General Santos City and South Cotabato Province [Archive] - Page 12

Fahdingding

November 4th, 2009, 12:57 AM

Hunting for Tuna: The Environmental Peril Grows By Krista Mahr / General Santos City Monday, Nov. 09, 2009

Nearly every day at dawn, John Heitz falls a little bit in love. Leaning over a 150-lb. (70 kg) yellowfin tuna, the 55-year-old American, whose business is exporting fish, circles his forefinger around its deep eye socket. "Look how clear these eyes are." He traces the puncture where the fish was hooked, and the markings under its pectoral fin where it struggled on the line. "Sometimes," Heitz says, "I see a good tuna, and it looks better to me than a woman."

Heitz, a blond Illinoisan who sports a fading Maui & Sons T-shirt and a tuna tattoo on his bicep, is an out-and-out tuna man.That's why he lives and works in General Santos City in the southern Philippines, one of the planet's great tuna-fishing ports. By 6 a.m. on an August morning, the heat at the docks — a raucous, clanging, blood-and-guts tangle of 10,000 buyers, sellers, porters and men whacking rusty knives into silver skin — is unforgiving. Boat crews crouch in patches of shade on deck, smoking and waiting for their wages. The boats' hulls, sloshing with bloody ice water, are almost empty, only a few shiny bellies lolling in the slush. Porters have already hoisted thousands of tuna onto their shoulders and carried them to the exporters; they swarm around the fat, fresh ones whose slick layer of slime still smells like the ocean, and whose scales gleam with a hint of the yellow flush they had when blood was pumping inside them.

It's one of the few quality hauls of yellowfin that has come in all week. Heitz jumps into the scrum of insults and jokes flying between the buyers and the sellers. Quality testers sink metal rods into the fish, pulling out samples of pink meat that they rub between their thumb and forefinger and smell. The biggest and best tuna will go for about $700 wholesale, and get whisked away to be washed, beheaded, gutted and packed with dry ice to catch the 10:30 a.m. flight to Manila. By the next day, the fish will be in Tokyo, Seattle or California. By the next night, its meat will be poised between chopsticks.

A Worrying Trend

The world's tuna trade is an awesome 21st century hunt. Ancient Greeks used to stand on bluffs to watch for schools of tuna passing the shore. Today, fishing fleets stalk the fish across thousands of miles of ocean with helicopters, GPS and sonar. In 1950, about 600,000 tons of tuna were caught worldwide. Last year, that figure hit nearly 6 million tons, the prize of a chase that plays out from the Philippines to Canada's Prince Edward Island.
For some species of tuna, the chase is becoming unsustainable. In September, the European Commission recommended that the E.U. support a temporary suspension of the global trade of Atlantic bluefin tuna, a majestic cousin of the yellowfin sold for tens of thousands of dollars a head for its coveted sashimi meat. At current fishing rates, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) estimates that Atlantic bluefin that spawn in the Mediterranean could disappear from those waters as early as 2012. But the recommended ban was shot down by E.U. member states including Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Spain, France and Italy — all countries with a stake in the trade. "The hunt is relentless," says Michael Sutton, vice president of the Center for the Future of the Oceans at the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California. "These are the wolves, grizzly bears, lions and tigers of the ocean. If you take the top predators out, the ecosystem begins to get out of balance." On land, when top predators like lions or wolves die off, lesser ones like baboons or coyotes flourish, throwing an entire food chain off. The same goes for oceans. Scientists believe stocks of southern bluefin around Australia have likely fallen over 90% since the 1950s and could continue to drop. Of the world's 19 non-bluefin commercial tuna stocks, half are now overfished or at risk of going that direction, according to the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF), a partnership of canning companies, scientists and the WWF.

That's bad news not just for the oceans, but also for John Heitz and millions of others who make a living from these fish. General Santos earned its motto as the "Tuna Capital of the Philippines" when fishermen could go out in the morning and return at dusk with two or three 150-lb. (70 kg) yellowfin or bigeye, two tuna species that, like the bluefin, are sold for sashimi. Now, even the smallest of those tuna are at least a two- or three-day trip out to sea. These waters, like so many others, have been fished too hard for too long. "General Santos lives and dies by tuna," says Heitz. "Now it's getting less and less. People just have to wake up and smell the coffee."
General Santos is not the only place dependent on tuna. At 6 a.m., an auctioneer in Tokyo reaches up to ring a brass bell, alerting a group of blue-capped, rubber-booted men perusing rows of gray frozen tuna that the bidding is about to begin. He starts to chant out the tuna's serial numbers, written on squares of paper stuck to their bellies. One bidder raises his hand with an offer that the auctioneer weaves into his mantra: "4-5, 4-5, 4-5." That's 4,500 yen — about $50 — one of many offers made for every kilo of the frozen fish on the block that morning. At Tsukiji, the world's most famous fish market, tuna are sold at prices equivalent to Ivy League educations. In one of hundreds of stalls, wholesaler Keisuke Morishima dismantles a fresh 271-lb. (123 kg) bluefin snared off Oma, a small Japanese town. Bluefin can live for decades, growing more than 10 ft. (3 m) long, weighing up to 1,500 lb. (680 kg), and with enough muscle to propel them at 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h). Throwing his weight into the fish as he makes a cut, Morishima is philosophical. "Some think it's endangered, and I understand their position, but what can you do by worrying about it?" he asks. He'd like all his bluefin to come from Japan, but if there are none on any given day, he says, he'll buy one caught somewhere else.

________________________________________________________________

Alarming na 'to ah for GENSAN? :ohno:

Fahdingding

November 4th, 2009, 01:07 AM

TIME MAGAZINE PHOTO ESSAY

Scenes from the Tuna Trade

Tuna populations around the world are being fished more aggressively. Even General Santos, the so-called Tuna Capital of the Philippines, sashimi export and canneries have been hit by a downturn in the number of fish coming to port.

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Solid Gold
A fisherman unloads a sashimi-grade yellowfin tuna from a small boat at the General Santos Fish Port Complex on Mindinao island in the southern Philippines on Aug. 11, 2009. Hand-line fishermen in General Santos bring in some of the best quality — and most expensive — tuna that goes on sale in the large fresh tuna market here.

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Precious Cargo
Every morning, porters at the Fish Port haul thousands of fresh yellowfin, bigeye and albacore tuna from boats like these. After years of overfishing, yellowfin tuna are now only found far offshore, and fewer and fewer boats can afford the fuel to make the trip out to sea to catch them.

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Pay Load
Workers at Gensan Aqua Traders, an export company that buys fish at the Fish Port, weigh incoming yellowfin. The biggest and best sashimi-grade tuna coming in to General Santos go for about $700 wholesale.

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Nothing Wasted
After the day's tuna is sold, workers sort out tuna gills and other organs, which they bring home to their families for cooking, or are further processed to feed other fish and animals.

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Quality Control
Traders, buyers and fishermen negotiate each yellowfin's quality and worth in the Fish Port trading hall. Samples of the tuna flesh, extracted by poking a needle-like rod into the fish, are smelled and examined in order to assess its freshness.

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On the Line
Workers at Ocean Canning, a tuna cannery in General Santos, chisel off bones and dark meat of cooked skipjack tuna before they are crushed and canned. Most of the tuna consumed around the world today comes from canneries like this one.

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Don't Be Fooled
Tuna tins are stacked up as they get ready for export to Europe. Several brands' tuna are produced at Ocean Canning; labels are applied after the product goes into the can.

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Taste for Tuna
Job seekers line up by the dozens outside the cannery's office on a Saturday morning in late August. Working conditions inside the tuna cannery are harsh, but with global demand for canned tuna at record levels, this is one of the more dependable jobs in town

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Down Time
Dubbed the Tuna Capital of the Philippines, life in General Santos revolves around the fishing industry. When overfishing around the Philippines starts to take a bite out of the local economy, that's bad news for everyone.

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Fisherman's Woman
Many fishermen are losing their livelihoods as General Santos' tuna fishing industry has suffered a downfall in recent years. As her husband's salary has decreased, Mary Ante, 40, worries about how to put their kids through school.

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On the Edge
Across the world, fishing communities are some of the most vulnerable in the world. Even in the Tuna Capital of the Philippines, this fishermen's slum, home to some 350 families, has been partly torn down to make way for urban development.

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Lucky Charm
The tail of a yellowfin crowns the mast of a fishing boat near the dock of the Fish Port.

Fahdingding

November 4th, 2009, 01:39 AM

GenSan's income reaches P1B
By Bong S. Sarmiento

GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- Forty-one years after becoming a chartered city, this locality, dubbed the "Tuna Capital of the Philippines," has finally joined the billionaire's club of local government units in the country.

Locally-generated revenues helped fuel the city to breach the milestone in 2008, data recently released by City Hall showed.

Year-on-year, the city's income grew by 12.7 percent, from P892.5 million to 1.005 billion, the report stressed.

"This is a testament to the city's business-friendly environment," said Mayor Pedro B. Acharon Jr.

The bulk of the city's income came from the Internal Revenue Allotment, which increased by 15.8 percent to P663 million in 2008 from P572 million the previous year.

Citing the city's vision statement, Acharon, who is in his last term, said that by 2015, GenSan "will be a globally competitive and livable city whose healthy, friendly, well-educated and responsible citizens actively participate in effective governance."

The city has landed in the global map as a major producer of tuna, the economic backbone of this port city. Six of the country’s seven tuna canneries are based in this locality, the economic hub of Central Mindanao region.

Fresh mature tuna stocks are also landed daily at the sprawling fish port complex here and traded mostly to Japan and the United States.

Tuna fish processors have sprouted in dozens to produce products like spring roll, siomai, chorizo, patties and many other value-added variants.

An estimated 120,000 people in the city and neighboring areas are directly and indirectly dependent on the local tuna industry, industry players said.

The city's population ballooned to 529,542 in the 2007 census from 411,822 in 2000, National Statistics Office data showed.

In recent years, the city experienced a boom with expanding mall operations, the latest player of which was the Gokongwei-owned Robinsons Mall, which opened only last month. The Sy-led SM chain of malls is reportedly following suit.

From locally-generated revenues, property tax collection contributed to the city’s coffer last year some P213 million, up P13 million or 6.4 percent from the P200 million posted in 2007.

Business tax collections reached P54 million in 2008, from P53 million the previous year or a hike of 1.5 percent.

Service income was posted at about P39 million last year from P33 million previously, up by 16.9 percent.

Income from license permits rose by 6.2 percent to 15 million from P14 million in 2007.

At least P22 million have been raked as other income in 2008, from P19 million the previous year.

Marcelino E. Dospueblos, city administrator, said the city’s expenditure last year reached P793.6 million, P402 million of which went to personnel services and the rest to maintenance and operating expenses.

The city's net income last year was P212 million, he added.

Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on November 4, 2009.

buenos-Diaz

November 4th, 2009, 03:53 AM

Buenas Diaz Gen San.....

Ask ko lng bat kaya di mataas ung building ginagawa sa Gensan?

Fahdingding

November 4th, 2009, 11:48 AM

Buenas Diaz Gen San.....

Ask ko lng bat kaya di mataas ung building ginagawa sa Gensan?

Because sa structure ng lupa at earthquake prone ang GENSAN eh! naglindol na naman nga kanina eh..mabuti intensity 2 lang! According sa news ito na ang ika - 17th Earthquake sa city in 2009! Now you know! Ok lang naman, sprawling naman ang city eh...

dhodznjay

November 5th, 2009, 01:52 AM

fhad nood kaba APO concert? kita kita nlng ta dd2..weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:

Fahdingding

November 5th, 2009, 01:58 AM

MECO moves to boost Taiwanese investments in RP

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MANILA, Nov. 4 (PNA) -- The Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) in Taipei hopes to generate some $ 121 million in fresh Taiwanese investments in the Philippines’ manufacturing and construction, agri-business, and energy sectors.

MECO Resident Representative Antonio I. Basilio said the prospective areas of new Taiwanese investment range from the micro sector, including food cooperatives, to the country’s freeport and special economic zones.

For instance, the Philippine Freeport zones of Clark and Subic are eyeing US$ 24 million worth of Taiwanese investments in the fields of aluminum coil, piping, and stainless steel and light manufacturing.

Taiwanese businessmen are also looking at prospective ventures in antibiotic capsules and electric blankets manufacture and in construction projects to further build up facilities in Clark and Subic.

MECO is also chasing US$ 97 million worth of investments leads for Northern Mindanao’s growing bio-fuel, solar and wind energy, mari-culture, food processing, auto parts manufacturing, leather production and steel manufacturing sectors.
A Taipei Investments Summit is also being organized by MECO. The event will be attended by representatives of the Cagayan Electric Power and Light Company, the Philippines Congressional Commission on Science and Technology and Engineering and the Taiwan External Trade Council.

“Our trade and investment team will also be heading a Visayas Trade and Investment Mission to Taiwan from November 2 to 7,” Basilio said, while an investment mission to Mindanao, specifically to General Santos and Sarangani, will also be conducted in early December.

Meanwhile, a Food Diagnostics Mission organized by MECO from October 19 to 24 was also expected to benefit six small and medium-sized food cooperatives based in the provinces of Cavite, Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental and Occidental that specialize in coffee, processed fruits, and wines and spirits production, he added.
MECO’s extension offices in Taichung and Kaohsiung also launched missions to attract Taiwanese investments.

The Taichung team, based in central Taiwan, facilitated fact-finding trips of Long Dianne Biotechnology to Palawan for the possible cultivation of red grouper, and Hwa Neng Biotechnology which is exploring the possibility of investing in nurseries for Jatropha curcas – a plant believed to be a significant source of renewable fuel– and castor bean plants.

MECO’s team in the southern port city of Kaohsiung also set the groundwork for a city-to-city sisterhood between Pingtung City and Lucena City, and fortified the relationship between the Kaohsiung County Chamber of Commerce and the Cebu Chamber of Commerce.

Delegations from Lucena and Cebu will fly to Taiwan in November to finalize the agreements.

MECO Kaohsiung also facilitated fact-finding trips of various research institutes and industry associations to the Philippines, including the Asian Vegetable Research and Development Center, Fengshan Tropical Horticulture Station, Pingtung Fish Breeding Association, Tainan Orchid Plantation and a number of aquaculture companies. (PNA)
LDV/BAC/mec

Fahdingding

November 5th, 2009, 02:00 AM

fhad nood kaba APO concert? kita kita nlng ta dd2..weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:

parang hindi siguro! pero pag may free ticket, WHY NOT! :lol:

Fahdingding

November 5th, 2009, 02:02 AM

DA allays fears of pork shortage this yuletide season
By Lilybeth G. Ison

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MANILA, Nov. 4 (PNA) -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday allayed fears of a shortage of pork this yuletide season, saying suppliers from the Visayas and Mindanao have agreed to fill in the supply gap in Luzon as a result of the recent typhoons that hit the island.

"We dialogued with suppliers from Visayas and Mindanao. Ngayon may kaunting linaw na (Things are clearing now)," said DA Assistant Secretary Salvador Salacup in a radio interview.

"Some of our pork supply will come from General Santos and Cagayan de Oro cities. We will contract them through our distributors to ensure supply in Metro Manila," he said.
"We’re doing all we can, we’re linking with suppliers, both domestic and international, to ensure we have available pork during the Christmas holidays," he added.

Even before typhoons 'Ondoy' and "Pepeng' hit the country, the government projected a shortage of about 20,000 metric tons (MT) of pork.

Aside from getting pork supplies in the Visayas and Mindanao, Salacup said the DA may import pork from foreign suppliers to fill in the projected supply gap.

He said the DA is encouraging the private sector to bring in around 15,000 MT of pork from foreign sources like the US, Canada and other neighboring Asian countries.

Salacup, however, said the DA has set a December 15 deadline for traders to import in order to keep farmgate prices from dampening.

"We want the farmers to have revenues at this time to sustain productivity momentum for the first quarter of 2010," he said.

The DA official also assured the public there is ample supply of rice and chicken meat during the holidays.

He said the National Food Authority (NFA) has reported that the country has at least 37 days supply of rice.

"Di dapat tayo mangamba on that particular commodity (We should not worry about supply of rice)," he said.

As for chicken, Salacup said major producers and associations are contemplating of bringing in additional 3,000 MT of chicken due to the projected increase in demand of the commodity during the holidays.

"The private sector proposed under the special safeguard measure free approach to bring in an additional 3,000 MT of chicken instead of the original 5,000 MT. So we expect we will have a total of 8,000 MT of foreign-sourced chicken by December," he said. (PNA)
scs/LGI

Fahdingding

November 5th, 2009, 02:13 AM

TUNA
By Michael Tan
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 23:34:00 11/03/2009
Filed Under: Environmental Issues, Education

SHOCK AND AWE WERE MY REACTIONS WHEN, FOR THE first time in my life, I saw a whole tuna fish. It was being carried on the hunched shoulders of a fisherman in General Santos City. My fascination gave way to a mixture of pity and revulsion, realizing the fisherman could have been carrying a corpse.

I grew up in the city, and the only tuna and sardines I ever saw came in cans from the supermarket. If entire sardines could fit into a can, then, I figured, it was the same way with tuna.

All that ignorance was a reflection, too, of the deficiencies of our educational system. Even today with all the talk about environmental protection, many Filipinos grow up not learning about the rich diversity of marine life that we have, one that includes, besides sardines and tuna, whales and dolphins and the butanding.

Albacore tuna, I always thought, was “American” tuna because that was the label on stateside canned tuna. It turns out that the Philippines exports albacore, which is only one of several species of tuna. Besides albacore, we also export skipjack, bigeye, and yellowfin. The last is considered as one of the best types of tuna. Just go to a Japanese restaurant and you’ll find Japanese tourists ordering yellowfin sashimi, our local prices dirt cheap compared with what they’d have to pay back home.

48 species

I don’t know if it was yellowfin sashimi that made it to the latest issue of Time magazine but it was definitely tuna with its distinct red color (most fish are white). Time had several stories around “tuna trouble,” the dwindling supplies brought about by overfishing. GenSan kept coming up in the articles. A a slide show on the Time website graphically shows how Manny Pacquiao’s hometown was built around tuna and how it is threatened today.

Reading through the articles got me thinking of how the tuna should be used as a case study for different courses. Biology would seem to be the most obvious, but the tuna could be mentioned as well in chemistry, physics and of course ecology or environmental science. Medical and nursing schools will be surprised to find tuna fitting into their physiology classes. Besides the natural and medical sciences, tuna can be used in discussions of economics, history, anthropology, political science, geography—and even ethics. I’ll try to explain, in one column, how tuna can fit into all these sciences.

Let’s start with the natural sciences. “Tuna” is used to refer to 48 species of fish, all of them belonging to a family called Scombridae. The different species of tuna are distinctive with their rose-colored flesh, the color due to high levels of myoglobin. Humans and other mammals have hemoglobin in our red blood cells, which is responsible for transporting oxygen. Myoglobin is found in the muscles, and you can see why the tuna evolved to carry this important oxygen-binding substance: tuna are rapid swimmers and can survive in very cold waters.

Tuna are important in many ecosystems. They are carnivorous, preying on many smaller fish species. In ecological jargon, these fish are high on the food chain, meaning if their populations decrease, it means many of their prey will multiply more rapidly, with often unknown effects on the ecosystem.

Tuna also have some interesting relationships with other marine life. For example, they tend to “travel” together with dolphins. This association seems to protect them from sharks. Unfortunately, tuna trawlers used this to their advantage. By following pods (in Tagalog, barkada) of dolphins, they could then go for the tuna. The trouble was that the dolphins then got entangled in the nets, resulting in many casualties.

Environmental groups pressured the tuna industry to come up with “dolphin-safe” fishing methods so you’ll sometimes find canned tuna with that assurance, but there has been an unintended side effect here: dolphin-safe tuna fishing resulted in other “corollary damage,” this time sharks and turtles. You can see the dilemmas here not just for environmentalists but also for ethicists (can one animal species’ life be more important than another’s?).

Insatiable

Historical records show that even in ancient times, Roman soldiers were known to take dried tuna with them on their military expeditions. Today, the main demand for tuna comes from the Japanese. Ironically, the Japanese themselves have no tuna to catch in their own waters, and have to source their supplies from other countries. Atlantic bluefin is the most prized but comes all the way across the world.

The Japanese know their supplies are endangered and the government has agreed to an annual import quota of 6,000 tons, but in reality, might actually be importing double that amount. Not only that, the Japanese taste for tuna sashimi has spread throughout the world, so the global demand has taken off and now almost seems insatiable.

GenSan’s fishermen (I know, the politically correct term is fisherfolk but I find it awkward) still use traditional methods for catching tuna, with small boats and handline (manual) techniques but they’re finding that they have to go further out to the sea to get tuna. Smaller fishing boats are losing to larger fishing companies that can go as far out as Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.

We might want to learn from the experiences of the Mediterranean countries, where the once flourishing tuna industry is fast disappearing. There’s no room there for smaller fishermen and large fishing companies have taken over, using large trawlers complete with sophisticated GPS (global positioning system) to track down the tuna. Some have gone into “tuna ranching,” casting out nets to trap schools of tuna and allowing them to fatten up on small fish before harvesting. Again, small fishermen are at a disadvantage.

As Mediterranean supplies dwindle, these large fishing companies have gone into African waters. It was an Ethiopian friend who told me, fuming, about this emerging problem. I did some research and indeed, the estimate is that African countries lose some $1 billion a year from the trawlers’ “piracy” of tuna, shrimp, mackerel and other marine life. Not only that, the huge trawlers end up polluting the waters and destroying marine habitats.

Will Mindanao (Davao is another tuna area) follow the fate of the Mediterranean tuna industry? It depends on our choices. Australia and some European countries are already starting with tuna aquaculture, but questions have been raised too about that option because it means having to get large supplies of small fish to feed the tuna.

In many ways, GenSan residents are very much like the tuna, caught in nets with many competing interests: small fishermen versus large tuna companies, local tuna demand versus overseas demand, even tuna connoisseurs versus vegetarians, the latter arguing that the solution is putting a complete end to the demand for tuna, and all forms of meat, mammal, bird or fish.

Email to mtan@inquirer.com.ph

Fahdingding

November 5th, 2009, 02:22 AM

Indophil amends deal with Alsons
Melbourne firm wants greater stake in Tampakan
By Riza T. Olchondra
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 19:14:00 11/03/2009
Filed Under: Economy and Business and Finance, Mining and quarrying, Gold & Precious Materials

INDOPHIL RESOURCES OF MELBOURNE has revised an agreement with Alsons Corporation and this would expedite the purchase of the latter’s remaining 3.27-percent stake in the Tampakan copper and gold project in southern Philippines.

Indophil said in a statement posted on its website that once this new arrangement with Alsons is finalized and approved, “Indophil would be in a position to move to a 37.5 percent interest in the project.”

The Australian miner already holds a 34.23 percent interest in the Tampakan project, with global mining giant Xstrata holding a 62.5 percent interest.

