Bariles was surprised to find out last week, when passing through Beatiles Street beside the OLPGV Parish Center in downtown GenSan, to see saw many young men with crew cuts walking out of the gates of the former campus of the Notre Dame of Dadiangas for Girls (NDDFG), renamed the Notre Dame of General Santos City (NDGSC) a few years back by its Dominican administrators.

Upon closer look, he saw a small tarpauline banner which bore a new name for what used to be the headquarters of the first exclusive-all-girls school in the Tuna Capital.  In bold black letters, it read – Welcome.  MINDANAO POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE ANNEX.

Please note the the main campus of the Mindanao Polytechnic College (MPC) is located at the junction of the National Highway and the Makar-Koronadal Road, about 7 kilometers from downtown General Santos.  It is the city’s premier school for nautical and marine engineering courses, and lately, of HRM courses (maritime-based).

Mindanao Polytechnic College Annex at the old Notre Dame of Gen. Santos Campus

Always the inquisitive one, Bariles went inside and observed some male students lounging around the campus and took some more shots of the wide quadrangle with the St. Dominic’s Hall in the background.

Old NDDFG/NDGSC Campus as it looks now

Obviously, classes have not started yet since the students inside were still finding their way around the campus.  Later, Bariles  found out from reading some memo at the bulletin board near the former admin building that the campus will be used mainly by their HRM Deparment.

Meanwhile, while near the gate, Bariles took shot of this old grotto of the Virgin obviously needed some major clean-up.

The old NDDFG/NDGSC Grotto

It was a shock at first for Bariles, having known this place as the old hallowed grounds of the female counterparts of the boys of the Notre Dame of Dadiangas College – High School Department (now the NDDUniversity) from where he graduated.

Later on, he realized that it would be beneficial for the Diocese of Marbel which owns the property since they can put to good use the rent from Mindanao Polytechnic College.

At the same time, the valuable buildings and all the facilities here (all put up by the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Sienna) may still be utilized by the young generation in their pursuit for good, affordable education (to be provided in this case, by the Mindanao Polytechnic College). This is better than the eventuality of these structures falling into ruin due to neglect and non-use.

For readers who are Dameans, how do you feel about this?

Popularity: 12% [?]

If you happen to travel along the National Highway these days and pass by the two-wing CED Buildings beside the NCCC Compound that hosts the Six Blings Ostrich Restaurant Complex, you will notice that the right wing has already been totally demolished.

This then gives you a good view of something that’s been brewing behind the torned-down building, and here is what it looks like…..

Ced Uptown Square - Phase One

This 20-unit two-story building which stands perpendicular to the demolished structure nearer the highway is the first phase of the P60 million project by the Ced Family, which Bariles has christened THE CED UPTOWN SQUARE for lack of a better term.

This building will house the former occupants of the older structure including Tropical Motorama, plus some more. It is scheduled to be opened to the public in less than two weeks.

Across it will be a similar 20-unit structure which will be for the occupants of the 2nd Ced Building facing the highway, comprising Phase 2 of the project. Right now, it is still undergoing construction.

Phase 2 of Ced Uptown Square

The 3rd and final phase of the CED buildings will be built at the farthermost end of the compound and will stand perpendicular to the first two. According to family spokesperson Jan Ced, who is also the current President of the GSC Chamber of Commerce and Industry, this will be open for food and entertainment establishments, thus making it a one-stop commercial haven for the generals.

Galing ng Generals!  Galing ng GenSan!

Popularity: 19% [?]

In her Independence Day speech at Koronadal City last Friday, June 12, 2009, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo bared her administration’s moves to modernize and improve the General Santos International Airport to the tune of P121 million.

Citing the need to push South Central Mindanao’s tourism destinations, the president remarked that part of her plans to improve on the economy of the country is to invest more on infrastructure, and this is where GenSan International Airport’s rehab comes in.

She further explained that the Department of Transportation and Communications has budgeted P40 million, including the P10 million last year for the rehab of the terminal building facilities of the GenSan International Airport and the construction of its perimeter fence.

For 2010, DOTC officials added P81 million for the provision and rehabilitation of air navigation and air traffic control facilities, improvement of the control tower and fire station buildings, and the construction of an administrative building for the airport which has been classified as a Secondary International Airport.

The GenSan International Airport which was constructed mostly from US Aid Funds amounting to$50 million formally opened on July 6, 1996, making it officially 13 years old next month.

