The SEX Tour was started out in September 2010 by GenSan News Online Mag & GandaEverSoMuch as an alternative activity for a group of Manila-based bloggers who flew to General Santos City at that time but were left with nothing to do since their original reason of coming here, the Tuna Festival was moved to a later schedule.

"THE PARTICIPANTS OF THE FIRST SEX TOUR AT LAKE SEBU, SEPTEMBER 2010."

Guided by the success of the Soccsksargen Summer Safari in May 2010 participated in by more than 20 bloggers from Cagayan de Oro, Davao and GenSan, we immediately devised a similar albeit simpler tour package for them and called it the SEX Tour, short for Soccsksargen EXperience Tour.

"A JUMPSHOT FROM THE SEX TOUR 2.0 BLOGGER PARTICIPANTS AT THE 5TH MOUNTAIN OF BALAKAYO ADVENTURE PARK. FEBRUARY 2011."

Needless to say, that initial SEX Tour was such a smashing success that we followed it up with a SEX Tour 2.0in February 2011.   A 3rd version,  the  SEX Tour Tresin September 2011 was also hatched.

All these three SEX Tours did wonders in promoting South Central Mindanao by highlighting its eco/industrial tourism potentials, OTOP products and services of world-class calibre plus its bounty of  heavenly gastronomic delights!

(We will be sharing the blog posts from the participants of the SEX Tour Tres in a future feature so watch out for it.)

"MORE BLOGGERS CAME FOR THE SEX TOUR TRES IN SEPTEMBER 2011. THIS WAS SHOT AT THE GAISANO MALL OF GENSAN, A SEX TOUR PITSTOP & PARTNER"

And now for SEX Tour 4.0, we are expanding the itinerary to include more pitstops and adventours on a larger scale!

This time, as organized by Project O! Consultants,  SEX Tour 4.0 will traverse 3 Cities (Gen.Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong) and 3 Provinces (Sarangani, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat) and will run from September 1 to 5, again right smack during the ATOP 2nd Best Festival in the Philppines awardee, the Tuna Festival!

So to keep everyone informed and even more excited, here’s the official teaser, the SEX Tour 4.0 poster, created by young Wizard designerJune Raye Prudente, a blogger from Polomolok, South Cotabato.

A registration fee of a measly P2,000 is the small amount required for each participant although we are limiting the number to 25 bloggers at the most.  We have already pre-chosen 10 bloggers initially and will need to look only for 15 more.

Transportation fares to and from General Santos City plus expenses on hotel accommodations from September 1 to 5, 2012 will be shouldered by the participants themselves.

Check out GenSanHotels.com for very affordable lodging houses in the city.  We  can also assist you in scouting for the best places for you to stay while here.

Meals, snacks and water are all complimentary and will be provided by the SEX TOUR 4.0 partners and pitstops.  Each SEX Tourist will be given a SEX Tour 4.0 Kit.

If you are interested in joining, just leave a message below detailing your reasons as to why you want to be part of the SEX TOUR 4.0.  Along with those is the vow or promise to BLOG about each major pitstop of the tour afterwards.  Be sure that your messages are convincing enough to make us laugh, cry, scream  and eventually choose you as one of the official 25 SEX Tourists for 2012!

Now how’s that for a foreplay?

It says a lot on what we Mindanaoans have been complaining about for ages – the bad rap we have been getting due to the manner in which mainstream media nonchalantly lump up every unfavorable incident that happens in various places here into one “convenient term” to describe its location – “MINDANAO”.

That is basically the very reason why this blog of ours was conceptualized in the first place, four years ago and why the group, the Soccsksargen Bloggers was born.  We had to band together to change other people’s negative perception of our region in particular and Mindanao in general through our blogs.

And we are thrilled and thankful that Lourd de Veyra, who is not even from these parts, is joining us on this cause.   Check out his video below and see what we mean!

Daghang salamat Lourd!  Galing mo bai!

Yes, you read it right – 50!  Fifty!  Singkwenta!  Limampu!

I bet most of you readers didn’t know that but yes, I am already half a century old!

Today, Monday in honor of the Chinese New Year being celebrated around the world, I am sharing with you this Chinese-themed poster made for me by Master Erwin Bantilan featuring a photograph of mine lensed by Wizard fotog Apple Greatson for my birthday last week.

I hope you like it.  Kung Hei Fat Boy! Hehehe!

Enjoy the Chinese New Year holiday!!!  Yey!!

P.S.

A million hugs and kisses to all who greeted me on my birthday, sent messages, called, texted, gave gifts, showered me with lots of love!    And to all who have been part of my life for the past 50 years and have seen me in my best and in my worst states and have still stood by me, I owe you much!

To God Almighty, thanks for this milestone.  Reaching 50 has made me realize how short life is and little I have accomplished.  Hopefully,  I still can catch up soon with the loving support of my family and the friendships I have cultivated all throughout these times.

Their outlet is conveniently located at the KCC Mall of GenSan‘s 3rd floor, right beside the NOKIA Store.

I was there very recently to browse through the numerous displays of their phones and tablets which were for everyone to touch, smell and feel.  I would have wanted to ask for the price of the Samsung Note I was eyeing but their four lady clerks were busy chatting away and seemed oblivious of my presence.   Oh well, will Google Search about it anyway.

Noticed that the Service Center is right at the back of Samsung’s display area which makes for a convenient arrangement for their clients.  Nokia on the other hand has separate areas at the KCC Mall for its Products Showcase and NOKIA CARE Center, which for me is even better.

Either way, with both Nokia and Samsung in our shores, coming up with elegant product showcases, I guess, Apple wouldn’t be far behind.

What do you think?

While still waiting for our copies of the photos of this Grand Eyeball of bloggers and online media in Mindanao from our official Digital Studio partner, Montage, we are releasing the news report from ABS-CBN TV Patrol GenSan/Socsksargen.

Although quite brief, it was able to show the viewer snippets of interviews of speakers Mae Paner, US State Department Deputy Press Attache Cynthia Cook and a local blogger, Lynette Gallinero plus yours truly, among others.  It also introduced Bob Martin, my American kumpare who’s Davao based and was responsible for coming up with the first official website of General Santos City. The GenSan bloggers who won during the Philippine Blog Awards for Mindanao were also featured.

We are showing it with no copyright infringement intended.

Thank you ABS-CBN GenSan.

Their names were announced during a riotous and fun-filled awarding ceremony presented by the Circle of Arts on Saturday, 7pm at the Bali Ballroom of the East Asia Royale Hotel.

Since most of the attendees just came from the day-long Blogfest Soccsksargen 2.0 at the next-door SunCity Suites, event organizer Chiclet Rillo made sure that the event will be one stress-free, laugh-out-loud experience for everyone.  And yes, she and hostest-with-the-mostest Donna Mae Congson of Kikaymuch.me did not disappoint.

Before each category winner was called, Donna Mae came out as different characters with matching production numbers; most notable are those involving Miss GenSan 2008 Romarie Cunanan (for the Beauty & Fashion Blog Category) and another one with three dancing waiters of the hotel (for the Food Blog Category).

Joining her as presentors were CameraHauz’s Joseph Chua Kao (for Photo Blog Category), Davao Bloggers Brendel Balaga & Lyle Santos (for Personal Blog Award), Blogfest Sox’s speakers Mae Paner & Flow Galindez (Tech Blog Category), GenSan Gazer Publisher Mandi Nicolas (Travel Blog Award), interior designer Rain Ramas & hilarious restaurateur Dimples Odi who came in as a sexy Donna Summer (Lifestyle Blog Award), GenSan Hotelier  Association Prexy Philip Pabelic (Food Blog Award) and GSC Chamber of Commerce & Industry Inc. Executive Director Bench Tacumba.

