From May 20 to May 27, 2012, Richeva (pronounced as “richeevuh“) GenSan Suites is offering a 5% Discount on all its rooms.

This anniversary promotion encompasses all of the three-storey hotel’s twenty-six (26) well-appointed chic rooms, which must be noted as designed by top local architect Brixton Teng.

Located at Sampaguita street, a quiet neighborhood which is just a 5-minute walk from the city government center, Richeva GenSan Suites is turning out to be a popular home away from home of most travelling businessmen, tourists, convention attendees and bloggers, among others who want a simple yet luxurius stay.

With the anniversary discount they are giving away, expect their loyal clientele to be more than thrilled that their already affordable rates have been lowered much further – truly a lovely birthday treat!

Richeva GenSan Suites is located at #11 Sampaguita Street, General Santos City.  For reservations, please call +63-83-5540410, +63-919-7936227 or +63-932-3753001.  You may also email them at gensansuites@gmail.com.  Like them on Facebook to be updated on their promos and offerings by clicking here.

To find out where exactly it is, check out its location at this Google Map below.

View Larger Map

The animation shows what appears to be Philippine president Noynoy Aquino and World Boxing Champion Manny Pacquiao separately squaring off against China as represented by a giant monster panda.

Although Taiwan also has claims on the disputed islands, it is obvious in this video that the NMA producers clearly favor the Philippines in this match.

The video even asks, “Who’s going to tell China  just how ridiculous their claims are?”

Now watch out the video below and cheer on for the Philippines’ very own P-noy and Manny Pacquiao as they take on the bully China panda.

Geez. If only the world’s problems could be solved by a simple boxing match, then the Philippines would be better off

Sarangani Province‘s white sand beaches have already earned a considerable amount of attention ever since the Adarna‘s opened their family-owned 4-km stretch of white sand beach property in Barangay Gumasa, Municipality of Glan about 10 years ago.

At the onset of the social media phenomenon however, photos and stories about the immaculately-white beach there started surfacing online rapidly, thus increasing awareness about their pristine waters which started the steady stream of visitors in search for the “perfect” beach to the area.

Not a few say that  the beaches of Gumasa are comparable to Boracay … which is still quite arguable but one thing is certain, however.  There’s no stopping the fame of Sarangani’s white sand beach resorts and its rustic charms!

First off the bat is White Haven Beach Resort.

This establishment is the first of the three Adarna-family-owned white sand beach resorts in Gumasa, Glan.   Located at the northern side of the 4-kilometer beach front, White Haven Beach Resort is a favorite of those who prefer a quiet and laidback vacation.

THE GATE OF WHITE HAVEN BEACH RESORT FACING THE WHITE SAND BEACH

White Haven Beach Resort has two large cottages, the Bongkawil and the Pagoda available for their guests at the beach front.

Entrance Fee is only P70 for guests 6-years old and above.

THE BONGKAWIL COTTAGE WHICH HAS 3 ROOMS, ONE AIRCONDITIONED AND AN EXTRA OPEN COTTAGE AT THE BACK (WITH A GAS RANGE & FRIDGE). GOOD FOR 8 PAX. COST: P4,900 PER NIGHT.

Here are their rates:

• BONGKAWIL (Beachfront) – P4,900 with 3 rooms, free use of refrigerator and gas range.  With extra open cottage at the back for dining and cooking;  1st room, air-conditioned with 1 matrimonial bed: 2nd room (2nd level), air-conditioned with 2 single beds: 3rd room (basement), non-airconditioned with 4 single beds and fan: Cost is inclusive of FREE ENTRANCE to 8 persons.  Excess person is charged P100 per night.

• PAGODA  (Beachfront) –  P4,500 with 2 rooms, free use of refrigerator and gas range.  With extra open cottage at the back for dining and cooking:  1st room, air-conditioned with toilet. Contains 1 queen-sized bed and 1 single bed: 2nd room (extension wing), air-conditioned with 5 single beds and fan: Cost is inclusive of FREE ENTRANCE to 8 persons.  Excess person is charged P100 per night.

THE BUDIONG HOUSE @ P4,200: Airconditioned, with 10 single beds and toilet inside; free use of FRIDGE & GAS RANGE.

• BUDIONG – P4,200 with 10 single beds,  with toilet inside; free use of refrigerator & gas range; Air-conditioned room with toilet & bath inside; FREE ENTRANCE to 10 persons, excess person is charged P100/night.

• SQ UP (Sleeping Quarters Up)  -  P 2,500 air-conditioned room with 6 single beds, free use of gas range & open cottage; FREE ENTRNCE to 10 persons, excess person is charged P100/night.

• SQ DOWN (Sleeping Quarters Down)  -  P2,900 air-conditioned room with 9 single beds, free use of gas range & open cottage; Air-conditioned room; FREE ENTRANCE to 9 persons, excess person is charged P100/night.

• SIGAY  -  P3,000 good for 2 persons, maximum of 4, free use of refrigerator and gas range; Air-conditioned room with pull-out bed, toilet and bath inside; FREE ENTRANCE to 2 persons, excess person is charged P100/night.

ANAHAW HUTS, COSTS P1,000 WITH FREE USE OF TABLE AND CHAIRS.

• BACKPACKER ROOMS:

• ROOM 1  - P750 with complete set of beddings for 1 queen-sized bed, with electric fan & free breakfast for two from 7am to 8:30am.
• ROOM 2 –  P1,000 with complete set of beddings for 1 single & 1 queen-sized bed, with electric fan, & free breakfast for 3 from 7am to 8:30am.
• ROOM 3 –  P750 with complete set of beddings for 2 single beds, with electric fan, & free breakfast for 2 from 7am to 8:30am.
• ROOM 4 –  P750 with complete set of beddings for 2 single beds, with electric fan, & free breakfast for 2 from 7am to 8:30am.

THE BEACHFRONT OF WHITE HAVEN BEACH RESORT AT GUMASA, GLAN, SARANGANI

Wait!  There’s more….

• OPEN COTTAGES:

• TACLOBO:  P2,500 with free use of refrigerator and gas range; Free use of 4 foams with cover, with ceiling fan & exclusive toilet and bath.

• PAWIKAN:  Maximum of 20 persons; Day Rate – P800 (9am – 5pm); Night Rate – P 800 (5:30pm – 8am)

• SMALL OPEN COTTAGES:  Maximum of 15 persons;  Day Rate – P500 (9am – 5pm);  Night Rate – P500 (5:30pm – 8am)

TENTS CAN BE SET UP AT THE BEACH FRONT. EACH TENT IS CHARGED A MINIMUM OF P100 PER UNIT/DAY DEPENDING ON THE SIZE.

Guests who prefer to just pitch up their own tents may do so at the white beach.  They just need to register and pay for each tent at a minimum of P100 per day depending on the tent size.   Use of their own appliances will also be charged at P50 per unit.

