GenSan News Online Mag

This is Bariles’ much super delayed finale post to the “Balut Island Series“.  The first three parts may be found by clicking on the links below:

1. On Board M/V Song of Dolly
2. Olaniban, Enchanted Island
3. Sabang Sulphur Hot Springs

After partaking of the snacks prepared by Ms. Tata Docallos‘ Dolores Hotels and Resorts senior staff at the Sabang Sulphur Hot Springs picnic grounds, the group of tourists from GenSan, which included some of the winners of that year’s Bikini Open climbed aboard their two motorized bancas and headed back to the port of Mabila where the M/V Song of Dolly is berthed.

Since it was still daylight and the Song of Dolly is scheduled to leave for GenSan at midnight, the two bancas anchored at the nearby Villalobos or Marurong Island 70 meters across mainland Balut Island to enable the passengers to spend the next few hours swimming and preparing for their dinner.

Villalobos Island, which is also called Balistic Island due to its bullet form is a small rock structure built by the Sangils and B’laans during the 16th century to serve as a fortress.

"THE LUSHFUL BERMUDA GRASSFIELD OF MARORONG OR VILLALOBOS ISLAND. THERE IS ONLY ONE SOURCE OF DRINKING WATER HERE, THE MANUAL WATER PUMP PROVIDED BY THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT."

In 1543, the Sangils and the B’laans battled against Spanish conqueror Ruy Lopez de Villalobos and his army with the use of bolos and spears versus the Spaniards’ guns and canons.  Villalobos, according to historians Gregorio Zaide and Jesuit Fr. Jose Luego, landed in Marorong in search for the Moluccas Island then.

Now, what is left at the island are the ruins of their rock walls and centuries-old kalachuche trees.

"BIKINI OPEN WINNERS POSE AT THE CENTURIES-OLD FORTRESS RUINS OF MARORONG OR VILLALOBOS ISLAND."

The group stayed on for a few more hours at Marorong while savoring the last rays of the setting sun with a few others swimming and enjoying the high tides covering the rock formations surrounding the island.  Bariles opted to lie on his back on a towel he spread out on the island’s lush bermuda grassfield and gazed and rhapsodized on the past 24 hours starting with the boat trip from Queen Tuna Park, to their brief stay at the enchanted Olaniban Island and up to this refreshing wait at the historic Marorong Island.

Balut Island, the farthest municipality of Davao del Sur might just be a speck in most maps of Mindanao but after this breathtaking experience, it will loom big in his memory forever.

Here are more pictures… Check back while this post is being updated.

"THE LOCAL TOURISM BOARD HAD THESE PICNIC HUTS BUILT FOR LOCAL AND VISITING TOURISTS."

"WITH SARANGANI ISLAND IN THE BACKGROUND, DOLORES TROPICAN RESORT'S BIKINI HUNKS AND BABES HAM IT UP FOR BARILES' CAMERA WHILE PERCHED ON ONE OF MARORONG ISLAND'S ROCK FORMATIONS"

Here’s more good news for visitors of General Santos City!

In time for the Tuna Festival Month of September 2010 and up to October and November, the three hotels under the Dolores Resorts & Hotels Group are offering various promotions to make your stay even more pleasurable and worth your while; and, easy on the pocket!

Its flagship hotel in downtown GenSan, the Dolores Hotel, has gone down to its lowest price ever on its rooms!

Yes!  As their promotional poster above suggests, the five-storey Dolores Hotel located along Santiago Boulevard has lowered its price to P599 only on a twin-sharing basis!  That makes it less than P299.50 per person!  Now who can beat that?

Below is a photo of one of their rooms.  All rooms have their own TV sets and are equipped with FREE WIFI 24/7!

"ONE OF THE AIRCONDITIONED ROOMS OF DOLORES HOTEL IN DOWNTOWN GENSAN. IT HAS FREE WIFI 24/7."

15 kilometers away in Polomolok is Dolores Farm Resort, which is ideal for tourists and visitors who prefer its cooler climes in its farm setting.

This time, it’s a two-pronged promotion for Polomolok’s only resort hotel!  Dolores Farm Resort will only charge 50% of the regular entrance fee and will give a discount of 20% on their rooms for guests checking in or using their two swimming pools during the whole month of September 2010.

All of their rooms have free wifi connections too, together with their coffee shop area beside their pools.

"THESE ARE THE OVERNIGHT AIRCONDITIONED ROOMS OF DOLORES FARM RESORT. ALL HAVE FREE WIFI CONNECTIONS."

For those who would want to be nearer the sea and swim in Sarangani Bay’s beaches, Dolores Tropicana Resort Hotel in Barangay Tambler has also prepared something for its guests starting this month.