The evening commenced with a sumptuous dinner co-hosted by our friends from the GSC Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Inc.  A 32-kg whole fresh tuna straight from the GSC Fishport satisfied the attendees craving for sashimi, courtesy of GenSan News Online Mag!

"THE 32-KG WHOLE TUNA GETTING READING FOR THE SASHIMI-ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT BUFFET. PHOTO BY BERNIEMACK ARELLANO"

Here now are the winners of the Philippine Blog Awards for Mindanao 2011:

BEAUTY/FASHION BLOG:

Winner:
Chamimay on Flats (http://www.chamimayonflats.blogspot.com)
Blog Author: April Charmaine Dalguntas of Duncaan, Boalan, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur

FOOD AND BEVERAGE BLOG:

Winner:
Eat’s Terrific (http://www.ormanmanansala.com)
Blog Author:  Orman Manansala of General Santos City.

"PBA PREXY JUNED SUNIDO, BEST FOOD BLOG AUTHOR ORMAN MANANSALA, PRESENTORS PHILLIP PABELIC OF GENSAN HOTELIER'S ASSOCIATION & GENSAN TOURISM ASSOCIATION'S KRING MACION."

LIFESTYLE:

Winner:
Lessons Of A Dad (http://www.lessonsofadad.com)
Blog Author:   Carlo Alado of  3520 Mabolo Rd., Xavier Estates Subdivision, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental

"PRESENTOR RAIN RAMAS, ILIGAN BLOGGER PAT NOEL OF THE ILIGAN CITY TOURISM OFFICE REPRESENTING BEST LIFESTYLE BLOG WINNER CARLO ALADO OF CDO & PRESENTOR DIMPLES ODI, OWNER OF NAUTI CHIC & LITTLE DUBAI

PERSONAL/DIARY:

Winner:
Anything Goes (http://www.sdumalay.blogspot.com)
Blog Author: Sheila Marie Dumalay of  64 Talisay St., Balite, Lagao, General Santos City, South Cotabato

"BEST PERSONAL BLOG WINNER SHEILA MARIE DUMALAY GIVES HER ACCEPTANCE SPEECH WHILE PRESENTORS DAVAO BLOGGERS LYLE SANTOS & BRENDEL BALAGA LOOK ON"

PHOTOBLOG:

Winner:
Lantaw (http://www.lantaw.blogspot.com)
Blog Author: Allan Barredo of  Koronadal City, South Cotabato

TECHNOLOGY:

Winner:
Geeky Faust (http://www.geekyfaust.info)
Blog Author:  Faust Haeja Crismel Principe of D. Ponce St., Davao City, Davao del Sur

"JUNED SONIDO OF PBA, BLOGFEST SPEAKER MAE PANER, BEST TECH BLOG WINNER FAUST PRINCIPLE OF DAVAO, BLOGFEST SPEAKER FLOW GALINDEZ, & BARILES."

TRAVEL BLOG:

Winner:
The Travel Teller (http://www.thetravelteller.com)

Blog Author: Rolan Emboscado of B42 L21 P2 Elenita Heights Subdivision, Davao City.

"JUNED SONIDO OF PBA, BEST TRAVEL BLOG AWARDEE OLAN EMBOSCADO, GENSAN GAZER MAGAZINE OWNER MANDI NICOLAS & BARILES"

Before the evening ended, Blogfest Presentor 2011 Dolefil through Ms. Gwynee Ebol announced the launching of the Search for the Best Blog Post on their CSR Program.  The competition rules will be released in a matter or days.

Sagittarius Mining Inc., another Blogfest Soccsksargen 2011 Presentor also launched their SMI Partner for Development Blog Award.  According to Corporate Relations Supervisor Arnold Cesar Romero, himself a nominee for the Best Personal Blog, the mechanics of the contest will be announced in a few days.

And yes, before we forget, yours truly was awarded with a Special Citation by the GSC Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc…. an unexpected but very welcome surprise.  Felt like my four years of hard work as a blogger about GenSan has really paid off.  Thank you so much to our Chamber friends!

And as for the winners of the Philippine Blog Awards for Mindanao 2011, again “Congratulations” and keep on inspiring others through your blogs!  Mabuhay kayong lahat!

It’s been a short 3 months of organizing and planning and on Saturday, November 26, 2011, people will have a chance to find out if we made the right decision in following up the first Blogfest which we conducted almost a year ago in December 2010.

We are certain however that judging from the # of bloggers who registered online coming from all over the island of Mindanao, we are in for a full house. We were only planning to accept 100 registrants but had to re-open the sign-up for a couple of times due to numerous requests and pleas from late-comers (sooo Pinoy).

We are very grateful to the generous personalities who will be sharing their insights based on the simple yet timely theme “The Emergence of Blogs & Social Media“. They could have given us the run-around when we first invited them but no. Ever so graciously, they immediately accepted the offer to meet and hobnob with the bloggers of Soccksargen or South Central Mindanao and her neighbors. Until now, we could hardly believe our luck.

Where else then can you find these internet stalwarts and social media experts in one roof: Multiply Phils Country Manager Jack Madrid, essayist and blogger Undersecretary Manuel L. Quezon III, Video Blogger and TV/Commercial Director Mae Paner aka Juana Change, GMA News & Public Affairs Anchor/Producer Raffy Tima, Mindanao-based American internet entrepreneur Bob Martin, Techie Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio of GenSan, Google Asia-Pacific‘s Aileen Apolo-de Jesus, Advocacy Blogger Flow Galindez of ABS-CBN, Superstar Tech Blogger Abe Olandres and Cynthia Cook, Deputy Press Attache of the US Embassy?

Dito lang sa Blogfest Soccsksargen 2.0 ng GenSan!   (Get to know more about them by checking out the official BlogfestSox website.)

We couldn’t have pulled it off however without the assistance of our Co-Presentors, local companies and CSR leader Dolefil, Sagittarius Mines Incorporated and the ever-supportive SMART. Not to mention the help being extended by Gold Sponsors AirPhil Express, ACLC College, the GSC Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the local government of General Santos City, and the Department of Trade & Industry -12, Official Hotel SunCity Suites and Sarangani Highlands.

So all those who registered already at the SoxBloggers Site and are getting ready for Mindanao’s Funnest Eyeball of Bloggers, we are proud to give you the Official Programme of the Blogfest Soccsksargen 2.0.

We are encouraging the delegates to bring their laptops and tablets and mobiles.  SunCity Suites, the Blogfest Sox 2.0 venue will be equipped with FREE WI-FI powered of course by SMART.

By the way, we are raffling off a Round-Trip Ticket to any Philippine destination courtesy of AirPhil Express at the Blogfest Grand Raffle Draw.

Good luck bloggers and kita-kits sa GenSan for the Blogfest Soccsksargen 2.0!  For more info, log on to www.Blogfestsox.com.

Following the Blogfest Sox 2.0 is the strictly-invitational glamorous Awards Night of the Philippine Blog Awards for Mindanao 2011 at the East Asia Royale Hotel starting at 7:00pm.  If you are a nominee or an invitee, please make sure to be in your best SMART CASUALS.

The Philippine Blog Awards for Mindanao which was started in 2009 is an offshoot of the national Philippine Blog Awards which has been around since 2007 to honor the best and brightest bloggers in the country.  This time, this is meant to recognize noteworthy Mindanaoan online writers.

Check out the list of nominess to the PBA-Mindanao after this beautiful poster designed by Erwin Bantilan (who wishes to thank the owners of the images featured in it).