Check-in time is 2:00 PM and Check-out time is 12:00 Noon.

Other facilities available are:

• Kayak (Tandem) –  P200 per hour for 2 persons with life vests
• Skimboard  -  P50 per hour
• Volleyball –  P50 per hour
• Bangka (small)  -  P50 per hour for 2 persons with life vests
• Bangka (big)  -  P70 per hour for 5 persons with life vests.

Extra Beddings may also be rented out…

• Foam  -  P100 with bed sheet
• Complete Set Foam  -  P150 with pillow, bed sheet and blanket
• Tejeras (Folding Bed)  -  P150 per day/night
• Plastic Mat  -  P100 per day/night
• Pillow  -  P 25 per day/night
• Blanket –  P50 per day night
• Mosquito Net   –  P50 per night
• Towel  -  P50

To reserve your stay at White Haven Beach Resort, you may call the following contact numbers:  (083) 826-9319; 826-9341 or 0290-9479148.   Look for Cenie between 8am – 8pm daily.

White Haven Beach Resort management reiterates that for confirmed bookings and reservations, they require FULL DEPOSIT through bank transfer or payment at their office.  For more inquiries, just call them.

WHITE HAVEN BEACH RESORT IS ONE OF THE OFFICIAL VENUES OF THE SARANGANI BAY FESTIVAL 2002.   IT IS ALSO A PITSTOP OF THE UPCOMING SEX TOUR 4.0 FOR BLOGGERS. SEE YOU THERE!

Firs off is SunCity Suites and its Mother’s Day AFTERNOON HIGH TEA!

For only P500 per voucher, SunCity Suites will treat the most important woman in your life to a delicious BUFFET  of SNACKS where she can have her fill of assorted cold cuts, pastries, finger foods, juices and tea/coffee from 2pm to 5pm on May 13th.

Then, she can avail of a complimentary massage or manicure/pedicure at the Page 7 Spa located within the SunCity Complex.   How’s that for a queenly treat?

For reservations, contact SunCity Suites at (083)-303-3333.

Next is Phela Grande Hotel’s Meilih Restaurant’s MOTHER’S DAY EAT & TREAT!

Meilih Restaurant is preparing to serenade mothers who will dine there on Mother’s Day and promises to give a SPECIAL GIFT to each the first 50 mother-guests.

For reservations to Meilih Restaurant and/or Phela Grande Hotel, contact any of the following #s  083)-5524925, (083)-552-4220, (083)-5524240, (083)-5524230 and Mobile No. 09332747191.

The same goes for Ranchero Grill along the National Highway with its I LOVE YOU MOM Mother’s Day Promo.

The first 50 Moms who will dine there will each receive a SPECIAL TREAT! This surprise is also available to their guests at the ABREEZA Mall branch in Davao City.

If you need to reserve in advanced, call Ranchero Grill GenSan at Tel. nos.(083) 553-9298/ 301-9298.

Finally, you may also choose to indulge Mommy to another SPA and give her all the queenly pleasures her body deserves by giving her a GIFT CERTIFICATE from HORIZON SPA & FITNESS STUDIO.

The Gift Certificate which is worth P500 will entitle her to choose from a wide array of relaxing and rejuvenating services from any of Horizon Spa’s amiable and skillful attendants.  Call them at (083) 303-5086.

Click HERE to read more about Horizon Spa.

So there!  Show Mommy that you truly care.  Choose any of these Mother’s Day Treats in GenSan and for sure, Mommy will love you even more!

Here in General Santos, Dolores Tropicana Resort has been at it for more than 10 summers now, discovering and showcasing the sexiest and brawniest young men and women all over the island via their annual Bikini Open Hunks and Babes Search.

Their yearly pageants not only highlight these healthy bods but the exciting themed shows themselves are always something to look forward to.  In terms of theatricality and entertainment value, Dolores Tropicana Resort’s handling of their annual search has no equal in these parts.

One thing more, their winners have become sought-after talents in the modeling world and in showbiz.

For this summer, expect the same breath-taking show to unfold on May 12, 2012 at the Open-air Venue inside the resort from 7:00pm onwards.

Directed by cultural maestro Al-Nezzar Ali, Bikini Open 2012 will revolve around the theme RIO: Salute to sexiness. Celebrating healthy bodies & lifestyle.  Now that should give you another reason to go and watch it!

THIS YEAR'S POSTER FOR THE DOLORES TROPICANA RESORT'S BIKINI OPEN HUNKS & BABES 2012

Admission tickets to the pageant area are still at P100 each.  10 men and women who were chosen from a rigorous audition will try to convince the audience that they should be crowned “Bikini Open Hunk” and “Bikini Open Babe” for the year.

If you want a peek of more of the pictures of the candidates, LIKE the official Bikini Open Hunks & Babes Page at Facebook by CLICKING HERE.  Yes, they are awarding the Bikini Hunk & Babe with the most # of LIKES too.

For reservations to General Santos City’s most talked-about and anticipated BIKINI OPEN, call telephone #s (083) 553-9350 or 552-0475.

Click here to read about the Pacquiaos’  Roadhaus Economy Hotel.

Finally, the wait is over and Manny Pacquiao‘s first venture into the hotel industry will be unveiled to the public at exactly 4:00 pm today.

ROADHAUS ECONOMY HOTEL AS LENSED BY PAUL LLANOS

This very first Pacquiao Hotel (there’s a second one coming up, but that’s for another blog post) located at the corner of Aparente Street and Block 0, Dadiangas Heights Subdivision has 40 rooms.

There are 14 Standard Twin Rooms, one of which we are featuring below.  This one has a Promo Rate of P2,240.00 and is good for two guests.  They are equipped with two single beds, a sofa and a reading desk.

ROADHAUS ECONOMY HOTEL'S STANDARD TWIN ROOM @ P2,240 (PROMO RATE)

Manny’s hotel also has eight (8) Standard Triple Rooms.  Check photo of the room below which costs only P2,560.00 at its Promo Rate.  The rooms each have 3 single beds, a sofa, coffee table and chairs and a reading desk.

RoadHaus Economy Hotel also has eight (8) Superior Rooms, costing P3,200 and is good for four guests.  Each room has two matrimonial beds, a sofa, dinette, a reading desk, mini bar and coffee/tea making facilities.

ROADHAUS ECONOMY HOTEL'S SUPERIOR ROOM AT P3,200, GOOD FOR 4 PAX

Finally, the ten (10) Roadhaus Suites, each one good for two guests and costs P2,560.00.  They have the same amenities as the Superior Rooms except for the Dinette or small dinner table.

THE ROADHAUS SUITE WHICH COSTS P2.560 AND GOOD FOR 2 PAX.

Manny’s hotel also has a small bar where guests can order a few drinks while before retiring to their rooms.  Check it out below.

THE BAR LOCATED AT THE END OF THE COURTYARD OF ROADHAUS ECONOMY HOTEL.