The revised agreement provides a trigger for an accelerated acquisition of Alsons’ remaining 3.27-percent interest in Tampakan once Indophil receives an acceptable third party proposal to purchase its interest in the project.

“On this basis, Indophil waives the remaining two Tampakan milestones (the completion of the bankable feasibility study and completion of plant commissioning) to allow the granting of Indophil shares to Alsons,” Indophil said.

At the same time, the new agreement includes a waiver by Alsons of milestone-related cash considerations. In return, Indophil will continue to fund Alsons’ share of project cost commitments, the Australian firm said.

Originally, Indophil arranged to acquire Alsons’ 5 percent interest as key project project milestones are achieved in exchange for cash and shares of the Australian firm. The first tranche has been completed, raising Indophil’s stake to the present 34.23 percent from 32.5 percent.

Indophil CEO Richard Laufmann said the revised agreement was part of the firm’s strategy to maximize the value of its stake in the Tampakan project and was in discussion with a number of parties.

“There is considerable global interest in acquiring copper projects and there is considerable interest in Tampakan, a world-class copper-gold deposit. While there has been no formal purchase agreement at this time, indications are that most buyers would prefer to acquire the combined 37.5%,” Laufmann said.

The Tampakan copper-gold project, located north of General Santos City, is a 2.4 billion tone mineral resource containing an an estimated 13.5 million tons of copper and 15.8 million ounces of gold.

Fahdingding

November 5th, 2009, 02:22 AM

BIMP-EAGA leaders agree to bolster food basket, ecotourism potentials in Asia
November 3, 2009 9:20 am

DAVAO CITY, Nov. 3 — Leaders of the Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines–East ASEAN Growth Areas (BIMP-EAGA) have agreed to bolster the area as potential regional food basket and eco-tourism haven in Asia.

Presidential Adviser Secretary Jesus said the agreement was formulated during the recent 6th BIMP-EAGA Leaders Summit in Thailand.

In said meeting, Dureza said the BIMP-EAGA leaders directed Agriculture Ministers to take the lead in formulating strategies and exploring innovative ways to develop the member countries’ food industry to pump prime its target to become the region’s food basket.

In a statement furnished by Dureza, also the Philippine’s Signing Minister to the BIMP-EAGA, the leaders recognized the importance of community-based ecotourism to the economic development of the sub-regions’ rural areas.

The leaders directed their Tourism Ministers to extend full support to ecotourism initiative.

They agreed to fully support the various programs being undertaken to protect and conserve the environment and sustainable to manage BIMP-EAGA’s rich natural resources such as the Heart of Borneo and Coral Triangle Initiatives.

They also directed the concerned ministries to strengthen collaborative actions in protecting the environment.

In addressing global efforts to address climate change, Brunei Darussalam offered to host a ministerial conference focusing on the Heart of Borneo and Coral Triangle.

Aside from food security and ecotourism development, the leaders lauded the decision of the Ministers to identify and accelerate the development of critical infrastructure projects to improve connectivity and facilitate trade, investment and tourism within the sub-region.

The Ministers endorsed a three-rolling program process for the identification, processing and review of priority projects such as the following:

– Indonesia: Tarakan-Serudong Road and Sarawak-Kalimantan Power Interconnection;

– Malaysia: Sarawak-Kalimantan Power Interconnection (Malaysian Section); and

– Lahad Datu Palm Oil Industrial Cluster; Philippines: Expansion of Mindanao Ports Program 1 and Palawan Ports Development Program. All these projects are for 2010.

On the other hand, the projects for 2011 are the following:

– Brunei Darussalam: Kuala Lurah Border Crossing Facility and Pandaruan Bridge (between Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia);

– Indonesia: Pontianak-Entikong Transport Link and Enhancing the Manado-Bitung Link; and

– Philippines: Expansion of Mindanao Ports Program II and Rehabilitation of the Davao-General Santos Road. (PNA) LAP/Judy G. Quiros/lvp

http://balita.ph/2009/11/03/bimp-eag...tials-in-asia/

nj_than

November 5th, 2009, 03:02 AM

magandang gensan

regjeex

November 5th, 2009, 08:22 AM

Maayong pag panikay-sikay Gensan...

Fahdingding

November 5th, 2009, 09:15 AM

magandang gensan

WALA bang BIG NEWS ang GENSAN lately? :bash:

nj_than

November 5th, 2009, 12:41 PM

the big new... 1.2B ang badget ng local government ng gensan for 2010...

national guard

November 5th, 2009, 08:22 PM

GOOD MORNING GENSAN!!!:wave::wave::wave:
GENSAN & PHILIPPINES' PRIDE

http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac138/nationalguard_ssc/manny2.jpg
LEAN AND MEAN Manny Pacquiao lifts his shirt to show his six-pack beside two beauties at the Wild Card gym in Los Angeles on Wednesday. Pacquiao is in the final stretches of his training for his Nov. 14 fight against Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas. AFP
pic source (http://www.inquirer.net/)

Fahdingding

November 6th, 2009, 12:58 AM

the big new... 1.2B ang badget ng local government ng gensan for 2010...

Pati yung 300 Million GENSAN Solid Waste Facility ( Sanitary Landfill) sisimulan na before mag baba si MAYOR!

dhodznjay

November 6th, 2009, 03:03 AM

ha? gamaya ra sa budget sa government oi....:bash::bash::bash::bash::bash::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers:

dhodznjay

November 6th, 2009, 03:07 AM

fhad nakita naba nimo ang park sa DIGOS CITY?

Fahdingding

November 6th, 2009, 04:32 AM

ha? gamaya ra sa budget sa government oi....:bash::bash::bash::bash::bash::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers:

Why gamay man budget? ato income for 2008 is 1,005B..so I think enough lang ang 1.2B for 2010!

Fahdingding

November 6th, 2009, 04:32 AM

fhad nakita naba nimo ang park sa DIGOS CITY?

WALA! Why man?

nj_than

November 6th, 2009, 06:24 AM

Why gamay man budget? ato income for 2008 is 1,005B..so I think enough lang ang 1.2B for 2010!

^^tama ka fahd... malaki na ang badget ng gensan government ngayon kaysa noon... :banana::banana::banana:

dhodznjay

November 6th, 2009, 07:46 AM

fhad try nako tan aw ila park ugma sa digos kay muadto man ko..weeeeee....unta noh may fountain pod ta rehas sa digos ka dako...

Fahdingding

November 6th, 2009, 11:23 AM

fhad try nako tan aw ila park ugma sa digos kay muadto man ko..weeeeee....unta noh may fountain pod ta rehas sa digos ka dako...

Cge! Ok ra bisag wala basta progressive na ang GENSAN! More Projects 'to come...:lol:

Fahdingding

November 6th, 2009, 11:25 AM

Pacquiao on TIME Magazine cover

Barely a week before the Pacquiao-Cotto fight in Las Vegas on November 15, 2009 (Philippine time), Manny Pacquiao once again proves that he is very much a hot media copy by landing the covers of the next issue of the Asian edition of TIME Magazine!

http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz52/fmdear/1-18.jpg

To hit the newsstands over the weekend, this issue is only the the 10th time that a boxer was featured on the cover of TIME. It is also only the second time that a Filipino celebrity made it.

The first time a Filipino was featured on the cover of TIME Magazine was in 1986 when then Philippine President Corazon C. Aquino was declared as the magazine’s WOMAN OF THE YEAR!

This time around, the TIME Magazine cover carries the blurb, “THE GREAT HOPE“, in reference to Manny Pacquiao as the Filipino’s icon for a better life, a better tomorrow.

Bariles personally met Ishaan Tharoor, one of the two writers of the article, when he flew in to General Santos City during the first week of October to interview some people who knew the Pacman.

The Indian writer had earlier asked an audience with GenSan City Mayor Pedro Acharon, Jr. Bariles received him first at the mayor’s office since the mayor was still on a meeting. Later on, he joined the two gentlemen while the interview was being conducted at the chief executive’s conference room.

The article which Tharoor co-write is entitled “THE MEANING OF MANNY“, and chronicled Manny Pacquiao’s rise from poverty to his present status. It dealt not only with him but the people surrounding him, including Freddy Roach, Mike Konch, his mother Dionisia, Governor Chavit Singson, among other people.

It also speaks lenghtily on his upcoming second foray into politics and although the writers were ambivalent about his chances, they both agree that the 2010 elections will have to be “the fight of his life“.

Fahdingding

November 6th, 2009, 11:35 AM

GenSan’s Giant Tuna on Bandila

Yesterday, November 5, 2009, ABS-CBN’S BANDILA featured a news report by its sporstcaster/correspondent Dyan Castillejo at the General Santos City Fishport Development Complex, or simply GenSan Fishport. The report was headlined, “GIANT TUNA” and introduced by anchor Henry Omaga-Diaz.

http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz52/fmdear/1-19.jpg

The report gives us a quick and amusing look on the unloading of these giant tuna (30 kgs-70kgs up) from the handline fishing boats which have just arrived from their 2-month expedition on the high seas.

Special focus was given on the men whose work is to carry each tuna individually on their shoulders and deliver them inside Market One where it is weighed, graded, traded and prepared for shipment or delivery to the tuna processors inside the GenSan Fishport Complex.

Dyan Castillejo even gamely tried to carry one giant tuna from one of the handline vessels like these men do. Did she succeed? Watch this video to find out. (Source: ABSCBN News.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M213ncDjBm4

nj_than

November 6th, 2009, 11:48 AM

^^generals im going to zamboanga city sa december... makapunta na ako sa zamboanga..weeehw....

hi to alll zamboanga... quetal kayo lahat....:banana::banana::banana:

marlowe_cano

November 6th, 2009, 11:53 AM

^^

yehey.... hehe... and that would be the time na mag meet ang mga SSC-Zamboanga with special guest from an SSC-GenSan... lukin forward... ;)

marlowe_cano

November 6th, 2009, 12:03 PM

Sky Harbor

November 7th, 2009, 07:27 AM

Good afternoon General Santos City and South Cotabato! :D

I hope you don't mind if I do a little OT plug. If you're between 18 and 35 and you want to be a driver of change in Southeast Asia, then join SEAchange, Southeast Asia's largest youth movement for personal change! Also, you may win one of 500 trips to Kuala Lumpur to attend the 2009 Youth Engagement Summit (YES2009). Hurry, there are only 200 slots left!

Visit http://philippines.youthsays.com/seachange/go/Fcw to find out more and join. Membership is free! It's time we become true agents of change, in General Santos, South Cotabato, the Philippines and throughout Southeast Asia! :D

(I hope I'm not being overly spammy here. I'm just bored. :tongue2:)

national guard

November 7th, 2009, 10:11 PM

GenSan gets P28.5-M fund for hospital
By BONG M. REBLANDO
Manila Bulletin (http://www.mb.com.ph/node/228394/gen)
November 7, 2009, 5:22pm

GENERAL SANTOS CITY – Health Secretary Francisco Duque has released P13.5 million for the renovation of the General Santos City District Hospital to compliment the expansion project – the construction of the new P15 million worth two-storey building.

City Mayor Jun Acharon said that the P13.5 million budget would cover the construction of the hospital facade and the expansion of the Emergency Room and the Out-Patient Department to accommodate more patients and provide convenience to the

“I am very grateful to Secretary Francisco Duque for giving us P13.5 million to fund the improvement of our hospital. Surely, it would expand our health care services to a greater number of our constituents,” Acharon said.

The local executive hailed Duque as a sensitive Health secretary who moves around the country to look into the facilities of government-owned hospitals and allocate funds for its improvement, expansion or providing the much needed equipment or machines.

Health care program, Acharon explained, is a basic service which the government must give to its growing population, especially the poor, as the world today is gripped by financial crisis that sparks increase in prices of medicines and services provided by doctors.

He pointed to the city-run General Santos City District Hospital, a tertiary hospital, as the alternative to the private hospitals, which provides cheap rates for doctors’ fees, rooms – either ward or private, facilities, as well as, medicines.

The city, which is registering a fast population growth, is building a new two-storey building at the back of the present hospital building with a budget of P15 million to be able to accommodate more patients.

Apart from providing health care services to the city residents, Acharon disclosed that the city hospital is also accommodating patients from the nearby provinces of Sarangani and South Cotabato.

Acharon added that the city is also concreting Fernandez Road, the access road leading to the General Santos City District Hospital.

busyjay

November 8th, 2009, 01:31 AM

Mayor Acharon did a lot of things for the development of the city of genSan, GALING!

Fahdingding

November 8th, 2009, 02:08 AM

Karapat - dapat tong ICLAP! CLAP! :applause::applause::applause:

Fahdingding

November 8th, 2009, 02:11 AM

Open na ang 2nd branch ng RAI RAI KEN sa KCC Mall of GENSAN... mas malaki 'to kesa RRK sa Rob! :)

chevy_boy

November 8th, 2009, 02:32 AM

^^ Pictures! hehe pati may renderings ba yung district hospital? Sana gawin nalang General Santos Medical Center yung name...

avensis92

November 8th, 2009, 03:20 AM

Open na ang 2nd branch ng RAI RAI KEN sa KCC Mall of GENSAN... mas malaki 'to kesa RRK sa Rob! :)

^^wow.congratz! baka 3rd branch sa SM! :cheers:

dinabaw

November 8th, 2009, 06:47 AM

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/6955/37378210986f250c6008.jpg

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/4930/37370270053888a567c0.jpg

Fahdingding

November 8th, 2009, 09:49 AM

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/6955/37378210986f250c6008.jpg

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/4930/37370270053888a567c0.jpg

I love that PLACE! GUMASA - The Boracay of MINDANAO!
Partida underdeveloped pa 'to :lol:

marlowe_cano

November 8th, 2009, 10:06 AM

Open na ang 2nd branch ng RAI RAI KEN sa KCC Mall of GENSAN... mas malaki 'to kesa RRK sa Rob! :)

grabeh na tlga GenSan, umaarangkada ng umaarangkada!!! ^^,

marlowe_cano

November 8th, 2009, 10:10 AM

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/6955/37378210986f250c6008.jpg

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/4930/37370270053888a567c0.jpg

waaah.. gusto kong pumunta dyan...mag pa-plan na'ko wen... :banana:

dinabaw

November 8th, 2009, 10:11 AM

just make Gumasa just the way it is ... ;)

dinabaw

November 8th, 2009, 10:20 AM

welcome to the club!:cheers:

GenSan's income reaches P1B
Tuesday, November 3, 2009

By Bong S. Sarmiento

GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- Forty-one years after becoming a chartered city, this locality, dubbed the "Tuna Capital of the Philippines," has finally joined the billionaire's club of local government units in the country.

Locally-generated revenues helped fuel the city to breach the milestone in 2008, data recently released by City Hall showed.

For updates from around the country, follow Sun.Star on Twitter

Year-on-year, the city's income grew by 12.7 percent, from P892.5 million to 1.005 billion, the report stressed.

"This is a testament to the city's business-friendly environment," said Mayor Pedro B. Acharon Jr.

The bulk of the city's income came from the Internal Revenue Allotment, which increased by 15.8 percent to P663 million in 2008 from P572 million the previous year.

Citing the city's vision statement, Acharon, who is in his last term, said that by 2015, GenSan "will be a globally competitive and livable city whose healthy, friendly, well-educated and responsible citizens actively participate in effective governance."

The city has landed in the global map as a major producer of tuna, the economic backbone of this port city. Six of the country’s seven tuna canneries are based in this locality, the economic hub of Central Mindanao region.

Fresh mature tuna stocks are also landed daily at the sprawling fish port complex here and traded mostly to Japan and the United States.

Tuna fish processors have sprouted in dozens to produce products like spring roll, siomai, chorizo, patties and many other value-added variants.

An estimated 120,000 people in the city and neighboring areas are directly and indirectly dependent on the local tuna industry, industry players said.

The city's population ballooned to 529,542 in the 2007 census from 411,822 in 2000, National Statistics Office data showed.

In recent years, the city experienced a boom with expanding mall operations, the latest player of which was the Gokongwei-owned Robinsons Mall, which opened only last month. The Sy-led SM chain of malls is reportedly following suit.

From locally-generated revenues, property tax collection contributed to the city’s coffer last year some P213 million, up P13 million or 6.4 percent from the P200 million posted in 2007.

Business tax collections reached P54 million in 2008, from P53 million the previous year or a hike of 1.5 percent.

Service income was posted at about P39 million last year from P33 million previously, up by 16.9 percent.

Income from license permits rose by 6.2 percent to 15 million from P14 million in 2007.

At least P22 million have been raked as other income in 2008, from P19 million the previous year.

Marcelino E. Dospueblos, city administrator, said the city’s expenditure last year reached P793.6 million, P402 million of which went to personnel services and the rest to maintenance and operating expenses.

The city's net income last year was P212 million, he added.

Sun-Star (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/gensans-income-reaches-p1b)

earlat

November 8th, 2009, 03:14 PM

waaah.. gusto kong pumunta dyan...mag pa-plan na'ko wen... :banana:

^^ Actually that place is super nice.. Huwag na lang sana nilang i-alter ang place masyado.. all they have to do is to improve the road leading to that place.. :D

nj_than

November 9th, 2009, 05:59 AM

^^kailangan pa talaga ma developed ang gumasa... maganda lang ang rosal beach... sana mapaganda pa nila ung pang world class ang dating...heheh

Fahdingding

November 9th, 2009, 06:51 AM

^^kailangan pa talaga ma developed ang gumasa... maganda lang ang rosal beach... sana mapaganda pa nila ung pang world class ang dating...heheh

Gina develop na nga nayon ang mga beaches sa GUMASA!

nj_than

November 9th, 2009, 07:25 AM

Gina develop na nga nayon ang mga beaches sa GUMASA!

^^mabuti naman kung ganon...:banana::banana:

kalbongdad

November 9th, 2009, 10:28 AM

sa wa na kami sa tuna...pwede post naman kayo ng pics ng mga sights at resorts ninyo dyan....thanks

Ibex

November 9th, 2009, 10:05 PM

Oist may tsismis ako... a new 21 storey hotel building will soon rise... i've seen the architect's rendering its something unusual, eyecandy sya :) i dunno kung proposal pa lang basta the architect showed me their work... sana matuloy ang project...

Tsismis pa lang yan (as of now) ha wag masyadong mag expect :)

it looks like this oh... twisted building :cheers:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/af/Turning_Torso_3.jpg/450px-Turning_Torso_3.jpg

nj_than

November 10th, 2009, 12:20 AM

^^saan naman to?

Fahdingding

November 10th, 2009, 01:15 AM

Fahdingding

November 10th, 2009, 01:16 AM

http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz52/fmdear/7857087wz8.jpg

Fahdingding

November 10th, 2009, 01:19 AM

P13.5M for GenSan Hospital from DOH

The Department of Health is financing the renovation of the FRONTAGE of the General Santos City Hospital amounting to P13.5 million, this according to GenSan Mayor Jun Acharon, when interviewed by media personnel during an ocular inspection of the said construction.

The amount mentioned will fund the construction of the hospital frontage with new lobby PLUS a much bigger Emergency Room and Out-Patient Department. The budget’s release was facilitated by Representative Darlene Antonino-Custodio of the First District of South Cotabato.

http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz52/fmdear/1-21.jpg
"GenSan City Mayor during his ocular of the ongoing renovation of the lobby of the City Hospital"

The mayor also remarked that the GenSan City hospital aims to continually improve the delivery of health services not only to the people of GenSan but to those from the nearby provinces of Sarangani and South Cotabato.

This new project comes right after the completion of the initial phase of the hospital’s expansion, which is the additional two-storey building facility and new medical equipment funded by the city to the tune of P15 million. That project was inagurated last February 2009.

For the next phase of improvements, the Mayor plans to address the Manpower problem, including his plan to appeal to the Civil Service Commission to exclude medical workers in the implementation of Salary Caps. An additional Operating Room is also on the pipeline to give room to more surgical services.

At the end of November, the hospital should also expect for the arrival of a 400KVA Generator to make the new Intensive Care Unit 100% functional.

Currently, the 150-bed capacity hospital has been receiving an average of 250 patients. Thus, this is another thrust of the local government – to increase its capacity. The mayor revealed that two years ago, Philhealth claims averaged only 200 per day. Now it has gone up to 550 to 600 claims. This could be due to the increase in the city’s population and the inclusion of more indigents into the Philhealth Program of President GMA.

Lastly, the mayor also said that Fernandez Street which is the access road to the hospital from the National Highway is also undergoing repairs and is scheduled to be completed by January 2010, part of the local government’s improvement drive of the city’s road network.

Fahdingding

November 10th, 2009, 01:38 AM

Centerpoint on Centerstage tonight!

This just in!!!

The Dadiangas Baptist Church, which is celebrating her 46th Anniversary this year, is sponsoring General Santos City’s very own Centerpoint Band in their thanksgiving concert entitled “Centerpoint on Centerstage”.

A joint project with Manny Pacquaio and Denville Music and Production, the concert takes off at 7pm tonight, November 8, 2009, at the KCC Mall of GenSan Events and Convention Center

http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz52/fmdear/1-22.jpg
Centerpoint Band in Concert Poster

The Centerpoint Band will also formally launch their first CD, “Paper Floors” during the concert and will perform songs from the album including carrier single, “Kaibigan Ko“, which the group performed when they guested at SHARON on ABS-CBN.

http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz52/fmdear/2-9.jpg
The Centerpoint Band CD Cover

Other performers are DJ Gor, Shikainah Jacob, Metanoeo Band, King’s Warriors, GenSan Pop Idols and Teatro Ambahanon.

A Donor Ticket is priced at P500 and comes with a copy of the “Paper Floors” CD.

Here is what the band’s Multiply site has to say about them:

Centerpoint is a band of five young musicians from General Santos City that plays modern rock music.

Though they draw from a varied number of influences, their raw talent shines through as they deliver a fresh sound that is uniquely their own—melodic, multidimensional and infectiously positive.

These long-time friends formally started as a band in March 2007 when they joined the Globe-organized “Kantabataan,” a national song writing competition. Centerpoint represented Gensan and Mindanao all the way to the finals. Their entry “Ipakita” ranked second-best in the competition. Soon after, the song hit the airwaves nationwide and was later included in their debut album.

Emerging as church musicians, the band pursued their passion of making music in the indie-rock genre that they love to do best. The band writes and arranges its own music, individually or by collaboration.

A testament to the band’s gift both as musicians and songwriters, Centerpoint recently released their full-length and all-original debut album “Paper Floors” under Denville Music and Production, a Gensan-based independent label.

“Paper Floors” is straightforward yet profound, an album that speaks on themes like love, everyday life and relationships. Its carrier single “Kaibigan Ko,” a friendship rock anthem, is already hitting the charts in local radio stations.

This promising band is well on their way to becoming Gensan’s next big thing, after breaking grounds as the first local band to record an album and steadily go mainstream.

They currently dominate the local scene with gigs that include government-sponsored shows, corporate events, and fronting for major concerts of the country’s musical icons.

Asked why Centerpoint, the band agreed to have a name that should remind them of who they are and what they hope to accomplish. That is, to spread the message of love and hope that would influence people to see the positive side of life.

