GenSan News Online Mag

For the umpteenth time, the local government of General Santos City, now under its new mayor, the hardworking Darlene Antonino-Custodio will once again be offering for FREE  the LIVE TELECAST of the latest major sports event to hit the country,  the much-vaunted and eagerly awaited Pacquiao-Margarito fight.

On the morning of November 14, 2010, all roads lead to the GenSan City Gym for the FREE LIVE TELECAST of this historical boxing bout of World Champ Manny Pacquiao, his first-ever as a Congressman.

Bariles himself has never missed a Pacquiao fight here at the GenSan Gym.  He loves being in the middle of it all, amongst 7,000 of Pacman’s cheering townmates of the seven-time world boxing champion who feel his every punch and agonize each time he receives a blow from his opponents up there on the huge screen.

You should try being there and it will be one goosebumps-filled but proud day for you.

The GenSan Gym gates will open before 8am so please be at any of the entrances early than that.  These will be closed once the gym reaches 70% of its capacity.  No food and drinks are allowed inside.

Today, November 8th 2010, GenSan News Online Mag is officially 3 years old!!!

In the blogosphere, this is known as the blog’s THIRD BLOGOVERSARY!

WHEW!!  Who would have thought we would reach this far, amass more than a million page views, gather a few awards along the way and have time to lead an active group of bloggers?

Surely someone who puts out a first post like the crude and unimaginative one about banana cue in the city oval below would have no inkling that he would move on to be the most favored chronicler of events, happenings and developments in General Santos City!

Crude as it may look, this blog post paved the way for Bariles to cough out 827 posts in less than 3 years, and in the process, receive awards from Digital Filipino and the Philippine Blog Awards, and be included in features on television and gather link juice from dozens of other blogs.

To commemorate all these, we are running a simple 3rd BLOGOVERSARY RAFFLE.

If you are already a subscriber, just comment or leave a message or greeting on this blog post and immediately you will be eligible to win a BRAND NEW iPod Shuffle courtesy of a friend from Commerce Collective.  This is limited to one entry per person.

Good luck to all of you!   And again, thank you for 3 wonderful years of visiting GenSan News Online Mag!  Do not forget to SUBSCRIBE first!

You rock!!

Almost three years after five bloggers met up at Coffee Club 101 for the first time to discuss plans on organizing a local group of same-minded individuals in South Central Mindanao, which they christened as the Soccsksargen Bloggers, their official new logo is now finally out.

A blurb describing the group “Mindanao’s Funnest” was added to aptly describe its motley core group of about 25 happy, active and conscientious  bloggers and an additional 70 members who all care about their region, Soccsksargen.

The Soccsksargen Bloggers Group have come a long way since this blog’s author Bariles contacted Hector Minoza (a UN Consultant), Bro. Vince Celeste, FMS (a Marist brother in NDMU, Koronadal at that time), Mark Aethen Agana (then a graduating IT student of NDMU), Ariel Lalisan (a teacher of Alabel National Science High School) and Job Oberio (a Domain Host provider and Web Programmer) to convince them to do something about the worsening reputation of GenSan and the rest of South Central Mindanao through their blogs.

Good thing that they also felt the same way and agreed to link up and change the online reputation of their individual turfs with the help of course of other local bloggers.

Now, the Sox Bloggers (their nickname) have indeed done a great deal in showing the real Soccksargen to the world, an area that is rich in culture, eco-tourism potentials and the gentlest and most hospitable and fun-loving people in this side of the country.

Bariles, the group’s leader has still a lot of good plans for the group which will redound to the benefit not only of their blog’s readers but of their locality as well.  They have started involving themselves in community-based activities and will be adopting an advocacy or two as part of this.

By the way, they have a website under a temporary domain name.  Click here.  Their Facebook Group Page can be accessed by Clicking here.

Mabuhay ang Soccsksargen Bloggers!!! Keep on blogging para sa SOCCSKSARGEN!!

Thanks to Prints&You for giving the SoxBloggers a discount for their print job.

Almost two weeks after the conduct of the Barangay & SK Elections  in October 25, 2010, General Santos City News Online Mag is sharing with its readers the Winners List of GenSan’s 26 Barangays.

This list is courtesy of the local office of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) which can be found at the old City Hall Building inside the LGU Compound.

Congratulations to the winners!  If you won because of your good work, seamless service track record and strong credibility, you deserve your victory.   But other than that, we could only say, TSK-TSK-TSK!

Here now is the List of Winners of the Barangay and SK Elections in General Santos City.

Gensan Barangay Elections Winners

Did your local candidates make it? What do you think of the results of the 2010 Barangay Elections in General Santos City?

There are photography worskshops and there are photography workshops.

For the past two years, the talented photographers of Soccsksargen have been quite busy attending photography workshops and seminars under the tutelage of some of the country’s famed lens masters transforming a good number of them into award-winning fotogs themselves.

But just when you thought that all the niches of photography have been covered by these workshops, comes another one which tops them all and will sure to attract more than the usual number of attendees.

How does a Jay Tablante Photography Workshop with an FHM Babe sound?

