GenSan News Online Mag

Let me play Jojo Acuin or Madame Auring just this once by sharing with you my Top 7 Predictions for 2012 that could happen here in General Santos City and Soccsksargen within the next 12 months.

Here they are:

1.  The establishment of a LONE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT for General Santos City.   – This is long overdue considering that the total population of GenSan has already reached more than half a million already.  But unless the National Government approves for publication the 2010 National Census figures, which will peg latest census figures at 600,000 and which will be a major basis for the re-alignment of the congressional districts of South Cotabato, this will have to wait.  Hopefully, by the 4th quarter of 2012, our representative, Congressman Jun Acharon will be focusing on just the city alone.

2.  The construction of Gokongwei’s GoHotel beside their Robinsons’ Place GenSan lot in Barangay Lagao. – With more and more conventions and large conferences being conducted in GenSan, the hotel boom will reach fever pitch this year with the entry of national players in the hotel industry, including GoHotel which will open its Tacloban branch this year.  That only means that GenSan will be next.

3.  The ground-breaking of the Mindanao Campus of University of Santo Tomas in Barangay Ligaya, General Santos City.  Touted to be a full university and not just a college annexed under the UST Main Campus in Manila, UST General Santos will offer the same courses.  This will give Mindanaoans full access to quality education under the tutelage of the Dominicans.

4.  The expansion of the General Santos City Hospital and the improvement of its operations. – Health being at the forefront of the administration of Mayor Darlene Antonino Custodio, expect this one to materialize with the entry of Private-Public-Partnerships (PPP) in the operations of key departments in the City Hospital.  Thus within the year, we shall witness the opening of the Dialysis Center that will drastically lower the costs of a dialysis procedure,  PPP-initiated pharmacy and laboratory which will offer lower medicines and services, respectively; and additional beds with the opening up of the 2nd floor of the hostpital’s new building.

5.  The commencement of the construction of the city’s Sanitary Landfill in Barangay Sinawal which hopefully can begin its operation by the end of the year or early 2013.  This will further boost the city’s Garbage Disposal and Segregation Program which it is trying to strengthen among the generals.  Cleaner city = healthier environment = mas Magandang GenSan!

6.  The entry of more major players in GenSan, notably Ayala Land.  - With Robinsons and SM here, can Ayala be far behind?  This could either be by the Kastilaloy-owned company’s joining the now very competitive mall industry or through the still-very-open and lucrative mass housing business in the Home of Champions.  Either way, we have received reports that Ayala has sent feelers to brokers to look for large tracts of lands in Barangay Lagao.

7.  The privatization of the General Santos City Central Public Market. –  As mentioned earlier, since the local government is keen on Private-Public-Partnerships, then the idea of pushing for the privatization of the GenSan Central Public Market should be put in the forefront.   Reports have reached us that the SM group is keeping an eye on this possibility.  If that happens in 2012, then we will soon have our very first air-conditioned MALLENGKE!   Cool!

So that’s it –  our 2012 Top 7 Predictions for GenSan!  Do you agree with most or some of them?

What does your own BOLANG KRISTAL say?

Jollibee has just recently launched its first ever national look-out for five (5) exemplary Filipino families for its Jollibee Family Values Awards!

The Jollibee Family Values Awards aims to celebrate the genuine and irreplaceable joy of the Filipino family.  It will recognize those who exemplify the values that Pinoy families are known for and those who have inspired the community through their deeds.

Nomination is from July 1, 2011 to August 30, 2011.  Anybody could nominate a family whom they admire and think is worthy enough to matter in this nationwide search.  One winning family will be chosen from each of these clusters:  MegaManila, Northern Luzon, Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

Prizes for each of the five winning families are P100,000 cash (tax-free), a trophy and P10,000 worth of gift certificates.

Nomination forms are available at any of the Jollibee outlets all over the country.  In GenSan, these are at Jollibee Pioneer, Jollibee RD Plaza, Jollibee 24/7 Drive-thru National Highway, Jollibee Gaisano, Jollibee KCC and Jollibee Robinsons.  It may also be downloaded at Jollibee’s official website.

Do you know of a family who exemplifies the best of Filipino values in GenSan?  Nominate them now!