At the core of Centerpoint is a genuine substance that aims for lasting significance.

Centerpoint Band is composed of the following talented generals:

DEANE FELIX GARCES. Deane, on lead vocals, is a registered nurse and works as a vocal coach in a music school. Born in Mati, Davao Oriental, he is 26 years old and has a twin sister.

DWIGHT JOSHUA MILLANA. Dwightie, the youngest member at 21 years old, plays the lead guitar and considered to be the band’s main songwriter.

KEITH MARK FERIA. Keith, on bass guitar, is a 22-year old native of Cotabato City. He is currently an Architecture student but already an accomplished 3D artist and architectural draft technician.

AVERY JIREH DOCENA. Avery, the band’s 22-year old drummer, is a photography buff and into desktop publishing.

JULIUS PALER. Julius, the 26-year old band leader, is on rhythm guitar and vocals. He is a licensed nurse and teaches nursing subjects in a local university. He was born in Iligan City and raised in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat.

For more info about the band, check their profiles on the following sites:

CENTERPOINT on MULTIPLY
CENTERPOINT on FACEBOOK
CENTERPOINT on FRIENDSTER
For inquiries, here are their contact information:

Email Address – centerpointband_01@yahoo.com / denville.philippines@gmail.com
Friendster Account – centerpointband_01@yahoo.com
Multiply Account – www.thecenterpointband.multiply.com
Contact Number – Geraldine Oville (Manager / Denville Music Production) – 09165188817
Other Phone Number – 083-302-4183
Address – DBC Life Centerpoint, Balimbing Balagtas 02 st. (Gensan City, 9500)

Ceddrick_KSA

November 10th, 2009, 09:09 PM

http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz52/fmdear/7857087wz8.jpg

wow!!! saan po to???

Fahdingding

November 11th, 2009, 01:09 AM

wow!!! saan po to???

Southwestern side ng Central Business District ng GENSAN... Barangays North, South, East, West, Heights and Bula... :lol:

Fahdingding

November 11th, 2009, 01:54 AM

“Ang Tanging Pamilya” Photos in GenSan"

The most anticipated comedy in showbiz these days will finally be shown nationwide tomorrow, Wednesday, November 11, 2009.

The movie, “Ang Tanging Pamilya (Marry-Go-Around)” topbilling Comedy Queen Ai-Ai delas Alas with former President Erap Estrada and some of televisions’s up and coming young stars, has been marketed so heavily on national television that even Bariles is eagerly awaiting its release in GenSan’s Robinsons and KCC Cinemas.

http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz52/fmdear/1-23.jpg
"The official poster of Ang T

What he and other Pinoys are much excited about however, is the presence of the mother of boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao who is now also a celebrity in her own right, Mommy Dionisia Pacquiao in the movie. Her role is a major one since she plays the mother of Sam Milby and the wife of Miguel Faustmann, the actor who essayed the role of “David Garcia” in the hit telenovela, “Tayong Dalawa”.

Star Cinema who produced the movie, brought all the movie’s performers and crew to General Santos City during the first week of September to shoot some scenes here. Apparently, this was in deference to Mommy Dionisia’s request to shoot all her scenes here at her beloved hometown.

And so they all flew in - all the members of the production crew, Director Wenn Deramas, Erap, Ai-ai, Sam Milby, Toni Gonzaga, Kaye Brosas, Candy Pangilinan, plus all the young actors and actresses who played Ai-ai and Erap’s children.

They shot at the Sts. Peter and Paul Parish Church (for the “wedding” of Sam Milby and Toni Gonzaga); at the East Asia Royale Hotel; at Paseo del Sol and in some of the major thoroughfares of the city (since Erap was playing the role of a jeepney driver).

Erap, on the other hand, took time to join the festivities of the 11th Tuna Festival happening at that time and gave the Keynote Speech during the culmination program at the GenSan Oval Plaza.

Here are some pics Bariles took at the Lagao church and some of the pics from the Paseo del Sol shoot, courtesy of Paolo Sunglao. Thanks Paolo.

http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz52/fmdear/2-10.jpg
"Sts. Peter & Paul Parish Lagao spruced up for the Sam-Toni Wedding Shoot"

http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz52/fmdear/3-4.jpg
"Camera crew setting up their lights while extras (mostly Lagao parish workers) keep themselves busy."

http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz52/fmdear/4-1.jpg
"Ai-ai delas Alas makes face at Bariles' camera while entering the Lagao Church from the side entrance."

http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz52/fmdear/5-1.jpg
"The entry of Dona Dionisia Pacquiao in a glittery sequinned dress. Laban ka?"

http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz52/fmdear/6-2.jpg
"Ai-ai and her family express shock at the sight of Donya Dionisia"

http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz52/fmdear/7-1.jpg
"Dona Dionisia Pacquiao meets the family of Ai-ai at the center of the Lagao church in this photo. With her is onscreen husband Miguel Faustman, the father of Sam in the movie. He played the famous "David Garcia Sr." role in the teleserye "Tayong Dalawa"."

http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz52/fmdear/8-1.jpg
"Ai-ai with Kaye Brosas who appears as her best friend in the movie"

http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz52/fmdear/9-1.jpg
"The jeep of Erap while parked at the Paseo del Sol compound where they shot for two days"

http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz52/fmdear/10-1.jpg
"Donya Dionisia Pacquiao performing the Singkil/Tinikling at the wedding reception for Sam & Toi at Paseo del Sol."

http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz52/fmdear/11-1.jpg
"Hail Princess Dionisia Pacquiao!!!"

Peng Hok

November 11th, 2009, 08:42 AM

12 PHILIPPINE CITIES PARTICIPATING IN WORLD EXPO 2010 SHANGHAI, CHINA
Philippine theme statement: Performing CITIES

DAVAO CITY
NAGA CITY
ILOILO CITY
CEBU CITY
MANILA
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY
GENERAL SANTOS CITY
MALAYBALAY
MAKATI CITY
TAGUIG CITY
SAN FERNANDO CITY
CALBAYOG

Fahdingding

November 11th, 2009, 09:46 AM

Fahdingding

November 11th, 2009, 10:07 AM

BOI approves incentives for 5 new projects

Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 22:39:00 11/10/2009

Filed Under: Investments

THE BOARD OF INVESTMENTS has approved the granting of various fiscal and nonfiscal incentives to P719.1 million worth of projects in the mass housing, hotel, and aquaculture sectors.

Entailing the largest investment among the five projects is the Peninsula Garden Midtown Homes of Federal Land Inc., which will cost P246.7 million to complete.

Located in Paco, Manila, the mass housing project involves the development of a 15-storey condominium building that will house 184 units on 1,441 square meters of land.

Once the project becomes operational by next month, it will provide employment to 256 individuals.

Another mass housing project, that of Johndorf Ventures Corp. in Butuan City, will also get BOI perks.

The P127-million development entails the construction of 196 low-cost housing units to be sold for between P705,000 and P819,000 a unit.

The project has generated 75 new jobs in the area.

Apart from mass housing, the BOI also approved the registration of two hotel projects worth a combined P314.9 million: The P224.9-million Hotel St. Ellis in Legazpi City and the P90-million Highlander Hotel and Resort in Solano, Nueva Vizcaya.

Hotel St. Ellis, which has been classified by the Department of Tourism as a tourist inn, will have 40 rooms with floor areas ranging from 23-54 square meters.

It is scheduled to start commercial operations next month.
Highlander Hotel and Resort, on the other hand, will have two storeys and 76-rooms, and will cater to foreign and local tourists visiting Nueva Vizcaya.

Set to start commercial operations by January 2010, it will provide jobs to 100 employees.

BOI perks were also given to Malalag Bay Aquaculture and Processing Corp. for its P30.4-million aquaculture business in Davao del Sur and General Santos City.

The project involves two stages: The growing of milkfish in Davao del Sur and the processing of the fish and other marine products in a leased General Santos facility.

The company intends to sell its products both here and abroad.
Abigail L. Ho

http://business.inquirer.net/money/t...5-new-projects

buenos-Diaz

November 11th, 2009, 11:18 AM

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/6955/37378210986f250c6008.jpg

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/4930/37370270053888a567c0.jpg

WOOW NICE AND PARADISE NA PARADISE ANG DATING now not only Bora should be on the list and be known madami sa Mindanao mas eye cathching ang mga beach :banana:

chevy_boy

November 11th, 2009, 11:43 AM

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/6955/37378210986f250c6008.jpg

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/4930/37370270053888a567c0.jpg

Diba may 5-star Hotel na tinayo sa Glan.. ano na balita dun? :banana:

Fahdingding

November 12th, 2009, 01:12 AM

Diba may 5-star Hotel na tinayo sa Glan.. ano na balita dun? :banana:

Ha? wala man 5 - Star tinayo sa GLAN! baka proposed pa lang! Malaki future ng GLAN! dapat maging TOURISM ZONE ang GUMASA! Good thing dina develop na ang area!

Fahdingding

November 12th, 2009, 01:12 AM

Guys, I went to KCC Mall kahapon and guess what? On my way to the Mall, marami ako nakitang constructions along the way like:

1. Nag start na construction ng SAFII Mall Food Venue beside KCC Mall
2. Meron din gina renovate na two storey - building tabi ng Northwing ng KCC..
"MJS Marketing (Wholesale and Retail)"
3. Yung hindi natapos na building dun sa harap ng EAST Elementary School... may building permit na, so it means, mag papatuloy na ang construction... wag sana magaya dati na nahinto construction because substandard ang materials na ginamit! :lol: (Pension House ito)
4. Pension House sa Gilid ng COLLADO
5. Renovation ng 2 storey building along Laurel - Balimbing - yung dating lugar ng REY ANGELO's Computer Center (Closed)...

Alright! :banana:

Fahdingding

November 12th, 2009, 01:14 AM

WOOW NICE AND PARADISE NA PARADISE ANG DATING now not only Bora should be on the list and be known madami sa Mindanao mas eye cathching ang mga beach :banana:

Correct! Correct! Correct! :lol:

chevy_boy

November 12th, 2009, 01:30 AM

Ha? wala man 5 - Star tinayo sa GLAN! baka proposed pa lang! Malaki future ng GLAN! dapat maging TOURISM ZONE ang GUMASA! Good thing dina develop na ang area!

Kasi alam k patapos na yung structure, Dutch yung may-ari kaso di lang nag start yung operations...

Galing ako Busuanga nung Mon and Tue, maganda yung lugar pero naka punta na rin kasi ng Gumasa and sa island nila Rivera sa may Balut island.. ang masasabi ko lang, dapat i-develop na talaga ang Gumasa.. Sikat na ang GenSan sa mga tao dito sa Manila, maraming may gusto pumunta ng GenSan at considered as one of the tourist destinations na.. Karamihan din ng tao dito sa Manila di na takot sa Mindanao....

Madali lang makahatak ng tourist ang GenSan basta dapat maging aggressive ang local government sa promote ng city, more hotels and dapat ok yung accessibility ng mga tourist destinations na to from GenSan..

Dapat maglagay ang government ng shuttle from airport to downtown, like php 50 per head yung charge.... Kasi most tourist ngayon ay backpackers lang, so masyadong budgeted yung trip so dapat mag reach out din tayo sa kanila.... :banana:

Fahdingding

November 12th, 2009, 02:02 AM

Kasi alam k patapos na yung structure, Dutch yung may-ari kaso di lang nag start yung operations...

Galing ako Busuanga nung Mon and Tue, maganda yung lugar pero naka punta na rin kasi ng Gumasa and sa island nila Rivera sa may Balut island.. ang masasabi ko lang, dapat i-develop na talaga ang Gumasa.. Sikat na ang GenSan sa mga tao dito sa Manila, maraming may gusto pumunta ng GenSan at considered as one of the tourist destinations na.. Karamihan din ng tao dito sa Manila di na takot sa Mindanao....

Madali lang makahatak ng tourist ang GenSan basta dapat maging aggressive ang local government sa promote ng city, more hotels and dapat ok yung accessibility ng mga tourist destinations na to from GenSan..

Dapat maglagay ang government ng shuttle from airport to downtown, like php 50 per head yung charge.... Kasi most tourist ngayon ay backpackers lang, so masyadong budgeted yung trip so dapat mag reach out din tayo sa kanila.... :banana:

Nice IDEA Bro! Income pa yan sa City Government!

chevy_boy

November 12th, 2009, 03:24 AM

Nice IDEA Bro! Income pa yan sa City Government!

Yup at additional flights... three years ago 2 flights lang daily ang Gensan ngayon umaabot na ng 5 flights kapag friday and 4 flights sa ibang days... :banana:

Siguro in the next three years abot na ng 10 daily flights dito hehehe

demonoid724

November 12th, 2009, 07:51 AM

Hi guys... just dropping by.

nice to know na meron na rin kayong thread...
:banana:

hope someday maibalik na din ang direct flights from Iloilo to GenSan like PAL operated in the 90's, there are many students na nag-aaral dito that are from General Santos city/south cotabato and marami-rami din ang mga ilonggos diyan :)

Fahdingding

November 13th, 2009, 01:05 AM

Fahdingding

November 13th, 2009, 02:35 AM

Hale storms KCC this weekend

There’s really no stopping KCC Mall of GenSan in its series of moves to maintain its hold as GenSan’s #1 shopping destination.

Just recently it increased the frequency of featuring the performances of stand-up comedians, famous singers, and bands during weekends. KCC’s managers have also wisened up a bit by giving their shoppers preference in assigning FREE SEATS to these mini-concerts.

Case in point is the band HALE which performs on Sunday at the KCC Events and Convention Center. Check out the poster below and read the fine print at the bottom.

http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz52/fmdear/4096458891_786cfacf0b_b.jpg
"HALE'S poster for their KCC

The poster goes on to say that “for every single purchase of p300 at KCC Department Store“, a shopper can get a FREE TICKET PASS to the concert.

On a recent visit this wee, Bariles noticed that a booth was set up beside the Jollibee fastfoods on the lower ground floor to facilitate and give out the tickets to the Hale Concert. This is actually better than just offering the concert for FREE to anybody. With this set-up, their avid customers who actually do regular shopping will ultimately feel that they are being rewarded for their loyalty.

As for KCC Mall of GenSan, this clever move of tying up the concert with the amount of purchases will not only mean increased sales only during the concert day itself but all throughout the duration of the promotion.

Fahdingding

November 13th, 2009, 02:59 AM

GenSan Restaurants offering “Pacquiao-Cotto” Fight Live Telecasts (updated)

Four more days to go and it will be Sunday, November 15, 2009 (Philippine Time), the time most Filipinos here and around the world have been waiting for – the day when their modern-day sports hero will go for his 7th Title, the moment when the Pacquiao-Cotto fight (Firepower) takes centerstage with the promise of giving the whole boxing world a spectacle will never forget.

Not everyone can be in Las Vegas for the actual fight and so the rest of the world have to content themselves with watching it on Pay-per-view via cable or satellite.

Here in General Santos, some people who could afford it, pay an additional fee to Sky Cable to be given the chance to watch the Pacquiao-Cotto match at the comfort of their homes. On the other hand, as an alternative to that, a good number of GenSan restaurants, bars and cinemas will be showing it to their patrons and guests, for a fee of course.

To aid you in choosing the GenSan Restaurants, or Bars and other establishments offering “Pacquiao-Cotto” Live Telecasts, here are some of them:

Orange Bistro charges P150 for its Pacquiao-Cotto Live Pay-per-view, as its poster says below. For reservations, call 301-5555.

http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz52/fmdear/9-2.jpg
"Orange Bistro's Pacquiao-Cotto Fight Live Telecast Promo Poster"

Mr. Bigshots inside the NCCC Compound has two choices for its customers, P175 for its non-aircon venue and P200 if you want the air-conditioned comfort of its ICONS Bar. The ticket price is inclusive of an Ostrich Burger and Juice or Beer.

http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz52/fmdear/8-2.jpg
"Mr. BigShots different promo packages for their Pacquiao-Cotto Fight Live Telecast"

Babes Bar at the East Asia Royale Arcade charges P200 for its patrons who want a disco bar setting while watching Pacquiao slug it out with Cotto. Their poster below does not say if the price comes with a free drink though.

http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz52/fmdear/7-2.jpg
"Babes Bar at East Asia Royale Hotel Arcade's Pacquiao-Cotto PROMO"

Family Country Hotel and Convention Center offers Free-Flowing Coffee or Iced Tea and Heavy Snacks for only P300 for its Pacquiao-Cotto Fight Live Telecast inside its Executive Ballroom.

http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz52/fmdear/6-3.jpg
"Family Country Hotel and Convention Center's Pacquiao-Cotto Fight Live Telecast PROMO"

Tierra Montana Hotel, along the National Highway will hold its Pacquiao-Cotto Fight Live Telecast inside its newly-renovated and more spacious air-conditioned hall. Although its poster below doesn’t indicate it, they will charge P200 per patron, who will get a free bottle of softdrinks or beer.

http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz52/fmdear/5-2.jpg
"Tierra Montana Hotel, the newest kid on the block joins the "Pacquiao-Cotto" Fight Pay-per-view Promo"

Even Manny Pacquiao’s business establishments are joining the fray. Check these out!

JMix RestoBar located at the 2nd floor of their JMP2 Building at the corner of Aparente Avenue and Provido Village can only accommodate a few customers. This must be a pay-as-you-order type of promo.

http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz52/fmdear/3-5.jpg
"Manny Pacquiao's newly-opened Jmix Resto Bar at JMP2 Building in Aparente Avenue also offers live telecast of his fight against Cotto."

For his old neighborhood in Barangay Labangal, Manny Pacquiao’s PACMAN CONVENIENCE STORE only charges P100 for entry to the 2nd floor hall equipped with monobloc chairs. That’s good enough if you just live nearby.

http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz52/fmdear/3-5.jpg
"Pacman Convenience Store offers Pacquiao's old neighborhood friends a cheaper alternative at P100."

KCC Mall of GenSan Cinema offers the airconditioned comfort of their huge Events and Convention Center for only P100, according to their poster below.

http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz52/fmdear/2-11.jpg
"KCC Events and Convention Center is another cheap alternative to watching the LIVE TELECAST of the Pacquiao-Cotto Fight."

http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz52/fmdear/1-25.jpg
"Robinsons Movieworld's Ticket Price for the Pacquiao-Cotto Fight Pay-per-view is P250"

Now, to which of these GenSan Restaurants and other establishments offering “Pacquiao-Cotto” Fight Live Telecasts PROMOS would you go? More will be added here so check back often….

nj_than

November 13th, 2009, 03:29 AM

^^dami naman yan... ehhh sa tv nalang ako nanuod... free pa... pero nice ha marami na narin mag papanood dito palang sa gensan....

pusta tayo ky manny ako

buenos-Diaz

November 13th, 2009, 03:40 AM

nj_than

November 13th, 2009, 03:47 AM

^^ok naman ang robinson marami din nag punta at mag shopping magada ang lugar.. ang kcc di maubosan ng tao.. marami parin pumuponta.......at dami na din ng bukas na mga tindahan sa luob ng kcc...

Fahdingding

November 13th, 2009, 06:22 AM

Good Morning Gen San......Maayong Adlaw sa tanan sa Gen San....

Woow Pacman-Cotto Fever na ahh kahit dito sa Zamboanga papalabasin din to sa Sinehan ung Fight nila this Sunday........

Speaking of Malls jan sa Gen San Musta nman ung newly Open na Robinson?and which is better to shop GenSan owned KCC or Robinsons?

Personally, I would still prefer KCC kasi mas malaki at mas maraming shops! at nandun pa yung favorite shop ko: "BOOKSALE" :lol: at syempre mas malapit sa amin...

Mahal ang mga bilihin sa ROB although meron ding mga mura pero if di ka sosyal then ROB is not for you! hahahaha! at pag wala ka pera wag ka pumunta sa ROB kasi puro pagkainan lahat halos! Magugutom ka lang at mamamatay sa inggit sa ibang taong kumakain. :lol:
At maliit lang ang ROB 1 floor lang except ang department store...Konti lang din ang mga shops na pagpipilian although marami sa ROB na wala sa iba! Kelangan i expand ang mall to accommodate more spaces!

Pero GAISANO pa rin pinakamurang Mall sa GENSAN! balik lang nila cinema nila at dapat at par sa cinema ng ROB at KCC..

So ako, SM pa rin! :lol:

Fahdingding

November 13th, 2009, 06:26 AM

^^ok naman ang robinson marami din nag punta at mag shopping magada ang lugar.. ang kcc di maubosan ng tao.. marami parin pumuponta.......at dami na din ng bukas na mga tindahan sa luob ng kcc...

and to think di pa OPEN ang NorthWing at di pa lahat open stores sa Southwing! Hala! :lol: mas kusog ghapon ang KCC!

regjeex

November 13th, 2009, 11:29 AM

regjeex

November 13th, 2009, 11:30 AM

bisan og 3 hours lang ko sa KCC no pero sulit sad akong pag suroy suroy didto... sosyal pa tan awon ang KCC...ug daghan makita kaliwat kanan... hehehehhe

and to think di pa OPEN ang NorthWing at di pa lahat open stores sa Southwing! Hala! :lol: mas kusog ghapon ang KCC!

demonoid724

November 13th, 2009, 12:43 PM

for me, dili sosyal ang Rob oi... take a look at Rob Galleria... murag tyange man gani ang naa sa ground floor... hehehe mas nice pa man gani ang dept store sa SM compare mo sa Rob.. i went to Rob Manila.. mao ra gihapon pangit ang display sa dept store... comporme nalang kung separate ang branded/signature nga panaliton like levis na may sariling room... mas ogranize man gud ang SM... hehehe pero nice gihapon kay at least Rob is one of the biggest mall developer man sad sa PInas...

There's magic in SM na wala yata sa Rob. Parang Gaisano din kasi mag-manage ang Rob thats why they allow "tiangges". Also, Robinsons is now putting up malls in places na di pa napapasukan ng SM like Tacloban, Dumaguete para maka-una sila.

Sa ngayon, final na ba talaga ang site ng SM sa GenSan? Sana maka-update din kayo dito.

chevy_boy

November 13th, 2009, 03:16 PM

There's magic in SM na wala yata sa Rob. Parang Gaisano din kasi mag-manage ang Rob thats why they allow "tiangges". Also, Robinsons is now putting up malls in places na di pa napapasukan ng SM like Tacloban, Dumaguete para maka-una sila.

Sa ngayon, final na ba talaga ang site ng SM sa GenSan? Sana maka-update din kayo dito.

sa jobstreet hiring na sila ng architech kaya sure na talaga ang SM GenSan...

Fahdingding

November 13th, 2009, 04:06 PM

There's magic in SM na wala yata sa Rob. Parang Gaisano din kasi mag-manage ang Rob thats why they allow "tiangges". Also, Robinsons is now putting up malls in places na di pa napapasukan ng SM like Tacloban, Dumaguete para maka-una sila.

Sa ngayon, final na ba talaga ang site ng SM sa GenSan? Sana maka-update din kayo dito.

