Gensan Gazer September 2010

Arts & Entertainment ● City Life ● Shopping ● Tools & Gadgets ● Weekend Getaways ● Wining & Dining

Gensan Gazer

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Ge General ene nera rall Santos ra Sant Sa ntos nt os City’s Cit C itty’ y s First Fiirs rstt Lifestyle, Life Li fe est styl y e, yl e, Trades Tra T rade ra de es & Travel Trav Tr avel av el Magazine Mag M ag gaz azin ine in e ● September Se ept p em embe berr 20 be 2010 010 1

Klaja Eco Park

Wonders of the Wild EXCLUSIVE: Tuna Festival 2010 Recap

Gensan’s Last Frontier Unraveled Arts Attack, Pop Pizzazz, More!

RECAP RECAP

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CUT OUT WHITE SPACE

Few have come close to being a living legend.

CUT OUT WHITE SPACE

Enjoying the legend is the easy part.

Blugré Coffee JMP1 Bldg, South Osmeña General Santos (083) 552 1111 Robinsons Place Gensan (083) 554 2177 JMP Phoenix Gas Daproza St, General Santos (083) 302 0503 Forever Flawless KCC Mall of Gensan (083) 554 2422

Pacman H2O Aparente Street Cor. National Highway General Santos (083) 302 1055 Magsaysay Avenue General Santos (083) 554 2304

Jinkee’s Fashion World JMP2 Bldg, Aparente St General Santos (083) 552 2228 KCC Mall of Gensan (083) 554 2227 Team Pacquiao Robinsons Place Gensan (083) 554 2128

MP Princess Digital Printing Solutions JMP2 Bldg, Aparente St General Santos (083) 552 8880 JMP Printing Press JMP2 Bldg, Aparente St General Santos (083) 303 5052

JMIX Resto Bar JMP2 Bldg, Aparente St General Santos (083) 552 8880 (0928) 776 1240 Pacman Sports Bar JMP2 Bldg, Aparente St General Santos (083) 552 8880

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Congratulations on the resounding success of Gensan’s Tuna Festival Experience!

Armando Nicolas P J Editor Bing Cariño Donna Mae Congson Romarie Ivy Cunanan Apple Greatson Francisco Avel Manansala Orman Manansala Marthin Millado Guest Contributors Angelo B. Sangrador Advertising Sales Jay Harvey G J Circulation Gensan Gazer™ Magazine is published monthly and distributed free in General Santos and SoCCSKSarGen by Armanikolas Publishing ®™. It is printed by Gregoria Printing Press in Gen. Santos City, Philippines.

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editor’s

Your Copy

note his is Gensan Gazer’s first foray into Gensan’s Tuna Festival Experience territory, and as with the Kalilangan Festival in February (also our first, and our maiden issue’s cover story, too), we’re pleased no end by the colors, flavors, sounds and other sensations of this month-long spectacle. We’ve seen firsthand how the Mayor and the masses took part in the celebrations, making it truly a city event that’s meant for its own people, and our guests, of course! Excellent job, Orman! Go Gensan!

Here we also welcome Egai Cadiente’s Pop Pizzazz, the visionary writer-artist’s take on all things pervasive and popular. Happy reading!

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We strive to distribute Gensan Gazer for free to as many readers as possible, but we cannot guarantee your personal copy at all times. For a digital version of the magazine, just visit GensanGazer. com and browse and/or download your copy of our eZine. Bulk copies for your business or group may be requested at a special rate by calling (083) 8269221.

Armando Nicolas PJ

what’s

inside 3 TTravel Tales & Trivia 5 PPop Pizzazz

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7 13

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C Culture Shock | Arts Attack K Klaja Eco Park: W Wonders of the Wild N No More Plastic Bags!

G Gensan’s Tuna Festival E Experience: A Recap

Talk 22 GPGadget Places2Go | GGPick 25 GGGList 26 HHealth Bits

31 BBeauty&Fashion Back2Back Hall Snapshots 32 CPCity Postscript

Arnis Champs 14 ToThe of Gensan

our cover

story

G

etting tired of hectic weekdays at work, and bar bingeing or beach bumming on weekends? Try the green outdoors instead, and without leaving the city, too.

Klaja Eco Park, General Santos City’s last frontier, boasts of a rich wilderness of hiking trails, crystal clear rivers, rolling hills, waterfalls, rock walls, camping grounds, caverns, forests, and hilltop lookouts. Spread over the barangays of Conel, Mabuhay, Olympog and Upper Labay, this green safari of sorts is a vast potential for eco-tourism. This feature is condensed from the Eco-Tourism Profile published by CEM-CDO under Egai Cadiente, with stunning photography by Jing Velos.

traveltales&trivia • ajlakbaydiwa

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BEACHE S OF H ONG KO NG ISL AND

F

irst-time visitors to Hong Kong are not prone to associate it with world-class beaches, but with more than 200 islands it’s bound to have a number of fine to excellent beaches here and there. In fact, Hong Kong Island alone has several, four of which I have sampled only for the first time in the six years that I’ve been visiting the territory.

Deep Water Bay on the southern shore of Hong Kong Island is surrounded by Brick Hill, Shouson Hill, Violet Hill and Middle Island. Beneath Violet Hill is Deep Water Bay Beach. Though less famous to

tourists compared to Repulse Bay Beach, Deep Water Bay Beach is very popular among locals. A pathway connects the two beaches, allowing people to jog or walk along the coastline while admiring the breathtaking seascape.

Stanley Village in the southern part of Hong Kong Island is a well-developed seaside enclave of sorts. Its Stanley Main Beach is reasonably clean with excellent facilities, lifeguards and shark nets, making it a model waterfront town with both Chinese and Western bars and restaurants, a fine market district and a several tourist attractions.

The Tricycle German Style

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ensan’s ubiquitous tricycle is a necessary small-scale local means of transportation for the masses; in other countries it is known as cycle rickshaw, pedicab, bikecab, cyclo, becak, trishaw or simply, rickshaw. Tricycles are widely used in major cities around the world, but most commonly in Asia.

Enter Germany, marrying Asian invention and European craftsmanship. In 1997 a new pedicab design was created in Berlin, perfecting the modern and eco-friendly CityCruiser with a 500-watt electric assist motor. (Though engineered in Germany, these electric-assist pedicabs are produced in the Czech Republic. Some clones are now also

Repulse Bay Beach is traditionally Hong Kong’s most popular because of its accessibility and facilities. (In 1841 Repulse Bay was used as base by pirates, causing problems to merchant ships trading with China; the pirates were subsequently repulsed by the British Fleet, hence the name.

Another theory attributes the name to HMS Repulse, which was stationed at the bay at one point.) The Repulse Bay area is one of Hong Kong’s most expensive residential districts (matched only by The Peak), with property prices reaching US$2,500 per square foot in 2006.

manufactured in China. The German original fetches for around US$6,000; the Chinese clones, half that price.

The heavier Chinese vehicles have more than 200 (at times loose) parts, and require daily maintenance in order to stay in use. The original make requires monthly tuneups in line with most class-A Western pedicabs. The batteries last about 4 hours with a full charge. As with a few recumbent and semi-recumbent designs, some drivers may suffer knee and joint pain due to the weight of the vehicle, roughly 150 Kg. Top right: A pair of Velotaxi cycle rickshaws in Hamburg. Right: A Berliner Beer ad adorns a Velotaxi in Berlin.

Turtle Cove Beach east of Stanley and west of Tai Tam Reservoir is an excellent beach despite its meager 70-meter span -- a serenely secluded stretch of coralline beige to white sand, save for the hilltop residences looking far down at it from one side, and the hillside public road high on the other. From the nearest bus stop, concrete stairs lead down the hill to the beach.

The first one I ventured to and the last one I soaked in, Turtle Cove Beach is easily my favorite -- finally changing my first impression of Hong Kong as a rigid urban jungle and nothing more.

poppizzazz • egaicadiente

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all invasion. How’s that for a benchmark of a city’s competitiveness?

First there was Gaisano Mall in the late 80s, followed by KCC Mall in the early 90s, Robinsons Place Gensan in 2009, and SM City Gensan opening end of 2011. In a span of two decades shopping malls have sprouted in one borough -- creating a vibrant urban landscape, and making the city more competitive than ever.

For investments to come in, the city’s competitiveness is a requisite. It’s what investors look for before setting up shop in the area.