For the months of September 2010 and up to January 2011,  through their “SABADO MAY BANDA SA TROPICANA“,  a band will be performing at their main activity area every Saturday evening from 8pm to 2am.  Dolores Tropicana Resort is known in these parts to throw the best beach parties via their Bikini Open since they have been at it for more than 10 years now!  That distinction is still undeniably theirs.

And yes, you can check your email or update your Facebook if you have your laptop with you.  Their lobby and all their overnight rooms are wifi hotspots!

So that’s it!  Choose your wild while enjoying the sights and sounds of the Tuna Festival from September 18 – 26.

If you want to be closer to the action, stay at Dolores Hotel in downtown GenSan.  If you go for the fresh balmy mountain air of Polomolok while basking in the sun at their swimming pools, hie off to Dolores Farm Resort.  And if you’re a beach person with a liking for rock bands, then Dolores Tropicana Resort is your cup of tea.

There’s really something for everyone this Tuna Festival at Dolores Resorts and Hotels!

Even while I am writing this inside my hospital room at General Santos Doctor’s Hospital, I am dreaming of the beaches of Sarangani and how it would be great to be down there lying half-naked while listening to the sound of the surf and drinking a cool tall glass of melon milk shake.

If given the choice, I would be at this time preparing myself for what promises to be the biggest beach party in Southern Philippines, the SARANGANI BAY FESTIVAL 2010!

The annual Sarangani Bay Festival which is a major project of the Provincial Government of Sarangani under Governor Migs Dominguez and Vice Governor Steve Solon will official kick off tomorrow, May 27, 2010 at the newly refurbished and improved Lemlunay Diving Resort at Maasim, Sarangani.

The resort now has an infinity pool and overnight cottages to boot!  Check out the photo of the pool below, courtesy of Ms. Rue Ramas.

Aside from the opening ceremonies at Lemlunay tomorrow, there will be a Crown of Thorns Clean-up, photo contest, Poi and Zip clinic, Sayaw Sarangan Hataw sa Tag-Araw, Boksing sa Baybayon and Reggae Party.

The 2nd day kicks off at various beach resorts in Glan:  White Haven Beach, Rosa White Beach, Coco Beach , Isla Jardin del Mar and Reycon Beach.

Activities include  Swim Across Sarangani Bay, Taichi Exercises, Lumba Bugsay, Sepak Takraw sa Baybayon, Beach Frisbee Exhibition Games, Beach Football, Sarangani Bay Beach Fair, Poi and Zip Clinic, Sand of Thorns Clean-up, Sand Sculpture Competition, Bay Bodies Bikini Open, Summer Night Beach Party.

"ISLA JARDIN DEL MAR'S BEACH WHERE SOME OF THE SARANGANI BAY FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES WILL TRANSPIRE"

On May 29, 2010, the Sarangani Bay Festival reserves the best activities for last. Consider these:  Bancarera, Government Employees Summer Holiday, Cheerdance by the Bay, Skimboarding Clinic, Splash in the Sky Fireworks Display, Concert by the Bay featuring the famous Manila Band CUESHE.

Three fun-filled days of sun, sand, surf, sexy bodies and exciting sea sports all at the Sarangani Bay Festival!

Now, tell me…. what beach party in these parts of the Philippines could top that?

On the night after Tierra Montana’s Sizzling Summer Fashionfest Party, all roads lead to Glan, Sarangani Province for the resumption of what should be the hottest weekend in Soccsksargen.

This is simply because 0n May 29, 2010, in line with the culmination of the Sarangani Bay Festival, there’s gonna be a Wild, White and Wet Beach Party at Davak Ridge Resort in Gumasa, Glan.

Organized by a group of former highschool friends who are putting out all stops to ensure that their Wild, White and Wet Beach Party will be one unforgettable experience for Socsksargen’s partyphiles, this party happens in one of the inland coves of the Glan shoreline.

This makes it more compact and the activities easier to follow considering that everything happens in one venue alone.

There will be a DJ from Brazil who’ll provide the music which will be a combination of trance, house, techo, breakbeat music and a sampling of current dance chartbusters.

A group of sexy, bikini-clad ladies from Davao City called the Summer Ladies will be on hand to help heat up the dancefloor at the beachfront and stage a sexy fashion show (Don’t worry.  Sarangani does not have a GAD code.) and host the raffle games where brand new Samsung cellphones will be given away.

Other than that, the dancecrew from Koronadal who figured recently at the ABS-CBN Talent search, Showtime, named Cybercrew Dancers will also perform for the beach crowd that night.