Yes! Final na final na ang site ng SM City GENSAN! demolished na lahat ng structures except and Dunkin Donut! Soon! mag groundbreaking na yan!

Fahdingding

November 13th, 2009, 04:09 PM

sa jobstreet hiring na sila ng architech kaya sure na talaga ang SM GenSan...

WOW! Sana maganda ang design ng SM City GENSAN parang sa Bacolod or BAGUIO! PALAFOX kaya? :lol:

Fahdingding

November 13th, 2009, 04:12 PM

bisan og 3 hours lang ko sa KCC no pero sulit sad akong pag suroy suroy didto... sosyal pa tan awon ang KCC...ug daghan makita kaliwat kanan... hehehehhe

Gamay jud ang ROB Gensan.. mas daghan choices ghapon sa KCC! Sumo ang ROB, wla malaagan ug kulang2x! :ohno:

Fahdingding

November 13th, 2009, 04:13 PM

busyjay

November 13th, 2009, 11:56 PM

Fahdingding

November 14th, 2009, 12:57 AM

uhmmmm, mas maganda ba ang SM ng Baguio? 'di ko pa kasi nabisita ang SM Baguio, but sa lahat ng mga napassukan kong SM, SM City Cebu nagustuhan ko, lalo na ang northwing nila... napakalaki and ganda talaga, sana ganoon din ang design ng SM dito genSan, ahihi

Yah! I forgot, the best din ang SM CEBU! :lol:

Fahdingding

November 14th, 2009, 01:02 AM

Alcantara-owned firm also eyes hydro-power plant project in Sarangani
by MindaNews
Friday, 13 November 2009 22:02

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews / November 13) – The Alcantara-led company that is developing a coal-fired power plant in Maasim, Sarangani also plans to put up mini hydro-power plants in two rivers in the province.

Conal Holdings Corp. said in a statement that it would be constructing a mini hydro-power plant along the Siguel River in the Maasim-General Santos City boundary, and has also looked at tapping the Kalaong River in Maitum, also in Sarangani.

Joseph C. Nocos, Conal Holdings vice president, said the company was in the final stages of a feasibility study of the 17-MW for a three-tiered hydro-power plant along Siguel River.

The river serves as boundary between this city and Maasim, a town in Sarangani where Conal Holdings planned to build the $450 million coal power plant project.

The company said the project was its response to popular clamor of tapping renewable sources for power generation, and after the World Wide Fund for Nature’s (WWF) called on the company to stop its coal plant project.

WWF was the latest to condemn the company's coal plant project, which was also being opposed by Greenpeace, the local Catholic Church and other local organizations.

Conal was also looking “into the possibility of building a hydro-power plant along Kalaong River in Maitum town,” also in Sarangani province, Nocos said. He said company estimates placed the river capacity to generate as much as 30-MW of electricity.

Conal Holdings was currently developing a 40-MW hydro power project along Bago River and another 12-MW hydro power plant along Carol-an River, both in Negros Occidental.

Conal Holdings is 60 percent owned by Alsons Corp and the rest by the Electricity Generating Public Co., Thailand’s biggest power producer.

Alsons Corp. is the family corporation of the Alcantara and Sons. Sarangani Governor Rene Miguel Dominguez’ mother is an Alcantara. (MindaNews).

Fahdingding

November 14th, 2009, 01:10 AM

GSC Junior Officials Top 16 Chosen

From my collegue Elmer Cequena’s blog, GenSanLand, is the list of the creme of the crop of high school students from General Santos City who made it to the TOP 16 List of candidates for the 2009 GSC Junior Officials.

This yearly search for the best and brightest among the young generals is undertaken by the local government of GenSan through the Youth Affairs and Development Office under the City Mayor’s Office, to enable them to immerse themselves in the different positions of elected government officials for a week. In short, for five working days, they will be “taking over” the duties and functions of the mayor, the vice mayor and the 12 city councilors.

http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz52/fmdear/1-26.jpg
"Last year's GSC Junior Officials taking oath with Mayor Jun Acharon"

Here is what GenSanLand has to say about the screenings:

After the rigorous competitive examination last October 7, 2009 and the interview held last October 16, 2009, we now came up with the results of the search for this year’s elite GSC Junior Officials. The final results were taken up by summing up the competitive examination (60%) and the interview (40%).

From a total of 110 applicants coming from the different high schools in the city, we shortlisted it to 30 after the competitive examination. After the interview phase, we again shortlisted it to 16 which is the same number of elected and ex-officio officials in the GSC local government. Congratulations!

Bariles was privileged to be part of the panel of interviewees and he was very much delighted with the quality of the applicants this year, especially in terms of being vocal in their ambition to effect change in their surroundings and in their communities. KUDOS TO THEM AND TO ALL THE WINNERS!

The TOP 16 Candidates to the Search for the 2009 General Santos City Junior Officials are:

1. Ava Clarisse B. Santander - Mindanao State University-CETD – 85.50%
2. Jessica Danielle G. Datoon – NDDU – IBED Espina Campus – 84.90%
3. Ron Salvador Facturan – Shalom Crest Wizard Academy – 83.30%
4. Peter Chrysologus C. Diaz – Mindanao State University-CETD – 83.10%
5. Justin S. Manching – NDDU – IBED Lagao Campus – 83.00%
6. Kamila Mae D. Gonzales – ND – Sienna College of GSC – 82.70%
7. Joanna Carla M. Estorninos – NDDU – IBED Lagao Campus – 82.40%
8. Fernnie M. Magalona – Mindanao State University-CETD – 82.00%
9. Shyn Marie S. Ebol – Mindanao State University-CETD – 81.87%
10. Jennifer Galia – Holy Trinity College of GSC – 81.50%
11. Kim Nyree l. Chiew – GS Hope Christian School – 81.40%
12. Danny L. Mianagua, Jr. – Labangal National High School – 81.30%
13. Richel N. Pedregosa – NDDU – IBED Lagao Campus – 81.10%
14. Sheena Amor Seneres – ND – Sienna College of GSC – 80.60%
15. Churchill John L. Tabuada – Labangal National High School – 80.40%
16. Hannah Gleenah D. Yumang- Holy Trinity College of GSC – 79.90%

The Mindanao State University-CETD lead the finalists with four students from the school making it, led by topnotcher Ava Clarisse Santander.

They are followed by NDDU-IBED Lagao Campus with three of its top students getting into the Magic 16.

Then, Sienna College of GSC, Holy Trinity College and Labangal National High School follow suit with two students each landing a slot in the elite group.

The rest, Shalom Crest Wizard Academy, Holy Trinity College, and Hope Christian School round up the remaining slots with one student each.

These students will then be voting among themselves who they believe is fit for the role of Junior Mayor, Junior Vice Mayor and the 14 Junior members of the City Council.

TRIVIA:

Past members of the GSC Junior Officials are: ABS-CBN Field Reporter Chat Ansagay; former ABS-CBN Feature Writer and Host Gwen Ebol

earlat

November 14th, 2009, 01:13 AM

Fahdingding

November 14th, 2009, 01:16 AM

^^ Nice talaga ang SM Baguio. It's very unique in comparison to other SM Malls in the country.. I didn't notice an AC in SM Baguio.. maybe because it's already cold there.. :D

para ding rice terraces ang structure ng SM Baguio! Unique din ang SM Bacolod!

Fahdingding

November 14th, 2009, 01:40 AM

Pacquiao's hometown puts up giant TV screen for local fans
by MindaNews
Friday, 13 November 2009 21:53

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews / November 13) – More than 6,000 residents here will have a chance to watch for free the live telecast of the highly-anticipated historic title fight on Sunday between this city’s favorite son Manny Pacquiao and Puerto Rican boxer Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas.

City Mayor Pedro Acharon Jr. said the local government will set up anew a giant screen inside the 6,000-capacity city gymnasium in Barangay Lagao to allow residents to witness live the Pacquiao-Cotto fight.

“We are doing this as support for Manny and as a break for the thousands of our residents here who have been supporting and rooting for him to win this fight,” the mayor said.

On Friday morning, the city government distributed at least 3,000 tickets for reserved seats at the city gymnasium through the city’s 26 barangay councils.

Avel Manansala, executive assistant of the city mayor’s office, said the city gymnasium will be opened to the public as early as 7:30 am on Sunday to allow those who intend to come to settle in early and also watch the undercard fights.

“Those who will not be able to get a seat inside the gym will still be able to watch the fight as we will be installing televisions outside,” he said.

Pacquiao, currently the reigning International Boxing Organization (IBO) world junior welterweight king, is mainly aiming a space in boxing’s history books with an unprecedented 7th world boxing title in as many weight divisions via Cotto’s World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight belt.

Most boxing analysts and oddsmakers have picked Pacquiao to dominate the slated 12-round title fight at the MGM Grand Arena.

Acharon, who had admitted to be a big fan of Pacquiao, said he again expects another convincing win from the lefty power puncher.

“We will all pray for him,” said the mayor, who is expected to watch the fight at gymnasium along South Cotabato 1st District Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio and other city officials.

Despite his past differences with Pacquiao, who lost his congressional bid against Rep. Custodio in the 2007 elections, Acharon said he remains supportive of the boxing sensation’s ring exploits.

“First, he’s from this city. Second, he is my wedding godson and third, he has been providing tremendous boost for the city’s image because his achievements and overwhelming popularity worldwide,” he said.

Pacquiao earlier transferred his official residence to Kiamba town in the neighboring Sarangani Province as part of his bid to seek the province’s lone congressional seat under his own local political party People’s Champ Movement.

“His change of residence is just a political move. The world knows that Pacquiao hails from General Santos City,” the mayor added. (Allen V. Estabillo / MindaNews)

earlat

November 14th, 2009, 02:10 AM

para ding rice terraces ang structure ng SM Baguio! Unique din ang SM Bacolod!

nice sad ang SM dinhi sa Cebu.. Especially the North Wing... :D

Fahdingding

November 14th, 2009, 02:28 AM

nice sad ang SM dinhi sa Cebu.. Especially the North Wing... :D

Yan ba yung bagong building ng SM Cebu? Pictures naman lat oh!

earlat

November 14th, 2009, 03:02 AM

Yan ba yung bagong building ng SM Cebu? Pictures naman lat oh!

^^ Yep, mao ni cya ang gi-construct recently. I'll take a picture/s sa SM ha when I have the chance to go there.. Coz medyo layo cya from my place.. Pero naay 2nd nga SM nga i-construct dinhi sa SRP banda... hehehe. :D

earlat

November 14th, 2009, 04:45 AM

Mapuno jud ni ang Thread sa Gensan ugma because of our Pride, Manny Pacquiao.. Feeling nko magka Thread 4 na ta.. hehehehe :D

busyjay

November 14th, 2009, 11:49 AM

maganda talaga ang northwing ng SM cebu... wajejeje

Fahdingding

November 14th, 2009, 12:24 PM

Mapuno jud ni ang Thread sa Gensan ugma because of our Pride, Manny Pacquiao.. Feeling nko magka Thread 4 na ta.. hehehehe :D

Hopefully, MANNY will win! If GOD wills! Let's pray for his victory!

Fahdingding

November 14th, 2009, 12:25 PM

^^ Yep, mao ni cya ang gi-construct recently. I'll take a picture/s sa SM ha when I have the chance to go there.. Coz medyo layo cya from my place.. Pero naay 2nd nga SM nga i-construct dinhi sa SRP banda... hehehe. :D

Kaya nga! 2nd SM na ang CEBU at Davao!

Fahdingding

November 14th, 2009, 12:27 PM

Iloilo City included in global business study

ILOILO City is included in the global business study of Doing Business in the Philippines Round Two covering 25 cities in the country, said Ma. Lourdes Sereno, executive director of the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) Policy Center.

The study is jointly undertaken by the AIM Policy Center, World Bank Group, and the International Finance Corp. in cooperation with the Australian and Canadian governments and the Local Implementation of National Competitiveness for Economic Growth (LINC-EG) project.

In the Philippine cities, the time motion business survey will cover three areas of indicators and business regulations such as starting a business, dealing with construction permits and registering property.

Sereno said for each of these indicator areas, the project will identify the existing good practices existing across the Philippine cities and recommend reforms based on other examples from within the Philippines and with the 183 economies worldwide measured by the doing Business project.

The report to be submitted after the May 2010 elections, will also measure the progress made since the December 2007 Round One study in 20 cities in the country.

The second study will focus on selected cities in Luzon namely Batangas, Caloocan, Las Piñas, Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Manila, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Parañaque, Pasay, Pasig, Quezon City, San Juan, Taguig and Valenzuela; cities in the Visayas such as Cebu, Iloilo, Lapu-lapu and Mandaue; and cities in Mindanao such Cagayan de Oro, Davao, General Santos and Zamboanga.

In Iloilo, the study will interview and get reactions of 12 businessmen respondents on the procedures of City Hall in dealing with the taxpayers and business. (LCP)

Fahdingding

November 14th, 2009, 12:31 PM

Apo Hiking's Danny Javier hired as mining strategist

APO Hiking Society's Danny Javier was said to have been hired by an international mining company as their strategist in a mining operation in General Santos City.

For this, environmentalist criticized the company for what they called a desperate move on the part of the mining giant to improve their image to the public.

In a press statement, Erwin B. Quinones of the Campaigns Paralegal Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center said Danny Javier's new job as "strategist" for Xtrata - Sagittarius Mines Incorporated (SMI) is ridiculous and desperate.

"Hiring Javier is a desperate move by Xtrata-SMI to sanitize its image in the face of widespread community opposition," said Quinones.

The Catholic Church, who have been resolute in its opposition to the project laughed off Xtrata-SMI's latest publicity stunt.

"Is this their way of showing us that they are responsible?" asked Fr. Romeo Catedral of the Social Action Center.

"Getting Javier will not erase the apprehension and anxiety felt by Indigenous and Rural Communities, much more stifle opposition," Catedral added.

Sr. Susan Bolanio said "Javier contradicts himself by saying that he is an environmentalist by heart and yet works as a strategist for a very environmentally destructive mining industry."

Bolanio is the spokesperson of Socsksargen CAN (Climate Action Now), an alliance of several organizations opposing the Xtrata-SMI Tampakan project and other extractive industries.

The environmentalists appealed to Javier whom they said is an environmentalist.

"We would like to send a message to Danny Javier, who is known for his being environmentalist through his songs, but also as a socially aware artist through his involvement in social issues, that his involvement in the SMI operation is a gross contradiction of what he has been espousing," Quinones said.

Quinones challenged Javier to hear the voices of the B'laans of Columbio belonging to La Bugal (unbreakable) Organization, whose thousands of members for the past decade have risked and lost their lives opposing the project.

"We invite Javier to also listen to the B'laans in the remote villages of Bong Mal, Barangay Kimlawis in Kiblawan, Davao del Sur who have recently come out in the open to denounce Xtrata-SMI's lies and deceit and vowed to oppose the company's presence in their area," Quinones added. (BOT)

Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on November 15, 2009.

Fahdingding

November 14th, 2009, 12:42 PM

Pacquiao's hometown puts up giant TV screen for local fans

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews / November 14) – More than 6,000 residents here will have a chance to watch for free the live telecast of the highly-anticipated historic title fight on Sunday between this city’s favorite son Manny Pacquiao and Puerto Rican boxer Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas.

City Mayor Pedro Acharon Jr. said the local government will set up anew a giant screen inside the 6,000-capacity city gymnasium in Barangay Lagao to allow residents to witness live the Pacquiao-Cotto fight.

“We are doing this as support for Manny and as a break for the thousands of our residents here who have been supporting and rooting for him to win this fight,” the mayor said.

On Friday morning, the city government distributed at least 3,000 tickets for reserved seats at the city gymnasium through the city’s 26 barangay councils.

Avel Manansala, executive assistant of the city mayor’s office, said the city gymnasium will be opened to the public as early as 7:30 am on Sunday to allow those who intend to come to settle in early and also watch the undercard fights.

“Those who will not be able to get a seat inside the gym will still be able to watch the fight as we will be installing televisions outside,” he said.

Pacquiao, currently the reigning International Boxing Organization (IBO) world junior welterweight king, is mainly aiming a space in boxing’s history books with an unprecedented 7th world boxing title in as many weight divisions via Cotto’s World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight belt.

Most boxing analysts and oddsmakers have picked Pacquiao to dominate the slated 12-round title fight at the MGM Grand Arena.

Acharon, who had admitted to be a big fan of Pacquiao, said he again expects another convincing win from the lefty power puncher.

“We will all pray for him,” said the mayor, who is expected to watch the fight at gymnasium along South Cotabato 1st District Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio and other city officials.

Despite his past differences with Pacquiao, who lost his congressional bid against Rep. Custodio in the 2007 elections, Acharon said he remains supportive of the boxing sensation’s ring exploits.

“First, he’s from this city. Second, he is my wedding godson and third, he has been providing tremendous boost for the city’s image because his achievements and overwhelming popularity worldwide,” he said.

Pacquiao earlier transferred his official residence to Kiamba town in the neighboring Sarangani Province as part of his bid to seek the province’s lone congressional seat under his own local political party People’s Champ Movement.

“His change of residence is just a political move. The world knows that Pacquiao hails from General Santos City,” the mayor added.

regjeex

November 14th, 2009, 12:50 PM

Keep on ruling GENSAN...

unsa man ning new thread ni maldita... hehehe

nj_than

November 15th, 2009, 06:01 AM

^^magandang gensan sa lahat...

marlowe_cano

November 15th, 2009, 06:53 AM

go MANNY! :cheer: :D :D :D

ritche

November 15th, 2009, 06:58 AM

Went all the way to the 12th...

nj_than

November 15th, 2009, 07:01 AM

^^panalo na c Pacquiao laban ky cotto... panalo na naman ang pilipinas.. wow... 12 round nanalo na c pacquiao...

ritche

November 15th, 2009, 07:10 AM

The referee had to stop although Cotto still wanted to fight. At GMA, the official carrier for the Philippines, the fight hasn't even started yet, but am watching it again now.

national guard

November 15th, 2009, 07:33 AM

I'M THE KING OF THE BOXING WORLD!!!
http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac138/nationalguard_ssc/manny3.jpg
CONGRATS GENSAN!!!

:applause::applause::applause::applause::applause::applause::applause::applause::applause::applause::applause::applause::applause::applause::applause:

concern

November 15th, 2009, 07:59 AM

Congrats the land of Manny Pacman. w/ 7 titles

808 state

November 15th, 2009, 10:04 AM

GenSan celebrates another win of hometown favorite (http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/11/15/09/gensan-celebrates-another-win-hometown-favorite)

General Santos City again erupted in celebration on Sunday after watching through live telecast its favorite son Manny Pacquiao notch another boxing win.

Fans inside General Santos City gym shouted each time Pacman landed a punch on Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto.

Many residents watched the fight at the gym even though rains fell earlier.

After the fight, many said they will be preparing another hero’s welcome for Pacquiao.

The same sentiment was shared by residents of Sarangani province where Pacquiao is set to run for congressman in the May 2010 elections. Report from Jay Dayupay, ABS-CBN General Santos City

Fahdingding

November 15th, 2009, 11:28 AM

CONGRATULATIONS Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, our new WBO Welterweight Champion! Wow! Record - breaking 7 Division Champion na si Manny (Flyweight, Super Bantamweight, Featherweight, Super Featherweight, Lightweight, Junior Welterweight and Welterweight)...

regjeex

November 15th, 2009, 12:34 PM

Congratssssss....

dark_knight_detectve

November 15th, 2009, 12:49 PM

congrats manny! you made all Filipinos proud of you. Gensan the city of boxing champions!

marlowe_cano

November 15th, 2009, 03:15 PM

^^

as pacman develops, gensan develops too! no doubt... ;) :applause:

ethan_dave

November 15th, 2009, 06:27 PM

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/4574/philstar.jpg

Beverage firm allots P1 billion for new Mindanao plant
(The Philippine Star) Updated November 16, 2009 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines - With the objective of providing high quality and affordable soft drink products and making it readily available in the Davao and General Santos region, Asiawide Refreshments Corp. recently earmarked close to P1 billion for the establishment of a new plant in the Mindanao region.

Gerardo Garcia, executive vice president and COO of Asiawide Refreshments Corp., the licensed bottler of RC Cola in the Philippines, said the company has put up a state-of-the-art bottling plant in Davao City to capture a wider range of consumers.

“We all know that one of the highest priced cola drinks is in Mindanao region,” said Garcia. “One of the goals in putting up a plant in the area is to be closer to the market we cater to. This way, we would be able to provide Davaoeños with a refreshing drink that they can easily afford,” he added.

Before RC Cola’s entry in Davao, most soft drinks brands in the area were priced even higher than in Metro Manila. But three months before ARC’s plant was set up in Davao, other cola brands began selling at a lower cost, or at least at par with current price in Manila.

According to Garcia, one of the biggest beneficiaries of the ARC plant in Davao is soft drinks dealers and distributors in the area. “Now, they can offer an alternative cola drink that the market can easily afford.”

RC Cola is not only more accessible but also draws more and more consumers to its cool, refreshing taste, he said, adding “Taste was one of the reasons why customers got enticed to try products that ARC offers. Before, people used to think that quality is proportionate to price, but not really. With RC Cola, you get the exact great taste you want in your cola without having to pay more for it.”

Once the ARC plant in Davao becomes fully operational, hopefully by the first quarter of 2010, the plant is seen to supply 100 percent of daily needs of people in General Santos and Davao. As part of ARC’s objective of making the new plant one of the company’s most modern facilities to date, the same will feature an electronic bottle inspection system and a date coder. A computerized and more efficient case packer will also be put in place.

Fahdingding

November 16th, 2009, 12:18 AM

^^

as pacman develops, gensan develops too! no doubt... ;) :applause:

Dami na namang pera ni Manny! For sure, part of that income would be invested here in GENSAN! :lol:

Unti - unti na dumadami ang mga bussinesses ng mga PAcquiaos dito sa GENSAN... Baka magising tayo someday, Business Empire na ni Manny ang GENSAN! :lol:

earlat

November 16th, 2009, 04:17 AM

Dami na namang pera ni Manny! For sure, part of that income would be invested here in GENSAN! :lol:

Unti - unti na dumadami ang mga bussinesses ng mga PAcquiaos dito sa GENSAN... Baka magising tayo someday, Business Empire na ni Manny ang GENSAN! :lol:

I'm smelling a grand and festive homecoming for the PACMAN.. :banana::banana:

A personal progress for Pacman spells a great progress for Gensan.. :D

nj_than

November 16th, 2009, 05:12 AM

^^mabuhay ka pacquiao.. mabuhay pilipinas at mabuhay gensan....

nj_than

November 16th, 2009, 05:36 AM

:banana::banana:

adeuksom

November 16th, 2009, 06:34 AM

Pacquiao earns 7th title in 7th class

First time in world boxing history!