I recently attended the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) Policy Forum at SMX in Manila where I learned that SM Holdings is an AIM partner in the annual project of assessing the state of competitiveness of emergent and metropolitan Philippine cities. In the competitiveness drivers, Gensan was merited highly in the composite areas of dynamism of local economy, responsiveness of LGU to business needs, infrastructure, quality of life, cost of doing business, and human resources and training.

These warranted three citations for the city as Most Competitive in this decade.

I assume SM Holdings found these drivers present in the city that’s why SM is here.

So far, it’s going to be the fourth mall that is another addition to shopping destination choices.

This naturally means more variety of shops and merchandise, more attractions, and yes, more money in circulation. And with the ever rising global temperature, another air-conditioned public place to cool off is a convivial delight. That’s more movie houses for you.

The prospect of 4 malls competing for patronage against each other would be enlivening. As an advertising buff, I would personally take delight in anticipation of the promo blitz these malls would stage to entice customers. They have the

ulace off Region R i whole populace 12 as their base market so d not run out of they should al concept as the promotional market is ass diverse as the mmodities. sundry commodities. ition is truly Competition alive in the city. That, I he beauty of free believe is the enterprise. It raises the bar dard of products on the standard es to the benefit and services of us -- the buying public. ng the bygone Unlike during days when you have to contend with what goodies and wares the few shopping bazaars had to offer, the city today is becoming a shopping destination in this part of the region. Shopping spree in the city has never been this exciting.

Shopping malls have become part of our present lives. Malls cater to all races and age. They serve both the rich and the poor.

From needs to wants, in the mall you will find. It affords accessibility and convenience that luxury takes a backseat for necessity. Malling has become a modern norm and mall culture has effortlessly percolated in the local flavor.

In fact, the term malling was ingeniously coined just to give the activity a name.

Beyond shopping, it’s also a rendezvous for lovers and business deals; a place for

...Malls ...M .M Mal alls ls do do not not only on only y change c cha ha ang ge th the he ci c city’s ity y’s ’s llandandan ds sc scape, cap pe, e tth they hey al he also so so r re rede redefi ede define n u urban rban rb a an lliving. li ving vi ng g.

respite and recreation; a site for exhibits and performances, or it can even be your temporal hideaway. In whatever way it serves you, it is a space that delights the senses. In its confines, a cacophony of life bustles.

The energy bursting inside a mall is only matched by the verve all over the city nowadays. The cityscape transforms itself into a pulsating metropolis.

I noticed that SM will locate within the 500-meter radius of 3 existing malls in one district. (Let me take the liberty to call the vicinity The Mall Straight.) While I am excited, I am also anxious about some drawbacks this whole metropolis shebang eventually brings.

Anyhow, it’s a natural cause and effect phenomenon so we would expect more vehicles, more fumes, more

traffic clog, more energy consumption, more energy demand, more industrial waste, and so on.

This is where a communal proactive response is essential. Since the city’s progress and growth is a collective vision, keeping the city livable is also a joint endeavor of the government and the private sector.

For ordinary citizens, the little things matter; it’s when drivers follow road discipline; it’s when commuters and pedestrians observe rules; it’s when we dispose of our waste properly; it’s generally when all inhabitants become conscious urban dwellers. dw Social responsibility responsibilit is not just a duty of corporate corp establishments. It is no longer a solitary obligation o of the local government. govern Being mindful of our o human habitat is an individual, as indivi well as a shared obligation. o That’s basically what the Magandang GenSan GenSa branding project of the local loca government is all about. Launched mid last year, it is an advocacy campaign imbuing valim ues to every General Gene (that’s how we city residents call reside ourselves). What makes a m place truly beautiful beautif beyond its physical and spatial disp mensions are its people and institutions with beautiful social dispositions. Of the three malls already in operation, only Robinson’s Place has adapted and actually installed a lighted Magandang GenSan icon at their two main entrances. I hope SM will follow suit in helping the city government implant a collective mindset of the Magandang GenSan brand.

Malls as spaces for social values campaign may just as well convert mall shoppers to value shapers. And as conduits for transforming social values, malls do not only change the city’s landscape, they also redefine urban living. Now -- how’s that for mall invasion?

Comments are welcome.

You may email the author at my_eyeview@yahoo.com

cultureshock|artsattack • bingcariño

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supplemented on Saturdays and summers by the piano lessons given by Pacita Gonzalez.

Church and civic organizations made town fiestas

and Christmas celebrations alive by organizing variety shows, staging plays and sponsoring concerts by local and out-of-town artists.

There was a small community of artists and performers discovered in the amateur singing contests, bailes and jam sessions (dance parties in the 60s) sponsored by DXGS, DXCP and other local radio stations. When Gensan homes began to acquire black-and-white TV sets in wooden cabinets these amateur singing contests evolved in the template of Tawag ng Tanghalan and Ang Bagong Kampeon. The artists performed solos in special masses, weddings and funerals -- not bad for a town wanting of occasions and spaces for public performance.

At the time when children began to shun the required piano lesson, a new instrument was brought to Gensan -- the electric organ gave the new cool to music education, sustaining in the process the pool of local musicians. Mercy Asencio brought to Gensan the Yamaha Electone Festival, which for a while became the yearly outing in the Gensan concert scene. The interest

AL-NezZar

Romy

bing

et me begin with this: a town without culture is a town without a soul. In the early years when Gensan rose from a patch of cogon land into a settlement district, migrants from Luzon and Visayas brought very little material things and much of their soul: they marked the feast days of their patron saints and held fiestas, served their indigenous cuisine during potlucks, even marked inaugurations of elected local officials with the Rigodon de Honor. The issue of General Santos as a town is not about its soul because the town had one right from the start; it’s the issue of nurturing that soul that has been the challenge.

The inventory of culture and arts initiatives in the General Santos for a study that I wrote listed significant cultural programs and courses of action conducted throughout the years. There were problems with sustainability at the very worst but the city has never run short of people working for a dynamic arts scene.

In the early years of the settlement the task of keeping arts and culture alive fell easily in the capable hands of the first teachers led by Caridad Denoga. In between planting katuray shrubs to combat the heat and dust, and building decent classrooms, the school calendar was made colorful by occasional concerts of folk dances and American Era song and dance routines popularized by the bodabil.

Performers were students from the classes of Felina Llido and Aurora Velayo, the first teachers recruited

by Rosa Santos, the daughter of the General. Arts education, the requisite of cultural development, was

6 generated by the Electone competition spawned a new breed of performers and produced Gensan’s first national champion in the person of Eduardo Martin Leyson.

The city’s cultural scene became busier; programs for a more comprehensive arts initiative management emerged as a need. The 80s saw the genesis of the first organized arts group to begin the task of cultural education of the Generals.

The Arts Council of General Santos City, organized by the Cultural Center of the Philippines, energized the arts scene by bringing Ballet Philippines, actors from Philippine cinema and Pangkat Kawayan, taking the level of local arts education and appreciation a notch higher.

Mindanao State University later reinforced work of the arts council by organizing the Rajah Buayan Arts Council. An association of artists and cultural workers, the SoCCSKSarGen Arts Council, Inc. emerged to improve the commercial potentials of art making in the locality.

The energized culture and the arts programs in the 90s saw the staging of several cultural activities geared towards artistic excellence and audience development.

I

t took half a century for the culture scene to be a ready playing field for individual initiatives.

Romeo Narvaez, a thespian from the famed MSU’s Sining Kambayoka formed MSU Kabpapagariya Ensemble.

MSU-KE is the crucible of Gensan’s next generation of cultural workers that included visual art’s enfant terrible Al-Nezzar Ali. It was from these initiatives where my involvement in cultural scene found its roots -- I introduced contemporary dance training and performance in the city.

With artists maturing, local art making went international. Ali’s work has been exhibited in Southeast Asia, Continued on page 29

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Wonders of the Wild

eeling the bane of burnout in your job or career, and wishing to just take off and backpack your way through the continent? That may be too Gensan’s Last Frontier Unraveled drastic and time-consuming.

Text by Armando Nicolas PJ | Photos by Jing Velos Hungry for an adventure but Based on Eco-Tourism Profile, published by CEMCDO under Egai Cadiente a bit jaded in the ways of commercial tourism and commodified travel? Without doubt, the industry is a necessity in the 21st century, but you have other alternatives.

Granted you’ve just about had enough of zigzagging all over the city and the outskirts for the cold springs and beaches, and for a change have taken on whitewater tubing, too. You’re off to a good start.

But why not take the trail less traveled in your very own neighborhood, and discover General Santos City’ wondrous wilderness, the last frontier of this rapidly growing and fast evolving metropolis?