The simply elegant hotel lobby faces the Block 0 Road and looks cozy enough to wait for friends who are billeted inside.

THE LOBBY OF THE ROADHAUS ECONOMY HOTEL WHERE A FLAT SCREEN LCD TV CAN ENTERTAIN WAITING GUESTS.

And since this is a hotel owned by the eight-time World Boxing Champion Manny Pacquiao, giant pictures of Pacman and Jinkee adorn its walls like that of this staircase leading to the second floor.

Or one of the walls of the lobby pictured below…

Here is a look of the courtyard shot from the 2nd floor…

THE COURTYARD OF MANNY PACQUIAO'S ROADHAUS ECONOMY HOTEL

Each guestroom offers complimentary breakfast, complimentary bottled water and is equipped with WIFI internet access, PABX telephone system, hot and cold shower.  All the doors have electronic door lock systems.

An extra person inside each room is billed at P600 per night, inclusive of additional bed and complimentary breakfast.

Children younger than 12 years are FREE of charge when sharing rooms with adults.  Disable persons may also stay in disability-accessible rooms.

One thing more, airport transfers are available upon request.

Lastly, Roadhaus Economy Hotel has function rooms for private conferences and parties.

You may also check out Jinkee Pacquiao’s KEE’S CAFE which is located at the ground floor of the hotel’s front wing.  Here is a glimpse of what’s inside.

"WHAT'S INSIDE JINKEE PACQUIAO'S KEE'S CAFE"

For more information regarding Manny Pacquiao’s hotel in General Santos City, call telephone #s (63) 83-553-333, (fax) 553-1771.  You may email them at roadhaus@ymail.com.

http://www.google.com/maps/place?q=road+haus+economy+hotel,+gen.+santos+city&hl=en&cid=1318154268291294708

It was one of the most jampacked events the hotel has ever hosted and I was wondering when the sexy all-girl singing group will be back for another round of campy, naughty performance, which was a hit among the locals.

The good news (for the boys, at least) is, they will be back very soon!

Well, it must have taken them more than four years for an encore but we are happy that the Mocha Girls will heat up GenSan once more!

Their show coined as “R-18, One Hot Summer with Mocha Girls” is produced by the Red Light Productions and will have no less than the newly-opened Top 7 Mart as its venue.   It sits right between the building hosting Veranda and the Ced Arcade along the National Highway.

Tickets to this event which will transpire on May 11, 2012 starting from 6:00pm are priced at only P150 each!  You may get them at TOP 7 Mart, Veranda, or V Bar.

If I were you, I’d go buy my tickets now because for sure, they are selling like hot pandesal on a cold morning now!

By the way, being topbilled by the Mocha Girls, this show is FOR ADULTS ONLY!

And why not?  It’s about the opening of a Max’s Restaurant in General Santos City and its need for job applicants for various positions!

Yes, sir, at the heels of our announcement of the entry of Starbucks in GenSan, comes this piece of delicious, mouth-watering development again!

If you have been living under a rock, Max’s is a famous restaurant chain which has been around since 1945 and is well-known for its FRIED CHICKEN!  It has over 120 branches nationwide, plus several others in the US and Canada and this year, it will start feeding the champions of General Santos City!

Additional info has indicated that Max’s Restaurant will open at the SM City General Santos (sometime in June or July this year) and thus, it will be needing a good number of locals to man its staff.

Here is the list of GenSan Job Vacancies for Max’s Restaurant at the Tuna Capital and each position’s requirements!

BRANCH MANAGER

• Completed a four-year College Degree
• At least three-year of working experience in restaurant or retail store operation, with at least two years experience as Restaurant Manager or Supervisor in a restaurant or retail store operation.

SUPERVISOR (KITCHEN/DINING)

• Completed a four-year College Degree
• At least two-year of working experience in restaurant or retail store operation, 1 year of which as Assistant Manager or Supervisor in a restaurant or retail store operation.

ASSISTANT SUPERVISOR (KITCHEN/DINING)

• Completed a four-year College Degree
• At least 1 year of working experience in restaurant or retail store operation.

BANQUET AND SALES COORDINATOR

• Completed a four-year College Degree
• At least one-year experience in restaurant or retail store operation handling implementation of market-wide advertising and marketing strategies.

BRANCH ADMIN OFFICER

• Completed a four-year College Degree
• At least one-year experience in restaurant or retail store operation.

COOK

• Candidate must be at least a college-level preferably with previous vocational training in cooking or background in Food Preparation.
• At least one year of experience in similar capacity.

BRANCH PERSONNEL : WAITER, WAITRESS, CASHIER, RIDER, BAR PERSONNEL, PANTRY PERSONNEL, FRY PERSONNEL,  STORE CLERK, HOUSEKEEPER

• At least completed one year in College
• Male or Female not more than 30 years old
• For RIDER, must have a valid driver’s license with Restriction #2.
• For HOUSEKEEPER, at least a high school graduate.

Now, if you think you are cut out for any of these job vacancies, you may email your letter of intent with your resume or curriculum vitae to maxsgensan@gmail.com.

Good luck and hope to see you serve us soon at Max’s Restaurant GenSan!

The Sarangani Bay Festival or SarBayFest is a two-day event annually conducted by the province of Sarangani to showcase its huge tourism potentials and draw focus on preserving the eco-system of Sarangani Bay.

Now on its 7th year, the SarBay Fest 2012 which has been drawing more crowds each year (with 40,000 expected to come when it unravels on May 18-19), will be more organized and better managed, according to Soccksargen tourism maven Michelle Solon.

“Governor Migs Dominguez has decided to conduct the main events in a bigger two-hectare venue between White Haven and Rosal Resorts in Gumasa, Glan. The main stage will be there and people can feed themselves at any of the food kiosks which all occupy one portion.”

“An area for a TENT CITY has been proportioned for those who could not be accommodated in the resorts dotting the four-kilometer white sand beach there and even pension houses and inns in the Glan town center have been readied,” she added.

Parking which was a huge problem during the previous festivals has also been addressed.

According to Ms. Michelle, “The main activity center will have ample parking spaces for all vehicles this time.”

NOTE: Gumasa’s White Sand Beaches will be a pitstop of the SEX Tour 4.0 for Bloggers.

One of the most anticipated events of SarBay Fest is the Swim-Across-the-Bay Challenge, where 10 teams will compete to swim the fastest along the 15-kilometer route from Tinoto, Maasim Municipality to Reycon Beach in Tango, Glan Municipality.  That should make it the longest open ocean swimming competition in the country.

There is also the youth favorite “Sayaw Sarangan, Hataw sa Tag-araw” a Dance Marathon which will kick off at 9am on   May 18 according to the official Sarangani Bay Fest Schedule of Activities.  Check out its poster below.