Congratz GenSan,Saranngani and of course Mindanao for having Pacman in our island!:banana::banana::banana:

Taegon

November 16th, 2009, 10:21 AM

I'm smelling a grand and festive homecoming for the PACMAN.. :banana::banana:

A personal progress for Pacman spells a great progress for Gensan.. :D

With Pacman's wealth, I believe he can be a homegrown gigantic businessman if he will invest his money wisely to be one of Gensan's primemovers for rapid economic progression of the city. ^^

earlat

November 16th, 2009, 12:26 PM

With Pacman's wealth, I believe he can be a homegrown gigantic businessman if he will invest his money wisely to be one of Gensan's primemovers for rapid economic progression of the city. ^^

^^ No doubt he'll be richer.. And hopefully the community will benefit from it too.. :D Go Manny... :D

nj_than

November 16th, 2009, 12:48 PM

magandang gensan

earlat

November 16th, 2009, 08:19 PM

This is another good news.. Notre Dame of Dadiangas University got a 100% Passing rate in the recently concluded CPA Licensure Exam last October... Wohoo... Way to Go Notre Dame... Check the website: www.nddu.edu.ph :banana: :banana: :banana:

Fahdingding

November 17th, 2009, 12:55 AM

Fahdingding

November 17th, 2009, 12:57 AM

Generals whoop it up on Pacquiao win!

The generals had a field day yesterday with so many venues on where to watch the Pacquiao-Cotto fight live telecast to choose from. The luckiest and happiest of them though are those we were able to view it inside the airconditioned GenSan Gym for FREE, instead of having to wait for the Pacquiao-Cotto fight replay on GMA-TV 8 in the afternoon.

http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz52/fmdear/1-27.jpg

Sponsored again by the combined forces of the local government unit of General Santos City and the Congressional Office of the First District of South Cotabato, the Pacquiao-Cotto Fight Live Telecast at the gym gathered more than 10,000 cheering generals, the biggest crowd that a Pacquiao fight has amassed so far in the venue.

The GenSan Gym gates were opened to the public as early as 7:30am and 8,000 people immediately filled up Mindanao’s biggest airconditioned public enclosure. Two thousand more who couldn’t be accomodated inside had to make do with the television sets scattered on the lawn and at the gym lobby.

http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz52/fmdear/2-12.jpg

Joining them were Representative Darlene Antonino-Custodio, Mayor Jun Acharon and wife, Dr. Rose; and former Mayor Adelbert Antonino who sat at the lower box portion at the rear end of the gymnasium.

Bariles also noticed the presence of City Councilor Odjok Acharon and City Councilor Nepnep Natividad who came with her hubby, the former Councilor Chito Natividad in the same section.

There were four undercards before the main headliners and when it already lunch time when the Pacquiao-Cotto fight commenced. This did not dampen the enthusiasm of the Manny’s townmates and with every punch that he delivers, they collectively shout and cheer for him as if he could hear them and for every blow that he suffers, they all together flinch and feel his pain.

When it was evident that all the cards are stacked in Pacman’s favor and that the Pacquiao-Cotto fight is history in the making, no one inside the GenSan gym was sitting anymore.

Everybody was on their feet, cheering and yelling Manny’s name, clapping as if there was no tomorrow, beaming with pride at the thought that once again, their fellow general from the Tuna Capital has brought glory and honor to his beloved country – winning his 7th world title in his 7th weight division!

When it was all over, there was only one thing in most of the men’s minds at the gym – to watch the Pacquiao-Cotto replay video on GMA-8 GenSan which has began airing the delayed telecast of the fight.

A good number have began planning to visit the Maranao stalls at the Central Public Market and at the KCC Parking Area as soon as possible and check if there are available Pacquiao-Cotto replay videos (pirated of course) on DVD or CD’s for sale.

Kudos to the Task Force Champ for the orderly and peaceful conduct of the Live Telecast of the Pacquiao-Cotto Fight at the GenSan Gym. Headed by Chief of Staff of the City Mayor’s Office, Mr. Ernie Quisay, this group is now getting ready for the Grand Hero’s Welcome that will greet Manny Pacquiao when he returns soon to GenSan.

Fahdingding

November 17th, 2009, 01:29 AM

Pacman’s campaign fund over P500 M
BONG M. REBLANDO, Tempo

GENERAL SANTOS CITY —Boxing icon Manny “Pacman” Pacquaio will have over half a billion peso in campaign fund for his congressional bid in Sarangani, a source said.

Many would not believe it, especially the political opponents of Pacquiao in Sarangani, like businessman Roy Lopa Chiongbian, youngest son of the late Rep. James L. Chiongbian; Sarangani ex-Gov. Priscilla Chiongbia, and Gov. Migs Dominguez of the tycoon Alcantara Family.

But Jun Ramos, spokesman for Chiongbian and Dominguez, said that the two are not unfazed by the huge campaign kitty of Pacquiao, although they have reservations that the boxing champ would spend that much.

“Everyone knows that the wealth of the Chiongbian and Dominguez-Alcantara are more than doubles what Pacman has now. They would do their best to knock out Pacman, his would be second loss after he was beaten by Rep. Darlene Custodio in 2007 congressional seat in South Cotabato,” Ramos stressed.

“Pacman is so blessed he won’t even spend a penny from his earnings in boxing or commercial endorsements. He’s spectacular popularity would give him P.56 billion by endorsing 12 senators, vice-president and president in the 2010 polls at P40-million per endorsement,” the source said.

He revealed that Pacman did this when he endorsed former Gov. Chavit Singson for senator in the 2007 election and got a P40-million pay. Pacquiao gave the money to his friend Malungon (Sarangani) Mayor Reynaldo Constantino against incumbent Mayor Teody Padernilla.

Earlier, Pacquiao has pegged him campaign fund at P400-million to make sure that his popularity would be converted into votes on the day of election.

“Pacman changed his mind and raise his campaign kitty to at least half-billion to be very, very sure of winning the election. He is that obsessed to win a new battle in his life – an electoral fight against millionaires,” added the source.

nj_than

November 17th, 2009, 05:56 AM

^^ang yaman mo na pacquiao.. libre naman diyan..hehehe.. go pacquiao sa mapunta sa maayos ang pera mo...

nj_than

November 17th, 2009, 07:33 AM

SC_00

November 17th, 2009, 08:19 AM

pioneer night
http://img691.imageshack.us/img691/2947/372961939459d2329ff5.jpg (http://img691.imageshack.us/i/372961939459d2329ff5.jpg/)

pioneer morning
http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/2307/1452133336l.jpg (http://img268.imageshack.us/i/1452133336l.jpg/)

Napansin ko lang....

nag-iba ata ung landscape sa center island nang mag-umaga na, anung nagyari buong magdamag?
ha ha ha

linis ah.:)

Fahdingding

November 17th, 2009, 09:23 AM

Napansin ko lang....

nag-iba ata ung landscape sa center island nang mag-umaga na, anung nagyari buong magdamag?
ha ha ha

linis ah.:)

Old pix yung Morning Photo! latest yang evening pix! :lol:

chris_nigel

November 17th, 2009, 09:41 AM

I love GenSan

Fraulein

November 17th, 2009, 12:19 PM

I love GenSan

Kaya pumunta ka na! :)

earlat

November 17th, 2009, 02:17 PM

busyjay

November 17th, 2009, 02:27 PM

I love GenSan

bakit mo love ang GenSan? ahihihi

TheAvenger

November 17th, 2009, 02:50 PM

I returned to Gensan this afternoon and below were some photos in the city but I don't know the street names.

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy70/emmanuel_kristofer/Gensan/100_0954.jpg

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy70/emmanuel_kristofer/Gensan/100_0955.jpg

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy70/emmanuel_kristofer/Gensan/100_0956.jpg

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy70/emmanuel_kristofer/Gensan/100_0957.jpg

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy70/emmanuel_kristofer/Gensan/100_0958.jpg

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy70/emmanuel_kristofer/Gensan/100_0959.jpg

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy70/emmanuel_kristofer/Gensan/100_0960.jpg

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy70/emmanuel_kristofer/Gensan/100_0961.jpg

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy70/emmanuel_kristofer/Gensan/100_0962.jpg

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy70/emmanuel_kristofer/Gensan/100_0963.jpg

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy70/emmanuel_kristofer/Gensan/100_0964.jpg

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy70/emmanuel_kristofer/Gensan/100_0965.jpg

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy70/emmanuel_kristofer/Gensan/100_0966.jpg

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy70/emmanuel_kristofer/Gensan/100_0967.jpg

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy70/emmanuel_kristofer/Gensan/100_0968.jpg

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy70/emmanuel_kristofer/Gensan/100_0969.jpg

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy70/emmanuel_kristofer/Gensan/100_0970.jpg

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy70/emmanuel_kristofer/Gensan/100_0950.jpg
Apparently this is the house of Manny Pacquiao in Lagao.

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy70/emmanuel_kristofer/Gensan/100_0952.jpg

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy70/emmanuel_kristofer/Gensan/100_0953.jpg
Manny Pacquiao house in Lagao, Gensan.

Fahdingding

November 17th, 2009, 04:04 PM

Nice PIX!

Fahdingding

November 17th, 2009, 04:06 PM

The Winners of our 2nd Blogoversary “Ultimate Greeting Contest”

Dya-raaan!!! Hear ye! Hear ye!

http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz52/fmdear/1-28.gif

Bariles is finally releasing the names of the winners to this blog’s Second Blogoversary “Ultimate Greeting Contest”!

The response to the contest was to say the least, better than he ever expected. Compared to last year, there are more entries this time, the messages are better composed and conceptualized and more personal in nature.

To guide him in his judging, he was on the lookout for the responses which not only touched him and inspired him the most but he was also partial to those messages which were able to encapsulate the real essence of this blog’s existence for the past two years.

In the end, all of the greeters are winners and nobody will come out of this unrewarded…. thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and donors, all of whom have also been part of Bariles’ success and have contributed to GenSan News Online Mag’s transformation into becoming one of Mindanao’s and perhaps, of the country’s most well-received blogs.

Marami pong salamat sa lahat-lahat!

And now, the winners:

GRAND PRIZE WINNER:
One (1) Free Day Tour for two to Lake Sebu, inclusive of lunch at Punta Isla Lake Resort; zipline ride and trip to the Seven Falls. Roundtrip transfer starts from Koronadal City to Lake Sebu. Sponsor: Francis Sablon of Zion Travel and Tours, PLUS

One (1) EAT-ALL-YOU-CAN Buffet at Arnevel’s Restaurant; and,

One (1) Gift Certificate from THIRSTY Juices and Shakes, Robinsons GenSan (near Mercury Drug).

WINNER: Migz (Davao City)
PLATINUM WINNER 1:
One (1) Overnight Stay for Two with Complimentary Breakfast at Dolores Tropicana Resort Hotel, GenSan. Sponsor: Dolores Hotels and Resorts;

One (1) CD of Centerpoint Band’s First Album, “Paper Floors“.

One (1) Gift Certificate from Thirsty Fresh Juices and Shakes, Robinsons GenSan (near Mercury Drug).

WINNER: Robstroy (Cagayan de Oro)
PLATINUM WINNER 2:
One Overnight Stay for Two at Lemlunay Dive Resort, Tinoto, Maasim, Sarangani. Sponsor: Ms. Michelle Lopez-Solon of Go Sarangani Travel and Tours; plus,

One (1) Gift Certificate from THIRSTY Fresh Juices and Shakes, Robinsons GenSan (near Mercury Drugstore); and,

One (1) Token from ABS-CBN Socsksargen, through Station Manager Annie Solon.

WINNER: Joanna (GenSan)

GOLD PRIZE WINNERS:
One Free Slot each on a short course on either Photo Editing with Adobe Photoshop or Basic Web Design at ACLC College, courtesy of Atty. Rey and Maya Cartojano.

WINNER 1: Fahdingding (GenSan)
WINNER 2: Tolits (GenSan)
WINNER 3: Orman (GenSan)
SILVER PRIZES:
One (1) “Dinner for Two” at Grab-A-Crab Restaurant, Robinsons Place GenSan. Sponsored by Mr. Michael Wee, owner.

WINNER: Nice A (Thailand)
One (1) “Dinner for Two” at Giacominos Pizza, Robinsons Place GenSan. Sponsored by Ms. Aymie Bartolome, owner.

WINNER: Jinky (GenSan)
One (1) “Dinner for Two” at Sunset Bistro, Robinsons Place GenSan. Sponsored by Ms. Petit Veneracion of Sud-An Resto Grill.

WINNER: Raffy (Manila)
One (1) “Dinner for Two” at Orange Bistro, Lagao, National Highway, GenSan. Sponsored by Ms. Cathy Teng.

WINNER: Cheng Gonzales (GenSan)
One (1) “Dinner for Two” at Ranchero Grill GenSan or Davao, sponsored by Mr. Paolo Sunglao.

WINNER: Liezl Oberio (GenSan)
One (1) “Dinner for Two” at O-ohlang Native Grill and Seafoods Restaurant, NCCC Compound, NatL. Highway. Sponsored by Ms. Baby Ayon.

WINNER: Lyle Santos (Davao)
One (1) “Dinner for Two” at Gio Mongolian Grill, Tiongson Arcade, Tiongson Street, Lagao, GenSan. Sponsored by Allan Sanidad.

WINNER: Sheng (GenSan)
Two (2) “Eat-All-You-Can” Buffets at Arnevel’s Restaurant, National Highway, GenSan.

WINNER 1: Daxi (Koronadal)
WINNER 2: Psyche (GenSan)
One(1) Gift Certificate from Bread and Music Box Family KTV, sponsored by Ms. Armie Royeca.

WINNER: Elmerceq (GenSan)
Three (3) Gift Certificates from Kakanin, Atbp., thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Chito and Junith Bugayong.

WINNER: JM Lavega
WINNER: Bravo G
WINNER: Cidy (GenSan)
Two (2) Gift Certificate worth P250 from Fonti Coffee Shop-Robinsons.

WINNER 1: Leonard Pe (GenSan)
WINNER 2: Blogie Robillo (Davao)
Five (5) Toppings/Sizzler Meals at Junji Oriental Fusion, Robinsons Foodcourt, sponsored by Chimes Concept Events Management.

WINNER 1: Sonny C
WINNER 2: GenSanite (Cebu)
WINNER 3: Anyabelle (Davao)
WINNER 4: Sweet (Davao)
WINNER 5: Rammyboi
DIAMOND PRIZES:
One (1) CD each of Centerpoint Band’s First Album, “PAPER FLOORS”:

WINNER: Francis
WINNER: Aprille
WINNER: Lovelz
WINNER: Alexis
One (1) Bestseller from KnowRead-KnoWrite, from blog author Gilbert Tan.

WINNER: Ryann Elumba (Zamboanga)
One (1) Free Make-over Gift Certificate from Envy Me Salon, Robinsons, courtesy of Ms. Donna Mae Congson.

WINNER: TrisJa (GenSan)
One (1) Token from Gandaeversomuch.com of Mr. Orman Manansala.

WINNER: Dave (GenSan)
One (1) Token from Google Philippines, courtesy of Google Phils Consultant Aileen Apolo.

WINNER: Arlene (Iligan)

TITANIUM PRIZES:
Two (2) Free Domain Names from Jehzreel Laurente, of Jehzlau Concepts.

WINNER 1: Ragpalizer
WINNER 2: Dimple (GenSan)
Three (3) Free Premium Wordpress Themes from Ms. ChiQ Montes of WPThemeDesigner.Com.

Winner 1: IanSTAR (GenSan)
Winner 2: Faust (Davao)
Winner 3: Miah (Davao)
One (1) Free Domain Name and Free Hosting (One Year) , from GenSanSale.com and Nokiahost.com, of Job Oberio.

Winner: Danzoy (GenSan)
Hey wait! That is not all!
Ten (10) Tokens from GMA-8 Kapuso GenSan, through its manager Ms. Mariles Puentebella.

WINNERS: The First 10 Commenters on this Blog Post.

All the winners may claim their prizes starting on Thursday, November 19, 2009. Just visit Bariles at his office between 9am and 5pm. You know where it is.

For out-of-town winners, you may want them mailed to you or give them to your friends who are based here in GenSan. It’s your call.

Again, thanks for joining and CONGRATULATIONS!!!! MABUHAY tayong lahat! See you for the 3rd Blogoversary!!

Fahdingding

November 18th, 2009, 12:35 AM

Mining company wins best practices awards

GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- A mining company exploring for copper in south western Mindanao has again been bestowed awards for its best practices in community development and environmental initiatives.

Sagittarius Mines Inc. (SMI) received two awards from the government in ceremonies November 14 in Baguio City.

The awards Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Awards (PMIEA) and the Special award for the Best Mining Forest under the Mining Forest Program of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) are given yearly to deserving exploration and mining companies.

Horacio Ramos, director and head of the PMIEA secretariat and chair of the MFP national executive committee, said SMI won both the PMIEA and MFP awards this year in the exploration category.

The company, known in the mining industry for its environmental mitigation programs and various community development projects, has been consistently winning awards since it first launched exploration activities in the Tampakan Gold Copper Project.

The project is taunted to be the biggest copper deposit in southeast Asia.

Ramos said the awards were bestowed on SMI for its outstanding levels of dedication, initiatives and innovations in the pursuit of excellence in environmental, safety and health management and community development.

In winning the PMIEA award, SMI got 98.12 percent overall rating, bulk of which came from sound environmental practices notching 38.68 percent.

On the best mining forest (metallic, non-metallic and exploration category), SMI got a rating of 83 percent.

Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on November 18, 2009.

Fahdingding

November 18th, 2009, 01:53 AM

Top 10 Teachers Board Exam (LET) Result October 2009

Manila, Philippines. The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) has announced that 8,045 elementary teachers out of 43,086 examinees (19%), 26 Accelerated Teacher Education Program (A.T.E.P.) graduates out of 146 examinees (18%) and 10,792 secondary teachers out of 38,339 examinees (28%) successfully passed the October 2009 Licensure Examination for Teachers (L.E.T) given by the Board for Professional Teachers on October 4, 2009 in 23 testing centers all over the Philippines.

The successful examinees who garnered the ten (10) highest places in the Elementary Level are the following:

RANK | NAME | SCHOOL | RATING (%)

1 Jaylord Sampiano Losabia, University of San Agustin - 89.60
2 Carina Cabagua Ceñidoza, University of the Philippines-Diliman - 88.20
3 Michelle Mae Jugasan Olvido, Cebu Normal University - Cebu State College - 88.00
4 Peter John Delos Santos Magana, Mariano Marcos State University-Laoag-Coll. of Education - 87.20
5 Noemi Ruth Aguilar Asistio, University of the East-Manila - 87.00
. Julie Ann Papa Villa Carlos, Philippine Normal University-Manila - 87.00
6 Jinky Basmayor Batalla, Ateneo de Naga - 86.80
. Roxanne Tala Bongco, Bataan Polytechnic State College-Orani - 86.80
7 Zoila Mae Palmes Panes , West Visayas State University-La Paz - 86.60
8 Rachel Embile Bantola, UP-Diliman - 86.40%
9 Michael Bobias Cahapay, Mindanao State University-Gen. Santos City - 86.20
10 June April Diasanta Belonio, Sultan Kudarat Polytechnic State College-Tacurong - 86.00
. Ma Xerxa Doan Parreño Billones, Colegio de San Jose - 86.00%
. Vilma Alcala Hingpit, Central Visayas State C.A.F.T.-Bilar - 86.00
. Leizl Cagalawan Magallanes, Liceo de Cagayan University - 86.00
. Rainerio Baratas Malayas, University of Bohol - 86.00
. Dulcinea Maripaz Casuga Valenciano, UP-Diliman - 86.00

The successful examinees who garnered the ten (10) highest places in the Secondary Level are the following:

RANK | NAME | SCHOOL | RATING (%)

1 Vivian Dalida David, Ateneo De Manila University-Q.C - 91.20
2 May Ann Garo Santiago, University of the Philippines-Diliman - 90.80
3 Davy Manglicmot Gonzales, Palawan State University-Brooks Point- 90.40
4 Angelica Lopez Villafuerte, ADMU-QC - 90.20%
5 Marya Laya Cabatingan Delvo , Notre Dame of Dadiangas University - 89.80
. Sheryll Nafarrete Raquipiso, UP-Diliman - 89.80%
6 Rona Atutubo Despabiladeras, Bicol University-Legazpi - 89.40
7 Rachel Anne Dimayacyac Declaro, UE-Manila - 89.20%
. Cheryl Ann Calderon Reyes, University of San Carlos - 89.20
8 Russell Christian Obnamia Fernandez, Palawan State University-P. Princesa - 89.00
9 Xerox Nabua Acosta, ADMU-QC - 88.80%
. Elvira Calilung David, UP-Angeles City - 88.80
. Kenneth Arkin Pascual Galasinao, Saint Mary's University - 88.80
. Raymond Ceferino lll Toribio Meris, Palawan State University-P. Princesa - 88.80
. Fidelfo Jr Cabasa Moral, University of San Carlos - 88.80
10 Joyce Leah Martha Reyes Europa, UP-Diliman - 88.60
. Christine Leal Gapuz, UP-DIliman - 88.60%
. Arvin Sammy de Vera Rivo , University of Pangasinan - 88.60
. Marjorie Digman Ruiz, Philippine Normal University-Manila - 88.60

Congrats to all!!!
__________________
PRC BOARD EXAM RESULTS:
Teachers Board Exam (LET) Result October 2009 | November 2009 Nursing Board Exam (NLE) Result | LET Result October 2009 | NLE Result November 2009 | MidwiferyBoard Exam Result November 2009

nj_than

November 18th, 2009, 07:41 AM

Fahdingding

November 19th, 2009, 01:09 AM

Maasim coal power plant construction to begin 1st quarter 2010

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/18 November) -- An Alcantara-led power generation firm is negotiating with contractors to construct the 200-megawatt (MW) coal-fired power plant in nearby Maasim, Sarangani within the first quarter of 2010, Joseph Nocos, Conal Holdings Corporation vice president for business development, said. Nocos declined to name the contractors but hinted that internal funds may be utilized initially to keep the project right on track.
He added the firm will give a down payment for the winning contractor before construction starts at the end of the first quarter of 2010.

Conal Holdings is 60% owned by Filipino Conglomerate Alsons Corp and the rest held by the Electricity Generating Public Co. Ltd., Thailand’s largest power producer.

Outside of that corporate structure, Nocos said the company is negotiating to attract investors to the $450 million coal plant project.

Gregorio Gonzales, Conal Holdings power plant manager, earlier identified the prospective investors as Aboitiz Power Corp and Toyota Tsusho.

Last April, Environment Secretary Joselito Atienza, Jr. issued the company an environmental compliance certificate, giving the green light for Conal Holdings to push through with the project located in a world-class diving spot.

Environmentalist groups such as the World Wide Fund for Nature and Greenpeace and the local Catholic Church and other local organizations are opposing the project on concerns over human health and pollution.

Nocos explained that the power plant will make use of the latest in circulating fluidized bed technology.

“This will ensure that the sulfur dioxide and nitrous oxide emissions of the power station will be substantially below the limits prescribed by the Clean Air Act, guaranteeing that the operation of the plant will be clean and safe for the environment,” he said.