Enter the highlands of Klaja Eco Park -- a rich wilderness of hiking trails, crystal clear rivers, rolling hills, waterfalls, rock walls, camping grounds, caves, forests, and hilltop lookouts -- a green safari of sorts, minus the hunters and the hunted, of course.

DISCOVER...

Conel -- The Japanese forces’ last refuge

during WWII, a vast stretch of karst formation replete with waterfalls, underwater streams and limestone rock walls.

Mabuhay -- Nopol Hills provide a natural

sanctuary for a diverse wildlife, including the endangered giant golden-crowned flying fox (golden-capped fruit bat), Philippine hornbill, and wild hog.

Olympog -- Gensan’s summer showcase, where virgin vegetation straddle the vast expanse of undulating hills and plunging ravines.

Upper Labay -- Gensan’s cultural center-

peice, home of the B’laan tribe, where traditional living is in harmony with nature’s ways.

Conel D

erived from K’lanel, native B’laan for turmeric (kalawag in Ilongo and dulaw in Cebuano), the name Conel stuck as a result of years of misuse by pioneering families from Luzon and Visayas, who came to Gensan and worked hand-inhand with the indigenous folk to till the land and eke out a living.

Conel, it turns out, is blessed with rock formations, waterfalls and springs. It rightfully serves as a gateway to the vast irregular limestone region replete with sinkholes, underground streams and caverns, an area now known as the Klaja Karsts.

Kalaja Cave -- The Kalaja stands as remnant of reckless destruction of the natural environment in the pursuit of much-fabled hidden treasures.

The Japanese forces used this cave as water source, which in turn conjured myths of left-behind treasures and spoils. Interviews with local elders revealed looting of WWII-age trucks, tanks and other war paraphernalia during the 60s and 70s. An underground subterranean cave system, it has a 7x22-meter wide pool about 2-3 meters deep at the entrance.

The cave has three rooms about 209 meters long, which ends with a sump. Water from this cave is used as agricultural supplement to nearby farm fields.

Bunga Spring -- Smooth flowing waters abound smack in the middle of the Klaja Karsts. The clearing has a campsite between the mountains and cliffs, which offers a good view of the solar panel system, especially during night time. Locals herd their farm animals 50 meters from the spring.

Kalaja Face -- Discovered by locals in 1995, this vertical limestone wall has only one known route to this day.

This route was established with the help of American and local climbers.

With a height of over 50 meters on the west side of the Kalaja River, the face offers three overhangs and a difficult degree of climb challenges.

Malakong Face -- Located at Malakong Gorge about 3.5 Km from Kalaja Cave, the face comes with 12- to 25-meter-high smooth limestone walls, creating a good starting point for beginners at bouldering and rock climbing. The venue also offers shaded routes and campsites.

Amsikong Waterfalls -- Located

between the territorial boundaries of General Santos and the Polomolok in South Cotabato, about 12 waterfalls drop and flow from the mountaintop river in Camp Flores (Polomolok) down to the granite boulders and limestone cliffs of Conel, creating small pools and waterfalls in their tracks. (Amsikong is also called Kasaba Falls in Polomolok.)

Compact Facts -- Barangay formed by Republic Act 5412, ratified 9 November 1940, comprised by Puroks 1-7, Guadalupe, Nangka, Malinawon, Udagri, and Nopol. Approximately 13 Km from City Proper, 56.4 Km2 in area (variably plain, hilly, mountainous), temperate climate, 2,649 inhabitants (2005), mostly B’laan, with B’laan and Cebuano spoken. Livelihood based on corn, copra, cattle, goat, water buffalo. Forestry under conservation and rehabilitation. Special events include Araw ng Conel (November 5), San Jose Patronal Fiesta, San Roque Patronal Fiesta.

golden-crowned flying foxes (fruit bats) and wild hogs.

Purok Bagong Buhay -- Natural attractions include the still unexplored Seven Falls, which boasts of 7 refreshing mini falls, and the Fungol Cave.

Sniper’s Place -- Straddling the edge of a cliff, it served as lookout and ambush area for Japanese troops in WWII. It now stands as the best place to view Mt Matutum and the rest of the Mt Parker mountain range.

Corn Camp -- A kilometer from Sniper’s Place on foot, Corn Camp is a high ground that offers 360-degree views of the whole SOCCSKSARGEN, forest and cliff face of Klaja Eco Park.

Mabuhay Ridge -- Crossing this kilometer-long ridge is a natural adrenaline rush; just feel the height from both sides of the ridge.

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Mabuhay

riginally Barrio Klinan 5 of Barangay Lagao, Mabuhay in the 40s was a remote forest area with about 15 settlers who till an ample clearing for livelihood. As the Japanese–American war broke out the settlers were driven away and returned after the war in 1945 to reestablish themselves. In 1968 Klinan 5 was declared a barangay, but the barrio council and lay leaders changed the name to Mabuhay, hoping that the positive effect of the name could bring about peace and order to the place, which then gained notoriety due to juvenile delinquents. Mabuhay is now one of fastest growing barangays, becoming the alternative choice for residence due to its high elevation and temperate climate.

Nopol Hills -- Nopol Hills has an expansive view of the city. A 45-minute trek brings you to the peak of Nopol Hills, best place to view Sarangani Bay and the city; the sunset view here is breathtaking. Wild boars and monkeys roam the grounds in the forest nearby. The place is also the nesting ground for hornbills, and colony of thousands of meter-sized

Compact Facts -- Barangay formed

by Municipal Resolution 78, ratified 7 September 1959, comprised by Puroks 1-3, New Mabuhay, Intake, Malayang, GK Bull Mountain, Habitat, Paradise, Pareñas, Cuyos, Unson A/B, Panaghiusa, Golingan I/II, Bagong Buhay, and Promised Land. Approximately 11 Km from City Proper, 3,844 ha. in area (variably plain, hilly), temperate climate, 14,775 inhabitants, mostly Ilocano, Cebuano, Bicolano and Muslim, with Boholano, Cebuano and Ilonggo spoken. Livelihood based on fishing, farming and livestock. Special events include Araw ng Mabuhay (September 7), Our Lady of Fatima Patronal Fiesta (October 12-13).

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Olympog

ormerly a purok of Barangay Conel, Olympog was home to mostly native B’laan and a few Muslim inhabitants. The first recorded Christian settler was Agripino Biscayda, a farmer from Bohol who came in 1945 to till the land and mingled with the natives. He would later become the first Christian leader to share the position with the B’laan chieftain named Calib.

Olympog, whose name came from colympog (cogon grass in B’laan), is considered Gensan’s summer capital, a haven for extreme eco-adventure.

Deer, wild boars and monkeys used to roam freely in abundance around the forests of Nopol Hills. A few still inhabit the protected forest area.

Balakayo -- This mountain resort is ideal for outdoor gatherings. Here the view of Sarangani Bay’s expanse is simply breathtaking night or day. On the other side Mt Matutum reigns.

Protected Forest -- This is ideal for observing monkeys and fruit bats in their natural habitat. (The current tally of monkeys in the wild is ap-

proximated at 40; fruit bats, in the few thousands.)

Falls -- A number of waterfalls are accessible by trekking.

Hills -- The hilly terrain is ideal for mountain and outdoor adventures such as horseback riding, mountain climbing, rope bridge crossing, archery, and other sports.

B’laan Country -- The presence of an authentic B’laan community here enriches the cultural character of the barangay, making it one of the gems of Gensan’s heritage treasure chest.

Compact facts -- Barangay formed by Resolution No. 3 (1990), comprised

by Puroks 1-3, Biscayda, San Vicente, Sampao, Kidam, Tucanop, Balsinang, and Balakayo. Approximately 12 Km from City Proper, 2,251 ha. in area (variably plain, hilly, mountainous), temperate climate, 3,252 inhabitants, mostly B’laan, Boholano, Cebuano, Ilonggo and Muslim, with Cebuano and Bul-anon spoken. Livelihood based on rice, corn, cattle, goat, poultry.

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osdack to the native tribes, Upper Labay (the flow of the river up from the throne going down in B’laan) started out in 1972 as a sitio of Barangay Tinagacan, comprised by 8 households. A year later the B’laan chieftain Calib donated the area, with a number of families coming in from the islands of Cebu, Iloilo and Negros, and neighboring towns Malapatan, Malungon and Polomolok.

A cultural destination in the city where one can still observe locals at their craft and livelihood of weaving malong and banig, it is also offers extreme eco-adventure opportunities.