Here are the nominees for the Philippine Blog Awards for Mindanao in their respective categories…

BEAUTY AND FASHION

• Pinoy TV Critic –  http://www.pinoytvcritic.com
• Chamimay on Flats –  http://www.chamimayonflats.blogspot.com/

FOOD AND BEVERAGE

• Eat’s Terrific – http://www.ormanmanansala.com/

LIFESTYLE

• Tilamsik ng Diwa – http://www.akosiisko.wordpress.com
• Mindanaoan – http://www.mindanaoan.com
• Lessons Of A Dad – http://www.lessonsofadad.com
• Turtz on the Go – http://www.turtzonthego.blogspot.com

PHOTOBLOG:

• Lantaw – http://www.lantaw.blogspot.com
• Charm Tamba P&S Photography – http://www.charmietambaphotography.blogspot.com/
• Pinoy Mirror – http://www.pinoymirror.blogspot.com/
• The Visual Storyteller – http://www.iamavisualstoryteller.blogspot.com
• Promding Chamimay – http://www.promdingchamimay.com/

TECHNOLOGY

• The Gamedok Chronicles – http://www.site.gamedok.net/
• GensanBlog.com – http://www.gensanblog.com
• Geeky Faust – http://www.geekyfaust.info

TRAVEL/DESTINATION

• The Travel Teller - http://www.thetravelteller.com/
• Your Travel Guide in the Philippines - http://www.pinasbackpackers.com/
• Way Philippines - http://www.wayph.com/
• Pinay Travelista - http://www.pinaytravelista.com/
• Pinay Travelogue - http://www.pinaytravelogue.com/
• Vacation Leave - http://www.vacationleave.blogspot.com/
• The Geek Travels - http://www.thetravelingnomad.com/
• Olanology: Chronicling a Good Voyage - http://www.olanology.com/
• Journeys and Travels - http://www.journeysandtravels.com/

PERSONAL

• Markable Me - http://www.markable.me/
• Anything Goes - http://www.sdumalay.blogspot.com/
• The Itinerant’s Path - http://www.vinceleste.com/
• Isip-Bata, Isip-Katha - http://www.pilipinong-katha.blogspot.com/
• My Words, My Life - http://www.hannahcarts.blogspot.com/
• Agong, Tales of Development - http://www.ernestocasiple.blogspot.com/
• Journeys & Travels - http://www.jt76.wordpress.com/
• Adventures in Life - http://www.rncn-adventuresinlife.blogspot.com/
• Proud Mommy of 3 - http://www.mommyrubz.com/
• A Teacher’s Journey - http://www.ateachersjourney.info/
• Letters to Mindanao - http://www.letters2mindanao.wordpress.com/
• My Happy Home - http://www.eleanoraguilar.com/
• Tennis Guru - http://www.tennisguru.net/
• Student Blogger - http://www.studentblogger.net/
• Mom Writes - http://www.momwrites.com/

Aside from these awards, Blogfest Soccsksargen 2.0 Co-Presentor Sagittarius Mining Incorporated will be giving out the SMI Partners for Development Awards while another Co-Presentor Dolefil will hand out its “Green Bloggers Award”. Details on these will be posted soon.

The winners of the Philippine Blog Awards for Mindanao will be announced and honored during the Recognition Night on November 26, 2011, Saturday at a soon-to-be-disclosed place in General Santos City, following the conduct of the Blogfest Soccsksargen 2.0 at SunCity Suites.

We are encouraging all the nominees to attend the awarding which will be a mini Sashimi Night.  You may attend the Blogfest Soccsksargen 2.0 during the day and hit two birds with one stone.

On Sunday, November 27, 2011, everyone will be treated to a tour of the GenSan Fishport (click here for photos) and some choice spots in nearby South Cotabato.  See you in sunny GenSan, bloggers!

I could have announced the winners as promised on Thursday but was swamped with a lot of stuff that we are just releasing the list of winners now.

So here they are, without skipping a beat!

Where in GenSan is this? Contest I:

• The winners of One Google Shirt each are:

Where in GenSan is this? Contest II:

• The winners of One Love Radio Mouse Pad with Wrist Support each are:

• The winner of one LOVE RADIO WALL CLOCK is:

1. • WHITE KNIGHT

• The winners of ONE STEVE JOBS TRIBUTE SHIRT each from INKPOSSIBLE Designs & Print are:

Where in GenSan can you find this? CONTEST:

• Here are the winners of ONE RTTR POUCHES designed by Rajo Laurel from SMART.
  1. RONALD FREIRES CRUZ
  2. RAYELICIOUS
  3. PAUL HEINTJE C. LAO
  4. KUYAW
  5. ROMA
  6. LITO
  7. MICHAEL
  8. REAN
• The sole winner of the SMART Travelling Bag is:

We have extended the deadline of our SLOGAN CONTEST up to Friday, November 18, 2011.

Meanwhile, congratulations to our winners!

For our GenSan-based winners, please get them from us at our office (hopefully, you know where that is).  The rest, I will send by snail mail.

Thanks a lot to those who participated in our 4th Blogoversary Special contests!  You rock guys!

It was supposedly a “tongue-in-cheek” description about the blog but some quarters who didn’t have a sense of humor didn’t like it.  Still, I persisted and up to now, I still use it, although sparingly, to describe what is now known as GenSan News Online Mag.

However, now that this blog is celebrating its 4th blogoversary exactly today, November 8, 2011, I feel it is time to come out with something new – a better and more apt slogan to describe GenSantos.com.

And so with that, I am launching the last of my 4th Blogoversary Special Series – the “NAME A SLOGAN FOR GENSANTOS.COM CONTEST!”

Here are the contest rules:

1. Like our Facebook Fanpage (facebook.com/GenSanNews) which you can access by CLICKING HERE.
2. Write your entry to the “NAME A SLOGAN FOR GENSANTOS.COM CONTEST” at the Facebook Fan Page via an INDIVIDUAL STATUS UPDATE.
3. Come back to this page and write this sentence on the RESPONSE BOX below:  ”I just wrote my entry at the GenSan News Online Mag Facebook Page.“
4. Deadline for submission of entries is Friday, November 11, 2011 at 11:00pm (11:00pm on 11/11/11).
5. Winners will be announced on a separate blog post immediately after.
6. The decision of a set of judges commissioned to rate the entries will be final.
7. The winning slogan entry will be used by GenSantos.com as its new official slogan thereon.

Here are the prizes:

• GOLD AWARD – Grand Winning Entry Prizes:

  • ONE  4-gig Flash Drive from MULTIMEDIA TELEPHONY, INC.

  • ONE Gift Certificate worth P1,000 from ROBINSONS PLACE GenSan (may be used in all Robinsons malls nationwide)

  • ONE Starbucks Mug from celebrity/events blogger Morgan Garcera of SuperMorgy.com & One Steve Jobs Commemorative T-shirt from InkPossible Designs & Prints.

• SILVER AWARDEES – The next top three entries will receive:

  • ONE 4-gig Flash Drive each from MULTIMEDIA TELEPHONY, INC. and ONE Steve Jobs Commemorative T-shirt each from KCC Mall of GenSan and InkPossible Designs & Prints.

• BRONZE AWARDS – The next top five entries will receive:

  • ONE Gift Certificate worth P300 each from ROBINSONS PLACE GenSan (may be used in all Robinsons malls nationwide) & ONE Steve Jobs Commemorative T-shirt each from KCC Mall of GenSan & InkPossible Designs & Prints.

