GenSan News Online Mag

From out of the blue, a general sprung a surprise upon the unsuspecting public last night, October 29, when he was introduced in the initial telecast of the most popular and longest-running reality show in the Philippines, now updated and known as Pinoy Big Brother Unlimited.

Following in the footsteps of fellow generals Gerald Anderson (3rd place Winner, PBB Teens) and Melai Cantiveros (Grand Winner, PBB Double Up), is Paco Evangelista, the “Hopeless Romantic ng GenSan“!

PHOTOS: PBB Grand Winner Melai Cantiveros Grand Homecoming in General Santos City

PHOTOS: Melai Cantiveros’ Audition Pictures in General Santos City’s Lagao Gym

Here’s more of Paco, after the jump…

Real Name: Philip Joel Lape Evangelista

Nickname: Paco

Status: Current Housemate

Origin: General Santos City

Age: 26

Birthdate: 1985-07-28

Nationality: Filipino

Civil Status: Single

Religion:  Roman Catholic

Hobbies:  photography, film making

Favorite Color:  green, blue, red, white

Favorite Food:  pasta

Favorite Show:  So You Think You Can Dance, Cedie Ang Munting Prinsipe, HIMYM, Boston Legal

Favorite Actress: Natalie Portman, Meryl Streep, Cristine Reyes, Alessandra de Rossi, Eugene Domingo

Favorite Singer:  Sting, Parokya ni Edgar, Eraserheads, Wolfgang, Jon Mayer, Urbandub

OTHER INFORMATION from ABS-CBN’s PR:

“I want to find myself.”

‘Yan ang priority ni Paco sa pagpasok ng bahay ni Kuya. Napansin niya kasi na lahat ng pumasok sa PBB, may sinasabing pagbabago sa sarili at sa buhay. A man of many interests, marami siyang sinubukan at inaral na mga bagay. Kapag naaliw siya sa isang bagay, gaya nalang ng pagluluto at pagsasayaw, maghahanap siya ng video sa YouTube at aaralin ito. “I tried to learn the dougie once. It was fun! I also tried DJ-ing, but I never had the equipment for it so I just know it in theory.” Mahilig siya sa pag-perform, kaya naman may experience din siya sa theater at ballet, pati na din paggaya ng iba’t ibang accents.

Buo ang loob ni Paco na madali siyang makaka-adjust sa mga ibang housemates. “Sa tingin ko, sa training ko, I can communicate well. Marunong din naman akong makinig. I can make people laugh. I think I’d get along well with smart people, someone who I can learn from. Also those with a background in the arts. If they’re pretty, I’d love to get along with them!” Aminado siyang weakness niya ang pagiging prangka sa pagsasalita at dapat niyang ingatan na hindi maging presko sa pakikipag-usap sa mga kasama. Nakikita niya ang sarili bilang entertainer, leader, o communicator ng grupo. Kung hindi man, ok din namang house cook ang role niya, featuring his specialty: beef stroganoff!

Of course, it is still too early to tell if Paco Evangelista, whose late father, Joel was a policeman, has got what it takes to figure prominently in this new season of Pinoy Big Brother.  A lot of weight is on his shoulders as his townmates from GenSan will be hoping that just like Gerald and Melai before him, he could prove to everyone that indeed, he is worthy of their support, being from the Home of Champions!

Our only advise is for him to enjoy the ride, just be himself and give it all he’s got.  In the end though, he must not forget the fact that  Pinoy Big Brother Unlimited is still a competition after all.

Don’t miss the exciting developments in “Pinoy Big Brother Unlimited” with Toni Gonzaga and Bianca Gonzales weeknights after “Nasaan Ka, Elisa?” and Robi Domingo in “PBB Unlimited Updates” during “Maria La Del Barrio” and “100 Days to Heaven” on ABS-CBN.

Continue watching “PBB Unlimited: The Audition Stories,” 4 PM on Kapamilya Gold and get to know more about the housemates by visiting pinoybigbrother.com. For the program’s updates, follow his Secretary on Twitter at @OfficialPBB4 or subscribe to http://www.facebook.com/OfficialPinoyBigBrother.