Sansapan River and Cave -- A destination for extreme adventure seekers, it offers a smooth trek across forested river trails en route to Sansapan Cave, whose main attraction is the waterfalls hidden inside the caverns. For the more extreme sports oriented, continue hiking on and descend a steep cliff for the thrill of a lifetime. This is where canyoneering begins, an adventure introduced in Europe that combines rock climbing and spelunking. It includes maneuvering through wet and rocky terrain, swimming, rappelling in waterfalls, bouldering, and falls jumping.

Boys Scout Camp -- A campsite established for scouts right at the top

UpperLabay

of the hill that overlooks the barangay, it also serves as a camping site for visitors intending to enjoy nature in a simpler, more spartan ways.

Cultural Center -- A center that showcases the crafts and tools of the indigenous B’laan tribe, as well as its heritage and culture, it showcases household handicrafts, musical intruments, weaving machine for malong making and other art crafts.

Compact Facts -- Barangay created 20 September 1978, comprised by Puroks 1-2 (Barangay Proper), New Paradise, Abtois, Sansapan, Taliwara, Daan Banwang, and Almatac. Approximately 22 Km from City Proper, 2,341 ha. in area (variably plain, hilly, mountainous), temperate climate, 2,649 (2005) inhabitants, mostly B’laan, with B’laan and Cebuano spoken. Livelihood based on corn, cotton, sorghum, charcoal, cattle and goat. Forestry under connservation and rehabilitation. Special events include Araw ng Upper Labay (September 20), St. Michael Patronal Fiesta (September 30).

Looking 4Ward

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he 4 mountainous barangays, the last frontier of the city, are a vast potential for eco-tourism. At various stages of development are the local government’s vision of sustainable tourism and culture-preserving designs that cater to ethnic diversity and environmental protection at the same time. The following are the identified concepts that caters to its long term development: • • •

• • • • • • • • • •

• •

Cultural Heritage Village in Upper Labay Cable cars and zipline in Balakayo, Olympog Cottages, bike park, safety cables and metal ladders at Malakong Wall, Amsikong Waterfalls and Sansapan Cave Falls Canyoneering at Sansapan Falls Cottages and view deck at Sniper’s Place Nopol Hills bat sanctuary view deck Sleeping quarters at Klaja and Corn Camp at Bagong Buhay, Mabuhay Reforestration of Klaja Karst lands Spring resort, bike park and cottages at Kalaja Cave Cottages and spa at Nopol Hills and Balakayo Hills Mountain trek and bike trails at Mabuhay Ridge, Purok Bagong Buhay, Nopol Hills and Alperaz Livelihood development in handicrafts production Support facilities such as comfort rooms, sleeping quarters, bail-out cottages, forest/tourism rangers quarters within the Klaja Eco Park Retirement Village in the 4 barangays Open zoo and Safari in Conel

T

he Klaja Eco Park is well on its way to becoming Gensan’s eco-tourism pièce de résistance. Watch out, world!

urbanliving / goinggreen

13

I

t has always fascinated me when I go to the supermarket or a department store to see hundreds of people still accepting to use plastic bags to bring home their various purchases.

Not only is it still acceptable but it is also tolerated, and no one gives it a second thought. Merchants always provide you a plastic bag to help you bring home your groceries, shoes, or new handbag. When will the retailers realize that they spend about $4 billion annually on plastic bags?

They then pass this extra cost on to the consumer.

The time has come to start saying, “NO! Thank you.

I have my own reusable bag.”

With all of the documentation concerning plastic bags -- one being that they aren’t biodegradable and that they actually break down into smaller toxic

by Nicole Cousineau particles -- I ask myself, why are we still using them? Another well documented fact about plastic bags is that thousands of sea turtles, birds, whales and other marine mammals die every year from eating plastic bags, which they mistake for food. We can now actually find these bags as far as Antarctica.

“Shame on us.”

Meanwhile it is admirable to see that some companies such as National Grocers based out of Canada are doing their part in reducing the use of plastic bags and eliminating as much as

possible their use in grocery stores by the end of the year 2009. Luckily hundreds of other companies around the world have started to get on board.

In the marine environment, plastic bag litter is lethal, killing thousands of whales, turtles and other sea life every year.

- 2005 Report of the World Wildlife Fund

If we all started using reusable bags -- whether it is a handbag or tote just to carry home our purchases -- our environment and future generations would thank us. Have you considered that maybe if we all started doing our little bit by not using plastic bags we would help to save our greatest treasure Earth? If you would like to know where to obtain for yourself a reusable bag we invite you to visit us at otraditionhandbag.com.

About The Author -- Nicole is married and lives with her husband and sister-in-law both, who have been in the fashion industry. Together they taught her everything about fashion. She and her sister-in-law have an on-line business called Otradition.

(Copyright © Otradition Prescott, Ontario, Canada | www.otraditionhandbag.com)

urbanliving / peopleplaces

14

A

new breed of Gensan champions did the city proud again. Conquering Davao City’s 25th Kadayawan Sportsfest Arnis Tournament early this month, the 30-strong arnis contingent coached by world arnis champion Silvano Noynoy Baliguat Bombales brought home no less than a medal each -- 3 golds, 7 silvers, and 20 bronzes.

The gold medalists are Christlyn Comajes (Pinweight, Lagao National High School), Bon Leony Petagara (Middleweight, Holy Trinity College), and Mylyn Pacquiao (Flyweight, General Santos City National School of Arts and Trade).

The silver medal winners are Almie Claro (Bantamweight, HTC), Katrina Abad (Flyweight, HTC), Leah Ching Moralde (Lightweight, GSCNSAT), Saira Burgos (Pinweight, GSCNSAT), Manuel Joseph Saliganan (Featherweight, Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges), Edward Gian Carlo Leyson (Flyweight, SPED High School), and Arlyn Noro (Extra Lightweight, RMMC).

Twenty bronze medals were also won by Dexter Mier (Bantamweight, HTC), Aldrin Lastimado (Lightweight, RMMC), Irish Fuertes (Extra Lightweight, Golden State College), Dona Fuertes (Extra Lightweight, BTAD HQ), Gretchel Fuertes (Extra Lightweight, ACA SarGen), Lorelyn Pacquiao (Pinweight, GSCNSAT), Leslie Ann Garay (Pinweight, GSCNSAT), Mariel May Montaño (Bantamweight, GSCNSAT), Daphny Gulor (Bantamweight, HTC),

The arnis talents of Gensan are a vast pool just waiting to be tapped.

Abgail Comajes (Pinweight, RMMC), Ma. Ronilla Juntanilla (Featherweight, GSCNSAT), Eugene Evangelista (Extra Lightweight, GSCNSAT), Joven Arellano

(Pinweight, GSCNSAT), Christian Miraflor (Pinweight, GSCNSAT), Mark Traya (Flyweight, HTC), Gerry Molina (Featherweight, RMMC), Draccz Petagara (Elementary 2 Category, Lagao Elementary School), Leo Edward Cellan (Elementary 2 Category, Apopong Elementary School), Garry Baquial (Lightweight, RMMC), and Arnel Losaria (Lightweight, RMMC).

The tournament was organized by the Arnis Philippines - Kapatirang Doble Olisi Escrima in coordination with the City Government of Davao, Office of the City Mayor, Sports Development Division.

The 25th Kadayawan Sportsfest Arnis Tournament

was held at Gaisano Grand Citimall in Davao City. The awarding ceremony was conducted on September 5.

Noynoy Bombales, BTADGensan Arnis Team Coach, said that the arnis talents of Gensan are a vast pool just waiting to be tapped. “What we urgently need now is the full support of the community, the schools, and the local government to realize our full potential in the discipline,” he stressed.

A

rnis or Kali was declared as the Philippines’ national martial art and sport by virtue of Republic Act 9850, enacted December 2009. Before arnis, the term eskrima was used to refer to the Filipino way of fighting with weapons; eskrima is derived from the Spanish escrima fencing, referring to the blade used as weapon in the discipline.

Kali, though primarily used in Europe and the US, is seldom used in Visayas and in some cases, unknown to eskrima practitioners. The term is used mostly in Mindanao, but due to the popularity of the term outside the Philippines and the influence of foreign practitioners the term is now accepted as a synonym for eskrima and arnis. (ANPJ)

-- Also see page 30.

GTX 2010:

Groovier, Grander, Ganda Ever!

g

ensan’s Tuna Festival Experience (GTX) may or may not be the only y tuna-themed festival in the e world, but it certainly ranks ks way up there among the grandest and most glamorous of festivals.

