GenSan News Online Mag

In the wake of the alarming rise of dengue cases in GenSan and outlying areas, the Soccsksargen Bloggers in cooperation with the Philippine Red Cross and the Robinsons Place-GenSan is spearheading a worthy cause this very weekend!

This is BLEED FOR LIFE: A Blood Lettting & Blood Typing Drive on September 5, 2010, General Santos City’s 42nd Charter Anniversary.

BLEED FOR LIFE is inviting people from all over who wish to do something good and worthwhile on the City’s Charter Day to donate their blood anytime from 9:30pm – 1:00pm during this half-day blood letting drive by proceeding to the Robinsons Activity Center Back Portion, near Mercury Drugstore.  There, Red Cross Volunteers and the members of the Soccsksargen Bloggers will assist you.

If you just want to find out your blood type, there will also be facilities for that at no cost to you.

For those inclined to give blood, please take note of the following blood donor guidelines from the Philippine Red Cross:

Preparations before donating blood:

1. Have enough rest and sleep.
2. There should be No alcohol intake at least 24 hours prior to blood donation.
3. There should be No medication intake for at least 24 hours prior to blood donation.
4. Eat something prior to blood donation but avoid fatty and oily food.
5. Drink lots of fluids like water or juice drinks.

Steps in donating blood:

1. Have your weight taken by a volunteer.
2. Register and complete the donor registration form.  Be honest.
3. Have a volunteer check your blood type and hemoglobin.
4. A doctor will examine you, the blood donor.
5. Actual donation process. The amount of blood to be donated depends on the donor’s weight and his blood pressure. An amount of either 350cc or 450cc usually takes 10 minutes or less to extract.
6. A 5 to 10 minute rest and plenty of fluid intake is necessary after donation.

What to do after blood donation:

1. Drink lots of fluids like water or juices.
2. Refrain from stooping down.
3. Avoid doing strenuous activities like:
   1. Lifting large and heavy objects
   2. Driving large vehicles such as bus, trucks, etc.
   3. Operating large machines.
4. Avoid using your punctured arm in lifting heavy objects.
5. Apply pressure on the punctured site of your arm and lift the arm in case the site still bleeds.
6. If there is swelling and discoloration on the punctured site, try applying cold compress for 24 hours and then hot compress for the next 24 hours.
7. If you feel dizzy and nauseated, lie down with your feet elevated. Drink plenty of juices.  Eventually and in just a few minutes, it will pass.

Who can donate blood?

You can donate blood if you:

• Are in good health

• Between 16 to 65 years old (16 and 17 years old need the consent of parents)

• Weigh at least 110 pounds

• With a blood pressure between:

• Systolic: 90-160 mmHg

• Diastolic: 60-100 mm

• Pass the physical and health history assessments by a physician on site.

PNRC Blood Service Facilities carefully screen potential blood donors. The screening guidelines are important and necessary to ensure that blood donation is safe for both the donor and the person who receives his blood.

During the screening process, donors fill out a blood donation questionnaire form.  This includes direct and personal questions about behaviours known to carry a higher risk of blood-borne infections — infections that are transmitted through the blood. These behaviours include prostitution, intravenous drug use and others. A trained physician asks donors about their medical/ health history and conducts a physical examination.

This includes checking  blood pressure, pulse and temperature of the potential donors.

All of the information furnished by the donors during this evaluation are kept strictly confidential.

Remember that blood saves lives. Blood donation is also advantageous to the donors. Click this to find out why. Join the Soccsksargen Bloggers in their BLEED FOR LIFE:  A Blood Letting & Typing Drive on GenSan’s 42nd Charter Day, Sunday, September 5, 2010, 9:30am to 1:00pm, Robinsons Place GenSan Activity Center, General Santos City.

Thanks to our generous sponsors, Robinsons Place GenSan, Piyesta KTV and Resto Bar, Ms. Jinky Borela, Ms. Chic Escal, Rolee’s Bakeshop, GandaEverSoMuch.com, GenSan News Online Mag.  You may still donate to this cause or spread the word around.  Text the #s 0922-8885454.  Thanks to Blogger Rabsky Villanueva for the poster above.