Scenic Sarangani Highlands, GenSan’s prime garden restaurant and hotel which is located up on the hills of Barangay Tambler, General Santos City has cooked something exciting this long holiday weekend!  Check out their poster below…

For two nights starting today, October 28 and October 29, a LIVE BAND will be entertaining their guests who will dine in at their MOLAVE BAR overlooking Sarangani Bay.

Then for three days, from October 29 to October 31, there’s gonna be a TRICK OR TREAT event for kids and kids-at-heart!

Other than these, those who will avail of their ALA CARTE offerings will be entitled to a 10% discount on the room rates of their new hotel.  How’s that?

For more information, please call Sarangani Highlands Garden Restaurant and Hotel at (083) 304-0752; 303-2291, 0922-8590043.

The next two days, October 28 and 29, 2011, Friday and Saturday will be a busy one for people of Soccsksargen who have been dreaming of joining the BPO industry!

Convergys, one of the country’s largest “call center” companies is on a hiring spree and is conducting a jobfair by way of their “CONVERGYS JOBFEST” here in General Santos City!  Check out their poster below!

No, it won’t be Kapamilya actor Enchong Dee who will be interviewing the applicants who will flock to SunCity Suites from 9am to 6pm during the weekend where they will conduct their initial hiring process.

The Convergys Hiring Team will instead be headed by the lovely Ms. Christiane Ruth D. Bracamonte, their Sourcing-Recruitment Operations Officer.  According to her, applicants may just have to bring simply their RESUME and nothing else for their JobFest.

And yes, successful hires will be assigned in Convergys Cebu City and will receive a very attractive compensation package, she added!

For enquiries, Convergys may be contacted at telephone #s 0928-996-36-36.

For people who have plans to visit their dearly departed at Forest Lake Memorial Park at the Apopong Highway here in General Santos City, there will be some events lined up for them and their kids.

PHOTOS:  Mausoleums of Forest Lake Memorial Park

For this year’s celebration of the All Saints Day and All Souls Day, Forest Lake has adapted the theme “HYMNS AND RHYTHMS”.

For three days, park visitors will be treated to the following activities:

• October 31, 2011
  • Halloween Games for Kids
  • Film showing
• November 1, 2011
  • Releasing of Balloons & Offering of Prayers for the Departed
  • “Hymns & Rhytms” by a Rondalla Band
• November 2, 2011
  • Morning Mass at the Park

Aside from these, they can buy refreshments and food from any of these suppliers who will be setting up booths at a designated area at the Forest Lake Memorial Park:  Pizza Hut, Jollibee, Mama Maria Pizzeria, Zagu, Ranchero’s, Rolees Bakeshop. BeeStop and many more.

With these in place, I guess there’s no need to bring your own food anymore!  You can just enjoy all these delicious stuff there while listening to Forest Lake’s “Hymns and Rhythms” Rondalla Band.

This should be a better and more peaceful experience this year while paying respects to your beloved dead at the Forest Lake Memorial Park.

Are you joining this weekend’s 35th MILO® National Marathon here in General Santos City?

For years, the National MILO® Marathon has been the biggest running event in the country. This year, it will hold its biggest advocacy campaign to date. Ten thousand more MILO® running shoes will be given to underprivileged children in 2011. That’s more than twice as much as MILO® gave away in 2010.

Same as last year, for every runner who joins the National MILO® Marathon, a portion of the registration fee will be allotted to the advocacy. And the money raised will be used to produce running shoes that will be donated to different public schools selected by the Department of Education in the areas where the 35th National MILO® Marathon will be held.

All these efforts are in line with the commitment of MILO® to build a nation of champions. Because MILO® believes that MILO® is not just giving away running shoes, but also providing these kids with something they can wear to be champions not just in sports, not just in school, but also in life.

The General Santos leg of the 35th MILO® National Marathon will occur this Sunday, October 30, 2011.