Packing close to a hundred events nts at, t, in a single festival was no mean feat, of let alone making a grand spectacle of GTX’s eight flagship showcases -- the he fierce FishDance Competition, the e awe-inspiring Gensan’s Pop Idol, the he iles il ile es brave and empowering Ginang Bariles Pageant, the mind-blowing Mardi Gras Streetdancing Competition, the e grand Float Parade Competition, the e dynamic Cheer Dance Competition, the prestigious Miss Gensan Pageant,, and the first ever Mr Gensan Pageantt during the main festival week.

Adding grandeur to the monthlong citywide celebrations was the 1st Lawihan Streetdancing Competition at FishFest Sa Fish Port, a fun-packed daylong satellite carnival of the Tuna Festival right at the very hub of Gensan’s all-enduring tuna industry -- a unique sort of festival within a festival.

The ceremonial letting-go of sky lanterns -- 42 sky lanterns on opening night in commemoration of General Santos City’s 42nd charter anniversary, and 43 on closing night to usher in Gensan’s 43rd year in the making -- makes a debut this year, providing a serene community ritual at the festival’s opening, and a fitting curtain-raiser to the grand fireworks display at the festival’s close. Never before has Gensan seen a more meaningful showcase of lights -- symbol of the collective aspirations of a community bound by a single vision.

Tuna Festival 2010’s theme and the city’s battle-cry can never be truer or more urgent -- Go Global Gensan: We Are Ready For The World!

General Santos cannot rest on its past accolades and the fame of its world-class citizens. All members of the community -- business sector, local government, the academe, the church, the minorities, media, and the masses -- should all work towards the uplift of competitiveness and quality as a way of life.

The pervading sensation at the sight and the sound of 12 streetdancing contingents performing their own routines in concert to the live rendition of Centerpoint Band’s Whoa Gensan! at the festival culmination’s Best of Gensan Show can only be described as hair-raising and heart-wrenching.

This is the essence of a city that’s innately attuned to its needs and potentials -- always striving to excel in the boxing ring, centerstage, boardroom and marketplace. The Tuna Festival is simply our way of having one heck of a great time.

profilefocus

T

he 2010 Mr and Ms Gensan Pageant stood out as an exercise in spectacular delight, a fitting tribute to Gensan’s most beautiful -from the candidates to the jury, the hosts to the guests, the performances to the art direction, the music to the costume design -- with two students from Mindanao t State University jointly owning the night as the e eighth Miss Gensan winner, and the city’s very first Mr Gensan.

Miss Gensan Genevieve Mutia and Mr Gensan Jenel Labiana breezed through ction numbers, numberss, and an nd the costume changes and the ramp, production ers. The T the interviews to ultimately emerge as this year’s winners. loselly equally beautiful contenders in the tightly fought and closely p watched competition were frontlined by first runners-up Maureen Paulo and Rolly Pimentel, with second runners-up Christine Padilla and Zoren Jon Domdom following suit.

Pageant photos

by Armando Nicolas PJ

Jenel & G

From right: Jose Amador Puertas, Zoren Jon Domdom, Japeth Panturas, Reynaldo Sanoy, Dalmacio Comendo Jr., Rolly Pimentel, Mark Justin Adarna, Ian Theodeo Valle, Jenel Labiana, Aldrin Cutamora (Group photo by Omar Gallinero/Montage)

19

Genevieve, Ghen to friends and peers, hails from Mindanao State University - General Santos, where she placed first runner-up in the 2009 Miss MSU Pageant. This 20-year-old Libran takes her studies very y, but also loves to hang out with her friends whenseriously, ib ble. A junior junior taking t ever possible. up a degree in Business Adn, Ghen is an environmentalism advocate. n ministration,

Genevieve

Jene Jenel, also a graduate of MSU General SSantos, works in the retail industry while doing modeling on the side. This y year m mal title of Kalilangan Festival’s Lakan at he won the male ant, his first try at male pageants.This 23Lakambini Pagea Pageant, Cancerian loves lov sports and the great outdoors. year-old Cancerian MSUan to be b crowned Miss Gensan was Rean The last MSUan a in 2007.

2 Mis Gensan 2008 Romarie Cunanan Hacosta Miss y pa hosted this year’s pageant night with Mario Baladjay.

From left: Kristal Villegas, Genevieve Mutia, Christine Padilla, Claudine Melgazo, Mithus Repizo, Rossbie Danao, Maureen Paulo, Sherly Ampatuan, Christine Remolana, Kimverlie Villa (Group photo by Omar Gallinero/Montage)

Mr Gensan candidates presented on Opening Night

Jovelyn Bolo’s all-out hula at the Best of Gensan Show

Deane fronts Centerpoint Band’s TunaFest outing

FishFest Sa Fishport 2010’s heaviest tuna catch of the day

StreetGTX Mardi Grasthrottle l ful on ing nc da

Photos by Armando Nicolas P J

Mayor Darlene Custodio hams it up Mardi Gras style

Christine and Japeth show off their killer figure and power legs

Maureen shows off her dazzling blue plume

Mr & Miss Gensan winners with Mayor Darlene Custodio

itchyworms

A

heavy dose of celebrity was what the fiesta doctor prescribed for the 2010 Tuna Festival, and have our heavy dose we most certainly did!

B

ut of all the stars that came our way, Vina Morales caught our hearts for handling our baby beautifully. (Did we say we really, really, really like her?)

C

ongratulations to all participants and followers of this year’s festival!

Special credit goes to the Tuna Festival organizing committee for an excellent job!

parokya ni edgar

gadgettalk

W

ant power portable photography from a compact camera that’s amphibious, immune to trauma, and sleek in design? Pick the Olympus μ (Mju) TOUGH-8000 -- the extreme compact that lasts.

and sports a much subtler, more solid, and more compact design. For all clumsy folks out there, this power point-andshoot can withstand a drop of up to 2 meters, and can endure a crushing force of up to 100 Kg.

Olympus, one of the very first camera makers to build on the concept of an extreme compact, came up with the aptly named Olympus TOUGH-8000 -stuffing it with a more-thandecent array of rugged features. It’s waterproof up to a sea depth of 10 meters,

As you would expect from being a recent reincarnation of a

series of waterproof, shockproof, crush-proof and freezeproof cameras, the Olympus TOUGH-8000 feels ultra-solid to the touch, registering just 182 grams on the scales.

While most users take on one minor gripe -- the one about its high-gloss metal finish on parts of it that looks nice but is liable to scratch easily, with

Olympus TOUGH8000: Extreme Compact That Lasts

places2go • GGPick

bars 

GGPick Babes Bar - One of East Asia Royale Hotel’s watering holes, with discotheque, live music Thu-Fri (2nd Flr, Arcade 1, East Asia Royale Hotel, National Highway, Gen. Santos, +63-835534123 ext. 106) GGPick Cassado Billiard Bar - Pool tables, ice-cold beers (Grd Flr, Arcade 1, East Asia Royale Hotel, National Highway, Gen. Santos, +63-83-3028389) GGPick Pacman Sports Bar - Five pool tables/dart boards, The Pacman himself if you’re lucky, lots of lounge space (JMP Bldg 2, Aparente, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5528880) GGPick Q Bar - Great place to be seen in, for chilling and dancing, with superb music and yuppie crowd (SunCity Complex, Gen. Santos)

cafés 

GGPick BluGré Cafe - Next best thing to Starbucks, designer coffees, hot/cold mixes, filling meals (Robinsons Place, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5542177) [wi◦fi]

GGPick BluGré Cafe - Bigger/more relaxing than the one at Robinsons, same great drinks /eats (South Osmeña, Gen. Santos, +63-5521111) [wi◦fi] GGPick Cafe Amoree - Local gem, great drinks / eats, off city center but worth a visit (Mabuhay Rd, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5542173) [wi◦fi] Cafe Paulino - Unpretentious coffee place, central yet a quiet retreat from the crowd (Gaisano Mall, Gen. Santos) Coffee Club 101 - Coffee, pasta, desserts, free PC stations for patrons (Laurel East, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5535430) [wi◦fi] GGPick Coffee Club 101 Great place to people-watch and be seen in, perfect chill after shopping (Robinsons Place, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5534878) [wi◦fi] Coffee Dream - Coffee and sweets for after shopping or while waiting for company (2nd Flr/Basement 1, KCC Mall, Gen. Santos, +63-83-3018263) [wi◦fi] Fagioli Coffee Shop - Great after hours haunt, tends to get really crowded at night (Petron Station, Lagao, Gen. Santos, +63-83-552749) [wi◦fi] GGPick Fagioli Coffee Shop