Naaah, it’s not what you think it is dear readers!

SEX here in the title is short for “The Soccsksargen EXperience” – An Orgy of Food, Fun and Adventure.

It is basically an offshoot of a unique activity which the Soccsksargen Bloggers spearheaded in May 2010.

If you happened to follow Bariles’ posts on a regular basis, you surely must have found out that last summer, the group that he co-founded, the Soccsksargen Bloggers conducted the very successful “Soccsksargen Summer Safari“.

The  safari involved touring with the special assistance of GandaEverSoMuch.com with Safari Partners at least 20 bloggers from Davao and Cagayan de Oro Cities to choice food establishments and tourist spots in South Central Mindanao and giving them two days they would not ever forget.

Their thoughts on their exhilirating experience that is the Soccksargen Summer Safari were immortalized in their blog posts which you can all check by simply clicking here and here.  Those are more than the amount of positive publicity on the Internet that we could ever imagine from out of the activity!

For the Tuna Festival Month of September 2010, which starts this week, it will be the turn of another group of bloggers to experience Soccsksargen much like the first batch of visitors did,  plus more!

This time, to give the event name a more catchy spin to it, Bariles and GandaEverSoMuch.com have naughtily dubbed it “SEX: the Soccsksargen EXperience.  An Orgy of Fun, Food and Adventure.”

Here is the sizzling poster concocted by the genius mind of Soccksargen Blogger Alexis Chua.

Well, that is all Bariles can say for now.

Everything else is a secret.

Shhhhhhh!!!!

For the Tuna Festival Month of September 2010, the KCC Mall of GenSan is lining up a series of special events meant to add more luster to the city’s celebration.

For starters, on the heels of its hugely successful Aiza Seguerra Album Tour, it has booked acoustic performer Nyoy Volante for a CONCERT on September 11, 2010 at their cavernous KCC Convention and Events Center.

Nyoy Volante has been around since the initial wave of acoustic music mania came about a few years back. Right now, he’s promoting the singles of his upcoming album which includes his version of  ”SOMEDAY“, the song he penned for his ex-girlfriend Nina, who eventually turned it into a hit.

By the way, Bariles happens to love Nina’s first take of “Someday” which he is pretty sure she will perform in her SOLO GENSAN CONCERT tomorrow, August 28.    This one by Nyoy is also good though and sang with so much conviction.

Here is the MTV of Nyoy Volante‘s “Someday”.

Tickets to KCC Mall of GenSan’s NYOY VOLANTE CONCERT are not for sale. To get one, just exchange your receipts of purchases from the KCC Department Store totalling P300.

Hurry!!! These tickets are very limited!

For more info on the Nyoy Volante Concert at the KCC Mall of GenSan, please call the #s (083) 554-5555.

In their first major event, Denville Music & Production and Record Breaker Events Managements, in celebration of the 2010 Tuna Festival Month is bringing to GenSan one of the most popular groupings of talented performers we often see on television.

Generals, be ready for the ASAP SESSIONISTAS Live in GenSan, a once-in-a-lifetime-concert where you get not one, not two, not three but six performers in one show!!!

Most of you must have known by now that the ASAP Sessionistas are composed of Asia’s acoustic wonder and former child star Aiza Seguerra, Bossa Nova Queen Sitti, birit queen Nina, former MYMP singer Juris, R&B singer and former South Border vocalist Duncan Ramos and balladeer Richard Poon.

They are called ASAP Sessionistas because they regularly perform together at ABS-CBN‘s Sunday musical variety show, ASAP.  They have had countless concert performances all around the globe already where there are large Filipino communities, thanks to TFC.

This won’t be the first time that Sitti, Aiza Seguerra, Richard Poon and Duncan will be in GenSan.  They have managed to be here one time or the other individually in some shows.  Nina too will be here in a concert performance on August 21 at the formerly named Anchor Driving Range.