• 10 Consolation Prizes (for GenSan-based participants only):

  • ONE Jollibee Gift Certificate from Jollibee RD Plaza and Gaisano branches.

    
    

Good luck to everyone and may be the best slogan win!  Thanks to Multimedia Telephony Inc, Robinsons Place GenSan, Jollibee RD Plaza/Gaisano, KCC Mall of GenSan, InkPossible Designs & Prints and SuperMorgy.com.

UPDATE:  CONTEST RESULTS…

Nobody from among the seven entries won the Gold and Silver Awards.  I and the rest of the judges feel that no one slogan was able to capture the real essense of GenSan News Online Mag.

We have however chosen two entries as winners of the Bronze Awards.  Here they are:

• June Raye Prudente:  ”THE SPLASHING NEWS MAG OF GENERAL SANTOS”
• Eunice Aclan:  ”THE WORLD’S WINDOW TO MAGANDANG GENSAN”

The rest, names below will be receiving one JOLLIBEE GIFT CERTIFICATE courtesy of Jollibee Gaisano Mall of GenSan.

• Nanardxz Zee
• Lito Antoque
• Sheila Dumalay
• Rean Mikel Corpuz
• Rap Ladeza Gregorio

Thank you for joining and hoping for better entries next time.

Today, I am proud to release the first teaser poster of the Blogfest featuring, the initial batch of personalities who will comprise the list of speakers for this November 26, 2011 mini-convention of sorts.

This poster was designed by our genius Soccsksargen Bloggers member, Master Erwin Bantilan, which he made in a course of two days, after much revising and tweaking and adjusting.

This is just the first teaser poster of Blogfest Soccsksargen 2.0 featuring our distinguished guests.  We are still awaiting word from three more speakers, one for Davao, and two from the Big City.  Their identities will be hopefully revealed in our 2nd teaser.

Meanwhile, here’s that poster! You may CLICK on it for a LARGER VIEW.

Check out the official site of the Blogfest Soccsksargen 2.0 (CLICK HERE) for individual write-ups about our group of internet celebrities above, which site administrator Alexis Chua will be dishing out during the days leading to the event.

We have re-opened the Online Registration for a couple more days for those who wish to catch up and register for this GRANDEST & FUNNEST EYEBALL ever to be held in these parts.

We have allotted 125 slots for bloggers (which is nearly full) and 50 more for non-bloggers.  Students of Information Technology, Tourism, Mass Communication and other allied courses are encouraged to join, alongside Tourism Officers and Public Info Officers of the LGU’s of Mindanao.

To find out if you still have a slot, just log on to the official Soccsksargen Bloggers site by CLICKING HERE.

Soccsksargen Blogfest 2.0 is proudly presented by DOLEFIL and SMART.

For the 3rd installment of our week-long 4th Blogoversary Special, we are again giving you our “Where in GenSan?” guessing game.

This time however, we are asking you two questions.

But first, here is the object of our 3rd Guessing Game to commemorate our 4th Blogoversary:

Here’s what you have to do:

1. Answer these questions pertaining to the photo in the Comments Section below:
   1. What is this delicacy called?
   2. Name at least 3 places in General Santos City where you can find them?
2. Deadline for the submission of entries is 12 noon, November 8, 2011.
3. All correct entries will be raffled off via Random.Org.
4. Please remember that both questions must be answered correctly.
5. Winners will be anounced on November 9, 2011.
6. Make sure you write your correct email addresses as this will be our only way to contact you if you win.

Winners will receive any of these prizes from SMART:

• Anyone of 8 unique limited edition fashion collection POUCHES from RTTR designed by Rajo Laurel.  Each piece is handcrafted from recycled materials by a talented artisan from Payatas.  By using this product, you become an ambassador of eco-ethical fashion, environmental protection, and fair trade. RTTR is a collaboration among some of the Philippines’ young professionals, top fashion designers, and the Payatas community.  Together, they aim to create an exclusive selection of stylish social statements.  SMART is a staunch supporter of RTTR.

• A black SMART collector’s edition Travelling Bag with its own pouch.

That’s it!  Good luck and again Happy 4th Blogoversary to us!

For this photo below, you may submit your answers by just writing in the COMMENT BOX below.  There’s no more need for you to write at our Facebook Fan Page.

Here it is.

After looking at this picture, please answer this question:  Where in GenSan is this 4-storey Hotel Marco being constructed?

1. Again, all the correct entries will be raffled off via the site Random.org.
2. Deadline of submission of entries is 12:00 noon of November 8, 2011.
3. Winners will be announced on November 9, 2011.

Here are the prizes for the correct entries:

• Four (4) Apple Tribute shirts from InkPossible Designs & Prints (Like them on Facebook by clicking here.)
• One Wall Clock for Love Radio 101.5 FM, GenSan’s #1 RADIO STATION
• Four (4) Mouse Pads with Wrist Rests from 94.3 EASY ROCK FM.

Join na!  Maraming salamat kay Borgee Grecia and Kabayan Joe!  Love you guys for supporting us in our Blog’s 4th Birthday! Yey!

This blog’s 4th Anniversary Special will run for eight days (November 2 until the Anniversary Day, November 8th), and will consist of different contests for our readers.  I am happy to note that a few of our friends have agreed to sponsor most of the cute prizes for the winners to these contests and we hope to plug more as the Special progresses day to day.

For the initial 4th Blogoversary Special Contest, we have named it – WHERE IN GENSAN IS THIS?

The mechanics are simple:

1. This contest is open to Philippine-based residents only.
2. First, like our Facebook FanPage:  www.facebook.com/GenSanNews.
3. Next, guess the exact location of the object in the photograph below.
4. Write your answer by leaving your comment at the Facebook Fan Page.
5. Then, come back to this page, and write again below this sentence, “I just answered the question: Where in GenSan is this?” at the Facebook FanPage.”. We will immediately look for your entry there.
6. Make sure you leave your correct email address as we will be contacting you through that if you won.
7. You can enter the contest as many times as you like but you need to leave a different answer at the Facebook Fan Page each time you join.
8. Deadline for submission of your entries is on November 7, 2011, at 12:00pm (noon).
9. Correct answers will be raffled off through the site Random.org.
10. Announcement of winners will be through a Blog Post to be posted on November 9, 2011.
11. The prizes will be mailed to you directly.

So here is the photo.  Now tell me…..  Where in GenSan is this Dadiangas Tree located?

Three correct entries will receive a MEDIUM SIZED-shirt just like the one below.

Cool huh?  Watch out for more of our 4th Blogoversary Special surprises!

A big thanks to Erwin Bantilan for the poster above.

There are actually four types of widgets they can choose from.  They can place it anywhere they see it fit in their blogs.

Here are two of them as designed by Xyrilloid Landicho who also created the official Blogfest Soccsksargen 2.0 poster.

First is one of the “I am joining Blogfest Sox..” Banner Widget…

Next is one of the “Announcement Banner Widgets“…

Check out the rest of these Banner Widgets and their embed codes at the official Blogfest Soccsksargen site which can be accessed at http://www.blogfestsox.com or by CLICKING HERE.

By the way, as an incentive, any blogger who embeds any one of them in his blog, will be entitled to a RAFFLE TICKET to the Blogfest Soccsksargen 2.0 GRAND RAFFLES DRAW.  This is over and above the Raffle Ticket that comes with the Blogfest Sox Kit for registered participants.

To register for the largest gathering of bloggers, online writers and social media practitioners, please CLICK HERE.

Yes!  That’s four eventful years for GenSan News Online Mag!  During these past 48 months, I have written a total of over 1,400 blog posts/articles which were visited 1.64 million times and generated more than 18,370 comments!