- Private yet accessible, perfect chill after shopping (Grd Flr, KCC Mall, +63-83-5542384) [wi◦fi] Generals Brew - Fine gourmet coffees, sandwiches, combo meals (Pioneer, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5526559) [wi◦fi] Red Ribbon Bakeshop Cakes, pastries, sumptuous Filipino/Western meal combos (Lower Grd Flr, KCC Mall, Gen. Santos, +63-83-3018388)

hotels 

GGPick East Asia Royale Hotel - Stone’s throw away from the financial district, shopping malls, convention/exhibition centers, with function rooms/ restaurants/bars (Grand Royale Ballroom, Babes Bar), business center, 24-hour room service (National Highway, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5534123) [wi◦fi] GGPick Family Country Hotel & Convention Centre Guest rooms, meeting/banquet halls (up to 1,000 heads), pool, in-house Cafe Leticia amidst greenery (Mateo Rd, Lagao, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5528895) [wi◦fi] GGPick Ice Castle - Modern, centrally located, offers excellent accommodations, in-house bar and restaurant (Provido Village, City Heights, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5544423, +63-

83-8269026) [wi◦fi] Phela Grande Hotel - Basic to luxury guest rooms, in-house Meilih Restaurant/Cafe Eduardo, offsite Phela Convention Center (Magsaysay cor. Atis, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5524220) [wi◦fi] GGPick SunCity Suites Hotel at the heart of upscale and trendy SunCity Complex (National Highway, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5523333) [wi◦fi] Sydney Hotel - Centrally located, offers comfortable accommodations and excellent restaurants, professional banquet/ conference facilities (Pendatun cor. Pioneer, Gen. Santos, +6383-5525479) [wi◦fi] Tierra Montana Hotel - Airconditioned guest suites/function rooms, pool, restaurant (National Highway, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5538553) [wi◦fi]

resorts 

Davak Ridge Resort - Sun, sky, and all-year-round beach fun (Gumasa, Glan, Sarangani, +63-83-5524492) GGPick Gensan View Resort - Sun, sky, swimming pool (Nursery Rd, Lagao, Gen. Santos, +63-83-3028237) GGPick Merl Garden Spring Resort - Zip-line ride, pool, horseback riding and

U

sing the Olympus TOUGH-8000 is hasslefree – you can turn the command dial for the main setting, and toggle through shooting options using its 4-way control pad.

For instant gratification, the 2.7-inch screen is crisp and clear, too. Not bad for a tough tool!

(ANPJ)

more (Lahit, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, +63-919-4577221) Olaer Spring Resort - Natural springs, city icon (Apopong, Gen. Santos, +63-83-3802345) GGPick Rosal Beach Resort - Sun, sky, and all-yearround white sand beach fun (Gumasa, Glan, Sarangani, +63-920-9212203)

restaurants

Andrea Ticia Family Restaurant - Green, homey setting for a relaxing dining experience (Mateo Rd, Lagao, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5528896) GGPick Big Ben Steaks & Grills - Steaks you can always rely on in a homey, central setting, you’d wanna hang out long after the plates are cleared.

(Robinsons Place, Gen. Santos, +63-83-3030315) GGPick Bigby’s Cafe & Restaurant - Great coffees and sumptuous food platters. Try Pescado Al Fresco -- dory in onion sauce! (Robinsons Place, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5520111) Cookie Factory - Homestyle restaurant (J. Catolico Sr, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5522035) GGPick Gio’s Mongo Grill One of Tiongson Arcade’s main draw, Gio’s has great tasting barbecue (Tiongson Arcade,

Lagao, Gen. Santos) GGPick Grab-A-Crab Exciting seafood, crab specialties (Laurel East, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5535430) [wi◦fi] GGPick Grab-A-Crab Same Grab-A-Crab vibe, only smaller (Robinsons Place, Gen. Santos) [wi◦fi] GGPick Little Dubai Kebab Grills - Taste of exotic Middle East at half the price (SAFI Arcade, Bula Rd, Gen. Santos) GGPick Mandarin Tea Garden Restaurant - Amazing dimsum, Chinese/Filipino delicacies (South Osmeña, Gen. Santos, +63-83-3013333) [wi◦fi] GGPick Marasa Grill - Nofrills home-style food in unpretentious setting (Kadulasan, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5524628) GGPick Pablo’s Steaks and Crabs - Pablo’s of Paseo Del Sol has perfected the art of preparing steaks (certified US Angus) (National Highway, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5539298) GGPick Paseo Del Sol Hacienda-style haven, catering to theme/special events, serving Pablo’s/Ranchero fare, as well as exclusive dishes for

ROXAS EAST AVENUE, GENERAL SANTOS, 9500 PHILIPPINES | (0921) 8485515

The Olympus TOUGH-8000 boasts of a 12-megapixel resolution and a most useful wide-angle zoom, spanning 28 to 102 mm. It has a dual anti-shake system in the form of a sensor-shift mechanism, and ISO boost (if too low, it automatically increases ISO in iAuto); standard ISO range is 64 to 1600. Its 19 scene settings include 4 Underwater modes; it even has a Beauty mode that smoothens skin.

newslettermagazinebrochure annualreport yearbookpostcardcalendar businesscard flyerofficialreceiptposterstickerpamphletlabel namecardmanualpackaging paperboxpaperbagtagteeshirt plasticbagweddinginvitation menubookothers

Salon

the front section recording any greasy fingerprints just as easily -- I personally like those “little battle scars” on my high-performance devices. (Note that the operative phrase here is high-performance.)

George B. Bisnar

23

private functions/catering service (National Highway, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5539298) GGPick Ranchero Grill - Paseo Del Sol’s old-timer Ranchero takes native/Filipino/ ranch-style food to the next level (National Highway, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5539298) GGPick Red Trellis Seafood Garden - Asian fusioninspired, gives Singapore-style chili/black pepper crab places a run for their money (Across NDDU-IBED, Tiongson, Lagao, Gen. Santos, +63-83-3022722) Rooftop Grill Ihaw-Ihaw - Seafood/grill, great view of Plaza Heneral Santos (6th Flr, Sydney Hotel, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5525479 ext. 103) [wi◦fi] GGPick Royale Lounge Relaxing café with minimalist decór, acoustic music Wed-Sat (East Asia Royale Hotel, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5534123) [wi◦fi] GGPick Sarangani Highlands Garden & Restaurant - Hilltop joint with views of Sarangani Bay, downtown Gensan, Mt Parker/Mt Matutum. Nature, fresh air, good food, great for private parties or company events (Tambler,

Cagampang Street General Santos City Tel (083) 5535684 | Tel (083) 3044745 | Fax (083) 5524873 gregoria.pp@gmail.com

Gen. Santos, +63-83-3040752) Wanchin Dimsum Restaurant - Good food, pool table, piano, great view of Plaza Heneral Santos (2nd Flr, Sydney Hotel, Gen. Santos, +63-835525479) [wi◦fi]

resto-bars

Crocodillo’s Resto Bar Occasional expat haunt, laidback crowd, cheap beers (Laurel East, Gen. Santos) GGPick Grab-A-Crab Same Grab-A-Crab vibe, more intimate dining/wining (Robinsons Place, Gen. Santos) [wi◦fi] GGPick Jmix Resto Bar Great food, great music (JMP Bldg 2, City Heights, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5542368) GGPick Piyesta!

KTV & Resto Bar - Valuefor-money combo meals, inventive dishes, novelty cocktails, tower drinks, intimate KTV rooms, friendly staff (Robinsons Place, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5542139).

Please call +63-83-8269221 to be included in this listing.

For TV Ad info and inquiry, contact 0939.5426217 (Smart) | 0922.8632233 (Sun), or email phil.southspot@live.com.

MKM MARKETING Japan Surplus Agricultural/ Industrial Equipment, Generators and Spare Parts Dealer of Farm Tractor, Hand Tractor, Generator, Yanmar Engine, Kubota Engine •

We sell spare parts for agricultural engines and equipment.

•

We accept repair and overhauling services of agriengine (Kubota, Yanmar, Mitsubishi, etc.).

VISIT US SOON! We are at J. Catolico Ave. (fronting Robinsons Place Gensan), General Santos City | Tel. (083) 552 2851, (0920) 922 1696, (0922) 868 6744 | Email dodge_manubay@yahoo. com | cindy_manubay@ yahoo.com

gglist ● idnamo

25 Album: The Eraser (2006) | Artist: Thom Yorke | Abstract: This solo debut of the famous Radiohead frontman had critics commending the uniqueness and fragility of Yorke’s voice. Most reviews compared yorke goes the album’s sound to be “as close to a solo but version of Radiohead minus four of its stays very close to the members as one can imagine,” but why not? (The Beatles sound has been radiohead carried by each and every one of its legendary members, solo or otherwise.)