For years, it has been rumored to be used by the United States military to increase their presence in the ASEAN region since it boasts of the 3rd longest runway and the biggest land area in the Philippines today.

Popularity: 56% [?]

I was on my way out of the KCC Mall of GenSan compound through the KCC Road when I again saw this small billboard on the vacant lot across the mall, approaching the Bula-Lagao Road.  I have noticed it for quite sometime now and was curious about the announcement it was featuring.  This time, I stopped the car, walked out and took its picture.

Here it is…

The announcement billboard was for the “SAFI MALL FOOD VENUE“, the same company behind the Sydney Hotel and Isla Parilla, among other business ventures.

Upon calling the name indicated on the contact number however, I found out from her that the mall project will not push through and instead, the owners have offered the area behind RCBC along the same KCC Road but nearer Jose Catolico Avenue, and subdivided it for rent to would be investors.  This is the current terminal of the public vans travelling to Sarangani.

So far, SAFI has signed up three local companies already.

So if you have lots of money to spare for a new business venture, and  you’re interested in capitalizing on KCC Mall of GenSan’s captive market, why not call telephone numbers (083) 302-1382, look for Damen and inquire about the vacant lots they are offering.

And by the way, are you curious about the area behind this parking lot across KCC Mall of GenSan, with the new concrete fence, sandwiched by the NFA compound on the other side?

The KCC Group, which owns the property is planning to build a grand 5-star hotel on it… ready to take on the big guns coming in… much like the expansion moves it is doing are right to its own mall in preparation for Robinsons and SM.

For more of that story, just be patient, subscribe to my feeds and watch out for the updates soon!

O, Anynomouse, happy ka na?  Thanks, English professor.

Popularity: 54% [?]

If you were among the millions who watched the Pacquiao-Hatton fight as aired on delayed telecast by GMA TV, then you must have been among those who were pissed at the number of commercials they put in every moment they can.

What saved the day for everyone however is the intermittent showing of a new TV ad featuring a little girl named Trisha Luice Canete or Cha-cha Canete.   Here it is.

Upon closer look on the cute commercial, you will notice that the ad which we now call the “Bulilit TV Ad” is actually that of Camella Homes, as part of their move to drumbeat their presence nationwide, including General Santos City.

The Bulilit TV Ad which utters the blurb “Ganito Na Kami Ngayon” ushers in what used to be a gated community known as The Grenadines but has been renamed as Camella General Santos. Why the change? Apparently, the owners, Vista Land must have thought that it is easier to sell the more widely known Camella than The Grenadines which have encountered trouble here due to non-compliance of some provisions in the Housing Law.

Anyway, everything seems to be fine now and the first few houses in Camella General Santos, located in a 12-hectare property in Barangay San Isidro are slowly being built.

According to their handouts, Camella General Santos is the “first master planned subdivision in General Santos City with exquisite looking Caribbean-Style Houses that are Cable and Internet-ready. Its modern features and amenities include Grand Entrance Plaza, well-paved roads, underground storm and drainage system, caribbean-inspired Clubhouse, swimming pool, CCTV Camera security system, Multi-court activity area, parks and pocket gardens“.

The Bulilit Print Ad with Trisha Luise Canete or Chacha Canete

Camella Homes General Santos is of course not the first “master-planned subdivision” in the Tuna Capital because La Cassandra Homes of RD Realty along the Sinawal Road beat them to it. But I must say however that their model houses definitely look better and they have more models to choose from.

I just wish that security would also be tops on their agenda since friends of mine, a couple who stay in La Cassandra were robbed more than a month ago inside what should be a heavily-secured gated community. That’s a major fail, if I may say so.

For more info on Camella Homes General Santos, please contact Ms. Ivy Soliva at 0909-7482352.  Tell her Bariles sent you. 

Popularity: 26% [?]

This is the 3rd in a four-part series on Bariles’ Balut Island Paradise trip last year courtesy of Dolores Hotels and Resorts.

Read the first two parts there by clicking on the links below:

Part I:  On Board M/V Song of Dolly

Part II:  Olaniban, Enchanted Island

The story on Balut Island Paradise continues….

Now that we have all transferred our things into our two motorized bancas, and with the waves becoming larger, we went on our way and left behind Olaniban Island, which still remained as mysterious and enchanting from afar as when we first encountered it upon our arrival a few hours earlier.  Next stop is the Sabang Sulfur Hot Springs.