Tickets to this September 10, 2010 GenSan Concert are priced at P1,800 (VIP), P1,500 (GOLD), P900 (SILVER), P600 (PATRON) and P350 (GEN. ADMISSION) which are very affordable considering that you get so to witness so much talent perform LIVE.

And as an additional treat, GenSan’s very own “CENTERPOINT BANDc” will front act for the Manila-based artits.  Now that’s really getting more than you bargained for!

For more info and for ticket reservations, please call telephone #s (083)  302-0940; 0922-825-2704.

With the major win of a local dance crew from General Santos City, the XB Gensan at ABS-CBN’s “It’s Showtime” last month, a lot of hip-hop groups are surely determined on following their footsteps.

XB GenSan‘s glory was not an overnite success however.  For over two years, this group of dancers from Barangay Bula had to participate and compete in a lot of other local and regional dance contests just to be able to hone their skills and master the art of performing before a large audience.  It took them awhile before they finally were able to get it right and perform as excellently as they did on national TV and lord it over their competitors.

Now, here comes another competition which will give fledgling dance groups out there a chance to prove their worth first on the local level just like XB GenSan.  Who knows if this could be the start of something great for them in the future?

Check out Juicy Cologne’s 2010 Inter-School Competition for Mindanao for the best JUICY DANCE CREW.  Below is the poster which says it all.

This competition is open to all enrolled students who are between the ages of 10-16 years. Each group must have a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 10 members.  They should be able to perform for a maximum of 5 minutes during the screenings.

Screenings will be held on different dates at various venues in South Central Mindanao.

• August 28, 2010 – Alabel Municipal Gym @ 2pm, Alabel, Sarangani Province
• September 4, 2010 – Dadiangas West Central Elementary School Gym, GenSan @ 2pm
• September 11, 2010 – EMR Center of Koronadal, Koronadal City @ 2pm
• September 18, 2010 – Kidapawan Gym, Kidapawan City @ 2pm
• October 2, 2010 – (tentative date) Grand Finals, GenSan Gym, Lagao @ 2pm

Prizes for the Winners are:

• Grand Prize – P 20,000 plus Gift Packs worth P5,000 (for the School)
• 1st Place – P10,000 plus Gift Packs worth P5,000 (for the School)
• 2nd Place – P7,000 plus Gift Packs
• 3rd Place – P5,000 plus Gift Packs

For more information, please contact 0928-5520439.  Here’s hoping another Dance Crew from the region makes it big just like XB GenSan!

Here’s great news for everyone who goes for eat-all-you-can feasts!

Red Trellis Seafood Garden is celebrating its first anniversary on August 21, 2010 and to thank its loyal customers, it is offering a GRAND SEAFOOD ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT on that very same day!

Red Trellis which serves the most succulent and fat king crabs from Surigao aside from other exotic sea creatures (like the slipper lobster and the mantis shrimp) has priced their Anniversary Buffet at only three hundred fifty pesos (P350) per person!

On top of that, this famous GenSan restaurant in a garden setting will raffle off ten gift certificates worth P1,000 each to their guests and patrons!  Now how’s that for an anniversary treat?

The Red Trellis Birthday Buffet will start at exactly 7:00pm so be sure to be there early.  Or better still, buy your tickets now or make reservations by calling them at (083) 552-CRAB (2722) or 552-0256.  You may also email them at redtrellis@yahoo.com.

By the way, their  website which can be found at http://www.redtrellis.com will also be officially launched that day, one of the very few GenSan restaurants with an online presence!  And did we not tell you that Red Trellis is also a FREE WIFI Hotzone?

Red Trellis can be found at Tiongson Extension corner Calina Street, Lagao, across the main entrance of NDDU-IBED Lagao Campus. It now serves lunch and its dining areas are now equipped with mist shower sprays for a cooling and refreshing ambience.