The album’s top tracks include Atoms For Peace (Peel all of your layers off / I want to eat your artichoke heart), The Clock, Harrowdown Hill, and Jetstream. Best listened to with your choice noise-reduction earphones on random shuffle in perpetual repeat loop.

THOM

sound.

CAUGHT C AUGH UP IN this th his world’s mad, ma ad, m meaningless

materialism? m ate

why w hy not concentrate c on

on o n being

rather r at than

having? h a

Mr.Impossible

chair

Boo Book: To Have Or To Be? Aut Author: Erich Fromm Abs Abstract: One of the seminal bo books of the 20th century -a manifesto for a new social a psychological revolution and to save our threatened planet, a brilliant program for socioeconomic change.

(drool away!) ippe Name: Mr Impossible Chair (2007) | Designer: Philippe ssible Starck | Maker: Kartell | Abstract: The Kartell Mr. Impossible mes to Chair shows that, indeed, nothing’s impossible when it comes itllet, furniture design. Created by Phillipe Starck and Eugeni Quitllet, anced it combines sophisticated, organic-looking design and advanced al colored plastic processing. To create the fluid bi-color effect, the oval polypropylene seat is formed separately and then welded onto the able piece. clear polypropylene frame to create one seamless and durable Available in a wide range of solid and transparent colors.

top blog of the month Post: Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs for 2010 (17 Sep 2010) | Author: Janette Toral | Abstract: Chosen by bloggers participating in a privately run writing project, the Philippines-based blogs making the list are: 1. WhenInManila.com 2. NomNomClub.com 3. Facebuko.com | GandaEverSoMuch.com 4. KusinaMaria.com | Project52Weeks.com 5. FatGirlNoMore.com | RabSing.com | TheCreativeDork.com | 6. ThirstyBlogger.com 7. FoodieManila.com 8. Jay-eLx.blogspot.com 9. PaoloDome.co.cc 10. GetPrettified.com

D i k H tiQ | Drink: HypnotiQ Maker: Q Bar Gensan | Abstract: Exquisite concoction that’s a cross between mojito (minus the mint) and margarita (minus the salt), this sugar-laced, blue drink is more beautiful than the sum of its parts. If Coke adds life, this one surely adds life to the party.

tough cookie D Device: Olympus Mju TOUGH-8000 | Manuf facturer: Olympus | Abstract: Waterpoof up to 10 meters, shock-proof up to 2 meters, crush-proof up to 100 Kg. See our piece in GadgetTalk on page 25 for more.

GGList is a mish-mash of stuff heard, tasted, edd sseen, worn, posted, drunk, touched...

healthbits

4 Losing Weight Tips That People Don’t Talk About But You Need To Understand

by Jeff Schuman

L

osing weight can be one of the hardest things for you to do because it means changing your lifestyle, which is not always easy to do. If you are serious about losing weight then you need to know the losing weight tips that most people don’t talk about, but is definitely important for you to know.

The following are the weight loss tips you don’t often hear about, but are definitely important to losing the weight that you want to.

ONE: Do it one step at a time.

Weight loss will take time and life-

style changes will also be necessary.

You don’t want to do any drastic changes in your lifestyle because this can have a negative impact on the success you have with losing weight.

Instead you want to avoid making

quality machines quality processes

quality printing

drastic changes and start making changes one step at a time. This will help your body get used to the changes and will allow you to move at a pace you are comfortable with.

TWO: Always find support. Losing weight is never easy, especially when you are trying to do it alone.

Find someone that will support you through your weight loss, or better yet find someone that will lose weight with you.

This will make losing weight more enjoyable for you and will also make it easier to stick with your weight loss plan. Trying to lose weight alone is one of the best ways you can fail at your goal so do the smart thing and get the support you need.

THREE: Motivation. Find an old picture of you when you were skinny and hang it on the wall. This will give you motivation to lose the weight so you can again look as good as you did back then.

You can also use your camera to take pictures of your weight loss journey to help keep yourself motivated. Every time you lose weight, make a note of that and take pictures occasionally so you can see the difference in yourself.

FOUR: Keep yourself full. The best way to do this is to eat 5 or 6 small meals throughout the day; if you find yourself wanting a snack, eat some fruit or something healthy.

Don’t ever go to the grocery store when you’re hungry because this can lead to a disaster for anyone trying to lose weight. Keep yourself full with foods that are good for you and you will find that it is much easier not to cheat.

Cheating on your diet once in a while is a smart idea because it will help make sticking with your diet plans much easier and give you something to look forward to.

With these losing weight tips anyone can effectively lose weight. You just have to be sure you use them and are smart about your weight loss plan. Losing weight definitely won’t be easy, but it is well worth it when you start seeing the weight fall off.

About The Author

Cagampang Street, General Santos City Tel (083) 5535684 | (083) 3044745 | Fax (083) 5524873

www.gregoriaprintingpress.com

Jeff Schuman writes for Secret Slimming Tips. Visit http://www. secretslimmingtips.com for the best weight loss and slimming strategies.

27

10 Facts About Olive Oil

by Sally Nightingale

O

live oil is a fabulous ingredient with many uses, from medicinal purposes such as preventing heart disease and cancer, to beauty benefits such as providing anti-aging properties.

(1)

History -- The olive tree is a crop native to Asia Minor that spread to Iran, Syria, Palestine and the rest of the Mediterranean basin around 6,000 years ago.

It is among the oldest cultivated trees in the world and began growing long before the written language existed.

(2)

Family -- The olive family, also known as the Oleaceae family, comprises of 600 species, which are situated on all continents.

(3) The Olive Tree -- Many types of olive trees have many similarities and just as many differences. Growing characteristic and appearance vary, as well as the size, taste and quality of olives that they produce.

O

(4) Harvesting -- One of the most

debated questions among growers is when to harvest. Harvesting can be done in many different ways, from hand-picking to completely mechanized harvesting.

(5) Maturity Stages -- Immature

olives are green and quite firm; they produce oil that is bitter and grassy. These oils are high in anti-oxidants. When the olive fruit matures, it turns yellowish and starts to soften and then the skin turns red-purple in color. Here the olives are often considered to be at their peak for olive oil production.

As the fruit completely matures, the skin turns from purple to black; oils produced from these olives usually have a shorter life span and are m often described as sweet oils.

(6)

Extra Virgin Olive Oil -- Extra virgin olive oil is the highest grade olive oil. It is made without the use of chemicals or excessive heat.

High quality oil is ideal as a condiment - whether it’s drizzled over meat, fish vegetables and as a dipping sauce for bread.

(7) Flavors -- Flavors of olive

oil depend on a range of factors including the type of olive, ripeness at harvest, growing conditions, crop maintenance and the handling of the olives. When tasting olive oil, much of the oil’s characteristics are perceived through the sense of smell. A

trained taster can identify negative elements within the oil which can be a result of improper handling, poor storage, humidity and weather conditions.

(8) Beauty Benefits -- The

polyphenols found in olive oil have also been found to slow the process of aging and help prevent degenerative diseases. When used on the hair or scalp, olive oil can be used as a deep conditioner and a dandruff controller.

(9)

Health Benefits -- Studies have shown that olive oil offers protection against heart disease by controlling LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, while raising HDL (good) levels.

No other naturally produced oil has a large amount of monounsaturated fat as olive oil. Olive oil also has the ability to reduce the effect of an oncogene -- a gene that will turn a host cell into a cancer cell.

(10)

Storage -- Olive oil should be stored in a cool, dark place and not in the refrigerator as it will become cloudy and will eventually solidify. If it’s properly stored it can keep for at least two years, however, it has it is most flavourful in the first two months.

About The Author Sally Nightingale writes on behalf of GetOily, which stocks a range of quality balsamic vinegars and olive oils. Visit http://www.getoily.com for more information on olive oils.

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28

What You Should Know about Alcohol Addiction

by Rudy Silva

A

n alcohol problem can start from occasional drinking, and as time passes the drinking increases. Having a drinking problem means that you cannot end the day without consuming an alcoholic drink.

If you regularly drink alcoholic beverages, the tolerance you have for alcohol may increase.

Soon, what used to be a quenching glass of wine or a mug of beer may no longer satiate you. Consumption may increase gradually. At times, people who have alcohol dependence won’t stop drinking until they are drunk.