Gonzales said they would also set up a carbon sink by planting trees in 7,500 hectares to absorb the carbon dioxide emissions of the power plant.

The carbon sink will cost some $7.5 million, he said.

Among the trees identified for planting in idle or grassy portions of the town and neighboring areas are mango, rubber, coffee and forest trees.

Gonzales said that 4,000 farmers could benefit from the forestation project of Conal Holdings.

Sarangani Governor Miguel Dominguez’ family owns Conal Holdings. Conal stands for Conrado Alcantara, the governor’s grandfather. (MindaNews)

nj_than

November 20th, 2009, 08:18 AM

^^ang tahimik naman.. saan na kayo mga generals...

nj_than

November 20th, 2009, 09:23 AM

Sarah Geronimo’s “The Next One” Concert in GenSan!

In what was just hinted a few months back during the “Air Supply Live in GenSan Concert” is now final and definite.

Yes, Marcelino, the Pop Star Princess, Ms. Sarah Geronimo will be back in GenSan on December 11, 2009 at the GenSan Gym, in the last leg of her Philippine Concert Tour Series dubbed as “The Next One“.
Sarah Geronimos Poster

http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/4029/4115796535819a9538abo.jpg (http://img109.imageshack.us/i/4115796535819a9538abo.jpg/)

"Sarah Geronimo's Poster"

This is the second time that Sarah Geronimo is performing in GenSan. She and Mark Bautista were here over a year ago in a concert simply called “Sarah Geronimo Live in GenSan!”.

This time, in “The Next One“, not only will she be joined by perennial duet partner Mark but also by one of ABS-CBN’s prized talent and performer and host of the upcoming, “Pilipinas, You’ve Got Talent!” reality show, Mr. Billy Joe Crawford!
With Louie Ocampo at the directorial chair, expect nothing more than the best night you will ever have at the GenSan Gym. Ever.

Rounding up her list of guest performers is the Philippines R&B Prince, JR, together with Simon Wood and Jimmy Marquez!!

All these hottest singing sensations of the country in one roof, as the poster is saying. Indeed, and with very popular prices at P300, P750 and P1500, Bariles is pretty sure that this concert will break the record of Sarah’s first concert last year.

And why not? With Louie Ocampo at the directorial chair, expect nothing more than the best night you will ever have at the GenSan Gym. Ever.

“The Next One. Sarah Geronimo Philippine Tour 2009“ in General Santos City is made possible by the same man behind the “David Pomeranz“, “Side A” and “Air Supply” Concerts in GenSan, Mr. Michael Wee, through his Dreamwork Ventures Platinum Concert Series 2009.

He is partnered by Cebuana Lhullier, Jollibee, Sony Ericsson, Belo Essentials, Magnolia Fruit Drink, Skechers, Sunsilk, Vaseline, Ladies Choice, Careline and Charmee.

Local partners are the Local Government of GenSan, Grab A Crab Restaurant, Coffee Club 101, East Asia Royale Hotel, Giacomino’s, Gregoria Printing Press, New York Fries and Dips, Gaisano, Miso Hardware, Skycable and High Frequency Productions.

Tickets are available by calling the following #s (083) 554-5430, 301-0555, 0917-3639191, 0932-4344794.

Th Next One. Sarah Geronimo Phil Concert Series 2009.

Th Next One. Sarah Geronimo Phil Concert Series 2009.
And of course, a big concert in GenSan such as this won’t be complete without an accompanying BLOG CONTEST, right?

nj_than

November 20th, 2009, 09:29 AM

:banana::banana::banana::banana:

nj_than

November 20th, 2009, 09:30 AM

galing

[img=http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/4029/4115796535819a9538abo.jpg] (http://img109.imageshack.us/i/4115796535819a9538abo.jpg/)

regjeex

November 20th, 2009, 11:20 AM

Fahds, congrats... pa burger jan....:cheers:

Fahdingding

November 21st, 2009, 01:21 AM

Negros: Philippines’ retirement haven

Talisay City — The Philippines is forecasted to be a fast emerging haven for foreign retirees in Asia, which according to the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA), will be achieved in the next five years, with Negros Occidental as one potential site.

PRA chair Edgar Aglipay, who met with chief executives in the province Friday, said that it is the National Government’s thrust to invest in the retirement industry for “it will bring jobs and more profits.”
In fact, it will also boost the tourism industry, he said.

The Betty Bantug Benitez Foundation led by businessman Albee Benitez sponsored the PRA’s presentation with the local provincial officials who said that he will adopt the idea and will pilot it in the third district as part of his platform of government.

Benitez will run for congressman in the third district under the United Negros Alliance party (UNA).

Among the public officials present were Governor Isidro Zayco, Sagay City Mayor Alfredo Maranon Jr., board members Patrick Lacson and Manuel Frederick Ko, Talisay City Mayor Eric Saratan, Silay City Mayor Jose Montelibano and vice mayor Mark Golez, former sixth district representative Genaro Alvarez, Murcia vice mayor Joselino Santiago Sr., Negros Occidental police chief Manuel Felix, former Bacolod representaitve John Orola Jr., and E.B. Magalona vice mayor Reynaldo Depasucat Jr.

A flagship program of the Arroyo administration, Aglipay said “is actually, the industry is packaging the country’s tourism tied up with the retirement industry because this is what the retirees’ group wants; some sort of an entertainment, medical facility, good transportation and communication access and the kind of peace and order situation which is stable and safe.”

He cited Bacolod as a potential location, claiming the city has a sound economy, green environment and a peaceful locale.

The PRA’s Local Integrated Retirement Areas (LIRAs), Aglipay said, include Subic, Clark, Tagaytay, Baguio, Davao, Cebu and Manila.

In his presentation, Aglipay reported that by 2015, a total of 869.1 million retirees will go places and spend a living for a lifetime. He enumerated them as: Europe – 80.6 million, US – 64.4 million, Taiwan – 4.3 million, China – 258 million, Japan – 40.3 million and Korea – 8.9 million.

“It’s about 1/5th of the world’s population,” Aglipay said, citing that “this would mean business opportunity.”

Of said population, Aglipay said the country under RIP (Retirement Industry Program) is targeting to reach 5% of the European retirees, China – 35%, Korea – 25%, Japan and US – 10%.

“Our mandate is to target foreign retirees by bringing them here in the country that will provide investments and jobs for the Filipino people”, Aglipay said.

He cited that Filipinos who work abroad and are married to foreigners can be of big help by bringing foreigner-friends and their families into the country.

The PRA is now working closely with the property development sector to open possible business opportunities like investing in the retirement industry, Aglipay said.

He added the government is “aggressively promoting the country as a haven of foreign retirees.”

The PRA is a government agency whose function is on accrediting investors of the retirement industry with strict standards of accreditation requirements “specifically on project and facility accreditation”, Aglipay said.

Aglipay said PRA is targeting Iligan, Cagayan De Oro and General Santos, making them as havens for the “middle eastern retirees”.

At present, the country has 45 accredited facilities that cater to foreign retirees, which include recreation centers, residential villas, condo units, resorts, wellness and care homes, among others. (George M. de la Cruz)

Fahdingding

November 23rd, 2009, 02:29 AM

COMMENT: The Best Pacquiao Can Do, By Patricio P. Diaz
by Patricio P. Diaz/MindaNews
Sunday, 22 November 2009 14:48

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/21 November) -- The welcome world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao received last November 20 established an undisputable fact: Pacquiao is a national idol. That he can really unite the country is not a farfetched probability that Pacquiao himself can put to a test for a very noble end at this time of political and moral crisis besetting the Philippines.

For emphasis, Pacquaio’s latest triumph – his 12th round TKO of welterweight champion Miguel Cotto of Porto Rico -- convinced international media they can no longer ignore him. In 2006, international media ignored his first big win in the United States. Even his later triumphs apparently did not have much coverage. This time The New York Times wrote lengthy articles before and after his fight with Cotto. Other elite and prestigious newspapers and televisions in the world must have covered the fight.
How best can Pacquiao put to use his popularity to help deliver his country from political and moral crisis? If he can see this and turn the crisis around, he will be not only a national idol but a real national hero.

Pacquiao plans to run for congressman in Sarangani. By the latest reports, he is serious about it. But at this time, his chance of wresting from the dominance of the Chiongbians and Dominguezes the lone district of Sarangani looks very remote. Even if he does – despite seemingly insurmountable odds – what can he do as an obscure neophyte in Congress to turn the crisis around?

For anyone to do this task comparable to the cleaning of the mythical Aegean stable, he has to have the country united behind him. Once united, he has to keep it united as he leads it away from the crisis. Now, Pacquiao the boxing idol has that potential.

But Pacquaio the politician – as politics and all politicians do – will divide, not unite. In politics, winning is determined by political loyalty called bailiwick. Without bailiwicks, no candidate can win. That was how Pacquiao lost in his 2007 congressional bid against Rep. Darlene Antonino. His popularity and money were of no match to – failed shake the loyalty of -- the Anonino bailiwicks. The same odds await him in Sarangani.

So, Pacquaio can try to lead the country’s redemption from its political and moral crisis as a boxing idol, not as a politician. What can he do?

Organize, fund and lead a non-partisan political movement – calling it National Coalition for Good Government, or by whatever name. The Coalition will focus on national and political reforms. What will it do specifically?

First: Identify the political and moral ills at the root of the crisis.

Second: Emphasize that the dynastic traditional politicians have propagated these ills by immorally exploiting Filipino voters and manipulating the elections to perpetuate their grip of political and economic power.

Third: Emphasize that the only means to solve the crisis is through the Filipino voters by clean, honest and wise election offering them properly qualified candidates with high and unquestionable integrity to choose from.

Fourth: Emphasize the need to ingrain this only means in the consciousness of the Filipino voters; hence, the corollary need to educate them on the ills at the root of the crisis and on the only means to solve it.

Fifth: Emphasize to the voters to vote only for party or independent candidates having the proper qualifications and integrity and with platforms geared toward genuine social, economic and political development of the people and country conducive to political and moral uprightness.

Who will compose the Coalition? Invite non-partisan proponents of reforms, business organizations like the Makati Business Club, civic societies, and some non-government organizations (NGOs). They will institutionalize the Coalition, be it NCGG or by another name.

How will the Coalition instill in the voters the right consciousness and will to rid their country of the crisis? Starting with the 2010 election, the Coalition will campaign for change in how the voters conduct themselves during elections. While the parties, candidates and their leaders will tell voters whom to vote for, the Coalition will educate the voters on how to choose whom to vote for.

The Coalition can conduct small group meetings, workshops, symposiums, etc. It can circulate guidelines and other informative materials in print and through the media. The campaign to educate the voters will be as intense as the partisan campaign for votes.

When parties, candidates and their leaders know of change in the attitude, values and conduct of the voters, they will also change. They will stop exploiting the voters and making a mockery of the elections and manipulating them.

Can Pacquiao do this? If he makes the proper consultation for the movement, commit to fund it and assure to generate popular support with his popularity, he will breathe life into a long-frustrated dream – inspiring reform advocates in the academe, civic society, NGOs and business groups to coalesce for national political and moral redemption.

Millions of pesos will be needed to launch the movement – to organize nationwide and to set up mechanisms for the specific tasks of the movement. And more millions will be needed to sustain the operation. The funding may call for ten or even hundred millions.

But Pacquaio will probably spend that much should he run for congressman without making a national impact, whether he wins or loses. The reforms that the movement envisions will have historic national significance. Rid of the crisis, the Philippines will rise from underdevelopment to greater prosperity.

Should Pacquiao do the venture, his millions will only be seed money. The movement can draw fund support from business and other financial sources. A good cause never lacks backers -- donors and financiers.

What Pacquaio and the Coalition will essentially do is transform the voters into people power much like what the late Jaime Cardinal Sin and Corazon C. Aquino did at EDSA I -- Put Cory’s popularity to best use for the country. This, too, Pacquiao can do. And as Cory awed the world, so can Pacquiao.

The political and moral crisis of the country today is essentially similar to and as much a concern as the crisis under the Marcos dictatorship – the crisis bred by leaders and by leadership.

Will Pacquiao see and accept the challenge?

Will he use his popularity for personal glory or for national redemption? In his option lies the vast difference between a national idol and a national hero. [“Comment" is Mr. Patricio P. Diaz' column for MindaViews, the opinion section of MindaNews. Mr. Diaz is the recipient of a “Lifetime Achievement Award” from the Titus Brandsma for his "commitment to education and public information to Mindanawons as Journalist, Educator and Peace Advocate." You may e-mail your comments to patpdiaz@mindanews.com]

Fahdingding

November 23rd, 2009, 04:51 PM

:deadthrea , isn't it?
mingaw man gud! :gaah:

chris_nigel

November 23rd, 2009, 06:17 PM

bakit mo love ang GenSan? ahihihi

jan kasi dati tumira mga lolo at lola ko for quite sometime nung lumipat sila from antipolo...ang ganda ng lalo ngayon..ang lalapad ng kalsada maganda yan for future expansion and volume of trafffic unlike hire wala na space trapik pa:lol:

Fahdingding

November 24th, 2009, 01:20 AM

jan kasi dati tumira mga lolo at lola ko for quite sometime nung lumipat sila from antipolo...ang ganda ng lalo ngayon..ang lalapad ng kalsada maganda yan for future expansion and volume of trafffic unlike hire wala na space trapik pa:lol:

Many roads here in GENSAN are still eligible for expansion like:

4 lane National Highway - 6 lanes
2 Lane Quirino Ave. - 4 lanes
2 lane Laurel Ave. - 4 lanes
2 lane Quezon Ave. - 4 lanes
4 lanes Santiago Blvd. - 6 lanes
ano ba pa? :lol:

Fahdingding

November 24th, 2009, 01:24 AM

At least 30 dead in Maguindanao massacre

MANILA - Bodies of at least 30 kidnap victims, including the wife and relatives of Buluan town's vice mayor, were recovered by government troops in Ampatuan town in Maguindanao province Monday afternoon.

Map of Maguindanao province, showing the location of the capital town Shariff Aguak, and the municipalities of Ampatuan and Buluan. (ABS-CBN News Graphics)

The killings are the first reported violence related to the May 2010 polls, which are still 6 months away. Most of the victims are women. Some are members of the media.

In a phone interview with ABS-CBN News, Buluan Mayor Ibrahim "Jong" Mangudadatu confirmed that at least 30 bodies have been recovered as of Monday evening.

Earlier, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr. confirmed to the ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) that 13 female and 8 male bodies were found by members of the 601st Infrantry Brigade of the AFP around 4:30 p.m. Monday.

Buluan vice mayor Ismael "Toto" Mangudadatu told ANC that his wife, Jenalyn, his sister, and some relatives were on their way to file a certificate of candidacy on his behalf when a group of about 100 armed men abducted them.

Mangudadatu, who is running for governor of Maguindanao, said some 15 media men who went to cover the event were also seized.

The Mangudadatus believe the abduction was politically motivated. Madaser "Toy" Mangudadato, a member of regional legislative assembly of ARMM, told ANC that they sent their female relatives to file the certificate of candidacy for "Toto" in the hope that their political rivals would not harm them.

Toy said they were warned that if Toto will personally file his candidacy, he will be hurt.

The entourage left for the provincial capitol at around 9 a.m.. Toy said the group could not be contacted because the cellphones of those in the convoy were "blocked."

Toto said his wife called him at around 9:30 in the morning to say an armed group, supposedly of the Ampatuan clan, a political rival, flagged down their convoy on their way to Shariff Aguak town, where the election office of the province is located.

He said his wife's parting words over the phone was about the armed men slapping them around and commanding them to swallow the certificate of candidacy forms.

He told ANC it was the Ampatuans who beheaded and mutilated the bodies of his wife, his youngest sister, a lawyer, various relatives, supporters and other civilians, after robbing them.

ABS-CBN News has tried to reach the Ampatuans for comments but they could not be reached.

Family, political feud

The Mangundadatus were long-time allies of the Ampatuans, whose patriarch, Andal Ampatuan was re-elected governor of the province of Maguindanao in 2007.

Last year, the Mangudadatus went to Shariff Aguak to ask the senior Ampatuan to allow a member of the clan to vie for the gubernatorial post in 2010, according an abs-cbnNEWS.com/ Newsbreak's military source who is familiar with politics in the area.

According to the source, however, the Ampatuans were displeased because the Mangudadatus brought with them about 200 fully armed men. This, according to the source, contributed to growing animosity between the two camps.

Buluan Vice-Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu denied the Shariff Aguak incident during the ANC interview.

The senior Ampatuan wants one of his sons to succeed him as provincial governor, according to the abs-cbnNEWS.com/ Newsbreak source.

Sources in the military say Andal is known to control his own private army, which includes two CAFGU companies and a host of civilian volunteers.

Brawner said there were about 100 gunmen, most of whom were militiamen deputised as government guards by Ampatuan's family.

Brawner said the leader of the militiamen who staged the kidnapping was one of Ampatuan's sons. Ampatuan could not be reached for comment as of posting time.

Revenge killings and clashes among rival political families are common in Maguindanao and other parts of Mindanao island, where unlicensed firearms proliferate and parts of which are lawless.

Islamic militants on Mindanao have also been waging a separatist rebellion for decades.

(Read background on Maguindanao clan and political wars here and here.)

Toto Mangudadatu told ANC that he will proceed with his plans to run for governor next year. "No one can compel me not to run for governor. And I just want to state this in the presence of the people of the Republic of the Philippines, especially [those from] our province that I plan to run for governor to reform our province."

Election violence

In a radio interview, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo said, "Dapat malaman kaagad ng kapulisan natin kung sino ang may kagagawan nito, para maipakita rin natin sa publiko na hindi natin mapapalagpas ang ganitong karahasan."

She added that the incident should be a warning that security is a priority in areas where election-related violence are high.

Maj. Gen. Alfredo Cayton, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said it was the Philippine National Police (PNP) that was in charge of the security in the filing of the certificate of candidacy at the provincial capitol in Sharif Aguak town.

Cayton said they have sent a battalion of soldiers and 5 armored vehicles to help the PNP restore peace in the province.

Brawner said no arrest has been made yet.

Mangudadato convoy

In a phone interview with ANC, Toto Mangudadatu enumerated the following names as part of the group who accompanied the Mangudadatu family in filing Vice Mayor Mangudadatu's certificate of candidacy on his behalf:

Next of kin:
1. Eden Mangudadatu (Vice Mayor of Mangudadatu municipality and sister of Buluan Vice Mayor Toto Mangudadatu)
2. Jenalyn Tiamson-Mangudadatu (wife of Toto Mangudadatu)
3. Mamutabay Mangudadatu (aunt)
4. Rowena Mangudadatu
5. Farina Mangudadatu
6. Wahida Ali Kalim (civilian)
7. Faridah Sabdullah (aunt)
8. Zorayda Bernan (cousin)
9. Rayda Sapalon Abdul (cousin)
10. Pinky Balayman (cousin)
11. Ella Balayman (cousin)
12. Rahima Pyuto-Palawan (relative)

Staff:
13. Atty Cynthia Oquendo
14. Atty Connie Brizuela
15. Mr. Oquendo, father of Cynthia
16. Unto (driver)
17. Razul Daud (driver)
18. Eugene Demillo (driver)
19. Miriam Kalimbol (business supervisor)
20. Civic Edsa (driver)
21. Patrick Pamansang (driver)
22. Chito (driver)
23. Abdullah Haji Dolong (driver)

Media:
24. Ian Subang (Dadiangas Times)
25. Leah Dalmacio (Forum)
26. Gina dela Cruz (Today)
27. Marites Cablitas (Today)
28. Joy Duhay (UNTV)
29. Henry Araneta (DZRH)
30. Andy Teodoro (Mindanao Inquirer)
31. Neneng Montaño (formerly of RGMA)
32. Bong Reblando, Manila Bulletin
33. Victor Nuñez (UNTV)
34. Macmac Ariola (UNTV)
35. Jimmy Cabillo (UNTV)

Mangudadatu said he cannot account for 9 of the 44 who joined the convoy.

The total number of those who joined the convoy remained hazy with some accounts reporting up to a total of 65.

The number of media practitioners in the convoy is yet to be confirmed, too, with some accounts reporting up to 35 - with reports from Gemma Bagayaua-Mendoza of abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak, and AF

national guard

November 24th, 2009, 06:54 AM

ALTHOUGH THE TITLE OF THIS ARTICLE IS OBVIOUSLY FOR CEBU, TAKE NOTE OF WHAT MR. HANS T. SY SAID ABOUT SM GEN. SAN. ::)

SM offers to buy lot from Cebu city gov’t for next big project

Sy-led SM Prime Holdings, Inc. has submitted an unsolicited offer to develop part of the South Road Properties in Cebu City into what would be the listed mall developer’s next big-ticket project after the SM Mall of Asia.

SM Prime President Hans T. Sy said as much as P20 billion would be spent over the next 15 years to build a shopping, entertainment, and residential complex.

“We have officially made an offer [to acquire part of] the South Road Properties [last month]. Hopefully, everything goes well and we are quite confident [about it] because it is not a joint venture [project],” Mr. Sy said in an interview.

SM Prime, the country’s largest mall developer, offered to buy 28 hectares of the 240-hectare reclaimed lot for P11,000 per square meter or almost P3 billion, which Mr. Sy said was a “high price for a provincial standard.”

The site will host the group’s second mall and some residential projects. The plan is to transform the area into a smaller version of the Mall of Asia in Pasay.

“We are looking at the opportunity. You do not really get to see a big chunk of property within the city so we made an unsolicited proposal and we [had] to make sure it is a bid that we will surely get,” Mr. Sy said.

SM Prime will start development in the area as soon as the group acquires the 20-hectare portion, Mr. Sy said, adding that he hopes to secure the contract in January.

“We are looking at a 15-year development and the target is about P20 billion. It will have institutional components [like] schools as well as a residential component and a hotel and convention center on top of the shopping center,” Mr. Sy said.

The group will likely build the mall first, to be followed by the residential component five years later, he said. Should the residential project push through, this will be sister SM Development Corp.’s first venture in Cebu City and outside Metro Manila.

“That is the next big project [of SM Prime] although on top of that we also have General Santos already and we are acquiring some more [lands] in the Mindanao area. There is still a lot of opportunity,” he said.

SM Prime has one mall in the Cebu City, the largest mall in the area, the fourth-largest shopping mall in the country, and the 11th largest in the world.

SM City Cebu is the fourth mall of SM Prime and is the company’s first outlet outside Metro Manila.

From January to September, profits of SM Prime grew by 8% to P5.1 billion over the same period last year. It has 36 malls nationwide, making it the dominant player in the industry.

Shares in the company slipped by 0.10% or P0.10 to P9.90 per share yesterday. -- Kristine Jane R. Liu

BusinessWorld (http://www.bworldonline.com/main/content.php?id=2026)

earlat

November 24th, 2009, 10:46 AM

Fahdingding

November 24th, 2009, 11:37 AM

:ohno::ohno: Oh my God!!! Atty. Cynthia Oquendo was my teacher in Law.. (Negotiable Instruments) way back in college.. She's young pa... Oh my...