New competitions to be introduced this year are the Fire Dancing Exhibition and the Zumba Party.  There is also the Sarangani Swim Challenge 2012 also at Gumasa, Glan.  Contestants may compete in any of its three categories: 500 meters, 300 meters and 150 meters.

Crowd drawer Bay Bodies, a search for Sarangani’s Sexiest and Brawniest has been scheduled to delight festival goers on May 18, 2012.

Here is the complete Schedule of Events for the Sarangani Bay Festival 2012 and the contact details of each event host.

 May 18

• 5 a.m. – Swim Across the Bay – from Tinoto, Maasim to Tango, Glan (contact person Nemrad Butil – 09306534953)
• 5 a.m. – Sarangan Run, Gumasa (Gay Ulanday – 09394469035)
• 7 a.m. – Beach Dance Marathon – Main Venue (between Rosal Beach and White Haven Beach) (contact STIPC 083-5085230 and 083-5085244)
• 8 a.m. – Sarangani Swim Challenge – Main Venue (Ian Rodriguez – 09204394712)
• 8 a.m. – Sand Sculpture – Rosal Beach Resort (Quinn Villaruel – 09209695540)
• 8 a.m. – Coastal Clean-up/Scubasurero/ Artificial Reef Deployment
• 8 a.m. – Bay Fair/Health and Wellness – Main Venue (STIPC/Alfan Fabio – 09182198285)
• 9 a.m. – Sayaw Sarangan: Hataw sa Tag-araw – Main Venue (Quinn Villaruel – 09209695540)
• 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Beach Volleyball – Rosal Beach Resort (William Rebucan – 09166260979)
• 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Beach Football – Coco Beach Resort (c/o STIPC)
• 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Skim Boarding Clinic – White Haven Beach Resort (c/o STIPC)
• 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Poi and Zip Clinic – Main Venue (c/o STIPC)
• 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. – Pinta sa Baybayon – Main Venue (Jimboy Pestano – 09262663597)
• 7 p.m. – Fire Dancing Exhibition – Main Venue ((c/o STIPC)
• 7 p.m. – Bay Bodies – Main Venue (Lorenzo Bayoneto – 09082958752)
• 9 p.m. – Summer Party at the Bay (with Beat Lab DJ’s) – Main Venue (c/o STIPC).

May 19

• 8 a.m. – Beach Dance Marathon – Main Venue (c/o STIPC)
• 8 a.m. – Bancarera – Main Venue (Bombo Radyo/Yvonne Carangue – 09215564854/083-5527080)
• 8 a.m. – Coastal Clean-up – Main Venue
• 8 a.m. – Bay Fair/Health and Wellness – Main Venue
• 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Beach Volleyball – Rosal Beach Resort
• 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Beach Football – Coco Beach Resort
• 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Skim Boarding Clinic – Main Venue
• 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Poi and Zip Clinic – Main Venue
• 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. – Zumba Party – Main Venue (c/o STIPC)
• 7 p.m. – All Night Beach Party – Main Venue (c/o STIPC)

For more information about this SarBay Fest Schedule of Activities, you may contact the Sarangani Tourism and Investment Promotion Center -- (083) 508-5230/508-5244 or email stipc@yahoo.com.ph.

You may LIKE Sarangani Bay Fest on Facebook by clicking this –> www.facebook.com/saranganibayfest .  Follow it on Twitter –> @sarbayfest.

These are:

• Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy
• Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology
• Bacheor of Science in Education (Major in Special Education)
• Bachelor of Science in Environmental Education.

NDDU has been a consistent top performing nursing school in Mindanao (CLICK HERE to read about it) and with these new courses, we could expect nothing less.

 For more information, Call the University Registrar at (083) 552-4444 loc 2211.  Check out their official website at www.nddu.edu.ph.

The event will feature  Mr. Guillermo “Bill” Luz, co-chairman of the National Competitiveness Council and the former Executive Director of the Makati Business Club.

I used to see him on TV during the past national elections in his former capacity as the Executive Director of the National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel).

A very eloquent and most sought after speaker in the Philiippines, he will talk on an interesting topic for GenSan entrepreneurs and businessmen:  ”EMPOWERING BUINESS, INSPIRING GROWTH“.

If you want to listen to Mr. Bill Luz, you can dial up the #s of the GSC Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. at (083) 554-6108 to 09.

Look for Ms. Bench Tacumba, their Executive Director.  She might be able to wrangle you an invite..  that is, if you can convince her.  :)

Seriously, non-Chamber member would have to cough up a registration fee of P350.  You may register at the event venue itself on Monday.

See you!

The date and time?  April 28, 2012 at 3:00pm.  The place?  The Atrium of Gaisano Mall of GenSan.

From the dozens of song entries submitted by amateur bands, five of the best were ultimately chosen and will be performed live for the first time on Saturday by their writers.

The songs and the bands performing them are:

• “LETTERS”  – by Marty’s Playhouse Band
• “AYUSIN NATIN ‘TO”  -  by End of August Band
• “MAKE IT UP”  -  by Start at the End Band
• “SYA”  -  by Natural Harmony Band
• “SIMULAN ANG PAGBABAGO”  -  by Descendants of the First Born Band

The five bands will also perform the song “MALIWANAG ANG ARAW SA MINDANAO“, which Centerpoint Band composed for Sun Cellular.  

By the way, you may vote for your Favorite Bands at Ganda Ever So Much.

Be at the Gaisano Atrium early because for sure, the whole place will be jampacked!

Tunog-Todo: The First Kaskas Song-Writing/Battle of the Bands Competition is a production of Project O! Consultants and the Centerpoint Band.  Sun Cellular is also a Major Sponsor along with SMI.  

Here is the chart of the time schedules of the brownouts within the SOCOTECO 2 Area:

As you can see, we will all be undergoing FOUR agonizing EARTH HOURS today.  Which means, that for establishments and residences without generators, that translates to FOUR HOURS of suffering the deliriously hot summer.

To check your area’s Feeder number,  here is the chart containing the different Feeder Assignments from Socoteco 2.

Furthermore according to Socoteco 2, these schedules are still dependent on the allowable dispatchable capacity from the National Grid Corporation of the Phils. which changes from time to time.

So either the brownouts are shortened or could take much longer today.

Let’s wait for the next schedule of interruptions for the following days.  Whether this reaches 12 hours daily just like last 2011 actually depends on the NGCP.

So how will you spend your 4-hour scheduled brownout today?   You have tips??  Share them with us.  :)

For the brownout schedules until April 30, 2012, please CLICK HERE.

These tips are from Mapping enthusiast Theo Cayambas of Sagada, Mountain Province.  Please read and share them to everyone.

Five Things Attendees Might Want To Do Before the Mapping Summit

1.   Create a GMail account if you don’t have one yet.  While you can activate a Google account without having to use GMail, there are extra hoops you would have to jump through to be able to use Map Maker and interact with other mappers if you do not use GMail. Go to http://gmail.com/ and click on the red button labelled ‘create an account‘ or ‘sign up‘ to start creating your brand new GMail.