With Father’s Day fast approaching, allow me to share with you an old post I wrote years back in in 2005 at my Friendster account, at a time when I didn’t know that WordPress or even Blogger existed.  My blog hosted by Friendster was called Fat Chances.

This post actually explains the influence that my travels with my Dad had on me becoming a movie freak that I am right now.  And so, please I beg your indulgences as your friend Bariles goes more personal this time.

Working in the largest city in the world for the past five weeks has been quite a walk down memory lane. My earliest thoughts of Davao was when i was barely five years old when my Dad (God bless his soul) took me on what was my first plane ride from what was then known as Dadiangas. I forgot how long the trip took but i remember puking all over my Dad’s perma-pressed trousers and rousing the entire cabin. It was a relief landing on Davao soil after what could have been an eternity.

Dad usually spends the whole morning in Davao buying everything he needs for his tailoring business, scouting the various textile and tailoring supplies stores owned by local Chinese. He however never fails to drop by into a toy store and buys me anything i fancy plus gifts for my younger bro and sis back home. Then, we visit a clothing store where he picks something for mommy, mostly top-of-the-line dresses because he sure wants to please my fashion-conscious teacher-mom.

 

THE OLD MEN SENG HOTEL. PHOTO COURTESY OF WAWAY OF SKYSCRAPER.

Lunch is either at the 1st floor of Men Seng Hotel along San Pedro or at the Davao Famous Restaurant across the street. My favorite food has always been their steaming pancit canton and tasty sari-sari which we always down with Lemon o’lime (Dad says, less acidity.). Right alongside this place is Merco, where we always drop by for Fresh Milk and where I had my first real burger(!). At that time, they used pure beef in their patties and I even recall that it was quite thick.

From then on, it was movies, movies, movies all the way. For the next couple of hours or so, my Dad with me in tow, consume all the available movies showing in all the theaters along San Pedro, Ilustre, and Claveria. In between, he never fails to buy me soft dairy ice cream and barquillos inside the moviehouses’ fully-loaded canteens. Daddy made sure that all our senses are fully satiated by the last full show. The following day, it’s the same routine all over again.

Did i complain from all of these? Of course not? Who would if the movies we saw served as my flying carpet at that time and are now forever etched in my memory…. memories of those private precious times with my Dad? Classics like The Graduate, Yellow Submarine, Psycho, McKenna’s Gold, That’s Entertainment, Dr. No, Godzilla, Bonnie & Clyde, The Hand, Funny Girl, The Big Boss, All Mine to Give, and even Banaue have more or less transported me into worlds far beyond what my young mind could imagine, teaching me lessons on love, life, loss and even lust…. and gradually molding me into what I am now.

Now, while walking along the streets where these theaters used to stand before and trying to relieve the past, everything seems to have faded into oblivion. While I tried to scour these old Davao streets for these landmarks that have become so much a part of my growing-up years, all i see now are but remnants of it…. ruins….. skeletons.

But walking slowly and closing my eyes, however, everything gradually seems to be just fine.  The familiar sights return, the fragrant smells again beckon and the sounds once more take me back to those times in the city of Durian when Daddy was just beside me holding my tiny hand while walking along its busy sidewalks, ensuring me that everything was all right and the words “death” and “decay” were never even part of my infantile vocabulary.

GenSan News Online Mag received a Power Advisory from SOCOTECO II this week and it seems that some districts of the city will have to make do without electricity for as long as five-six hours!

SOCOTECO II Power Interruption Schedule for 14-15 May 2011

The good news is – this has nothing to do with the power supply from Transco but due to the replacement of electric poles near Robinsons (for the traffic signal system project of the LGU) and near the ongoing SM City GenSan construction project.

Whew! Mabuti na lang!

Just when no one was looking, the national burger chain Minute Burger opened not only 3 but 4 outlets or what it calls as “mobile stores” in General Santos City simultaneously during the last quarter of 2010.

These are in high traffic areas like Aparente Avenue in Purok Malakas (across the satellite wet market), Pioneer Avenue (fronting the old Pioneer Theater lot), Osmena North Avenue (just beside the Diagan Hospital) and across the Lagao Satellite Public Market.