In a few minutes, we were at cruising speed, passing by Balut Island’s beaches and thick coconut plantations until we approached Patuco Cove.

That’s our vessel M/V Song of Dolly II loading sacks of copra to be sold in GenSan City. It will go back to Mabila Port to pick up passengers for GenSan later.

Patuko Cove, according to our boatman has been since time immemorial the refuge of ships and boats everytime a storm hits the channel. It is also an entry point of shipping vessels coming from GenSan City or Malita, Don Marcelino or Jose Abad Santos, Davao del Sur. It looks more like a pirate’s cove to me though, straight out of a scene from a Fernando Poe movie. During the time we were passing through, saw many fishing boats at berth, their operators on a brief furlough before travelling out into the sea or relaxing after a voyage.

From there, our two motorized bancas proceeded to the northeast part of the coastline of Balut Island in Barangay Lipol where the Sabang Sulfur Hot Spring is located.  After an hour or so of uneventful, relaxing trip, we arrived at Sabang beach which, instead of sand was fully covered with football sized rocks.  It was difficult wading through the knee-deep water because our feet kept falling on the crevices between these rocks.  We finally reached the springs which were equipped with roofed concrete gazebos obviously for picnickers.

Eventually, we discovered that there are actually two Sulfur Hot springs, the bigger one having a diameter of 16 meters wide.  Instead of water though, it looked like boiling bluish mud, with a temperature of 80 degrees celsius.  Before the area was bought by the RD Group of Companies, it was used by local folks to dress chicken and pigs before being cooked.  The smaller spring on the other hand was utilized as a natural facial spa before but nobody from our group was daring enough to try putting the hot mud on the face.

The group stayed on for a few more minutes to grab some snacks courtesy of Dolores Hotels and Resorts‘ staff until finally it was time to head back to Mabila Port and spend the next few early evening hours at Villalobos or Bullet Island before boarding M/V Song of Dolly II at midnite.

To be concluded…..

Popularity: 11% [?]

Bariles and his group of GenSan bloggers were among the privileged few who were invited to tour the newly-constructed  3rd floor of the St. Elizabeth Hospital a week before it was unveiled to the public.

Hospital Administrator Tony Veneracion, husband of Bariles Republic’s good friend Petite of Sud-An Grill and Restaurant, proudly showed them around the area which boasts of 18 new private rooms, 15 new suites, six executive rooms and a deluxe room, totalling to 40 sparkling new rooms.

St. Elizabeth Hospital Administrator Tony Veneracion (extreme right) orients some of the GenSan Bloggers on the new 3rd Floor’s facilities

All of these are equipped with state-of-the art beds and overhead paging panels plus a  flat-screen 24-inch telelevision each for every room.  And  in terms of manning, aside from hiring 18 new nurses and six housekeeping staff they have also trained four nursing aides to act as “butlers” for the needs of their patients and their watchers.

Earlier during the tour, Bariles and the GenSan bloggers were immediately blown over by a spacious lounge complete with comfortable sofa and couches which greeted them upon reaching the third floor.

Other than providing a whole new dimension in health care services, Tony hope that with their expansion, they can also contribute to the city government’s goal in promoting health and wellness services for locals and visitors alike.

Currently, St. Elizabeth Hospital admits around 40-50 patients daily, most of which are children, a fact which is not lost on Tony and the hospital’s administration since they have about 25 specialists, 15 of which are pediatricians, where 9 are resident doctors.

They also have 150 nurses currently including the new hires for the 3rd floor.

St. Elizabeth’s expansion does not end here since they are still upgrading their facilities, starting with their next project – the renovation of their old wing.  This is in line with their inclusion as “pilot test hospital” in Philhealth’s accreditation program for health care institutions who have passed their “seven quality standards“.  Among these are patient’s safety, patient’s rights, quality management, etc.

From left, Mrs. Bebe-i Gonzales, Councilor Jong Gonzalez, City Administrator Mar Dospueblos, Mr. & Mrs. Jesus Veneracion prepare to cut the ribbon during the inauguration of the 3rd floor on March 30. 2009

A priest proceeds with the blessing of the 3rd floor.

Tony added, “This accreditation process has been ongoing since 2007 and it’s a very tedious thing.  Less than 30% of the hospitals in the country have passed Philhealth’s standards.  We are proud to say that in Region 12, we are the only institution they have chosen to be the pilot hospital and we are already in the final stage of evaluation.”