This means that 1,400 blog posts in 1,460 days (4 years) translates to an output of about 1 blog post a day for me! Whoa!

Photo from adlankhallidi.com

Aside from the Lord Almighty to whom I am eternally grateful for giving me the chance to do this,  I would have not lasted this far without the encouragement and encouragement of course, from my faithful readers.  That means you, my friend.

Without you liking, recommending and sharing my blog posts to your friends on Facebook, Twitter, Plurk, etc. or your email list, this blog could not have reached this milestone at all.

Special mention goes to my subscribers, now numbering almost a thousand, who regularly receive updates through their email each time I publish a new article. If you want to be updated like them, then just enter your email address below.

I also have to thank the FANS of my Facebook Page which has recently reached the 4,100 mark and thus helped me spread my blog posts faster than I can ever imagine.  If you haven’t LIKED this blog on Facebook yet, please do so by CLICKING HERE.

My gratitude also goes out to my Twitter followers, now numbering only 495, but growing… hopefully.  Just like them, you can follow my twits and updates by adding up @bariles.

To my sponsors and advertisers, I can never thank you enough for sustaining this advocacy of mine.

To all the establishment owners and managers, event organizers, marketing staff, government officials and news personalities who have provided us with more than enough topics to cover during the past 4 years, thank you too.

I should not miss thanking the Soccsksargen Bloggers who have managed to make blogging more exciting for me as ever, especially the noobies who are a delight to be with, with me learning a lot from them too inspite of me being looked upon as their mentor of sorts.

Maraming salamat rin to my very good friend, Teacher Lyle and his glamourous partner, Brendel, who never failed to help me out with my numerous blog concerns even if I call them at the ungodliest hour!

To my Canada-based friend, Bench Castil, thank you for this blog’s new logo which has been up for two weeks now, merci beaucoup!

To my talented Blog Doctor Erwin, I can only offer you unlimited snacks and coffee and take-outs but of course, you have done more for my blog the past few weeks than all these freebies combined.  Thank you for my blog’s crispier look!  I salute you, Master!

To my uber-generous landlord, who until recently has provided me unlimited wifi access at home so that I can blog from there anytime I want, I owe you all this and more!  You are truly an angel of a brother, Orman!

And to all the people, bloggers and non-bloggers alike whom I have personally encountered all throughout the past four years and have more or less, enriched me and my blogging “career”, a million kisses and hugs to you.  You know who you are!  :)

Happy 4th Blogoversay to us!

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.

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.

The date – November 26, 2011 which is also the same day that the much-anticipated Blogfest Soccsksargen 2.0 is going to happen!

The Philippine Blog Awards which was established in 2007 is the most prestigious award-giving body for blogs in the country.  In 2009, it started giving out separate regional awards for exceptional bloggers from the Visayas and Mindanao.  GenSan News Online Mag was even a winner during that year and its author Bariles received his awards during the 3rd Mindanao Bloggers Summit in Cagayan de Oro.

A year later, he received another PBA-Mindanao Award during its awarding ceremonies at Zamboanga City, which hosted the 4th Mindanao Bloggers Summit.

This year, it is the turn of General Santos City to mount the by-invitational Awarding Ceremony and with Mr. & Miss GenSan director Dino Veloso at the helm, expect that night to be one event the bloggers of Mindanao will never forget!  Hopefully, the nominees will be announced a month before November 26 to help them prepare for the travel to the Tuna Capital for the Oscar Awards-themed event.

To nominate for your favorite Mindanao blogs, register first by just clicking here.  Deadline of Nominations is on October 15, 2011.  The deadline for the acceptance of the nominations is on October 19, 2011.

The follow-up to lasT year’s highly-successful BLOGFEST Soccsksargen 2010 which gathered almost 150 participants from Southern and South Central Midnanao, at the East Asia Royale Hotel on December 11, 2010 is now ready!

Make way then for the largest gathering of bloggers, online media and social networking enthusiasts in Southern Philippines, the bigger and better  BLOGFEST SOCCSKSARGEN 2.0 as presented by this blog, GenSan News Online Mag or GenSantos.com, GandaEverSoMuch.com with the Soccsksargen Bloggers, Mindanao’s Funnest!

Below is the initial layout of the official Blogfest poster created by the amazingly-talented graphic artist Xyrilloid Landicho, a Sox Blogger from Tupi, South Cotabato.

The Blogfest Soccsksargen 2.0 will occur on the whole day of  Saturday, November 26, 2011, at a soon-to-be-announced venue in General Santos City!

For this year’s theme, the organizers have come up with the simple “THE EMERGENCE OF BLOGS AND SOCIAL MEDIA” so expect the talks to dwell on the convergence and influence of these internet phenomena now sweeping  the world and how we, the stakeholders should embrace it.

The speakers’ list is composed of Internet stalwarts and blogging celebrities from all over the Philippines so expect it to be an infotainment overload for everyone!

Although, we just softly opened the ONLINE REGISTRATION for the Blogfest Soccsksargen 2.0 a week ago, we now have over 40 early-bird registrants already.  We will be accepting only 100 or so participants so if you are interested, please log on to the official Soccsksargen Bloggers Site or straight to the Registration Page by Clicking here.

This year’s Blogfest Soccsksargen 2.0 is also open to students and faculty of Information Technology Courses so better make that move to register NOW NA!

An additional treat for attendees is the awarding ceremonies of the Philippine Blog Awards for Mindanao 2011 in the evening at a separate venue.  This time, the best and brightest bloggers of Mindanao will be feted and recognized for the exceptional contributions their blogs have done to uplift blogging in Mindanao.  These are the so-called new media who have made a remarkable difference in their respective niches.

Article:  GenSan News Online win big in the PBA-Mindanao 2009 and PBA-Mindanao 2010.

If you want to nominate exceptional blogs from Mindanao, please register first by clicking here.

The deadline of submission of nomination for the PBA-Mindanao is October 15 at 3pm.  For the acceptance of nomination by the nominees, the deadline is October 19, 3pm.

So there – the Blogfest Soccsksargen 2.0 and the Philippine Blog Awards for Mindanao 2011- Awarding Night all occurring on the same day at the Mindanao’s most happening city by the island’s funnest blogging group, the Sox Bloggers headed by two of the most endearing hosts ever, Bariles and GandaEverSoMuch!!!

Don’t even think of missing it!  Ever!

That was less than a year after Bariles started blogging about the ongoings of his hometown, General Santos City.  That distinction was a seal of approval for the blog’s intent to introduce GenSan to the rest of the world and Bariles’ life was never the same again after that.

For 2011, just like what this blog did in 2010, Bariles is coming up with his list for the Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs of 2011.

Without much further ado, here they are:

1.  Eat’s Terrific – this food blog is authored by one of the most prolific bloggers in South Central Mindanao. He has published more than 50 posts already about his food adventures and if you happen to see the person behind it, you would know why he weighs the way he does.  The posts are not too lengthy and in fact are full of photos which could be good guides if ever you are on the lookout for gastronomic destinations in Southern Philippines.

2.  Kikay Much – a blog by GenSan’s best-known fashionista, it is now a source of information not only of the latest fashion trends but on the most modern hair and make-up techniques since she her family owns and manages a chain of salons in Mindanao.  An easy read.

3.  Mother’s Instincts – is written by a young career woman who juggles her job as a government employee and her duties as a mother to two intelligent kids and wife to another blogger.  Her blogging style is at most breezy, engaging and matter-of-factly written.