Above is a shot taken by Bariles late one evening of their Purok Malakas mobile store.  Do not let the empty stools fool you.  In less than 5 minutes after this photo was taken, it was immediately filled up with customers wanting a quick fix of their “BUY ONE-TAKE ONE” offers.

Here are photos of their burgers from their official website:

All of their burgers and hotdogs are offered on a “Buy-One-Take-One” deal which is basically the reason why there are long lines in all their 3 mobile stores in GenSan.

With more people looking out for a bargain food deals, Minute Burger is surely one of the best solutions to satisfy their hunger pangs.  Who cares if it’s greasy?  Definitely not the hungry grumbling stomachs of people who make it a point to visit any of their four outlets regularly.   And definitely not Bariles who go for their Double Patty Burger which at P38 gives you two servings already!

Sulit Saraaap talaga!!!

The Christmas Season is almost upon us and here in General Santos City, different establishments have started launching their Yuletide offerings.

The earliest among them has proven to be the most inventive with the various exciting  promotional gimmicks and the classy culinary treats that go along with them.  Of course, we are referring to Ranchero’s and for the most anticipated season of the year, it has come up with a double whammy of a winner.

If you want your Noche Buena or Christmas parties to be more than special without tiring yourself, then check out Ranchero’s Signature dishes from the poster above.  Consider these mouth-watering culinary fare which are entirely different from your usual yuletide food…

• The tender Beef Pot Roast at only P775
• The Classy Callos ala Madrilena at P750
• The succulent Baby Back Ribs Platter at P795
• The aromatic Herbed Baked Jumbo Chicken at P650
• The healthy Fisherman Christmas Delight at P850
• and the flavorful Chicken Galantina at P850.

Then if you’ve had your feel all all those meaty dishes, check out any of their delectable array of their famous cakes and kakanins!

• The glorious Concorde Cake at P1085 (10″ x 2″) and P750 (7″ x 4″)
• The sinful Dulce de Leche at P680 (9″ x 4″)
• Their heavenly Blueberry or Strawberry Cheesecakes at P1100 (10″ x 2″) and P750 (7″ x 2″)
• A box of exciting Gourmet Cupcakes at P475 (9 pieces) or at P375 (6 pieces)
• Their to-die-for Frozen Brazo de Mercedes at P675 (12″ x 8″ x 2″)
• Their comforting 3-Flavored Sapin-Sapin at P475
• The homey Tibok-Tibok at P475 (Big Bilao) and P375 (Small Bilao)
• Their delightful Suman sa Lihiya at P550 per Dozen in a Basket

These Christmas Food Delights from Ranchero’s could also serve as Christmas gifts for your friends and loved ones.  It sure beats the hell out of scouring for good buys inside an overcrowded and stuffy mall department store along with hundreds of other frantic holiday shoppers for gifts.

At Ranchero’s, there’s definitely no rush, no waiting in line… just the dreamy thought of the wonderfully lavish Yuletide feast that is waiting for you.

To reserve your orders, please call Ranchero’s at (083) 553-9298 or 303-1120.

Robinsons Movieworld GenSan has a new food stall located right at its lobby and it’s something that should delight fans of American snacks!

It’s the  famous NY Fries and Dips!

NY Fries & Dips compared to other french or potato fries are giant hand-cut potato strips from imported Idaho Russet Potatoes cooked with transfat-free oil. It also serves a variety of gourmet dips.

Bariles was used to the usual thin potato fries and the mayo and catsup dips that come along with them from the local fastfood service outlets.  However when he first tried NY Fries & Dips at its first standee snack outlet at KCC Mall of GenSan, he was hooked!

The hand-cut fries are bigger, longer, crunchier on the outside and tender on the inside.  Even the potato skin which is actually healthy is visible on some strips. And the fact that these are fried only in CANOLA OIL, make them healthier to snack on!

But they have more than that! NY Fries and Dips also offer ONION RINGS and CHICKEN NUGGETS for moviegoers who would rather eat something else while watching the latest Hollywood blockbuster on screen.