The gorgeous Veneracion women (including Petite, of Sud-An) with Dionisia Pacquiao

Sarangani Governor Migs Dominguez and Tony Veneracion

Congratulations Tony V and to the rest of the St. Elizabeth Hospital Family. With you leading the way, there is no doubt that very soon, St. Elizabeth will be known as South Central Mindanao’s premier health and wellness institution.

After the tour: (from left) Tanchi, Rammyboi, Samara Fae, Rosilie, Arnel, Tammy Rose, Jinky, Gilbert, Bariles, Tony V and Sheng. Photo taken by Kyawster.

Thanks to Leonard Pe and Tanchi for the rest of the photos.

Popularity: 13% [?]

It’s Holy Thursday today and people all around the Philippines including the “generals” of GenSan have started the annual Lenten tradition commonly called “Visita Iglesia”.

According to Pinoy traditions, Catholics must visit at least 7 churches to represent the 7 Great Basilicas of Rome, a practice which started during the time of beginnings of Christianity to venerate the Blessed Sacraments.

The St. Peter;s Basilica, one of the 7 Great Basilicas in Rome

Here in the Philippines, each visit would require a contemplation of the 14 Stations of the Cross, at 2 stations per church.

Some would go as many as 14 churches, with each church representing one station.

Unfortunately, General Santos City do not have that much number of churches.  As of last count, the Tuna Capital only has 6 churches and parishes.  To make up for the lacking church, the Catholic faithful include the Chapel inside the Novitiate Compound as part of the “Visita Iglesia” since masses are being said there every Sunday.

Here then  are Catholic Churches of GenSan (plus one chapel) which you could visit for your observance of the “Visita Iglesia”.

• Sts. Peter and Paul Parish Church. This is actually GenSan’s oldest church, older than the 50 year-old Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Parish Church.  Located at Lagao Kanan, Barangay Lagao, the church is under the Diocese of Marbel and run by Diocesan priests.  The structure has not changed much for the past 30 years or so, just a few minor adjustments were done to fix the rotting parts plus a couple of major paint jobs.

Sts. Peter and Paul Parish facade

• Santo Nino Parish Church.  Located at Barangay Bula, the original home of GenSan’s major fishing industry, this parish church is only 31 years old.  Over the years however, due to the magnanimity of its parishioners, who are among the city’s famed fishing magnates, the parish was to able to build, aside from its sail-like design church, a separate building for the convent.  Look for its replica of the Image of Sto. Nino which is encased in a small wooden boat.

The sail like facade of Sto. Nino Parish Church in Barangay Bula, home of the fishing industry players

• Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Parish Church. One of the most beautiful, if not the most beautifully-redesigned house of worship in South Central Mindanao, this one turned 50 last year and is under the care of the Passionist Fathers.  Based on Architect Michael Ang’s idea, the renovated church is more spacious and well-illuminated.  Strategically located at the heart of downtown GenSan, the best time to visit it for your Visita Iglesia is at night when some of its huge chandeliers and the sky-blue lights of the altar are switched on.

Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Parish Church at dawn

• St. Michael the Archangel Parish Church. This parish is less than 10 years old and yet its huge structure now dominates the skyline of Purok Malakas, owing to the generosity of its parishioners who helped build it from scratch from the time of Fr. Art Pancho, a diocesan priest.  It sits at a donated lot along Yumang Street and could be reached by taking a Purok Malakas jeep which could drop you at the corner of Yumang Street where you could take a small tricycle (or tricykad) again.

St. Michael the Archangel Parish Church at dusk

• Holy Cross Parish Church. A church designed to look like the Bishop’s Miter, this one is adminstered by the Passionist Congregation.  Located at Barangay Calumpang and just across its Retreat Center, the church has the widest structure and most spacious interiors among the churches in GenSan.  It’s then safe to say that it is the largest Catholic church in GenSan.

The Bishop’s miter-like structure of Holy Cross Parish Church in Calumpang, the biggest church in GenSan

• Our Lady of Fatima Parish Church. The baby of  the group, this church is less than a year old since its Canonical Erection last year.  Strategically located in a 2-hectare lot at Barangay Fatima by the local government of GenSan, it is still undergoing construction.

The Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Barangay Fatima and its new roof donated by her parishioners

• St. Paul of the Cross Novitiate Chapel. Due to the lack of churches in GenSan, this chapel has since time immemorial been part of any family’s Lenten Visita Iglesia.  It sits inside the 7-hectare coconut tree-dotted lot of the Passionists along the National Highway where their Novitiate is.

The open-air structure of the Holy Cross Novitiate Chapel along the National Highway

With this note, allow me to greet everyone a Happy and Blessed Easter Sunday!

Popularity: 11% [?]

Bariles just got word from the Alumni Affairs Office of the Notre Dame of Dadiangas University that the 50-year old premier educational institution in General Santos City will be offering the course Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management when school year 2009-2010 opens in June.

And in addition to that, under NDDU President Bro. John Tan, FMS‘ administration, an HRM Laboratory will also be built.  Here is an artist’s sketch of the proposed building designed by R.G. Salanatin Construction, Inc.

NDDU joins the growing list of schools in GenSan offering HRM after graduates of the course have proven to be in demand abroad especially in the UK, Canada and Middle Eastern countries.

With this development, Bariles hopes that NDDU gets the best teachers and instructors to ensure that what they produce in this new field are exceptionally trained and well-prepared and ready to face the challenges of their profession.

For inquiries regarding this post, please contact the Notre Dame of Dadiangas University through Tel. # (083)552-4444, local 2211.

Popularity: 19% [?]

Bariles recently renewed his passport and eventually received his new machine-readable copy, thanks to the Department of Foreign Affairs Consular Office here in General Santos City, headed by Mr. Daniel Te.

This is how the old and the new versions look, side by side.

The old Philippine passports have green covers while the new version shifted to maroon. Other than that, the new passport is now machine-readable. Meaning, the data on the identity page (which has been moved from the Inside Back Cover to Page 2) is encoded on optical recognition format.

This is more advantageous for international travelers due to the faster processing of their arrival at airports by immigration officials. No more long slow queues this time because the immigration staff would only have to swipe the passports’ identity pages on their machines.

It’s actually very easy now to apply for a MRP (Machine-Readable Passport).

If you’re in GenSan, just go to their office beside the Big Chow Restaurant which is adjacent to Shakey’s inside the Gaisano Mall compound.

Inside the spacious, white-washed office, you may wait for your turn before you report to the table under a sign which says STEP 1 manned by Ms. Edel Mae Patugan.  You may then show her your documents.

If you are renewing your passport, these are the things you need to give to Ms. Edel for verification:

1. Photocopy first two and last two pages of old Passport;
2. Photocopy all stamped pages (all travel, arrivals, departures, visas, etc.);
3. Bring any two documents to support your Middle Name:
   • Voter’s Affidavit
   • Driver’s License
   • Baptismal Certificate
   • GSIS Policy/SSS E-1 Form
   • PRC/Postal ID
   • NBI Clearance
   • Government Service Record
   • Seaman’s Book
   • Income Tax Return
4. 3 pieces Passport sized ID pictures (4.5cm x 3.5cm) colored picture with Royal Blue background
5. Processing Fees:   64 pages – P750

If you are applying for a new passport, then submit these for verification to Ms. Edel:

1. Authenticated Birth Certificate
2. Authenticated Marriage Contract (for married women & minors only)
3. OMA Certification (for Muslims only)
4. Any 2 of the following docs to support your Middle Name:
   • Voter’s Affidavit
   • Driver’s License
   • Baptismal Certificate
   • GSIS Policy/SSS E-1 Form
   • PRC or Postal ID
   • NBI Clearance
   • Government Service Recort
   • Seaman’s Book
   • Income Tax Return
5. 3 pcs. Passport Sized ID pictures – (45 cmx3.5cm) colored pic with royal Blue Background)
6. Processing Fee:  64 pages – P850

After your docs have been verified and approved, proceed to the table under the sign which says STEP 2 and submit them to Ms. Helen Grace Acharon for processing.

You may then approach Mr. Eric Camina at a table behind her under the sign STEP 3 for the encoding of your data.

Then, proceed to the Cashier’s Table for payment of the Processing Fees to Ms. April Joy Afinido.

Easy and simple right?  Now come back two weeks after to get your new (MRP) machine-readable passport from the cheerful and helpful Mr. Elmor Maglunsod at the 2nd floor.  Two weeks, no more, no less. 

Popularity: 14% [?]