4. I Am Ariel Lalisan -  an educator who has been blogging since he was a student, Ariel Lalisan writes lyrically making him one of Bariles’ favorite authors.  He has just recently bought his first DLSR camera so expect his newer posts to have beautifully-shot photos.

5.  Pinay Travelogue - This is one of the better blogs to have come out of South Central Mindanao with the blog author’s keen eye for detail on her sojourns whether in or out of the island.  What make it a good read are the exquisite photographs she includes on her posts, taken by her husband, ace photographer Omar Gallinero.

6.  General Joana – is a teacher by profession who dabbles in speech writing and hosting on the side.  You can see her being a wordsmith in her posts which tackles everything about the life of a young happily-wedded Christian woman.  Her happy soul shines through with every single sentence she writes. A good read.

7.  Libotero – is a blog written by a young wanderlust from Cebu.  His travel essays are mixed with funny accounts of his travel within his native island or all throughout the rest of the archipelago.  Engaging, witty, funny.

8. Jinky’s Kitchen World – another food blog this time by a blogger who features the dishes she constantly whips out for her family.  An easy read for those who love kitchen adventures of moms. No, she is not the wife of Congressman Manny Pacquiao.

9. Bookworm of GenSan – This blog is the best source of must-read books.  The blog author’s recommendations should be in any book lover’s bucket list. Must read!

10. Markable Me – the youngest blogger in the list but one of the most talented.  I love the way he dashes his blog posts with cute graphic characters.  He writes from the viewpoint of a student which makes his blog a fresh read.

Now try visiting these blogs and you will know why Bariles chose them as his Top Emerging Influential Blogs for 2011.  I love you all!

This contest is made possible by the following partners: Cyber Monday Deals, TRIbeca Private Residences, How To Videos, Palawan Beaches for Sale, Green and Natural Lubes Philippines, Philippine data center, Philippine online shopping, Singapore Jobs, and Pinoy Party Food.

They came. They saw. They were conquered.

These names may mean nothing to you but for Bariles, he owes these people who are a mix of famous and soon-to-be-famous bloggers (in their own niches),  a whole world of gratitude for heeding his call to join his bi-annual project – the Soccsksargen EXperience Tour or now known this time as the SEX Tour 3 from September 1 – 5, 2011.

As expected, these bloggers, were all blown away with the exciting eco-industrial-tourism spots they visited for four and 1/3 days and amazed at the numerous gastronomic pleasures laid out for them in each pit stop…. basically the same reactions of those who joined the SEX Tour 1, SEX Tour 2 and their precursor, the Soccsksargen Summer Safari.

For its third conduct, Bariles teamed up again with Ganda Ever So Much under the tutelage of the group which he co-founded, the Soccsksargen Bloggers.  The SEX Tourists, most of whom had to fly in from Manila, or travel by land from Davao  were made to taste and try out for themselves the best tourism destinations of the provinces of Sarangani and South Cotabato and the cities of Koronadal and General Santos.

Bariles and Ganda Ever also timed it with the 13th Tuna Festival to make it hugely special and memorable for the visitors.

Here below is a photo of some of the SEX Tourists taken by ace photographer Omar Gallinero of Montage Digital Photography found at the 2nd floor of the Atrium of Gaisano Mall of GenSan.  Thanks to him and to photographers Ronald Rivera and Ramil Blahc Chio.  Judging from the smiles of these bloggers in the photo, Soccsksargen really charmed them BIG TIME!

Thank you to Blogger Alexis Chua for the SEX Tour 3 poster above and for modelling it together with Hannah Garchitorena and Mr. GenSan 2010 Jenel Labiana.

Leaving you with another photo of some of the SEX Tourists, this time shot by Omar Gallinero at the Terrace of Port Cafe at Gaisano Mall of GenSan.

"THE SEX TOUR 3 PARTICIPANTS HAMMING IT UP FOR THE CAMERA WITH SEX TOUR DOMINATRIX BARILES IN THE CENTER"

Watch out for more stories and photos of these gorgeous SEX Tourists and their amazing escapades here in Soccsksargen at some of the region’s most noteworthy and exhilirating tourism establishments and of the colorful local celebrities and personalities they met along the way!

More than 60 bloggers or online media actually applied for a slot in this 5-day exciting orgy of food, fun and adventure as only the brothers Bariles and GandaEver, can cook up, with the help of the Soccsksargen Bloggers.  Unfortunately, only 35 bloggers will be lucky to be chosen… through an  email they will receive by the end of this week.

The SEX Tour 3 will again find these 35 bloggers touring the provinces of Sarangani and South Cotabato and the cities of Koronadal and General Santos and right now, the brother-organizers have already signed up more than 30 sponsors or pit stops which they will be checking out.  A major draw of the SEX Tour 3 is of course, GenSan’s Tuna Festival 2011.

All of these are famous and soon-to-be-famous tourist destinations/establishments of South Central Mindanao that will be featured in the corresponding post-tour blogs of the participants.  All these writeups on the internet will of course remain as priceless publicity for these top tourism draws of the region.

(Check out the old blog posts of SEX Tour 1 and SEX Tour Part Deux by clicking here and here.)

Meanwhile, here is the Teaser Poster of the Soccsksargen EXperience Tour 3, designed by Alexis Chua, and sponsored by our official photo studio, Montage Digital Studios.

Good luck to all the SEX TOUR 3 applicants! Watch out for the follow-up post to this exciting tour.

Almost a year after receiving 1,000,000 page views, (check out that incident here), GenSan News Online Mag finally breached the 1.5 million mark!

This stat is courtesy of the Bravenet Free Counter which we started using on November 28, 2007, almost a month after we wrote our first blogpost in what was then known as Bariles Republic.

Check out the rest of our findings below..

Out of these 1,500,000 visits, about 42% are from UNIQUE VISITORS or those who have not visited the blog today based on their IP address.  58% are from RETURNING VISITORS.

This means that they must have felt a strong liking for news about General Santos City to have made it a point to return!

To all the readers, visitors (first timers or not; returning or not) of GenSantos.com,  thank you so much!   You made Bariles more commmitted to give you news that could benefit you the most.   The Fishman is forever grateful to you for making this  one of the country’s most popular blogs, promise!

By the way, while we are at it, you may want to LIKE US on Facebook by CLICKING HERE.

You can also follow us on TWITTER by CLICKING HERE.

And if you want to receive updates on new blog posts about General Santos City without missing a single one through your email address, subscribe to GenSan News Online Mag by filling the subscription box below.

Maraming, maraming salamat sa inyong lahat!

Now there’s no need for movie aficionados in General Santos City to leave the comfort of their homes and queue for their movie tickets or snacks.  Today, movie experience is truly enhanced with this convenience-right-at-your-fingertips feature!

NO REGISTRATION. NO MEMBERSHIP. NO HASSLE. Anyone with internet connection can do it, anywhere, anytime.

Here is how to buy your Robinsons Movieworld GenSan tickets online:

You can book and buy via your laptop, iPad, or your celphone.  You don’t need to be internet savvy, even.   Just log on to www.robinsonsmovieworld.com, zoom in at the words “Book a Seat” at the upper left hand corner of the page, and everything else will be as easy as eating Tuna Sandwich!

And here’s the best part: Once confirmed, an option to order your favorite popcorn and drinks from Robinsons Movieworld GenSan Snack Bar is offered to make it a complete treat. Now there is no need to rush to the cinema to queue for snacks. Even this they can prepare for you way ahead, fresh and hot off the popcorn popper, of course!

A print out of the confirmation page is required upon claiming of your tickets.  HOWEVER, if you key in your cell phone number at the confirmation page, then you automatically will receive a confirmation sms or text message of your purchase, which you can present upon claiming of your cinema tickets and snacks. No need for print out!