Yamaha Motors Philippines is bringing one of the Philippines most enduring rock artists, Bamboo to General Santos City in a 3-day promotional activity they have dubbed as YAMAHA FIESTA 2010.

Based on the eye-catching poster above, beginning on August 27 up to August 29, 2010, different activities meant for to delight not only Yamaha owners and users have been scheduled.

For three days,  Yamaha is conducting a MOTORSHOW and a DANCE CONTEST at the Robinsons Parking Lot across the Supermarket entrance.  Interested participants may text or call Cellphone # 0919-8775555.  Look for Bong.

People can also TEST RIDE Yamaha’s newer models at the same venue.  This is purposely to help prospective buyers decide on which Yamaha unit to purchase and give non-Yamaha users a feel of Yamaha motorbikes’ features and benefits.  To entertain them later from 4:30pm to 5:30 pm is a TRICK SHOW headlining a Japanese trick artist named FUMITAKA NOZAKI.

The most important day for all however is Saturday, August 28 when Bamboo gives his all in a FREE concert at the same Parking Grounds.  Being a FREE show, we are pretty sure, it will be jampacked!  We are just hoping security is tight so that there would be no pandemonium considering how Bamboo works out the crowds whenever he performs.

Still, let’s hand it over to Yamaha Motors for including GenSan in this nationwide promotion unlike ABS-CBN which continues to ban their artists from performing here.  Thank you Yamaha and thank you Robinsons GenSan for this weekend to remember.

One of the eight finalists in the recently-concluded first season of the  ABS-CBN show, “Pilipinas Got Talent“  was a magician named Allan “Alakim” Dela Paz.

Although he did not win the Grand Prize which went to singer Jovit Baldivino, he was one of the most applauded performers during the Finals on July 24, 2010 where he disappeared from the stage and emerged at the top bleachers to the amazement of the jampacked coliseum!

If you missed that one, do not fret because ALAKIM Magician Extraordinaire will be performing tomorrow, Friday the 13th of August, here in General Santos City!

The company responsible for bringing Alakim to GenSan is Fitmart Mall.  Reports have reached us that tickets to his show at the Phela Grande Convention Center, costing P150 each have already been sold out.

Nevertheless, try contacting them at telephone #s (083) 554-2680 to 81 for ticket inquiries or reservations.  Kung meron pa?

Bariles himself is not sure whether he could wrest a  couple of tickets considering that the show is scheduled for tomorrow already.  He might as well ask the help of Nate Marx, a young mentalist/magician who will be featured in Alakim’s show, and other members of their group, the 12th Summit.

As an apt ending to this article, allow us to leave you with this YouTube video of their final performance at It’ Showtime.

Just got word from Aian Fredeluces, Executive Director of the Socksargen Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries, Inc. (SFFAII) that the 2010 National Tuna Congress is finally scheduled on September 2-3, 2010.

This time, the congress goes back to the newly-expanded and renovated Family Country Hotel and Convention Center which lies right behind the KCC Mall of GenSan and a stone’s throw away from Gaisano Mall of GenSan.

According to Aian, they have invited President Noynoy Aquino to give the Keynote Address, together with GenSan Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio, Representative Jun Acharon of the first district of South Cotabato and a few national cabinet secretaries to give speeches aside from the usual speakers dealing with various topics on the Fishery industry.

The theme for this year’s congress is “Be Counted… Face the Challenges and Make a Difference”, a timely one given the situation of the tuna industry in the country owing to the 2-year ban on fishing imposed on the large purse seiners by international regulatory bodies.

A Trade Fair and Exhibit will accompany the 2-day congress and here, one will find the latest technology, gadgets and equipment that fishing companies and tuna food processors may find beneficial to their existing businesses.