According to Montage Digital Photography‘s Ronald Velasquez, the organizing company of this unique and interesting workshop, Jay Tablante is one of the most in-demand high fashion and glamour photographers in the country today.  He has done works for TV station GMA, MAXIM Magazine and was an FHM Magazine featured photographer.

For his one-day photography workshop in GenSan on November 28, 2010 at the Rosewood Place, he will bring with him FHM Magazine’s one of the 100 Sexiest for 2010 – the sultry and alluring Carla Bianca.

Carla was featured in August 2009 as 100% FHM HOTTIE; one of the GIRLS OF FHM in October 2008 and February 2010′s FHM ONLINE BABE.

She will serve as the official model of the Photography Workshoppers and will hopefully, Jay Tablante could teach the local boys a thing or two about avoiding camera-shake while shooting somebody as sexy as her in all her finest glory.

Interested applicants to the Jay Tablante Photography Workshop will have to shell out P6,000 for the whole day seminar.

Please contact any member of the GenSan Camera Club for details.  Or visit Montage Digital Photography at their JMP 2 Office, Aparente Avenue, GenSan. You may also call this number - #304-0660.

Hurry!  Slots are limited.

After years and years of wondering if it’s gonna open again after it ceased operations almost 10 years ago, Bariles just learned that General Santos City’s most famous panciteria during the 70s and 80s is back!

In the 70s, Ceballo’s Kitchenette used to stay at the lot now occupied by the four-storey building which houses the Land Bank of the Philippines branch along Pioneer Avenue. Then in the early 90s, it transferred to their property at the Osmena South Avenue where it stayed there until it closed shop before the start of the new century.

But now, it is back bearing two names (!) , the original Ceballo’s Kitchenette proudly displayed at its frontage and  M. Ceballo Mini-Restaurant found at small menu tarps inside its new “hole in the wall” location beside the Iglesia ni Cristo along Aparente Avenue in Purok Malakas, Barangay San Isidro.  Later, Bariles found out that apparently, M. Ceballo is a daughter of the original owners.

Ceballo’s served only pinoy noodles or pancit during its heyday.  Bariles remembers that his dad used to take him there on special occasions to feast on their fragrant, saucy and delicious pancit canton or pancit guisado.  At times he would dine there with his high school classmates on their heavenly lomi.

If there is one comfort food for Bariles aside from Joan’s Bakeshop’s SIOPAO, then this is it!  So imagine how he felt when driving near the Satellite Wet Market of Purok Malakas, he saw that Ceballo’s Kitchenette has risen from the ashes!

The dining area is quite small this time, about 2 meters wide and 7 meters long which is just right for 5 small tables.  Anyway,  Bariles and the two girl friends he invited over to try Ceballo’s immediately ordered what he came there for with this menu tarp below as their guide. He was pleased to know that everything in it is basically the same menu fare at the old Ceballo’s of long ago.

Bariles settled for Pancit Canton Guisado (Chicken) while his two companions, Sheila and Chessy opted for Bijon Guisado (Chicken) and Lomi.

After about 20 minutes, their orders arrived one after the other….

First was the Lomi.

The Lomi at P25 was a steal.  It was served steaming in a bowl filled to the brim.  Chessy swears that it is one of the best she has tasted so far in her life and she didn’t even have to season it with black pepper or soy sauce.  It was already flavorful at the very least.

Then came Bariles’ order, the PANCIT CANTON.  This was how it looked below…

Ceballo’s Pancit Canton Guisado which was priced at P75 even tasted better than it looked and smelled.  After a spoonful of its tender but firm noodles drowned in thick tasty sauce, memories of the old Ceballo’s kept pouring into Bariles’ mind.  Yes!  It is the same Ceballo’s pancit canton he has grown to love. And the quite crunchy meatballs which they prepare themselves still stole the show along with the chicken bits and veggie trimmings.

Now for the last part, the Ceballo’s Chicken Bijon Guisado for Sheila.

This time, the taste was still spectacular as much as Bariles could remember it.  However, he felt that the noodles were too thin and less full-bodied than it should be.  Perhaps they could get another brand for this dish.  But then again, at P75, you still get your money’s worth since it was one delicious gigantic serving.   For Sheila, it was one great meal!

The trip to the new Ceballo’s Kitchenette was well worth it for Bariles and his companions.  Mentally taking note of the other dishes in their menu tarp, he swears that he will be back and this time, he will try his father’s favorite, their CHOPSUEY.

Nothing really beats roaming the streets of GenSan and discovering small culinary gems like Ceballo’s.  Makes one proud of the city’s varied fare which has something in it for everyone.

How about you?  What was your latest culinary discovery in GenSan?  Share it with us and we will gladly visit it.

Just when we thought that the almost-every-weekend big star concerts in the city were over, KCC Mall of GenSan, the biggest mall of the Tuna Capital is bringing in an even bigger star to serenade the people of General Santos in a one-night, FREE concert! That’s right, FREE!

Generals, prepare to meet LIVE in the city’s soil FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME, the ‘Concert King’ Martin Nievera!