Now, this is what we can truly call a complete cinematic experience and it  is available at  Robinsons Movieworld GenSan and other branches nationwide.

Just last month, on July 4, 2011, the local government of General Santos City led by City Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio launched the official websites of the public high schools of the city’s 26 barangays!

The launching occurred in a short but meaningful program at the Social Hall of the South Central Elementary School.  In attendance were the principals of these schools with DepEd Superintendent Estrella Lariosa.

The official web pages of the city’s 26 barangay high schools were designed by the hardworking consultants of the SHEEP Computer Literacy Program.  They are the people in pink at the photo above.

According to Mayor Darlene, this is just the first phase in the levelling up of the services of her administration’s flagship SHEEP program for community schools.  The 2nd phase will involve the putting up of the Barangay Elementary Schools’ individual web sites.

Now people, especially graduates and alumni of GenSan’s public schools will have a chance to check out on news and information about their alma mater by clicking their very own websites.

By the way, the web sites all use publishing platform WordPress, just like GenSan News Online Mag.

Click on the links to some of the schools below….

Gen. Santos City High School

Lagao National High School

Labangal National High School

Fatima High School

Bula National School of Fisheries

Dadiangas North High School

Fatima High School

New Society National High School

Buayan National High School

Tinagacan National High School

Ireneo L. Santiago National High School

Tinagacan National High School

The schools are expected to update the contents of their websites with the SHEEP Consultants on stand-by for technical assistance anytime.  Congratulations to all our SHEEP workers for a job well done!

DAY 1.

The Fat and Fab Brothers Bariles and Orman (or Ganda Ever in the blogosphere) woke up early before 7am at their room at the Hard Rock Hotel at Resorts World Sentosa.  It was still dark outside their window, much like how it looks in the Philippines at 5am but the view of the world outside pointed to an already busy nation.

It was to be the first day of the conference proper of the Asia-Pacific Google Geo Users Summit where they were participants along with 7 other Filipinos.

Still drowsy, still they had to be at the STARZ Restaurant at the lobby of their hotel for breakfast before 8am and so, they immediately showered, one fat sleepy man after the other.

Starz Restaurant was already teeming with people of all ages and nationality!  A long table on the left side offered all the imaginable breakfast you can eat!  There was Western, Malay, Chinese, Indian and Japanese breakfast fare for just about everyone!

Bariles was on a diet and so to solve his predicament, took and ate a little of everything.  He most especially liked the Indian wrap called pita which he dipped in two kinds curry-like sauce.  Lovely!

While eating, a Summit participant approached him and asked permission to have his picture taken with him.  He liked the shirt that Bariles was wearing which bore the words: YouTube MySpace and I’ll Google Your Yahoo.  All throughout the day, strangers stopped on their tracks to praise him for his shirt and  ask where he bought it.

After breakfast, the brothers and some Pinoys who shared their table like Allan Paolo Medrano, Chamba Kayman and Lakan Bautista immediately went down for the summit proper at the Resorts World Sentosa Convention Centre.

MORNING SESSIONS.

There, they and the other members of Team Philippines settled near each other as Day 1 of the Google Geo-User Summit unfolded.

First a Summit overview and introductions were given by Geo Community Leaders Jessica Pfund (Map Maker Community), Nicole Drobeck (3D Community), and Gerald Sanz (Photo/Panoramio Community Manager).

Google Geo Big Boss James Therrein was next.  He explained to everyone why Asia is so important to Google – it is the largest growing area in the world in terms of internet use and usage of their products (not just in the major countries like Japan, Korea and China).  From him, the brothers found out their web browser Google Chrome is now number #1 in the Philippines!

Although Asia still trails the Western hemisphere in terms of infrastructure, MOBILE will change the world in Asia, he continued. Mobile and location service are very important and critical in Asia, he explained.

The first Keynote Speaker was Ed Parsons, a GeoSpatial Technologist who is a Google Geo Evangelist.  He regaled the summit participants with the interesting history of Google and how the company envisions to “organize the world’s infomation and make it universally accessible and useful”.

He also divulged that 30-40% of Google Searches including on laptops, desktops or mobile gadgets, are all looking for directions to or information about various PLACEs in the globe, hence the need to update and tag the world’s maps.

Right now, Google Maps have 100 million users including Application Sites and has more than a hundred thousand developers (map makers, among them).  From him, the attendees also found out that right now, there are “35 billion gadgets and devices connected to the Internet at any given time”.

LUNCH.

So much information load-up that the brothers and all the participants were already hungry when a break was called for the most important meal of the day!

Lunch time was in an adjoining room which had separate buffets for halal and non-halal food.  There was so much to eat that Bariles and Orman tried a little of everything!

Of course, the Team Philippines all seated themselves together and was one noisy and happy bunch.

AFTERNOON SESSIONS.

The first part of the afternoon sessions were reserved for NGO’s, government workers and educators who were tasked to share their experiences with Google Maps.

Up first was Orman’s new friend, US State Department’s Lucas Keene who looks like Hollywood actor James Franco.  He works under the Office of the Geographer in Washington tasked with two divisions.  These are the Office of the Humanitarian Information Unit which is assigned to produce unclassified maps on complex humanitarian emergencies for the US government, international community and the public.

The other division is the Geographic Information Unit whose tasks are: to provide mapping support to the Department of State; serve as USG advisor on sovereignty issues and is the USG authority on international boundaries.

All these of course with the use of Google Map Maker, Panoramio, Google Earth and Google Maps.

He related how thru Map Maker, they were able to assist Pakistan in January 4, 2010 during the Attabad Landslide Lake; how USAID is uses it in their humanitarian works in Libya and other countries needing humanitarian emergencies.

Next Presentor was Saysana Phanalasy a young woman from PSi Laos, a leading non-profit social marketing organization tasked to reduce spread of HIV/AIDS, STIs and malaria in the country.  Since 2010, it has joined the Google Mapping Project led by a certain Bram Pilot to map out the health clinics they work with in the region.

Next Presentor was Team Philippines composed of Google Phils’ Aileen Apolo, FEU-FERN Dean of Computer Science Lakan Bautista and Bariles himself.

Aileen first neatly summarized how the Pinoy mappers have been using the mapping technology when disasters struck the Philippines in 2010, during the National Elections on the same year and how they started organizing mapping parties from Luzon to the island of Mindanao.

Bariles’ presentation was about the Google Mapping and Precinct Mapping Parties that his group of the Soccsksargen Bloggers initiated in General Santos city and their future plans of espousing the use of MapMaker among their citizens.

Lastly,  it was FEU-FERN Dean Lakan Bautista turn to present further how they developed a landing page for those areas in Luzon affected by typhoon Ondoy and how his univesity is looking into incorporating Mapping into their curriculum.

The sessions proceeded with Mapper Stories from participants from India, Pakistan, and Kazakhstan who all related stories of how mapping started in their respective localities and went on to become a valuable tool in relief and disaster operations, for one and in tourism promotion in other aspects.

The exciting afternoon sessions then ended with a presentation from the members of the Google Map Making Community themselves who updated the participants on their activities and plans to further strengthen the use of map maker among its advocates.  They also discussed solutions to the different concerns thrown in by the participants re Map Maker.

Bariles was also videotaped describing his participation in the summit and relating his involvement in the world of Google Geo Users.

Capping off Day 1 of the Geo Community Summit was a fun visit to the Google Headquarters in downtown Singapore.

There,  the participants had an enjoyable time checking out the offices of Google Singapore, their cafeterias and the seemingly inexhaustible free food provided for their staff.