Then there’s the all-natural-NO-MSG gourmet dips which are conversation pieces in themselves – LEMON HERB, PEPPER STEAK, PESTO, ASIAN, GRAVY, HAWAIIAN CURRY, RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, RANCH, GARLIC WASABI, TARTAR SAUCE, THAI PEANUT, GARLIC PARMESAN, BARBECUE, CHEESE, HONEY MUSTARD and BACON ONION TOMATO!  All these

Now that’s what you call DIPS HEAVEN!!!

So now, with a new NY Fries & Dips snacks bar to serve the moviegoing clients of Robinsons Place GenSan, expect traffic to their four cinemas to thicken even more with the intro of this unique American dining concept.

BARILES himself couldn’t wait to watch PIRANHA 3D over the weekend while munching on his favorite GIANT CUP of NY Fries & Dips with THAI PEANUT Gourmet Dips!  DROOL!!!

How about you?  What is your favorite NY Fries & Dips?

After weeks of speculating on who are gonna be the winners of the Search for the Big & Small Kids Photo Contest, GenSan News Online is now ready to release the results.

From out of the combination of votes tallied from the Facebook Fan Page of the Big & Small Company, from the comments counted from our blog post featuring the photos of the kids, and the vote coupons received at the Big & Small Company outlet at the KCC Mall of GenSan (for every P100 purchase), the management of the kids apparel store and the contest organizer was able to come up with the winners.

The entries were divided into two – the Toddler Category and the Infant Category.

Much weight and percentage was placed on the votes from the Facebook Fanpage of B&GC.  All the 800++ votes from this blog were also counted but they only comprised 20% of the total scores.  This is due to the fact that there were a lot of bogus voters (with fake names and non-existent email addresses) and spam votes which almost got this blog suspended by the server.  That is also the reason why Bariles had to stop the voting through this blog on July 27, 2010.

Anyhow, here are the charts of the votes for the two categories tallied from the three sources.

The winner of the INFANT CATEGORY which received 17.22% of the votes counted is Photo Entry #20 featuring the cute and chubby cookie-of-a-girl, Beatrice Benedikt M. Dy.

And the winner of the Toddler Category is the jolly and handsome Aethan Troy S. Lazaro, who was featured in photo #23.

The two winners will each receive a gift certificate worth P2,000, gift certificates from Worlds of Fun, 10% discount on any outlet of Big & Small Group and a Gift each on their birthdays.

And with that, in behalf of the management of the Big & Small Company in GenSan, we would like to say “Congratulations to the winners and of course, to their parents as well!”

Robinsons Place General Santos City continues to offer great deals to its shoppers and has started drumbeating the existence of its Robinsons Value Card for its customers.

The Robinsons Value Card is meant for their customers who prefer to shop for their groceries at the Robinsons Supermaket.  They just have to apply for membership of the supermarket’s VALUE PLUS and voila!  They will be given the card for free.

Each time a card-carrying member  makes a purchase, the amount is then encoded into the card to earn a corresponding number of points.

These points may then be redeemed for special gift items in the future.  At times, just by showing to the cashiers will earn one discounts on certain items being sold inside the supermarket.

For the month of July 2010, holders of Robinsons Value Card who purchase at least P2,000 worth of goods at the supermarket are entitled to a FREE Healthy You Orange Juice 1 Liter.

For inquiries, please call Robinsons Place GenSan at Telephone #s (083) 553-3188.

For our first blog entry for this week, we are publishing  the twenty six (26) entries to the “Search for the Kids of Big and Small Photo Contest“.

This contest by the Big & Small Group of baby and kids apparel’s which is for their patrons and clients was announced earlier by GenSan News Online Mag in a post which can be found by CLICKING HERE.

Now all you have to do is CHOOSE WHAT YOU THINK IS THE BEST PHOTOGRAPH AMONG THESE 26 ENTRIES.

Leave a message in the REPLY SECTION below stating your choice of the BEST PHOTO.

You can not vote more than once if you are planning to do so.  Therefoee so give it up because we would know if you are bogus or not.

Good luck on your search for the best “Big & Small Kid photo.”  You may campaign if you want to for others to vote the same way you did.

Voting period is only up to August 15th.  Announcement of winners will be on August 20th!  VOTE NOW!!  BUT YOU CAN VOTE ONLY ONCE.