GRABE! :ohno:

I'm joining those who condemn the senseless massacre of media men, women and innocent people in Maguindanao. My prayers and sympathy to all the victims and their families! Curse be to all who committed this injustice and crime against humanity and GOD! NAKIKIRAMAY AKO!

nj_than

November 24th, 2009, 02:07 PM

GRABE! :ohno:

I'm joining those who condemn the senseless massacre of media men, women and innocent people in Maguindanao. My prayers and sympathy to all the victims and their families! Curse be to all who committed this injustice and crime against humanity and GOD! NAKIKIRAMAY AKO!

^^kawawa talaga ang mga tao na walang magandang rason para patayin... ang sama talaga sa gumawa wala talagang puso.. hahai...

earlat

November 24th, 2009, 03:43 PM

^^kawawa talaga ang mga tao na walang magandang rason para patayin... ang sama talaga sa gumawa wala talagang puso.. hahai...

^^ This is a senseless and mindless act... The victims didn't deserve this tragic fate.. The government should look closely on this and punish the perpetrators... :(

Fahdingding

November 25th, 2009, 01:15 AM

Guys! I saw a group of people yesterday taking pictures sa site ng MCDO at Microtel... Parang mga CHINESE sila...

Di kaya? :banana:

Good News! 2nd Branch of Chowking sa National Highway is set to OPEN na! :banana:

Fahdingding

November 25th, 2009, 01:17 AM

Local officials, Muslim elders in GenSan condemn Maguindanao massacre
by Allen V Estabillo/MindaNews
Tuesday, 24 November 2009 22:24

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/24 November) – Local officials and Muslim elders here strongly condemned Tuesday the brutal killing of journalists, members of the Mangudadatu family, and two female lawyers at the outskirts of Ampatuan town in Maguindanao province on Monday morning.

Police and the military have recovered 46 bodies as of Tuesday afternoon.

City Mayor Pedro Acharon Jr. said he was still shocked about the reported massacre that also claimed the lives of several print, radio and television journalists from this city and nearby Koronadal City.
“I condemn this act in the highest degree. I am calling on the national government, especially President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, to act decisively on this matter. They should show their concern to us here in Mindanao by solving this problem now,” he said.

About a hundred armed men reportedly held and later killed two women lawyers, over two dozen journalists and members of the Mangudadatu family who were on their way to file the certificate of candidacy for Maguindanao governor of Buluan Vice Mayor Ismael Mangudadatu at the Commission on Elections provincial office in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao.

The suspects, who were tagged as hired thugs of the Ampatuan family, initially stopped a convoy of six vehicles carrying the group upon reaching Barangay Saniag in Ampatuan, Maguindanao at around 9:00 a.m. and brought them at gunpoint to Barangay Malating, a mountain village around 10 kilometers from the national highway.

Acharon said he could not think of any reason why it happened to the journalists “who were just there for their story and were just doing their job.”

Rajahmuda Alimudin Hassan, a leader of the council of elders of General Santos City’s Muslim community and of the Sogoda Buayan Royal House, said it was hard for them to accept what happened and also could not find any justification for such inhuman act.

“This is un-Islamic and clearly perpetrated by people who were not in their right minds,” said Hassan, who is also executive assistant for cultural community affairs of the city government.

Hassan said the mayor initially directed him to closely monitor the incident and provide some assistance to the victims’ families.

As of Tuesday afternoon, police and army officials leading the retrieval of the victims’ remains confirmed that at least 46 bodies had been found at the vicinity of barangays Salman and Malating in Ampatuan town.

Lt. Col. Jonathan Ponce, spokesperson of the Army’s Sixth Infantry Division, said among those confirmed killed was Vice Mayor Mangudadatu’s wife Jenalyn, his sister-in-law and currently Mangudadatu town Vice Mayor Eden, their youngest sister Bai Farina and his cousins Zorayda Bernan, Raida Sapalon and Rowena Ante Mangudadatu.

He said the retrieval team also found the bullet-riddled bodies of lawyers Connie Brizuela and Cynthia Oquendo, Cynthia’s father Francisco and journalists Alejandro “Bong” Reblando of Manila Bulletin, Victor Nunez and Ronnie Perante of UNTV, Henry Araneta of DZRH, Bart Maravilla of Bombo Radyo Koronadal as well as freelancers Maritess Cablitas, Marife Montano, Rey Merescon and Jun Legarta.

“We’re bracing for the worst. There were still some missing persons whom we have to account so I think the number of casualties may still increase as we continue with the retrieval operations,” he said in a telephone interview.

Acharon said that aside from those already identified, he said they were still waiting for updates on the fate of local journalists Leah Dalmacio, Ian Subang, Jimmy Cabillo, Neneng Montano and Gina dela Cruz.

“Let’s just hope and pray that they were spared,” he said.

As security precaution, Acharon said he has directed the Philippine Army-led joint Task Force GenSan to strictly enforce the ban on carrying of firearms by politicians from neighboring areas who would be passing by the city.

Hassan said he has also met with local Muslim elders to help prevent the incident in Maguindanao to spill over to the area.

“Both families (Ampatuan and Mangudadatu) have relatives here and they assured that they will not make any move that will worsen the situation,” he added. (Allen V. Estabillo/MindaNews)

Fahdingding

November 25th, 2009, 01:23 AM

Another "DAGGER in the heart of MINDANAO!" :ohno:

buenos-Diaz

November 25th, 2009, 04:16 AM

pioneer night
http://img691.imageshack.us/img691/2947/372961939459d2329ff5.jpg (http://img691.imageshack.us/i/372961939459d2329ff5.jpg/)

pioneer morning
http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/2307/1452133336l.jpg (http://img268.imageshack.us/i/1452133336l.jpg/)

Good Morning Gen San......

woow laki na ng pinagbago ng Gen San wat i like sa Gen San is the Road ang lapad and linis....Kudos to the Mayor

buenos-Diaz

November 25th, 2009, 04:17 AM

regjeex

November 25th, 2009, 06:21 AM

how far Gensan to Maguindanao?

Pagadianongyud

November 25th, 2009, 07:24 AM

nice pala nang road talaga nang gensan... ARIBA GENSAN...

nj_than

November 25th, 2009, 07:27 AM

^^unti2x na gumaganda ngayon ang gensan.... sa susunod na taon.. mas na ang kagandahan ng gensan at buong soccsargen...

nj_than

November 25th, 2009, 07:29 AM

how far Gensan to Maguindanao?

^^parang 3hours lang ang biyahi gensan to maguindanao

Fahdingding

November 25th, 2009, 09:40 AM

^^parang 3hours lang ang biyahi gensan to maguindanao

2 1/2 hours lang!

Fahdingding

November 25th, 2009, 09:44 AM

Manny Pacquiao P5 Million International Darts Classic gathers world-class players in GenSan

Now that he is back in Gensan and Sarangani province, Manny Pacquiao in partnership with the National Darts Federation of the Philippines (NDFP) and the local government of General Santos City, is sponsoring the biggest dart tournament in the history of Philippine darts the- Manny Pacquiao P5 Million International Darts Classic on November 27-30, 2009 at the air-conditioned GenSan Gymnasium in Barangay Lagao.

For its inception this year, Manny is giving out a record cash prize of five (5) million pesos. This is quite historical and a record-breaking number for Phillipine darts and a very attractive come-on for darters all around the globe.

http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz52/fmdear/1-29.jpg
The 5 Million MP International Dart Classic

According the the organizer’s website:

Manny believes the Filipino darters are competent players that can make a name in the International dart scene with the proper support, encouragement and exposure. True to his words, the record cash prize of five million pesos is more than an encouragement but a motivation to strive for excellence. His tournaments since last year has been an inspiration to darters starting with the P300,000 Pacman I and II Series of 2008 culminating in the unprecedented Manny Pacquiao 2 Million Darts Classic in December of 2008. This year started with the support to the USA based Filipino darters with the $30,000 Pacmania I and the $100,000 Pacmania II while training in the USA. These were followed by the P300,000 in Malungon, Sarangani and the P300,000 in Alabel, Sarangani tournaments in the last few months.

The same release continued that “the level of competition will be extraordinarily high” with more foreign players and a “vastly improved” pool of local dart players. Consider these events and their corresponding prizes:

The Open Singles event has a total cash prize of 2M with the champion winning P700,000.
Up for grabs in the Fix Four-Person Team event is P800,000 total cash prize with P300,000 going to the champion.
The Fix Doubles will carry P500,000 in total prizes and the champions pocketing P120,000.
On tap for the Classified Draw events are the Doubles with P500,000, Triples with 501,000 and the Four -Person with P500,000 (new event). The Free-Registration Youth Singles P20,000 and another new event the Non-Classified , no ranking points Seniors Singles P29,000 and the P150,000 Ladies Singles. The cash prizes for most of the non-singles events goes up to the top 128 players.
Here is the schedule of the Manny Pacquiao P5 Million International Dart Classic events:

http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz52/fmdear/2-13.jpg

See you at the gym then!

earlat

November 25th, 2009, 12:05 PM

2 1/2 hours lang!

^^ So mas malapit pala cya compared to Davao?? Or the same lang..

earlat

November 25th, 2009, 12:08 PM

^^unti2x na gumaganda ngayon ang gensan.... sa susunod na taon.. mas na ang kagandahan ng gensan at buong soccsargen...

^^ basta wala lang jud threat sa Peace and Order aarangkada ang whole Mindanao and most especially ang Gensan.. :banana:

marlowe_cano

November 25th, 2009, 12:11 PM

sunod-sunod pa yan ag paglambo ni mr.gensan. for sure jud na... coming right up, SM GenSan.... wow!!! kainggit na jud.. hehe :banana:

earlat

November 25th, 2009, 06:11 PM

sunod-sunod pa yan ag paglambo ni mr.gensan. for sure jud na... coming right up, SM GenSan.... wow!!! kainggit na jud.. hehe :banana:

^^ Businessmen should look at Gensan's potentials jud.. Nice weather (typhoon-free), sufficient labor pool, improving infrastructure.. Which are crucial for a good business environment.. :D

Fahdingding

November 26th, 2009, 01:13 AM

^^ So mas malapit pala cya compared to Davao?? Or the same lang..

OO! If we mean Shariff Aguak in Maguindanao (the capital), mas malapit tlaga xa compared sa DAVAO!

Fahdingding

November 26th, 2009, 01:17 AM

^^ Businessmen should look at Gensan's potentials jud.. Nice weather (typhoon-free), sufficient labor pool, improving infrastructure.. Which are crucial for a good business environment.. :D

Tumpak! :lol:

Fahdingding

November 26th, 2009, 10:17 AM

regjeex

November 26th, 2009, 11:23 AM

mercurious guy_21

November 26th, 2009, 12:24 PM

Been to the malls of GENSAN Today...

As usual, mas marami pa rin tao sa KCC Mall of GENSAN...
Pero I was shocked na konti lang masyado tao sa ROB kanina and to think, mas madami pa tao sa GAISANO...

My impression: Although di pa lahat open stores sa ROB, may something kulang talaga sa ROB at para sa akin walang excitement factor!
If I were SM, I would really capitalize on the shortcomings of ROB GENSAN... for sure pupunoan ng SM ang pagkukulang ng ROB...

And gud job KCC - our very own!

Opinion lang po! Walang magagalit!

tama ka fahd mahal jud diha mashocked ka sa price may malaking diffrence jud
i dnt know if mag click and robinsons if they will not be giving a fair fight im proud sa KCC wa jud cila palupig sa bagong salta. i my self would prefer KCC spacious, complete and affordable pa..

i have worked in SM iba ang SM the price are not that expensive and we cant deny na may pangalan ang company and im waiting for there banner and of course the perspective.. di ba mas ok SOON TO RISE HERE SM CITY GENERAL SANTOS WOW! im sure pipilahan ito ng lahat sa opening day mag bumber to bumber ang Santiago boulevard and things will NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN for the generals....

at pahabol magaganda talaga ang mga kinukuha sa SM dami na namang vitamins sa mata hehehe lalo na sa Watsons but mas maganda pag di lng brains but a woman with amiable personality

earlat

November 26th, 2009, 01:00 PM

tama ka fahd mahal jud diha mashocked ka sa price may malaking diffrence jud
i dnt know if mag click and robinsons if they will not be giving a fair fight im proud sa KCC wa jud cila palupig sa bagong salta. i my self would prefer KCC spacious, complete and affordable pa..

i have worked in SM iba ang SM the price are not that expensive and we cant deny na may pangalan ang company and im waiting for there banner and of course the perspective.. di ba mas ok SOON TO RISE HERE SM CITY GENERAL SANTOS WOW! im sure pipilahan ito ng lahat sa opening day mag bumber to bumber ang Santiago boulevard and things will NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN for the generals....

at pahabol magaganda talaga ang mga kinukuha sa SM dami na namang vitamins sa mata hehehe lalo na sa Watsons but mas maganda pag di lng brains but a woman with amiable personality

^^ One thing I like about SM is yung Watsons na label.. :D Feel Good store kasi cya..

Fahdingding

November 27th, 2009, 02:07 AM

Fahdingding

November 27th, 2009, 02:34 AM

we'll see in the few months once this other tenants opened. Tapos mahal sad ang uban diha compare nimo ang sa KCC nga mao ra man ug quality like shirts nga pareha ra sa Rob.. so, didto jud mo palit sa barato ang mga tao.... hehehehe

Naka adto naman sad ko sa Gmall Gensan ang KCC... daghan sad tao sa Gmall pero mas daghan jud tao sa KCC.. tapos daku sad...

^^ One thing I like about SM is yung Watsons na label.. :D Feel Good store kasi cya..

tama ka fahd mahal jud diha mashocked ka sa price may malaking diffrence jud
i dnt know if mag click and robinsons if they will not be giving a fair fight im proud sa KCC wa jud cila palupig sa bagong salta. i my self would prefer KCC spacious, complete and affordable pa..

i have worked in SM iba ang SM the price are not that expensive and we cant deny na may pangalan ang company and im waiting for there banner and of course the perspective.. di ba mas ok SOON TO RISE HERE SM CITY GENERAL SANTOS WOW! im sure pipilahan ito ng lahat sa opening day mag bumber to bumber ang Santiago boulevard and things will NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN for the generals....

at pahabol magaganda talaga ang mga kinukuha sa SM dami na namang vitamins sa mata hehehe lalo na sa Watsons but mas maganda pag di lng brains but a woman with amiable personality

TUMPAK! Can't wait for SM! ika nga nila Here at SM - "WE GOT IT ALL FOR YOU!"

nj_than

November 27th, 2009, 07:17 AM

^^sa tingin ko mas bubuga pa ang robinson gensan pag mg sale cla..hehehe.. mahal talaga mga bilihin.. akala ko mauubosan ng tao ang gaisano.. ehh dame din pala tao... di rin ng papahuli ang gaisano.. kailangan lang pagandahin pa ang mall.. kcc ang hari na mall dito sa gensan... bz pari cla tingnan..

busyjay

November 27th, 2009, 08:31 AM

ang maganda sa gaisano kahit wala masyadong pakulo tulad ng kcc, pinupuntahan pa rin ng tao... eh, parang wala lang sa kanila (gaisano) na dumating ang robinsons. hehehe

nj_than

November 27th, 2009, 09:47 AM

^^ un gna.. mura kc sa gaisano,, kaya di maubosan ng customer

Fahdingding

November 27th, 2009, 10:20 AM

ang maganda sa gaisano kahit wala masyadong pakulo tulad ng kcc, pinupuntahan pa rin ng tao... eh, parang wala lang sa kanila (gaisano) na dumating ang robinsons. hehehe

GAISANO is the undisputed "CHEAPEST" Shopping Destination in GENSAN...
Kaya madami pa rin mga PAROKYANO pumupunta!:)
I Guess, ROB ngaun ang ma pepwersa mag adjust, lalo na pagdumating na ang SM...
Inaayos ba CINEMA ng GAISANO? May alam ba kayo?

earlat

November 27th, 2009, 08:27 PM

GAISANO is the undisputed "CHEAPEST" Shopping Destination in GENSAN...
Kaya madami pa rin mga PAROKYANO pumupunta!:)
I Guess, ROB ngaun ang ma pepwersa mag adjust, lalo na pagdumating na ang SM...
Inaayos ba CINEMA ng GAISANO? May alam ba kayo?

^^ I remember the days when Fitmart and Gaisano lang ang natira sa Gensan. When we used to go to SM Davao to shop.. Speaking of Fitmart Gensan, musta na man sila? Any news of expansion? :):)

Fahdingding

November 28th, 2009, 09:38 AM

^^ I remember the days when Fitmart and Gaisano lang ang natira sa Gensan. When we used to go to SM Davao to shop.. Speaking of Fitmart Gensan, musta na man sila? Any news of expansion? :):)

Wa man! Puro lang rumor pero wala ghapon! :lol:

busyjay

November 29th, 2009, 01:10 AM

uhmmm, kamusta na po ang Pasko sa GenSan? me schedule of activities na ba? sana me makapagpost dito.. whew...

Fahdingding

November 29th, 2009, 01:35 AM

uhmmm, kamusta na po ang Pasko sa GenSan? me schedule of activities na ba? sana me makapagpost dito.. whew...

haven't gone yet to OVAL PLAZA! mamaya on my way to MSU..baka may makita ako! :bash:

Fahdingding

November 29th, 2009, 01:39 AM

Nov 29, 2009
Quake shakes Philippines

MANILA - A STRONG 6.0-magnitude quake hit south of the southern Philippine island of Mindanao early on Sunday, the US Geological Survey said, but there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

The quake struck at 2.10am (1810 GMT, 2.10am Singapore time) and was centred 161km east-south-east of the Mindanao city of General Santos at a depth of 74km, the USGS said.

The Hong Kong Observatory estimated the earthquake at 6.0 on the Richter scale.

The Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre did not issue any tsunami warning.

The archipelago nation sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire where continental plates meet, causing frequent seismic and volcanic activity. -- AFP

Blueleo

November 29th, 2009, 03:56 AM

Malapit ba sa fault line ang GenSan ? madalas ko nababasa na may earthquake sa area jan. :ohno:

Blueleo

November 29th, 2009, 03:58 AM

Sana. walang damage sa GenSan. We cant afford another natural disasters anymore in our country. Tama na po. Good Morning GenSan. :)

busyjay

November 29th, 2009, 04:10 AM

uhmmm, wala namang nareport na damage so far, and i guess wala talaga (sana). :)

buenos-Diaz

November 29th, 2009, 05:15 AM

Been to the MOSQUE to pray and celebrate "EID'L ADHA" (Feast of Sacrifice)...
May mga nakita ako mga constructions sa:

1. 2 Storey Commercial Building - At the back of FITMART!
2. 2 Storey Building near the BULAONG Terminal...

Unsa pa ba?

HAPPY EID'L AHDA to all

^^Fahdingding u mean ur a muslim?right Happy Hariray eidil Adha to you and to all gen San people.......well musta naman yung Celebration jan?

well tuloy tuloy na tlga ung Progress jan ahhh:banana:

earlat

November 29th, 2009, 07:36 AM

^^sige na lang lagi lindol dinha sa Gensan.. Last time I was there last year (around December) kay n ag lindol sad... :(

regjeex

November 29th, 2009, 08:01 AM

Good morning Gensan og lat... hahaha morning lat... hahaha mahikurat jud ko sa imong user lat ambot ngano.. :rofl:

Fahdingding

November 29th, 2009, 12:09 PM

Chowking Highway GenSan opens, adapts new concept!

Your humble servant Bariles was privileged to attend the inauguration of the 2nd Chowking outlet in GenSan earlier this week and assist Atty. Paolo Acharon, Executive Assistant II to the City Mayor in cutting the ribbon during the opening ceremonies.

http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz52/fmdear/1-30.jpg
"That's Bariles assisting Mrs. Susan Yap and Atty.Paolo Acharon at the ribbon-cutting

http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz52/fmdear/2-14.jpg

Although a spur-of-the-moment thing since the mayor couldn’t make it, Bariles made sure he’d be the first to take shots of this newest Chinese Fastfood restaurant in General Santos City, one of the establishments he has been most excited about since he blogged about it in an EARLIER POST.

Chowking (whose branch in GenSan is right across Jollibee higway) pioneered the quick-service restaurant concept in the Philippines, combinining the best of western fast-food service and delicious taste of Chinese food in Oriental restaurants.

From his good friend, Emily Pulido, Chowking regional supervisor, Bariles found out that Chowking Highway GenSan is their 397th branch and is just their second outlet which has adapted the new Generation 5 concept and look. You will readily notice the change when you get inside through the main doors.

http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz52/fmdear/3-6.jpg
"There are now only 2 cashier stations to service the whole store and above them is the more attractive and less-cluttered menu board."

Instead of the usual long counter where one orders and pays for his meals, Chowking Highway GenSan boasts of two separate cashier stations beside the main doors and above them are more attractive and less-cluttered menu poster boards. Cool huh?

The store also separated its halo-halo corner and gave it its own prominent table and space, being one of its bestsellers not only here in the Philippines but in their Middle East, Indonesian and US outlets.

http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz52/fmdear/4-3.jpg

http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz52/fmdear/5-3.jpg

http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz52/fmdear/6-4.jpg

Of course, one would expect the same tasty, delicious and freshly-cooked Chinese food that Chowking has been producing all along. Bariles’ special favorites are the Regular Congee with Fried Tofu as sidedish plus Pancit Guisado and Sweet and Sour Pork. For drinks, he prefers Nai Cha, which he first discovered and liked when he was based in Kuala Lumpur years back.

And yes, Chowking has a Christmas promotion, which it calls DUETS. Bariles has tried it and it’s SULIT to the pockets. Promise.

http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz52/fmdear/7-3.jpg
By the way, Chowking GenSan Highway is open from 6am to 12 midnite daily.

Fahdingding

November 29th, 2009, 12:10 PM

Malapit ba sa fault line ang GenSan ? madalas ko nababasa na may earthquake sa area jan. :ohno:

Sana. walang damage sa GenSan. We cant afford another natural disasters anymore in our country. Tama na po. Good Morning GenSan. :)

uhmmm, wala namang nareport na damage so far, and i guess wala talaga (sana). :)

Di naman naramdaman dito sa GENSAN..kayo? naramdaman nyo ba? :nuts:

Fahdingding

November 29th, 2009, 12:15 PM

^^Fahdingding u mean ur a muslim?right Happy Hariray eidil Adha to you and to all gen San people.......well musta naman yung Celebration jan?

well tuloy tuloy na tlga ung Progress jan ahhh:banana:

Yes! I'm a Muslim since birth :lol:...but struggling to the utmost to become a REAL MUSLIM! Inshaallah!