And of course, being a San Miguel Beer-sponsored event, beer and more beer are expected to overflow during this event which even at this early, is generating a lot of buzz already based on its name alone.

Who wouldn’t want to be at Davak Ridge Resort’s Wild, White and Wet Beach Party then?

The Wild, White and Wet Beach Party is brought to us by Coca-Cola, San Miguel Corporation, Globe Tattoo, Samsung, YGO Export Trading, Gregoria Printing Press.  For ticket reservations, please call 0908-6861536, 0932-5687494.  Tickets may be purchased at Denver Drug Store, Fitmart Branch.

Although it’s only a matter of two days before it happens, Bariles is pleased to present to you another activity meant for partyphiles wanting to cool off for the summer.

Guys, welcome to Isla Parilla Resort’s ISLAND ESCAPADE 2010!

For 8 hours non-stop from 6m on Friday, April 23, 2010, Isla Parilla Resort, Sarangani Province’s premier resort hotel in the municipality of Alabel, in cooperation with Rise Management is presenting a Concert Party to end all concert parties!

The event which will unfold  at their POOLSIDE (we’re just guessing here re the exact location) will be like no other since it will feature the following:

• a Live Band;
• a Non-Stop Disco Party;
• International DJ Mixing Showdown;
• Ledge Dancing;
• Summer Outfit Fashion Show; and
• Souvenir Booth Exhibits.

You can enjoy all these at the very affordable price of P200, which is inclusive of one bottle of San Miguel Beer.

A bus will offer free rides for partygoers to Isla Parilla from the Sydney Hotel from 5pm to 7pm on that day.  Return trips to GenSan will start at 12 midnite up to the wee hours of the morning.  Or maybe, you may watch the Christian Bautista “Constant Change” Concert happening at the same time at GenSan Gym first, before proceeding there… that is, if you have your own provision for a vehicle.

Tickets may be purchased at Sydney Hotel, Isla Parilla Resort, Wild FM and Max Value Travel.  For inquiries, the following numbers may be contacted:  (083) 552-5480; 893-0031; 0922-4831305 and 0923-8552822.

Bariles could have blogged about GenSan View Resort a few months back when he first toured it together with other GenSan Bloggers.  He waited for the right timing though, wanting to post it during the advent of the summer months.  And now that summer is upon us, here it is.

GenSan View Resort which formally opened in December 2009 is owned by couple Joel and Patrice Santos.  It sits in a portion of their old eight-hectare  “hito” and “tilapia” farm along the old Nursery Road (beside Susana Homes) at Barangay Lagao.

It is envisioned by the couple to be General Santos City’s “escape from the city, within the city”, a water and fishing resort offering an uncluttered, clean, peaceful and child-friendly setting.  Here, the generals do not have to go very far to enjoy the merits of fresh, sparkling clear, cool swimming pools.

GenSan View Resort has two pools. The larger one is for adults while the smaller pool which has a giant mushroom-like shower fountain in the center, is for kids and toddlers.  A modern filtration process is used to regularly clean the fresh water and ensure that it doesn’t smell of chlorine which hurts when it gets to the eyes.

"THE KIDDIE POOL WITH ITS MUSHROOM SHOWER FOUNTAIN"

Both pools are partially surrounded by native cottages which serve as the picnickers area.

"SOME OF THE NIPA HUTS SURROUNDING THE TWO POOLS OF GENSAN VIEW RESORT"

What’s special about these cottages is that the straws of their thatched roofs reach down to give privacy to the picnickers inside them. The tables have silica tops and there are even overhead racks to store bags and other things.

"INSIDE ONE OF THE THATCHED ROOF COTTAGES OF GENSAN VIEW RESORT."

For those who would want to go fishing and/or boating, at the back end of the resort is this sign below which will lead you to their fish pond, containing hito and tilapia.

"THE SIGN POINTING TO THE FISHING AND BOATING AREA AT THE BACK OF THE HUTS"

The cobbled walk going to the fishpond leads to a small floating cottage for would-be fishermen.

"THE FLOATING WOODEN BRIDGE LEADING TO THE FLOATING FISHERMAN'S COTTAGE. IN THE PICTURE IS BLOGGER GILBERT TAN."

The fishermen-wanna-be’s will be given a choice of baits for the tilapia and hito – worms or shellfish.

"DO YOU LIKE WORMS AS BAITS?"

"OR SHELLFISH FOR THE TILAPIA AND HITO?"

After putting the bait in your fish hook, then you can start fishing just like this guy in the picture below…..

Or go boating instead at the fishpond, just like Blogger Hannabebs here in this photo…

Here are the other features of GenSan View Resort…..