If you want to join this worthy and healthy endeavor and add up to the 12,700 pairs of shoes which has been donated so far this year, just go to the City Sports Office at the GenSan Oval Covered Court during office hours, today and until Friday and fill up the registration form there.  Choose from any of these race categories: 3-K, 5-K, 10-K and 21-K.  Make sure you pay the P100 entry fee (for 3-K, 5-K) or P500 (for 10-K, 21-K).

Here is what Bariles got when he registered last week for the 5-K Race: an XL singlet, his own RACE number bib and a couple of sachets of Nestle Fit juice drink.

You may also register online by CLICKING HERE.

By the way, the 35th MILO® National Marathon will take place whether RAIN  OR SHINE.  Here is the schedule of the Start of Races in GenSan at the Starting Line at the Oval Plaza:

• 21-K – 5:00 AM
• 10-K, 5-K, 3-K – 3:00 AM

In addition, each race category has an official cut-off time.  This means, one should finish the race within the following alloted length of time to be able to get your certificate.

• 21-K Race – 2 1/2 hours after official start of the race.
• 10-K Race – 1 1/2 hours after official start of the race.
• 5-K Race – 1 hour after official start of the race.
• 3-K Race – 1 hour after official start of the race.

Here below is the 35th MILO® National Marathon Race Map in GenSan.  If you see Bariles making his way along the route, please wave to encourage him to finish it.  See you there!
Milo Marathon GenSan Route Map
Milo Marathon GenSan Route Map
For more information, please contact Mr. Dong Gonzales at 0919-507-5148 or 0923-724-7739.

Asian Tongue, one of General Santos City’s newer restaurants is jumping into the Halloween bandwagon with its OctoberFEAST Party! Party!

Set for four days, from October 28 to 31, 2011, this is a good chance for foodies to check out and savor Asian Tongue‘s varied Oriental offerings as much as you like!

Below is their OctoberFEAST Buffet schedules:

• Octoober 28, Friday     –  Desserts and Snacks Eat-All-You-Can @ P99.00
• October 29, Saturday   –  Eat-All-You-Can @ P199
• October 30, Sunday    -   Dessert-All-You-Can @ P79
• October 31, Monday   –   Eat-All-You-Can @ P199

To entertain their dining patrons, Asian Tongue will be featuring live bands and fashion shows during these buffets, which are very welcome treats for these guests actually!

Now you and your families wouldn’t have to worry on where and how to spend the long holiday weekend in GenSan!

Asian Tongue which has teamed up with Occasions First Events for this, is offering their OctoberFEAST promos from 4:00pm to 12:00 midnight.  To get your tickets in advanced, you may visit Asian Tongue at its location along Roxas Avenue, fronting the City Social Welfare and Development Office.

The Circle of Arts Productions is inviting all our readers to their Halloween-inspired event at Gaisano Mall of Gensan!

It’s the 2-day FRIGHTFEST, happening on October 29 and 30, 2011, Saturday and Sunday at the mall’s atrium from 9am to 7pm.

For a minimal fee of P30 for Adults and P20 for Kids, you may join in the fun by coming in your most ghoulish, freakiest and scariest Halloween costumes which could win you a prize!

You and your kids may also avail of the FREE FACE-PAINTING, souvenir photos and play Trick or Treat.  If you have enough guts, you can also enter their Horror Maze built right there at the Gaisano Atrium which will be sure to scare the wits out of you.

All these are guaranteed to make your 2011 Halloween weekend one really frightening, memorable spooky experience at Gaisano Mall of GenSan.  Promise!

Sydney Hotel, GenSan’s premier hotel located at the heart of the city is capitalizing on the generals’ love for partying by coming up with their very own Halloween Specials this weekend!

Check out the posters for their Halloween Treats below.

For Sydney Hotel‘s Halloween Party on Saturday, October 29, 2011, here is the schedule:

• 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm  - Trick or Treat Costume Contest
• 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm  -  Eat-All-You-Can (All Dark Chocolates Dessert)
• 7:00 pm – 12:00 Midnight –  DISCO with Costumes

The ticket prices for the Eat-All-You-Can Buffet are P199.00 for kids from 3 years – 12 years old and P299.00 for Adults.