Blueleo

November 29th, 2009, 12:57 PM

Congrats sa opening sa 2nd chowking branch. Latest interior design jud ni sa chowking. very nice. very comfy. ganahon jud ta mokaon ani dah hehe :bash: :cheers: :lol:

earlat

November 29th, 2009, 05:38 PM

^^ Yes it looks great and promising iyang spot sa Gensan.. :D

Fahdingding

November 30th, 2009, 02:05 AM

Win FREE Tickets to PBA’s Coca-Cola Tigers vs. Talk ‘n Text Tropang Texters Game in GenSan!

Less than a week from now, the country’s most famous basketball league, the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) will hold one of its games as part of its 35th season, and the 2009-2010 PBA Philippine Cup in General Santos City!

In its continuing drive to bring PBA to the countryside, two teams, the Coca-Cola Tigers and the Talk ‘n Text Tropang Texters will be playing at the GenSan Gym, on December 5, 2009, at 5pm.

This game, an official event of the PASKO SA GENSAN 2009 is made possible with the help of General Santos City local government under Mayor Jun Acharon and PaperView Office and School Supplies.

http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz52/fmdear/2-15.jpg
"Coca-Cola Tigers vs. Talk n' Text Tropang Texters in GenSan on December 5, 2009"

The last time that the PBA included GenSan in its road game series was in November 2007, when Ginebra and Sta. Lucia played to a jampacked crowd at the same venue in Barangay Lagao.

This time is the presence of two personalities who hail from South Cotabato and GenSan, hopes to add more luster to their visit.

One of them is Koronadal’s very own Kenneth Duremdes, 1998’s MVP who is coaching for Coca-Cola.

http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz52/fmdear/1-31.jpg
he next one is a native of General Santos City by the name of Francis Allera who is playing for the Coke Tigers. Just recently drafted by Coca-Cola after having played for the University of Sto. Tomas where he went to college and for Pharex at the PBL, the 24-year old Francis is a Notre Damean, having finished high school at the NDDU.

It will be a chance for the generals to cheer for the 6′3 tall Allera (who plays small forward) and his team which has been languishing at the bottom of the rankings, maybe due to its star player Asi Taulava’s foot injury. If they could cheer for hometown son Manny Pacquiao, I am sure they can also do the same to Tiger Francis Allera and inspire him and his teammates to win the game.

Now, in relation to PBA’s Coca-Cola vs. Talk ‘n Text Game in GenSan, we are launching the PBA IN GENSAN BLOG CONTEST.
Prizes are:

Five (5) All-Access Passes inside the GenSan Gym during the December 5, 2009 Game, and
Five (5) General Admission tickets to the game.
Here are the Mechanics:

The PBA in GenSan Blog Contest is open to all Filipino Bloggers.
The objective is to write about the upcoming PBA Game in GenSan between the Coca-Cola Tigers and the Talk ‘n Text Patrollers on December 5, 2009.
Each contest particpant should be SUBSCRIBED to GenSan News Online Mag.
Key Words to be placed and linked are the following:
GenSan News Online Mag
Coca-Cola Tigers vs. Talk ‘n Text Tropang Texters in GenSan
Sponsors:
General Santos Local Government
PaperView Office and School Supplies
A poster announcing the game should occupy a prominent space in the blog post and linked to this post.
Deadline of entries is on December 3, 2009.
Prizes will be awarded on December 4, 2009.
So there.

If you are a fan of the PBA and has not been to any of their games, winning one of the ALL-ACCESS PASSES to this “PBA IN GENSAN BLOG CONTEST” will surely be a dream fulfilled, a dream which won’t require you to fly to Manila and watch it at the Araneta Coliseum anymore.

Shoot na, mga ka-blogs!

To those who don’t blog and have enough money to spare, Tickets are available at PaperView, RD Building, National Highway (beside RDEX Tuna).

Thanks a million to Mr. Clement Asencio, owner of PaperView (located along National Highway, beside RDEX Tuna) who made this Blog Contest prizes possible. If he runs for City Councilor, I will surely campaign for him! Ayos ka Clem!

nj_than

November 30th, 2009, 10:05 AM

^^nice sad ang chowking.... saan susunod na ang mcdo... tanong ko lang ang mcdo ba ay tabi lang cla ng chowking sa national high?

Blueleo

November 30th, 2009, 01:04 PM

ano na balita sa SM GenSan ? Nagstart na construction? :cheers: :)

earlat

November 30th, 2009, 05:34 PM

ano na balita sa SM GenSan ? Nagstart na construction? :cheers: :)

^^ ingon nila wala pa daw updates... :(

Fahdingding

December 1st, 2009, 01:07 AM

ano na balita sa SM GenSan ? Nagstart na construction? :cheers: :)

^^ ingon nila wala pa daw updates... :(

First Quarter pa ata ng 2010 ang groundbreaking! basta next year may balita na yan!

:lol:

Fahdingding

December 1st, 2009, 01:12 AM

^^nice sad ang chowking.... saan susunod na ang mcdo... tanong ko lang ang mcdo ba ay tabi lang cla ng chowking sa national high?

Yes Yes Yo! :lol:

buenos-Diaz

December 1st, 2009, 04:12 AM

Yes! I'm a Muslim since birth :lol:...but struggling to the utmost to become a REAL MUSLIM! Inshaallah!

ookie thanx for the info .....Magsukol.....so ask lng nako wats ur tribe Fahd?heheh....so its nice may mga good updater dyan sa Gen san like you......so nakikita namin khit we cant go u gave us the update about ur Beautiful City.....Sulong Gen San

by the way ung Chowking din dito sa Zamboanga ung 3rd Branch niya new looks and freshier looks design ng Chowking din like jan din

Fahdingding

December 1st, 2009, 06:32 AM

ookie thanx for the info .....Magsukol.....so ask lng nako wats ur tribe Fahd?heheh....so its nice may mga good updater dyan sa Gen san like you......so nakikita namin khit we cant go u gave us the update about ur Beautiful City.....Sulong Gen San

by the way ung Chowking din dito sa Zamboanga ung 3rd Branch niya new looks and freshier looks design ng Chowking din like jan din

My Tribes are the ff: (Char)

1. Maguindanao (Mother)
2. Maranao (Grandfather - Father's side)
3.Tausug (Grandmother - Father's side)
4. Waray (Mother also)

Taegon

December 1st, 2009, 06:50 AM

Sy-led SM Prime to stick to building big shopping malls

THE COUNTRY’S largest mall operator will continue to develop big shopping centers even if others have already ventured into developing "pocket-sized" retail outlets.

"We want to focus on building shopping centers. We have no plan to venture into smaller-type malls," SM Prime Holdings, Inc. President Hans T. Sy said in an interview.

Ayala Land, Inc. has already disclosed plans to develop and manage small-format retail facilities known as "neighborhood centers," which will have a maximum 10,000 square meters (sq. m.) of gross leasable area.

Mr. Sy said the smallest development to be undertaken by SM Prime will be 55,000 sq. m., as big as the latest SM outlet, SM City Rosario in Cavite.

Mr. Sy said the company still has 14 huge properties all over the country and has been continuously acquiring land.

SM Prime spends about P3 billion a year for "landbanking," he said.

SM Prime currently dominates the mall sector with 36 malls nationwide, and is making headway in overseas expansion with four malls in China.

"They may say [the market] is already saturated but I say there is a lot of opportunity especially in the provincial areas. I am talking about places like the General Santos and Cebu City, which is actually a big area for developers," Mr. Sy said. -- K. J. R. Liu

http://www.bworld.com.ph/

Fahdingding

December 1st, 2009, 07:00 AM

Blueleo

December 1st, 2009, 08:48 AM

Mao ba ni ang lote sa Salazar Family nga for long term lease sa SM ? :cheers: :)

Sy-led SM Prime to stick to building big shopping malls

THE COUNTRY’S largest mall operator will continue to develop big shopping centers even if others have already ventured into developing "pocket-sized" retail outlets.

"We want to focus on building shopping centers. We have no plan to venture into smaller-type malls," SM Prime Holdings, Inc. President Hans T. Sy said in an interview.

Ayala Land, Inc. has already disclosed plans to develop and manage small-format retail facilities known as "neighborhood centers," which will have a maximum 10,000 square meters (sq. m.) of gross leasable area.

Mr. Sy said the smallest development to be undertaken by SM Prime will be 55,000 sq. m., as big as the latest SM outlet, SM City Rosario in Cavite.

Mr. Sy said the company still has 14 huge properties all over the country and has been continuously acquiring land.

SM Prime spends about P3 billion a year for "landbanking," he said.

SM Prime currently dominates the mall sector with 36 malls nationwide, and is making headway in overseas expansion with four malls in China.

"They may say [the market] is already saturated but I say there is a lot of opportunity especially in the provincial areas. I am talking about places like the General Santos and Cebu City, which is actually a big area for developers," Mr. Sy said. -- K. J. R. Liu

http://www.bworld.com.ph/

nj_than

December 1st, 2009, 08:48 AM

^^sana daratin na talaga yan sm mall... hintay nalang tayo sa construction ng sm.. diyan natin malalaman na parating na ang sm gensan...

buenos-Diaz

December 1st, 2009, 09:30 AM

My Tribes are the ff: (Char)

1. Maguindanao (Mother)
2. Maranao (Grandfather - Father's side)
3.Tausug (Grandmother - Father's side)
4. Waray (Mother also)

^^dami mo plang lahi hehheeheh......

pomperadz@yahoo.com

December 1st, 2009, 03:00 PM

hello..GENSAN forumers....jst saw this from sm website..dunno kung na post na to..hhehe...im just happy lng seeing this news for mindanao area..:):):)

SM Prime sticks to large mall tack
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Business Mirror By Miguel R. Camus / Reporter

MALL operator SM Prime Holdings Inc. is not interested in venturing into smaller community-type retail centers, preferring to stick to its tried and tested strategy of building one-stop shopping destinations.

This, despite plans bared by rivals to go into community shopping centers. Two weeks ago, Ayala Land Inc., which is behind the Glorietta and Greenbelt malls in Makati and TriNoma in Quezon City, said it is setting up a new subsidiary to develop small-format “neighborhood centers” with a maximum leasable area of 10,000 square meters (sq.m.).

Ayala Land plans to spend P320 million to fund five such projects next year to be located in Makati City, Bonifacio Global City and Nuvali in Laguna province.

In a recent interview, SM Prime president Hans Sy said the firm is confident with its current strategy, which propelled it to its current status as the country’s largest mall developer and operator.

“We want to be focused on shopping centers. Wherever we go, the smallest [leasable area] we will have is 55,000 sq. m,” said Sy. The firm recently opened its newest mall, SM City Rosario in Cavite, which offers roughly this number of leasable space. He explained this is the minimum space set by the company in order for a mall to operate efficiently.

The developer will also operates massive malls—such as the recently renovated SM North Edsa which now has 425,000 sq.m. of gross floor area, making it the largest in the country. SM Mall of Asia previously held this title, with 386,224 sq.m.

Sy said SM Prime remains bullish on the business based on the Filipino’s penchant for visiting malls as a recreational activity. He said the firm continues to see opportunities even within Metro Manila, as  it plans to open SM City Novaliches in Quezon City next year.

“I don’t know why people conclude there is oversaturation [of mall in Metro Manila]. One advantage over here is that [malls have become] a replacement of public parks,” said Sy.

The company continues to acquire new land, disclosing that SM Prime has about 14 properties scattered around the country as potential sites for new shopping developments.

Sy said SM Prime allots an average of P3 billion every year to expand its landbank.

“We are going toward Southern Luzon [and]  on top of that we also have a property in General Santos City and we are acquiring some more in the Mindanao area. There is a lot of opportunity,” said Sy.

For Cebu City, the firm recently offered the provincial government P3 billion to purchase a 28-hectare waterfront property which will be developed into a smaller version of the SM Mall of Asia complex. Sy said the firm may spend as much as P20 billion over the next 15 years for the property, which is part of the 240-hectare South Road Properties reclamation project.

It will be the second SM shopping center in the province after SM City Cebu opened its doors to the public in 1993.

The company currently owns 36 malls in the country. Next year, it plans to open five SM malls, expecting to end 2010 with 41 shopping centers all over the Philippines. SM Prime also plans to open another mall in China to end next year with four.

>>>>> so are we expecting for patterned SM mall of asia..mindanao..hheheh...lets:cheers::cheers::cheers:to that peepz...:):):):)

Fahdingding

December 2nd, 2009, 03:00 AM

Chinese firm eyes block of Tampakan mine project

TAMPAKAN, South Cotabato -- Chinese firm Zijin Mining Group Co. Ltd. has expressed keen interest to acquire more than a third of the massive Tampakan copper and gold project held by Australian firm Indophil Resources NL.

Indophil chair Brian Phillips announced Monday that Zijin offered A$1.28 per share to acquire Indophil's stake at a value of A$545 million (on a fully diluted basis).

The offer from Zijin, the largest gold producer and the third largest copper producer in China, virtually shut Filipino conglomerate Alsons Corp out of the picture to take over Indophil's stake in the Tampakan project.

Last year, Indophil shareholders agreed to sell the Tampakan asset to the Filipino conglomerate.

Alsons has yet to issue a statement regarding this development.

Indophil's directors have resolved to unanimously recommend that shareholders accept the offer, in the absence of a superior proposal, the company said in a disclosure to the Australian bourse.

"This is an excellent outcome which unlocks value for Indophil's shareholders from the company's minority ownership position in the world-class Tampakan copper-gold project," Phillips said.

"The Zijin proposal recognizes Tampakan's inherent value and follows a comprehensive ownership review process in which the board, management and advisers have considered a range of strategic alternatives and proposals from interested parties," he added.

Phillips described the Zijin offer as a "positive outcome for the project and the people of the Philippines," noting the Chinese firm is well-positioned to fund its share of Tampakan's capital expenditure estimate of US$5.2 billion once the project goes into commercial stream by 2016.

If the acquisition is successful, Zijin would hold a 37.5 percent interest in the Tampakan project pursued by Philippine affiliate Sagittarius Mines Inc.

Xstrata Copper, which holds a 62.5 percent controlling interest at Sagittarius, supported the proposed takeover offer by announcing an agreement with Zijin in respect of its 19.9 percent stake in Indophil, subject to certain conditions.

Sagittarius President Peter Forrestal said Sagittarius would welcome the introduction of a party, such as Zijin Mining Group, that has the capacity to support the advancement of the Tampakan Project.

"The Zijin Mining Group Co., Ltd. is a well established international mining company with a focus on the exploration and development of gold and base metals," Forrestal said.

"Their interest in Indophil demonstrates the potential of the Tampakan Project which is one of the largest undeveloped copper-gold deposits in South East Asia," he added.

Forrestal said Sagittarius remains focused on completing the Tampakan project feasibility study in the first half of 2010, and finalizing specialist studies and stakeholder engagement activities for the environmental impact assessment in the second half of next year.

In line with Indophil's announcement, the Australian firm also advised that it has agreed with Alsons to immediately accelerate Indophil's acquisition of Alsons 3.27 percent interest in the Tampakan project.

Consideration for the acquisition comprises the issue of 25.9 million shares.

The acceleration of the acquisition has the effect of enabling Zijin to acquire Alsons 3.27 percent interest in the Tampakan project as well as Indophil's 34.23 percent interest.

Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on December 2, 2009.

Fahdingding

December 3rd, 2009, 01:59 AM

Bariles inside Cebu Pacific’s SMILE Magazine

http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz52/fmdear/1-32.jpg

If you are planning to travel via Cebu Pacific within the next few weeks this month, try to get hold of a copy of the latest issue of their inflight publication, SMILE Magazine.

Why, you may ask

Well, for one, this issue features well-written articles timed for the Christmas season and the New Year.

Its cover story, Toast to 2010, raises a glass to the new decade by featuring Asia’s finest nightspots where you can spend either Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve.

Another story, “Way to Snow” is about Seoul, Korea and its favorite winter sports, skiing, skating and snowboarding.

“Christmas From A to Z”, on the other hand is, according to its blurb, “A jetsetter’s guide to the holidays”.

Other than these articles however, are travel guides to every destination that Cebu Pacific Airlines flies to.

But for SMILE Magazine’s December issue, the other better reason to get a hold of a copy is the fact that Bariles himself is the featured “local guide” for General Santos City!

Check this page layout below, where the GenSan Guide is between Dipolog and Zamboanga features….

http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz52/fmdear/2-16.jpg

In the original manuscript submitted to the editors of Smile Magazine, Bariles has actually written more establishments than the few ones mentioned in this December 2009 issue. Due maybe to space constraints, they just featured what they could.

Still, being a part of this publication which will be read by thousands of Cebu Pacific’s travellers all over the world, is more than enough honor for Bariles already; and worth a priceless amount of mileage and publicity for his little blog about his beloved city by the bay.

Maraming, maraming salamat po, Smile Magazine!

mrboy

December 3rd, 2009, 05:18 AM

ngpaparamadam na talaga ang SM... :lol:

Good day Gensan!! :cheers:

lgseccionph

December 3rd, 2009, 05:40 AM

PGMA to open modern business center in Koronadal City

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Dec. 2 (PNA) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will visit this sprawling city tomorrow to inaugurate the multimillion-peso modern business center inside the compound of Southern Philippines Development Authority (SPDA).

The two-storey P10-million commercial building is SPDA’s initial investment in transforming the sprawling compound into a prime business complex.

SPDA Chairman Saeed Daof said the project is one of the priorities of the agency which has shifted its focus from community development to corporate ventures.

The SPDA property is host to several government offices and lodging facilities. It is located about a kilometer away from the main commercial district of Koronadal, just beside the South Cotabato Productivity and Technology Center, or ProTech, and next to the provincial capitol building, provincial hospital, and several private and other government offices and schools.

After the ceremonial ribbon-cutting, the President is scheduled to ground break the proposed 18-room apartelle building within the compound and distribute certificates of lot entitlement/ownership award to 150 indigent beneficiaries.

SPDA was created in 1975 as an agency attached to the office of the President during the administration of former President Ferdinand Marcos.

In 2002, the President deactivated SPDA and then reactivated it four years later by virtue of Executive Order 560 and placed it under the oversight of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process. SPDA was primarily created and tasked to help foster and accelerate socio-economic development in Mindanao. (PNA)
scs/OPS/ssc

lgseccionph

December 3rd, 2009, 06:22 AM

Sagittarius Mines, Inc. (SMI) receives PMIE Award (http://pia.gov.ph/?m=12&fi=p091202.htm&no=70)

Koronadal City (2 December) -- Sagittarius Mines, Inc. (SMI) has been awarded the Presidential Mining Industry Environmental Award (PMIEA) by the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA) at the 56th Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference held in Baguio City last month.

SMI General Manager Mark Williams said that the PMIEA recognizes excellence in the mining sector relating to the environment, safety and health management, as well as community development.

"We are honored to receive this award. This confirms our continuing commitment to employ the best available technologies and practices in safety, environment, community development, and stakeholder engagement," said SMI General Manager Mark Williams.

SMI had an overall rating of 98%. SMI received a perfect score for its Social Development and Management Program (SDMP), as did the Information, Education, Communication (IEC) program. Environmental Management also scored highly with 39% out of 40%, while the Safety and Health program received 19% out of the allocated 20% weighting.

This is the third time for the company to be a PMIEA recipient. In 2004 and 2006, the PMIEA selection committee also recognized SMI's performance in the conduct of its mineral exploration activities.

"While we ensure compliance with the legislative requirements, we also hold fast to the stringent expectation of our major shareholder, Xstrata, and the communities in which we operate, in all aspects of our operation," said Mr. Williams.

"SMI is committed to advancing the Tampakan project in line with leading environmental and industry best practices and in partnership with our stakeholders."

"I would like to thank the host communities and our stakeholders for supporting our various programs and initiatives and making it possible for us to win these two awards," said Mr. Williams. (PIA 12/aca)

lgseccionph

December 3rd, 2009, 06:23 AM

South Cotabato wins in Zambo OTOP fair (http://pia.gov.ph/?m=12&fi=p091202.htm&no=69)

Koronadal City (2 December) -- South Cotabato won the Best Dressed Booth-Non-Food Category in the recently concluded 4th One Town One Product (OTOP) Island Fair held in Zamboanga City.

Bert Advincula of the South Cotabato PROTECH Center happily reported the accomplishment during the Monday's flag-raising ceremony on November 23, 2009.

With more than a hundred booths participating in this year's 4th One Town, One Product (OTOP) Island Fair, the province fared well in the said exhibition sponsored by the Department of Trade and Industry.

"Out of the more than a hundred booths joining the Island Fair, South Cotabato was also both a nominee in the Best Dressed Booth, Food & Non-Food categories," Advincula said.

He also added that South Cotabato, despite not making it as Best Dressed Booth in the Food Category, all its food products that were displayed were sold out except only for the Kablon Products.

Advincula presented the plaque of recognition to Provincial Planning & Development Coordinating Danilo Supe and OIC-Provincial Administrator Alex Basco during the said flag-raising ceremony.

South Cotabato is a perennial winner in this competition, with a string of awards such as Best Booth, a few years ago during the Philippine Travel Mart held at SM MegaMall in Mandaluyong, Best Destination Booth in the Kuyod Tanu Festival in Cotabato City and lately, Best Booth in the Mindanao Trade & Travel Expo during the Kadayawan Festival in Davao City. (PIA12/kaye)

Fahdingding

December 4th, 2009, 02:00 AM

Maligayang Pasko sa Magandang GenSan!

Today, December 4, 2009 is the launching of the annual Christmas Festival of General Santos City, the Pasko sa GenSan. Spearheaded by the local government through the Office of Kagandahang GenSan under Dr. Rose Acharon, this year’s yuletide celebration has adopted the theme, “MALIGAYANG PASKO SA MAGANDANG GENSAN“. This effectively combines the iconic Christmas greeting with the city’s official and now famous battlecry.

http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz52/fmdear/1-33.jpg
"The Official Logo of Maligayang Pasko sa Magandang GenSan"

Above is the logo designed by OEMCDO OIC Edgar Cadiente. The 4 stars which are symbols for Christmas represent the development principles of the local government in their thrust for a truly “magandang GenSan” (Livability, Competitiveness, Bankability and Good Governance). The 26 colorful rays emanating from the stars are the city’s barangays.

This year’s celebration will again see the participation of the different schools and universities of the city, the barangays, small and medium sized-entrepreneurs and media outlets in the activities. The focal center will be the Oval Plaza although the stretch of Pioneer Avenue and Pedro Acharon Boulevard will all be dressed up in consonance with the theme.

The first major activity this afternoon is the DRUM AND LYRE COMPETITION, followed by the Opening Program at the Oval Plaza Stage and the Fireworks Display (STARDUST) later in the evening.

Now, that should keep all the photographers busy tonight, including us, of course!

Below, we leave you the Schedule of Activities as we greet all our readers “MALIGAYANG PASKO SA MAGANDANG GENSAN!”

http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz52/fmdear/2-17.jpg
"The Schedule of Activities of Pasko Sa Gensan 2009"

Fahdingding

December 4th, 2009, 02:08 AM

nj_than

December 4th, 2009, 08:15 AM