All in all, it was such an excellent way to conclude a definitely awesome day for Bariles and GandaEver in Singapore who have vowed to step up their drive to nurture more Google Geo Mappers in their ranks, whether as members or not of the Soccsksargen Bloggers back home in General Santos City.

Watch out for the 3rd and Final blog post on their Google Geo Users Summit participation plus their visit to the Universal Studios at Sentosa island.  Soon!

Bariles would like to thank the following for making his trip to Singapore possible:  GenSan City Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio, Wilma Villanueva, Orman Manansala, Aileen Apolo, George S., Patrice S., Connie D. and some other generous souls who would not want to be named.  May God bless you for your generosity!  Terimah kaseh to Google Geo Users Summit for most of the photos above.

Emcor Applicances, one of GenSan’s leading suppliers of electronic appliances and computers has come up with a promotion to time with the School Opening Season!

This KWELA-PASKWELA  PROMO from EMCOR will run from May 15, 2001 to June 30,2011.

For as low as P3,800 on downpayment, you could get on credit their DESKTOP PACKAGE.  As for their LAPTOP AND NETBOOK PACKAGE, downpayment is only P3,500!

These packages are available on 12 monthly installments and one thing more, they are charging a 0% interest on your payments.

They also have exciting giveaways for select brands!

And as we mentioned earlier, this offer on their Desktops, Netbooks and Laptops will be good until June 30, 2011!  So if you want to check them out, you may call EMCOR at (083) 302-0913 and 554-7140.

The activity will be held at the Minanga Mangrove Forest Park, Minanga, Buayan, General Santos City starting at 6:00am!  Check out the beautiful poster designed by blogger Rabsky Villanueva below.

Volunteers are requested to wear slippers or flip-flops, the sturdy type plus shorts.  Mangrove tree saplings will be provided by the staff of CENRO Chief Val Lastimosa.

If you want to join in, please check out the Mangrove Tree Planting Party Event Page on Facebook by CLICKING HERE.  Or you may just go to the Minanga Mangrove Park directly.  It is easy to locate.  Just follow the Bula-Amao Road from GenSanville and go straight past Asinan, Buayan and way past the old Buayan Airport airstrip until you reach a small fishing village called Minanga.

Below is the  screen capture of a Google Map which will show you where it is.  Click on it for a LARGER VIEW.

Here is the LIVE Google Map below…

View Larger Map
By the way, please bring your own breakfast, water and snacks! 

See you there and help save Sarangani Bay and Mother Earth!!!

These were the words that reverberated throughout the residence of the US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry K. Thomas last night, June 14, 2011 at North Forbes Park in Makati during the reception tendered by the US Embassy in honor of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month.

I, Bariles was privileged to have been there along with nine other invited bloggers.  I was the only one from outside of Metro Manila.

US AMBASSADOR HARRY K. THOMAS AND BARILES AT THE US EMBASSY RECEPTION FOR LGBT PRIDE MONTH

Under the administration of President Barack Obama, the United States of America has made significant progress in achieving equality for LGBT Americans and is continually doing measures to eliminate discrimination against them.

Last 31st of May 2011, perhaps for the first time in US history, an American President proclaimed June 2011 as Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month to “eliminate prejudice everywhere it exists, and to celebrate the great diversity of the American people.”

The president has also pledged his support for the “IT GETS BETTER PROJECT“, meant  to “show young LGBT people the levels of happiness, potential, and positivity their lives will reach – if they can just get through their teen years. The It Gets Better Project wants to remind teenagers in the LGBT community that they are not alone — and it WILL get better“.

Here is the link to the video of President Obama’s message of hope and support for LGBT youth who struggling with being bullied—> President Obama’s Message to LGBT youth.

For his part, Ambassador Harry K. Thomas gave a moving speech in front of about a hundred or so guests last night, mostly well-known members of the LGBT community in Metro Manila and his staff at the US Embassy here.

Below is the transcript of the speech.  Please read it carefully in its entirety.

Magandang gabi sa inyong ang lahat!

I am gay.

I am gay.

I am gay.

Three little words.

Six letters.

Three syllables.

It is not a phrase that trips the tongue. It is not a phrase that should take lifetimes to utter.

But my friends, these are some of the hardest words in the English language—in any language—for many of our friends, colleagues, and family members.

And this should not stand.

Our loved ones, our friends and our colleagues fear expressing their sexuality, condemned instead to a lifetime of anxiety and repression.

This should not be.

They are our brothers, sisters, fathers and mothers. Aunts and uncles.

Sons.

Daughters.

These are not nameless, faceless members of a foreign or forgotten race. They are our families and our friends. And they are scared to be who they are.

Yet even with courage, many of us still struggle to overcome prejudices driven by factors no human can control: the color of our skin, the expression of our gender, and the nature of our sexuality. While these prejudices are very real to us, many in the world can never understand.

They fear expressing their sexuality. They cannot tell their own loved ones who they really are. And I regret that there are those even in our Embassy community who fear coming out and expressing their true selves.

Why? Because instead of expressing our love for all human beings, we choose instead to ostracize and exclude.

This will not continue.

Tonight, coming here together in this house for the first time, we are breaking new ground. It should give us pause to reflect how LGBT persons across the world, in every country, from every culture, are breaking new ground every day, and breaking courageously through the barriers that hold them back. As Saint Teresa of Avila once said, “To have courage for whatever comes in life — everything lies in that.”

Yet even with courage, many of us still struggle to overcome prejudices driven by factors no human can control: the color of our skin, the expression of our gender, and the nature of our sexuality. While these prejudices are very real to us, many in the world can never understand.

And the reaction by that world to those struggling with such prejudice is both disappointing and disheartening: “You are imagining things,” they say. “It’s not as bad as you say it is, and if it is, it’s not my fault.”

That one’s core being can be such an affront to others is one of the greatest tragedies of humankind.

It is a tragedy not only because of the pain and suffering it causes, but because it prevents people from doing, being, and becoming their best. Sa diskriminasyon, maraming likas na galing at talino ang nasasayang.

Discrimination based on difference, whether it’s age, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religion, is wrong. It deprives society of some of its most creative and productive members; it demoralizes communities. It shatters families.

We are all different, but we must embrace and respect our differences. We must come together through the very emotion that makes us human: love.

The ambitious spirit of the Philippines’ LGBT community will no doubt carry it over these and other challenges. Americans know from centuries of experience that the march against discrimination and prejudice is long and difficult, and sometimes it feels never-ending.

But we also know that every step forward makes life a little better here and now — and most certainly for future generations who will look back and marvel at the sacrifices and advances you all made, wondering at how you managed to accomplish so much.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am not tonight asking you to leave shouting that you are gay; I am not asking you to endanger yourselves in the face of other peoples’ hatred and blindness. But I am asking you leave this place on this night with one thought and one goal: to protect and love someone. Love is what matters; gender is not important.

In his Gay Pride Month proclamation, President Obama called upon Americans to eliminate prejudice everywhere it exists, and to celebrate our great diversity. Those are goals worthy of all people, everywhere, and I hope all of you here tonight will join me in their pursuit.

We are all different, but we must embrace and respect our differences. We must come together through the very emotion that makes us human: love.

Bakla ako.

Tomboy ako.

Bakla kayo.

Tomboy kayo.

Pero lahat tayo ay tao.

Maraming salamat po.

And with that, dear readers, for all it’s worth, and for all the thousands out there who are still afraid to come out, I Bariles, author of GenSan News Online Mag declare proudly, that yes, totoo ang tsismis, I AM GAY!

Yey!