothered with their barbecue sauce is still soft and tender and juicy.  Complementing it are the side dishes of veggies and sweet corn.  Both had to eat them with their hands and finished up all the meat to the very bone.  It was definitely their best-seller and now both the brothers know why their slogan is:  NO BOIL.  NO FRILLS.  JUST GOOD OLD-FASHIONED RIBS.

"HARVEY;S GRILLED BABY-BACK RIBS"

Amusingly enough, Harvey’s baby-back ribs come in three sizes with the following names:

• GREEDY - extra-large ribs with sidings of marble-sized potatoes or sweet corn, this one is priced at P320 and is good for three persons.
• SELFISH - large-sized ribs with sidings of potatoes or sweet corn, and prized at P165, good for two persons.

Another version of this new GenSan restaurant is their baby-back ribs was the spicy ribs sprinkled with red and green chili which had just the right bite to it but was still succulent and uber tasty.

"HARVEY'S SPICY RIBS SPRINKLED WITH GREEN AND RED CHILI PEPPER"

Then came a surprise – the Harvey’s Chicken and Shrimp Combo, also grilled and served with atchara and sauce dip.  The shrimps were big, fat and juicy and a perfect foil for the rich meats.

"HARVEY'S CHICKEN AND SHRIMPS COMBO"

Last on their radar was the Burger Steak, two home-made beef patties, served in a sizzling plate and which was a complete meal in itself.  They could hardly finish it but the aromatic mushroom gravy smothered on top of the patties was just a big temptation.

"HARVEY'S BURGER STEAK"

For all their meat products, a variety of dips and sauces are available.  There’s the tangy, spicy and super hot Super Scott and the mustard-based Big Boris.  Then there’s their version of the classic Uncle Sam barbecue sauce called Chloe’s Choice, the garlicky Kuki Kraze or the sweet-and-sour taste of Yum-O-Yokie.

There were still a few more food on their menu like their pasta dishes, burgers, sisig, and special kinilaw but no thank you, the brothers were full.  All they could muster was a promise to the owners that for sure, they are coming back another day.

Harvey’s is located at Tiongson Street corner J.P. Catolico Avenue, Lagao.  It is open to serve lunch from 11pm and 2pm and dinner until 12 midnight.  For reservations, please call (083) 552-9838.