2.    Activate your Google Plus profile. While on GMail, click on the upper right where your name appears and then click the blue ‘Join Google+‘ or ‘activate profile‘ button on the drop down menu. It would be easier for you to exchange ideas at the Map Maker forums when you have activated your public profile. You could also exchange ideas with other mappers on Google Plus without having to divulge to everyone your email address.

3.    Activate your Google Places nickname. You gain credibility on Map Maker when you choose to identify yourself with a nickname rather than deciding to stay anonymous. It would also be easier for Expert Reviewers help you out if you have a nickname. Go to http://places.google.com/rate and then choose the nickname you want.

4.   Visit Google Map Maker or  http://mapmaker.google.com/ and watch and listen to the first tutorial.  Be sure to start pursuing your first Map Maker edits by concentrating on your very own NEIGHBORHOODS.

5.   Go back to your Google Plus account or to this–> https://plus.google.com/102046358673499084397 and add the Map 4 Mindanao Page to your G+ Circles.

After you have done everything, then you are now ready for the first-ever Google Map Maker Summit Mindanao!

Remember to bring your laptops and do not forget to fully-charge their batteries in advanced.

Meanwhile, here’s a group photo of the Google Map Maker Summit Luzon attendees which was successfully held in Baguio City last weekend.   Look for me in the picture if you can.  :)

See you then at the STI  College Campus on Saturday, April 21, 2012.  Together, let us all collectively map Mindanao and highlight its tourism potentials.  Para sa atin ito!

What the heck is Foursquare and what is the celebration all about, you may ask.

Foursquare is actually a location-based social networking website for smartphones where users “check in” at venues and connect with friends. The location is based on GPS hardware in the mobile phone or network location provided by Foursquare.

Every “check-in” is rewarded with points and with enough points, “badges“.  They can then choose to have their check-ins posted on their Twitter or  Facebook accounts, or both.

Foursquare users may also leave tips and photos for each venue to be shared with their friends and/or other users.  For those who have done the most # of “check-ins” in a venue, they are crowned as “MAYORS“.

For some establishments in the US and Europe, and in the bigger cities of Manila and Cebu in the Philppines, they give out “specials” or reward “check-ins” and loyal users with promos, discounts or freebies, especially to “MAYORS”.

In GenSan, Piyesta Resto Bar is the very first venue to offer 4sq “Specials”.

On the other hand, Foursquare Day (stylized as 4sqDay) is a global social media holiday that was first observed on April 16, 2010 in hundreds of cities around the world.  On March 26, 2010 the New York City-based Foursquare, officially declared April 16 “Foursquare Day” after a grass-roots movement that began in Tampa, Florida gained traction and eventually spread to hundreds of cities throughout the world.

For this year, 1,820 foursquare communities worldwide will be celebrating it, and guess what, General Santos City is one of them!

I am then inviting Foursquare users in GenSan and throughout the rest of Soccsksargen to join this very first global social media event to be conducted here on April 16, 2012, Monday at 5:30pm

Gaisano Mall of GenSan (see Map here) is kind enough to offer their Port Cafe as the official 4sqday venue and is serving food to all attendees.  It will be an eyeball of sorts of Foursquare users in the region.  They can join a few exciting games during the meetup and hopefully, Sun Cellular which has just strengthened their signal in Mindanao  (read here) will be supporting the meetup with a few prizes. Yay!

Owners/managers/proprietors of establishments are also encouraged to attend this so that they could be oriented on the power of Foursquare in promoting their services and goods online.

By the way, Foursquare sent me a parcel via FedEx last week straight from New York containing some cute swags and attendees to the 4sqday meetup at Gaisano Mall on April 16 may get them if they’re lucky!  See them in a photo below..

To sign up, join the GenSan 4sq community and SIMPLY CLICK THIS.

Promise, this very first Foursquare Day Meetup in GenSan will be be a blast and who knows, you might be crowned as the FOURSQUARE KING and QUEEN of Soccsksargen!  See you there!

Note: Please share and retweet this and use these hashtags:  #4sq, #4sqday and #4sqGenSan.  Thanks. Salamat Alexis Chua for the official poster above.

Yes, you read it right.

After their Jollibee Calumpang branch opening, Jollibee has been quietly commencing the construction of their 8th outlet in General Santos City right under our noses at the corner of the National Highway and Mabuhay road.  It sits right exactly at the Parking Lot of the Salazar Family-owned Tokyok’s Bowling Lanes, the only bowling arena of the city.

According to a Jollibee insider, their Jollibee-Mabuhay store (which it will be called) will be open 24 hours thereby making it their second 24/7 outlet in the Tuna Capital.  And yes, it is also their third DRIVE-THRU!

Check out the perspective of this Jollibee-Mabuhay after the jump.

The Mabuhay Road – National Highway area is one of the city’s busiest intersections.  Among the business establishments in the periphery are 5 gasoline stations, 3 automobile outlets/service centers (Toyota, Mitsubishi, Hyundai)  and a branch of Mercury Drug, among others.  It also serves as the entry point of the thousands of residents of the many subdivisions and relocation sites in Barangays San Isidro and Mabuhay.

Its strategic location makes it the chice drop-off and pick-up point of the numerous buses and commuter vehicles plying the National Highway.  Its DRIVE-THRU feature augurs well for the passing outbound traffic going to South Cotabato and Sarangani.

Of course, the bowlers at the Tokyok’s Bowling Lanes may also get their burger fix anytime they want since Jollibee is right across them.

Jollibee is indeed 100% right in deciding to open here and making it a 24/7 outlet encourages more investors to pour their money in this strategic northern portion of the Home of the Champions.

See you there when Jollibee Mabuhay opens on the last week of June 2012!

Question:  Where in GenSan do you think should Jollibee open next?  Hit the comment box below for your answers.  Let’s hear you out generals!

This is to purposely help Philippine tourism and disaster preparedness all over the country with the use of  Google Map Maker.

The three Map Maker summits are envisioned to kick-off MapUps or Mapping activities and/or initiatives for tourism and health establishments in their respective regions.

It is open for FREE to all mapUp organizers, mappers, government agency workers, tourism stakeholders, business establishment owners and just about anybody (students or professionals) who are interested in mapping their local communities.

The Visayas leg will be the first to be conducted on April 12, 2012 at the University of La Salle in Bacolod City.

The island of Luzon follows on April 14, 2012 at the University of Baguio in Baguio City.

Then on April 21, 2012, Saturday, it will be Mindanao‘s turn to host the Map Maker Summit, at the STI Campus, J. Catolico Avenue, General Santos City, from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm with the help of the Soccsksargen Bloggers.

A Google Geo Advocate Team will be facilitating the three summits and some will be flying in from Singapore and India.