"THE WASHING AREA FOR RAW FOOD. BEHIND IT IS THE GRILLING OR INIHAWAN AREA."

'THE GRILLING, BROILING OR IHAWAN/SUGBAHAN AREA BEHIND THE WASHING AREA."

"THE GENSAN VIEW RESORT TOILETS, SHOWERS AND CHANGING ROOMS"

"THE FEMALE RESTROOM"

"MALE RESTROOMS"

Lastly below is the Roofed Hall or Pavilion which can be rented out by big groups for P1,500 only. The whole resort by the way, may be yours exclusively for P5,000.

As for our last word……

Entrance to the resort is only P50 per person. For reservations or any inquiry, please call telephone #s (083) 302-8237.

The cold month of February has just left us but it seems that summer is already here much, much earlier courtesy of the El Nino Phenomenon.  The series of daily brownouts that ensued has made matters worse for everyone, disrupting work schedules, bedtime habits and sleeping hours due to the sweltering heat and humidity, especially in this city of what was once the barren lands of dusty Rajah Buayan.

It seems that all everyone wants to do right now is to hie off to the nearest beach getaway in GenSan or nearby Sarangani Bay or fresh water pool resort to escape from all these.   

The good news is one such resort has come up with their Summer Weekdays Escapade Promotions in time for the long hot Summer break.

Friends, below is Isla Jardin Del Mar Resort’s Summer Weekdays Escapade Promo which have been adjusted to accommodate more barkadas and families looking for the perfect and affordable getaways.

Isla Jardin del Mar, located at Gumasa, Glan, Sarangani opened less than three months ago in a star-studded affair and   has lowered their rates for beachgoers and vacationists who hate the usually crowded weekends and go for the more peaceful weekdays at the beach.

The Isla Jardin del Mar Weekdays Escapade Promo is valid only from Mondays to Thursdays and runs from Marh 8, 2010 to June 30, 2010.   Please read the mechanics of the two packages they are offering in the poster above.  They have separate packages for DAY TOURS and OVERNITE STAYS plus separate fees for their OPEN and CLOSE COTTAGES.

"THE TWO ROWS OF OPEN COTTAGES OF ISLA JARDIN DEL MAR RESORT LOCATED AT THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE BEACH"

"SOME OF THE 10+ OVERNIGHT COTTAGES OF ISLA JARDIN DEL MAR RESORT FOUND AT THE NORTH SIDE OF THE BEACH FRONTAGE EQUIPPED WITH EITHER FANS OR AIRCONDITIONING. EACH COTTAGE HAS TWO ROOMS WITH DOUBLE-DECKED BEDS."

Here are some of the pictures we took during our visit there at the Inauguration, courtesy of Manager Wanchin Tan-Delfino.

"THE NORTH SIDE BEACH OF ISLA JARDIN DEL MAR"

"BEACH VOLLEYBALL IS JUST ONE OF GAMES ONE CAN PLAY AT ISLA JARDIN DEL MAR"

"A JET SKI COULD BE RENTED WHILE AT ISLA JARDIN DEL MAR RESORT. AN INSTRUCTOR WILL BE ON STAND BY TO ASSIST YOU"

"THE LARGE LAGOON BEHIND THE OVERNIGHT COTTAGES. IT COULD ALSO BE SEEN FROM THE HILLSIDE ROAD LEADING TO ISLA JARDIN DEL MAR'S MAIN ENTRANCE."

"THE CLUBHOUSE BESIDE THE ENTRANCE OF THE RESORT SERVES AS THE MAIN RESTAURANT/CANTEEN OF ISLA JARDIN DEL MAR."

"THE CONCRETE ROAD BEHIND THE OVERNIGHT COTTAGES."

"SOME PICNICKERS ENJOY THE SHADE OF THE TALISAY AND COCONUT TREES AT THE BEACH:

"THE ENTRANCE OF ISLA JARDIN DEL MAR AFTER NEGOTIATING A ROAD CARVED OUT FROM THE HILLS OF GUMASA GLAN COURTESY OF THE PROVINCIAL GOVT OF SARANGANI. THAT'S THE BUS WHICH OFFERS FREE RIDES TO PICNICKERS."

"BARILES IN A SOUVENIR SHOT WITH (L-R) BING & ARMI ROYECA; ISLA JARDIN DEL MAR MANAGER WANCHIN TAN-DELFINO; BLOGGERS JINKY BORELA; MANDI NICOLAS (GENSAN GAZER); LYLE SANTOS, ORMAN MANANSALA; RIC DUMALAY DURING THE OPENING OF THE NEW TOURIST DESTINATION."