For more info on the 2010 National Tuna Congress,  please contact:

BAYANI B. FREDELUCES
Executive Director
SOCSKSARGEN Federation of Fishing & Allied Industries, Inc. (SFFAII)
2/F SAFI 4 Building, Magsaysay Avenue
9500 General Santos City, Philippines
Mobile:+63 917 721 2634
Telefax: +6383 552 9736; +6383 301 6543
Website: www.philtuna.org

Side A Band hinted about it last year when they were in General Santos for their “Side A Live in GenSan Concert“.  Band leader Joey Generoso declared to a jampacked audience at the GenSan gym that they were busy preparing for their next studio album and hoped that people would patronize it once it gets released.

Now, fast forward to the present.

The country’s number one concert band has just finally released that much-awaited album.  Not only that, Side A will personally come to GenSan again, this time courtesy of Robinsons Place to promote it as part of their nationwide album tour!

This album tour will be held at the main activity center of Robinsons Place starting at 5pm of August 15, 2010.  Bariles is pretty sure that they will be playing a few old songs and some from their new recordings.

The new album is entitled “Side A Only 1” and contains their two recent chart toppers ” Kung Wala Ka Na” and “Tila”. Below is a YouTube video of the second song, sung by guitarist Leevon Caila.

Enjoy it and watch the real thing next weekend.

KCC Mall of GenSan goes PINOY for the month of August 2010 by featuring the local products of some of the region’s municipalities!

With the project name “Gawang Pinoy, Tuna na World Class“, the leading mall in GenSan aims, for the first time to exhibit the process of manufacturing  export quality native produce of Sarangani and South Cotabato, highlighting the ingeneuity of its people.  Other than that, they are also showcasing Filipiniana costumes and accessories from other regions at their Atrium, aside from its usual display section inside the KCC Department Store.

Its weekend has a featured municipality so be sure to visit KCC Mall of GenSan often to witness how they are being made.  The demo has been drawing huge crowds ever since it started last weekend.

Check out the poster above for the next scheduled demos.

There’s something in store for dog lovers in GenSan this weekend!

Robinsons Place General Santos City is conducting a DOG COMPETITION, tomorrow Saturday, August 7, 2010!

Although GenSan News Online Mag was not furnished the details of this event, we are made to believe through their poster above that this is open to all dog breeds.  There will also be no Registration Fee for all competing canines.

So if you think that you’ve got the cutest, most talented and smartest doggie in Soccsksargen, why not hie off to Robinsons Mall tomorrow and enter him in this competition ?  It will be a good exposure for your mutt and a chance for him to test his interaction with other dogs.

For more information on this dog competition, you may want to call Robinsons Place GenSan at (083) 552-3177.  And yes, this activity which counts Mitsubishi Motors, Hyundai and Personal Effects as its major sponsors along with Robinsons, will start at exactly 4:00pm tomorrow.

See you and your dogs there!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About the National MILO® Marathon

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

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

For more information, please contact:

Ada de Pedro

Strategic Edge, Inc.

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

Email: group3@seinc.com.ph

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A souvenir shirt however will cost an additional P150.

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

T’MANA tu di LINAN – WALK FOR TARSIER

July 31, 2010

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

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

7:40 am – 8:00 am           Coffee Break

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

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

Lunch

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

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

Cultural Presentation

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

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

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

Awarding of Certificates

August 1, 2010

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

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

—-HOME SWEET HOME—-

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

For more information, please contact any of the following:

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

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

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

Ice Castle Experience

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

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

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

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

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

Pacman Sports Bar

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

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

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

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

Arnevel’s Restaurant and Catering Services

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

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

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

Piyesta KTV & Resto Bar

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

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

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

Dolores Farm Garden Resort

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

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

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

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

Punta Isla Lake Resort

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

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

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

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

Merl’s Garden Resort

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

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

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

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

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

Sa Balai Bistro

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

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

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

The Red Tent Steak House

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

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

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

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

Thanks also to the following:

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

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

Great news for Kapuso fans!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kapuso or Kapamilya?

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

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

Check out the list of activities below.

Uswag 2010 Activities

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CATEGORIES & PRIZES:

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

RULES & GUIDELINES:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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