Part of the agenda of the day-long workshops are Practical Sessions on the use of Google Map Maker and separate orientations on Panoramio and Sketch Up.  Aside from these, there will be sharing of stories from Map Makers and Mapping advocates from all over the country.  Of course, LUNCH and SNACKS are courtesy of Google.

It will surely be fun!

We are very glad that GenSan has been chosen to host the Mindanao leg on April 21 since three Mapping parties have already been conducted here courtesy of the Soccsksargen Bloggers – in December 2009, May 2010 (mapping precincts) and May 2011 (mapping evacuation centers).

THE GENSAN MAPPERS DURING LAST YEAR'S GOOGLE MAPPING PARTY AT THE CITY MAYOR'S OFFICE POWERED BY SMART.

If you have time to spare and want to volunteer to help map out tourism spots in your localities, among other areas, register now to join the summit nearest you, by clicking on any of these links:

• VISAYAS – Register here.
• LUZON –  Register here.
• MINDANAO – Register here.

By the way, attendees to any of the Mapping Summits will receive a FREE SHIRT similar to the one below plus other Google swags!

THE BACK PORTION OF THE GOOGLE MAP MAKER SUMMIT OFFICIAL SHIRT

Remember, attendance is FREE!  Be sure to bring your own LAPTOPS.  And yes, SMART will be providing the wifi connection.

So what are you waiting for?  Register now to any of the Google Map Maker Summits and go help MAP YOUR WORLD!

For more announcements, please join the Mapping the Philippines mailing list and follow the page here.

Here’s a video to help you in your meditations of the Stations of the Cross.

May we learn the grace of silence and prayer in the days to come.

Noted for their delicious grilled dishes and succulent steaks, BigBen  is currently in a holy mood and is offering their clients their Lenten Special.

Check out their mouth-watering saintly offerings below…

Up first is their grilled version of the world-famous GenSan Tuna Belly… which is as tender and as tasty as they come…

You may also choose their Mediterranean Style Tuna... with its share of secret spices and flavorful sauce….

Then if you want your tuna served in a more Filipino way, why not opt for BigBen’s Tuna Tail in Adobo Sauce?  Sarsa pa lang, ulam na!

But if you’ve had your fill of tuna already, why not try GenSan’s new processed fish export commodity by way of BigBen’s SALMON STEAK?  This one is a must-try!

For those who can’t have a decent meal without the Pinoy staple rice, there’s one dish specially prepared for them this Lenten Season- the Paella Negra!  Seafoods galore!!!

As for pasta lovers, you can also have your fill of BigBen’s unforgettable Fetuccine Pasta with Tuna and Capers!

And since we are in the midst of a very unpredictable hot summer, you could cap everything with any of BigBen’s refreshing palamig drinks...

With all these and more, I am certain that your visit to BigBen Steaks and Grills this week will be one heavenly culinary pilgrimage.

BigBen Steaks and Grills is found at the Al Fresco Strip of Robinsons Place GenSan, National Highway, General Santos City. For reservations, please call (083) 554-2268.

None has been so persistent however than that of the supposed inclusion of the most famous and #1 coffee shop in the world, Starbucks in the list of SM’s locators.

Personally, I have been silent on the matter for sometime now but in reality, I relish the idea and although I have ceased to be much of a coffee drinker myself (I have switched to decaf and green tea), the thought of a Starbucks in GenSan really tickles my fancy.  But I had to be sure and have been doing some sleuthing.

And now, from a reliable source – a Starbucks insider, comes this piece of information-

Yes, Bariles! STARBUCKS is definitely opening at SM City General Santos!

Whoa!  This piece of great news basically brings to the forefront the magnitude of the trust and confidence that investors have on the economy of General Santos City and the whole of Soccsksargen, in general.

With the eventual setting up of its presence in the Home of the Champions, Starbucks will literally open the floodgates to more national players here.

The question however is, is GenSan ready for Starbucks and her premium-priced offerings?

A BIG YES to that, of course!!!

For one thing, GenSan has been priming herself for Starbucks for quite sometime now ever since local and similiarly-premium-priced cafes Coffee Club 101, Cafe Amoree, BluGre, Coffee Dream, Fagioli, Firenzo and MacGregor started changing the generals’ coffee drinking habits.

It’s good food and great service that generals want, that’s for sure. Just hand it over to them and definitely, just like her predecessors, Starbucks will be in for a royale welcome!

So would you agree?  Please tell us what’s brewing in your mind right now and hit the comment box below.  If not, just share this PASABOG to everyone you know.  :)

For seven days, from April 10-16, 2012, a forest-themed exhibit which has been wowing audiences all over the world will finally be in General Santos City.

Dubbed “Dinosaurs Alive!“, it will showcase prehistoric dinosaurs including life-sized moving Apatosaurus, Stegosaurus, Pteranodon, Velociraptor, Triceratops, Tyrannosaurus Rex and a lot more!

“Dinosaurs Alive!” will also feature a Did-You-Know Area on Extinction & Environment, A Lighter Side of Dinosaurs Area, an Activity Area and a Souvenir Shop (with must-have items)!

To give you an idea on how exciting this world-class exhibit will be, one of their life-sized dinosaurs, the Apatosaurus, is the biggest you’ll ever see at 40 feet long!

The tallest dinosaur would be the T-Rex at over 15 feet in height.  There is also a flying dinosaur, the Pteranodon!

All of these plus a lot more as these extinct animals move, breathe and create sounds, giving you an experience like no other, putting you in the heart of the Jurassic Period of history when they, the dinosaurs ruled the world.

The “Dinosaurs Alive!” in GenSan exhibit on April 10-16, 2012, will be open from 10AM to 10PM at the Big Shots Badminton Court, National Highway, General Santos City!

Tickets are priced at P250 per person.  If there’s five of you however, you can get them for only P1,000.

So, save these dates and remember, this happens just once in your lifetime!!!  Don’t miss out on it.

For more info on the “Dinosaurs Alive!” in GenSan, please contact any of the following:

• Voltaire – Tel. # 0917-873-4914
• Bebot   –  Tel. # 0917-714-1961
• Erwin  -  Tel. # 0918-205-8774

Please share this once-in-a-lifetime event with your friends.  It is one activity you and I should definitely not miss!  

The Midnight Boodlle Feast at Robinsons Place GenSan is the newest haven for late night food enthusiasts from those around General Santos.

Inspired by Manila’s Mercato Centrale and Hongkong’s night markets, Midnight Boodle Feast will be another destination in Gensan with an extensive selection of mouth-watering foods, live entertainment and more.

The event will take place starting tonight March 16 and March 17, 23, 24, 30 and 31.

Here are some of what to expect in the MBF:

-Extensive selection of food from various concessionaires
-Now tented with a 12 meter entrance
-Live entertainment of Gensan talents
-Free Wifi courtesy of Bayantel
-Free Admission

OPERATING HOURS: Friday and Saturday, 7PM-2AM

You can visit their facebook page at facebook.com/midnightboodle.