Every Filipino in and out of the country knows Martin Nievera as almost a ‘household name’ for concerts. Martin appears weekly on ABS-CBN’s ASAP XV Sunday concert show, and regularly holds concerts in big Philippine cities and around the world where Filipinos are concentrated.

Just as always, KCC Mall of GenSan is generous enough to give the Generals Martin Nievera LIVE at their modern and spacious KCC Convention and Events Center – all without having a concert ticket to cost an arm and a leg!

One only needs to present at least P1000 in single OR accumulated purchase(s), from KCC Department Store, in exchange for one (1) concert ticket.
November 13, 2010 is definitely a day to watch out for! Mark your calendars for the FREE show of one of the biggest stars in the Philippine constellation!

See you all then on November 13, 7:00 p.m. at KCC Convention and Events Center for the Martin Nievera Live in GenSan !

Americans were in for a good Halloween treat on November 1, 2010 when on Jimmy Kimmel Live, a new singing duo composed of comedian Will Ferell and Boxing Champ slash Congressman Manny Pacquiao performed a John Lennon tribute!

PHOTO COURTESY OF EXAMINER.COM

Both Ferell who was in white missionary-like white suit and Pacquiao who was decked in his own colorful signature apparel sang Lennon’s very own, “IMAGINE“.  It was Pacquiao’s 3rd appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live actually.  Check out the video of Manny singing on the hit comedy show by clicking here.

Here is the YouTube video of their much-applauded performance, a good gimmick for the much-awaited Pacquiao-Margarito fight on November 14, 2010.

So what do you think of their performance her guys? Should they make a musical action comedy together ala SHANGHAI NOON or RUSH HOUR?

Bariles is very proud to announce that this blog of his, GenSan News Online Mag has been awarded as Best Travel/Destination Blog for Mindanao for the second year in a row.

The award is courtesy of the 2010 Philippine Blog Awards - Mindanao leg which were given out during the fruitful  4th Mindanao Bloggers Summit in Zamboanga City headed by its gracious convenor Ryann Elumba last Saturday, October 30, 2010 at the Garden Orchid Hotel.

Last year, during the conduct of the 3rd Mindanao Bloggers Summit in Cagayan de Oro City, GenSantos.Com was awarded its first Best Travel/Destination Award for Mindanao along with two other awards, the Chikka Reader’s Choice Award and one of Globe’s Digital Tribe Awardees.

Handing out the award to Bariles (besting eight other finalists in the process) last Saturday were Philippine Blog Awards President Juned Sonido, Google Philippines’ Aileen Apolo and Mindanao Bloggers Lead Convenor Blogie Robillo.

"BARILES RAISES HIS THUMB UP WHILE HOLDING HIS JEEPNEY-INSPIRED TROPHY REPRESENTING HIS AWARD FOR HIS BLOG. WITH HIM IS MINDANAO BLOGGERS LEAD CONVENOR BLOGIE ROBILLO, GOOGLE PHILS' AILEEN APOLO, AND PHIL. BLOG AWARDS PREXY JUNED SODIO. Photo courtesy of Ryann Elumba.

This award comes at the right time as Soccsksargen’S most multi-awarded blog is celebrating its 3rd blogoversary on November 8, 2010.

Now after three years of sharing developmental news and pertinent info about the ongoings in Region 12′s most vibrant city together with updates on its  very active advocates for positive reporting, the Soccsksargen Bloggers,  GenSantos.com has indeed proven right that there is a niche for GOOD NEWS after all.

As Bariles himself mentioned during his talk on “Promoting a Locality thru Blogging“ at the Ateneo de Zamboanga during the Blogging 101 Seminar last Friday, October 30, 2010 and later reiterated at his Report on the Soccsksargen Bloggers the following day at the MBS 4 Proper, bloggers just need to write religiously about the positive ongoings in Mindanao to change people’s negative perception about the island.

Yes, people from around the world will read them and most probably, convince them to come and visit the island.

In the end Bariles left them one  very positive outcome he and the other bloggers of Mindanao have come to expect while blogging for this advocacy  – IF YOU BLOG IT, THEY WILL COME.

Bariles humbly shares this new recognition with the following: To the Lord God, who has given him the inspiration to continue doing this for the good of his beloved hometown; the Soccsksargen Bloggers, from whose presence he draws his drive to continue on blogging; to his countless readers, subscribers and regular commenters who have provided him the traffic he needs to sustain his blog and the  necessary feedback he needs if his posts were of utmost value or just plain trashy and the right dose of pinoy humor with their raves and rants; to his blogger friends from Davao, Manila, Cagayan, Iligan, Cebu, Bacolod and elsewhere who have provided him enough blogging lessons, tips and tricks plus the necessary linkages to be more effective at blogging; to his sponsors and supporters in  GenSan, South Cotabato, Sarangani, Davao and Manila, who have gamely opened the doors of their establishments and their wallets for Bariles’ numerous blog events and activities, including his friends in America, Canada, Australia, Japan, the Middle East.  And lastly to his family, led by his small brother Orman plus his partner for five years and official blog photographer, Marz, for being his #1 fans ever.