For those who are joining the Disco Party at 7:00pm, the entrance fee is only P100!

More freebies such as Face Painting and exciting prizes await guests to Sydney Hotel’s first ever Halloween Party in a long while!  We are definitely glad that they are back in the groove.  In fact, these events are just in time for the formal opening of their bigger and better newly-renovated Rooftop Grill and Restaurant which overlooks the Plaza Heneral Santos and surrounding areas.

Now if you want to stay overnight at any of their fully furnished rooms on October 29, Sydney Hotel is offering a Halloween Discounted Price of P999!

This rate comes with FREE entrance to their Costume Party (where surprises await the hotel guest) and FREE Breakfast the following day, October 30.

For reservations and additional information, please contact Sydney Hotel at (083) 552-5479 to 81 or at 0922-792-5205.  Sydney Hotel is located at the corner of Pioneer Avenue and Pendatun Avenue.

On October 14, 2011, a few weeks after the successful launching of the official websites of General Santos City’s 26 Barangay High Schools, its protagonist, Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio again faced a jampacked audience of DepEd officials, teachers, students and guests to deliver another  whammy! This time, she and visiting DepEd Official Gene De Guzman, Executive Assistant to Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro FSC presented to the gathering the Official Websites of the city’s 69 Barangay Secondary High Schools.

In a simple ceremony, they unveiled a paper mache model of the globe with  ”www.gensantos.org” emblazoned on it.  This site is the centralized webpage where all the links to these schools’ webpages may be accessed.

Below is the screenshot of the Centralized website front page (www.gensantos.org).

From this, you can also read the messages of Gen. Santos Mayor Darlene Darlene Antonino-Custodio, DedEd Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro, FSC, former GenSan Mayor Adelbert Antonino (whose administration first conceptualized the SHEEP Computer Literacy Program), Congressman Jun Acharon of the 1st District of South Cotabato, and DepED Superintendent Estrella Lariosa.

This awesome undertaking was spearheaded by Executive Assistant to the Mayor Percival Pasuelo who handles the SHEEP CLP. Aside from designing the websites (using WordPress),  he and his staff of computer programmers also equipped the principals and teachers of the city’s public elementary and primary schools with the right skills to oversee the content and editorial management of their respective sites through a series of seminar workshops.

Some of these teachers and their students were awarded for their efforts during the launching.  Below is the creative men and women behind Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio‘s SHEEP Computer Literacy Program.  Our hats off to them!

For more information, please log on to www.gensantos.org.

It took them two years to follow their lead but KCC Mall of GenSan has finally joined Robinsons Place in the list of malls offering FREE WIFI to its shoppers in the the Home of Champions!

In February 2010, less than six months after they formally made their presence felt in Soccsksargen, Robinsons Place GenSan offered FREE WIFI inside its humongous mall which of course, gave bloggers and internet surfers more reason to visit the Gokongwei’s flagship investment here.  It was even considered a BLOGGERS’ HAVEN.

We were expecting both KCC and Gaisano to follow suit considering the competitive streaks in them.  And now that KCC Mall of GenSan is almost done with the renovation of its existing building, it has finally leveled the playing field and started offering FREE WIFI CONNECTION to its shoppers.

With the increasing popularity of the usage of mobile internet, this awesome development from KCC is such a welcome treat!

Now people wanting to check into their Facebook, Plurk, Foursquare accounts, watch an mtv on YouTube,  or check their email through their laptops, tablets of wifi-enabled phones can now do it for FREE once inside KCC Mall of GenSan!

They can just select from any of these three Wireless signals coded as:  kcc-free-wifi, kcc.free.wifi and kcc_free_wifi to access the internet.

And so with two of the biggest malls in GenSan offering FREE INTERNET ACCESS to its shoppers, it will just  be a matter of time  before GAISANO‘s own free wifi offering starts running its course.