The Midnight Boodle Feast is organized by Bravo Media.

"THE SM CITY GENSAN FACADE ALONG SANTIAGO BOULEVARD"

Their LOGO SIGNAGE is now up!

"A CLOSER LOOK OF THE SM CITY GENSAN LOGO SIGNAGE AT THEIR SANTIAGO BOULEVARD FRONTAGE. PLS CLICK ON THE PHOTO FOR A LARGER VIEW."

I had to convince myself that I was not dreaming and that I was really in GenSan while looking at the blue logo!  After a few moments, I finally realized…  with me seeing this, SM City General Santos is indeed here and will be opening anytime next quarter!

Wala nang makakapigil pa sa paglusob ng SM sa South Central Mindanao at ang patuloy na pag-asenso ng General Santos City!

Here is how SM City GenSan looks from the corner of Santiago Boulevard and San Miguel Street below…

"SM CITY GENSAN AS IT LOOKS NOW FROM THE CORNER OF SANTIAGO BOULEVARD AND SAN MIGUEL STREET. Click on this photo for a larger view."

Here is their LOGO SIGNAGE at their San Miguel Street frontage.

"THIS IS THE SM CITY GENSAN LOGO SIGNAGE ALONG SAN MIGUEL STREET. Pls click on the photo for a larger view."

And for the money shot, here is SM City GenSan’s LOGO SIGNAGE at their San Miguel Street Frontage in a photograph taken by my official photographer last night.  Click on the image for a larger view and try to find some technicians dwarfed by the giant signage while working on it.

"CAN YOU SPOT SOME MEN WORKING ON THE LIGHTED LOGO SIGNAGE OF SM CITY GENERAL SANTOS?"

SM City General Santos will officially open in June 2012. (Read here.)

Watch out for their flagship stores:  SM Supermarket, SM Department Store, SM Appliance Center, Toy Kingdom, SM FoodCourt, 4 SM Cinemas, Cyberzone, ACE Hardware, Watson’s Personal Care Store, Surplus Shop, Sports Central, Baby and Co., Home World, and Our Home. Their amusement center is SM Storyland.

So what are you most excited about when SM City General Santos opens?

According to Senior Vice President for Postpaid and New Business Ricky Pena, “Given the immense demand for Sun Cellular’s best-value services in Mindanao, we have specifically chosen the region as our pilot area for this subscription plan offering.”

The new postpaid plan which costs only Php250.00 per month, will entitle subscribers to unlimited Sun-to-Sun texts, four hours of Sun-to-Sun calls, 500 texts to other networks plus a free Samsung E1080 phone!

Thus, this new offering is perfect for those who want to enjoy unlimited texting and still be able to call their contacts from regularly. Bundled with the generous allocation of texts to other networks, the postpaid plan P250 will also attract those who want to stay in touch but do not want spend much.

For the past 5 years, Sun Cellular has been the preferred choice of over half of new postpaid plan subscribers . Its postpaid subscriber base continually grows steadily and increasing by more than 30% year after year in January 2012 versus the same period last year.

According to Pena, “This 2012, we are focusing on boosting our network signal strength by augmenting and optimizing our existing cell sites, and taking advantage of synergies with our sister companies in the PLDT Group. Our extensive network strengthening campaign will be complimented with products that best suit the needs of the locals in the areas we are expanding to.”

He also expressed his confidence on the widened Mindanao coverage, opining, “As we move to further establishing a more extensive network, our subscribers in Mindanao may now enjoy our best-value postpaid plans in areas where before we were not present.”

“This will also benefit customers in other areas outside Mindanao as they can now get in touch with their family and other loved ones in the new areas we are now in using their Sun Cellular lines, he concludes.”

Sun Cellular is a member of the PLDT Group.

On December 8, 2011, Dole Surallah Operations (DSO), headed by its Director Jorge Paez, hit the 1M target after having no lost-time incident from July 25, 2011.

"Wearing Protective Personal Equipment (PPE) at work is a must for Dolefil employees."

It was formalized in the Pagpupugay sa Watawat (Flag-Raising Ceremony) the following Monday, where the workers were commended by the management staff.

Dolefil VP and Managing Director, Mr. Simon Denye, was also present to congratulate the whole DSO Team, even gamely doing a short Q & A portion to know the “secrets” of DSO for reaching the 1M mark. Volunteers unanimously answered that it was through team effort, constant communication and reminder, motivation and individual involvement.

Perhaps these were also the ingredients to Dole Calumpang Operations’ (DCO) achievement of 1M Safe Manhours, after successfully battling 226 work days without lost-time incidents for the Dolefil regulars and job contractors in the area.

According to Manufacturing Services Division Director, Mr. Ever Hernandez, the first step towards a safe workplace inside Dolefil (the 2011 Grand Kapatid Awardee) is recognizing the threats and risks to the life and limbs of all the workers, especially those manning the machineries at DCO.

On top of ensuring proper maintenance of equipment, constant reminder for people to practice a safety-conscious mindset is also crucial.

According to Mr. Hernandez,  ”After all, even the best maintained equipment will not ensure people’s safety UNLESS, the people manning them will promote their own safety. For these reasons, I commend all the workers, contractors and the rest of the Management Staff of DCO for accepting the challenge and succeeding in attaining the 1 MILLION SAFE MAN-HOURS.  This is indeed a milestone for Dolefil.”

“As they say, ‘A safe workplace is a productive workplace,’ ” Mr. Ever Hernandez adds.

One of Dolefil‘s major thrusts is safety, and the company considers this as top priority in terms of employee welfare, as goes the safety slogan uttered by Mr. Simon Denye, “Nothing we do is worth getting hurt for.“

With these developments, other departments within Dolefil are likewise being challenged to reach the same world-class milestone.

It is the groundbreaking of their proposed 2-storey Administration and Academic Building!

Check out the perspective below. (Click on it for a larger view.)

This edifice which will be NDDU-IBED Espina’s biggest was designed by Davao-based R.G. Salanatin Construction, Inc.  We have no info on why it was not awarded to any local construction firm from General Santos City instead.

Anyway, below is another look at Notre Dame’s new landmark,

 Congratulations to Notre Dame of Dadiangas University IBED Espina for this undertaking. Hopefully this will be the first of many structures inside their campus to better serve the various communities within that populous locality belonging to Barangay Labangal.

]]> http://www.gensantos.com/2012/03/07/nddu-to-break-ground-for-new-admin-bldg/feed/ 5 http://www.gensantos.com/2012/03/05/microtel-hotels-resorts-gensan-to-open-doors-in-nov-2012/ http://www.gensantos.com/2012/03/05/microtel-hotels-resorts-gensan-to-open-doors-in-nov-2012/#comments Mon, 05 Mar 2012 06:51:03 +0000 bariles http://www.gensantos.com/?p=14926 More than a week ago, on February 23, 2012, the much-awaited ground-breaking of Microtel Hotels and Resorts in General Santos City eventually pushed thorough.

Attended by bigwigs of Microtel Philippines and officers of Damosa Land, the simple event became even more memorable with the presence of GenSan City Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio who thanked the investors for putting their trust and confidence on the city.

"(3rd from right) ANFLOCOR VP & CEP RICARDO B. FLOIRENDO LED THE GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MICROTEL HOTELS & RESORTS IN GEN. SANTOS CITY LAST FEB 23,2011. WITH HIM ARE (L-R) NENITA VP EDMUND S. DANTES, DAMOSA LAND INC. VP & GEN. MNGR. EDUARDO O. VILLAVER, NAKPIL ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN CONSULTANT & PROJECT ARCHIETECT LUIS JUAN G. NAKPIL, MICROTEL PHILS. PRES. JOSE MARI DEL ROSARIO, GEN. SANTOS CITY MAYOR DARLENE ANTONINO-CUSTODIO, ANFLOCOR CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER OSCAR V. GRAPA AND JITS CONSTRUCTION CORP. CHAIRMAN & PRES. ENGR. NEMESIO J. JARDELEZA."

For their part, ANFLOCOR Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Ricardo R. Floirendo committed to make Microtel Hotels and Resorts GenSan one of the crown jewels in GenSan’s burgeoning tourism industry and with the hotel chain’s formidable network all around the globe, will help promote the city as an emerging destination in Southern Philippines.

Check out the design below.  Click on the image for a LARGER VIEW.

AN ARTIST'S RENDITION OF THE PROPOSED MICROTEL HOTELS & RESORTS GENERAL SANTOS, THE TUNA CAPITAL'S FIRST INTERNATIONAL CHAIN, DESIGNED BY RENOWNED ARCHITECT LUIS JUAN G. NAKPIL.

From the design shown to us, Microtel GenSan will have 3 floors housing 66 rooms/suites.  It will serve as the centerpiece of the Valley High Street, a commercial arcade much like the Floirendo’s Damosa Gateway in Davao City.  Currently,  McDonald’s has an existing 24-7 Drive-thru outlet in the compound.

Construction of the commercial center project will cost more than a hundred million and will commence this month of March.   It will take all of nine months for Microtel Hotels and Resorts GenSan to be able to open on November 2012.

Designer for Microtel GenSan is renowned Architect Luis Juan J. Nakpil.

Now that’s  definitely world class for General Santos City’s first international hotel chain!

The recent 2011 Bar Exam results released last Wednesday showed a great improvement in its standings from an average of only 18% in 2010 to 32.35%!

This means that out of 34 of its graduates who took the bar, 11 made it to the cut.

According to Atty. Mariano Lugares, dean of the MSU-General Santos College of Law, eight of these passers were recent graduates while the remaining three were second takers.

To find out who these distinguished men and women are, here then is the List of the  2011 Bar exam results passers from MSU GenSan College of Law.

Presenting MSU’s new lawyers:

1. Alma Gorospe – Agayan,

2. Libertine Cagang,

3. Marnito Cosep Jr.,

4. Sheila Mae Jagolino,

5. Cornelio Grino Jr.,

6. Mary Grace Guirhem,

7. Ma. Jasmine Lood,

8. Sittie Tonina Macasayon,

9. Glenda Narcilla,

10. Anthony Pantua and

11. Ruby Jane Pena-Carena.

This achievement of Mindanao State University GenSan even bested the national passing average of 31.93%.  Goes without saying that, General Santos City’s biggest public university is  definitely leveling up.

Congratulations to MSU GenSan and to its 11 new lawyers!

The amount coming from the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) has already been released to the Department of Budget and Management Region XII.  It will finance the seven road concreting projects that were included in the letter of GenSan City Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio to President Benigno Aquino III dated December 20, 2011, requesting for funding assistance.

Here are the names of the roads and their respective budgets:

1.  Tiongson Street   –   Barangay Lagao, Gen. Santos City –  P  3,000,000.00
2.  Along Napal Road  -  Barangay Conel, Gen. Santos City – P 14,000,000.00
3.  Aparente Street –  Barangay City Heights, Gen. Santos City –  P 10,000,000.00
4.  Salvani Street  -  Barangay City Heights, Gen. Santos City –  P 10,000,000.00
5.  Anonas Street  -   Brgy Dadiangas West, Gen. Santos City –  P 3,000,000.00
6.  Cagampang Street  -  Brgy Dadiangas South, Gen. Santos City –  P 5,000,000.00
7.  Rivera Street  -  Barangay Lagao, Gen. Santos City –  P5,000,000.00

The biggest amount has been earmarked for the concreting of Napal Road in Barangay Conel at the amount of P14,000.000.00, followed by Aparente and Salvani (Block8) Streets at P10,000,000.00 each.

The South Cotabato Sub-District Engineering Office of the Department of Public Works and Highways will undertake the implementation of the aforementioned projects starting this month of March 2012.

Now on its 7th year, ABS-CBN’s Pinoy Media Congress will be engaging the future media practitioners in discussion of current issues and case studies on media and communications, specifically on the convergence of media for social responsibility.

ABS-CBN executives and subject matter experts such as digital terrestrial TV marketing head Miguel Mercado will talk about the exciting future of television as it goes digital, while ABS-CBN news and current affairs head Ging Reyes will explain media convergence in news. As Star Cinema concept development group head Enrico Santos will tell the delegates how Philippine cinema can be socially responsible, ABS-CBN head of creative communications Robert Labayen will discuss how to connect with the Filipino viewers via advocacy plugs.

ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. managing director Gina Lopez will speak about advocacies that respond to people’s needs. ABS-CBN Manila radio division head Peter Musngi will share how radio responded to the changes in media technology, while regional network group head Jerry Bennett will present the case study about ‘Choose Philippines.’

March Ventosa, head of Studio 23 and Cable Channel and Print Media Group (CCPMG) will tackle the emerging market trends; customer business development head Vivian Tin will help the delegates understand the Filipino audience more; and TV entertainment production head Linggit Tan will share what kinds of TV entertainment that Filipinos want.

Industry officials and experts who will be speaking at the event include Kantar Media general manager Gabriel Buluran who will present the current Philippine media landscape and how Filipinos consume media. Leo Jasareno of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will tackle how new media can be used to mobilize people in supporting a cause.

PIA director general Atty. Jose Fabia will share about ‘weather watch,’ Campaigns chair Yoly Ong will discuss emerging market trends, and MTRCB board member Atty. Eugenio Villareal and KBP president Ruperto Nicdao will both discuss how their groups are protecting the audience through media monitoring.

Mounted by ABS-CBN, in partnership with the Philippine Association of Communication Educators (PACE), the Pinoy Media Congress won Awards of Excellence from the Philippine Quill Awards given by the International Association of Business Communicators Philippines in 2007 and the Anvil Awards given by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines in 2008.