This means that if you do not stop drinking until you get drunk, you’d likely consume several bottles of wine or beer, which could lead to addiction if you don’t do something about it. While small amounts may be good for health, binge drinking can actually damage the internal organs, especially the liver.

Many say that drinking every day does not necessarily make the person an alcoholic.

However, if physical signs of health problems begin to manifest, it could mean serious issues. As the liver is the first organ that alcohol destroys,

the person may experience extreme fatigue, and jaundice around the eyes and face.

Sexual drive may be reduced and stomach pains surge.

Drinking daily is enough to develop the habit into an addiction. Many people use alcohol to relieve anxiety, become more sociable and confident in dealing with others, help in relaxing oneself, and forget about an immediate problem.

People who have broken relationships or a failed career, or those who are grieving over a losr loved one, find it helpful to drink in the morning to get them going with their day.

For some, drinking alcohol can become so much of a habit that it affects the emotional, behavioral and even mental

It takes very little to lose control.

Don’t drink and drive.

faculty after several hours or a few days of non-consumption.

They become so distracted in their thinking that the only time they can think straight is when they are drunk. Even their speech may start to slur.

They may also feel some trembling if they’re not drinking.

They get annoyed by comments about their drinking.

Relationships with family, friends and co-workers are affected to the point that they deteriorate. Worse, being sober may make them violent, and they start hurting the people around them, including their loved ones.

If they feel that their drinking habit is threatened they might try to avoid situations that are not conducive

to drinking. People with an alcohol problem will become dependent on it that they do not choose the time to drink.

Alcoholics may start to drink at any time. When caught or confronted about it, they tend to tell lies about the real amount of alcohol that they consume. Sometimes they deny that they are drinking.

They hide the truth about their alcohol problem.

They need help.

About the Author -- Do you or someone close to you have an alcohol problem? Here is a new solution to help break the habit and to start down a new road. Enddrinkingnow.com offers a treatment that works.

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RMMC Teatro Ambahanon represented the Philippines in a festival in Fukuoka, Japan, and MSU-KE performed in theater festivals in Cyprus and Israel.

Local arts initiatives are now felt in the national scene. Gensan artists in the last ten years sit in the executive committees of several national arts committees of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). Virginia Buhisan, the former curator of the MSU Museum was with the National Committee on Indigenous Peoples.

Michael Ang was execom member of the National Committee on Architecture and Allied Arts for two terms, and will sit in the next execom of the National Committee on Monuments and Sites. Councilor Virginia Llido was execom member of the National Committee on Dance in 2004. I have been in the execom of the National Committee on Visual Arts and the current assistant secretary of the National Committee on Cultural Education.

Romeo Narvaez is reelected for a second term in the execom of the National Committee on Dramatic Arts, and next year, Al-Nezzar Ali will be in the execom of the National Committee on Visual Arts.

Cultural work has been a salient ingredient in many community development initiatives in Gensan for decades. Workers in arts and culture persisted while the conditions for art making were difficult and support, almost nonexistent: They danced in makeshift stages while the first school buildings were still under construction.

They sang at weddings, at parties and even at funerals to sustain their craft.

They painted pictures on concrete fences while waiting for a gallery to be built.

C

ultural workers have to find money and oftentimes finance their projects only to see their works staged, performed, exhibited; they market their art to sustain the activities and engaged the audience to the point of exhaustion.

But that’s how it is when one wants to keep his soul alive.

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Youngest Arnis Player --a General--Figures in World Arnis Open as Silver Medalist

S

hiellowah Quisha N. Bombales, world arnis champion Noynoy Bombales’ three-year-old daughter, bagged the World Silver Medal in Arnis, Kids Division (8 years old and below) at the World Arnis Open in Manila last month. She also received a special award for being the Youngest Arnis Player.

Noynoy Bombales bagged the World Delegates Qualifier Award for Half Lightweight, Senior Master Category in Padded Stick Sparring.

A fellow world qualifier in the same category, Arlyn E. Noro, bagged the World Bronze Medal, Open Category in Padded Stick Sparring.

Completing the power quartet of Generals, Edward Gian Carlo Leyson, won the World Bronze Medal, Junior Category (13-14 years old).

Over 30 international arnis masters flocked to the Philippine capital for the World Arnis Open. Staged by the Philippine Council of Kali Escrima Arnis Masters (PCKEAM), the threeday competition was held at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall in Pasay City starting August 6.

Tournament director, PCKEAM’s Rey Dominguez, said he hoped that the World Arnis Open will reintroduce the sport to Filipinos.

Clockwise from top -- Shiellowah Quisha poses by the World Arnis Open banner at the Mall of Asia Music Hall; Shiellowah in various stages of gearing up for her match against an opponent 5 years her senior; Sheillowah takes a nap on her father’s lap as Edward Gian Carlo accompanies them at the bleachers.

30

beauty & fashion back2back • donnacongson & romariecunanan

Of KTV Bars and Pageant Hosting

31

Of Sashimi Nights and Sky Lanterns

G

ensan’s Tuna Festival usic City KTV opened this month is not known as the at SunCity Complex. I arrived at the Philippines’ most inauguration at 10:00 am, just in time delicious festival for nothing. for the blessing rites. The intimate ceremony The taste of fresh tuna is just was attended by the Kwan Family, their friends delectable and healthy. A lot and a few guests. The cutting of the ribbon of exciting activities were held was assisted by Mr Avel Manansala. I got for this year’s grand Tuna a chance to talk with Mr Marvin Kwan, Fest. Yours truly was very owner of Music City, who, to my surprise, was lucky to participate in the first also the architect of the said place. (He also sky lanterns show on Septemdesigned the SunCity Complex, by the way.) ber 20. It was an exhilarating The establishment has 12 air-conditioned KTV experience to release 42 sky rooms with hi-fi sound systems and flat screen lanterns (representing the televisions, serviced by their own restaurant, city’s 42nd charter anniwhich serves savory foods. Each room is Masthead photo by Brian Congson versary), as Mayor Darlene very spacious and welcoming. They have Custodio simultaneously cozy couches and big tables -- just right for declared the official opening of Gensan’s Tuna Festival customers using the room. When my friends and I settled at our Experience. We did the same thing on September 26 KTV room, it was as if we were having our own private party. Their at the City Hall façade on closing night, releasing 43 song selection is really uplanterns this time to usher in Gensan’s 43rd year as a dated! Though I’m not a good city. This time my sissy Romarie got a chance to send singer at all, I took part in the off a lantern to the skies. We also had out picture singing because the sound taken with our vibrant mayor. system was way too great. I enjoyed my first of hopefully he Al Fresco Sashimi Night was many times at Music City. held on September 25 at Robinsons Place Gensan; I served as event ne of the highlights manager this year. Dubbed Best of Gensan of the Tuna Festival Tuna at Tunog, the night was filled with a was the Mr and Miss steady supply of freshly sliced sashimi, and Gensan 2010 Pageant. I a jam-packed list of Gensan’s finest bands felt bliss when I was chosen to and entertainers. DJ Jeri be one of the hosts Funk, DJ Jbugs and DJ for this prestigious Young Genz gave the event. Since I’m an night’s beats, Traffic Jam outspoken person, and Izek’s Quest for the I find it easy doing acoustic feel, Blackdize hosting and pleasfor intense rapping, ing the crowd at Kuerdas for reggae the same time. The contestants of the pageant were vibe, and Gensan’s pride very beautiful, witty and competent. Their clothes were and performer of this well-chosen and they carried them with grace and year’s Tuna Fest theme poise. The coronation night was a grand one, attended song, Whoa Gensan! by many Generals who supported their candidates.

-- the Centerpoint Band.

The show was a success and a memorable one for me As organizer I was because I was given a chance to share my abilities and overwhelmed by the talents to everyone. Congratulations to the organizers positive response and and winners! immense support from our fishing industry.

Life is indeed beauti(They donated 6 whole tunas!) I would like ful. There are even more to acknowledge and thank JCWC Fishing, Escal Handline Fishing, reasons to be thankful every day, Kenzo Fishing, Val Mosquite, Pescaderia Pacifica International, and way more than you can possibly Roger Lim. I also thank Joey Pamonag, chief of market operations imagine, so take your chances, at PFDA-GSCFPC, and Bebot Haw for their immense help and welcome all opportunities, and support. And of course, the Tuna Festival org-com headed by the make the best of them. Shared joy vibrant Orman Manansala for the all-out support and the trust and is joy doubled! opportunity to handle a huge event like this.

Stress from supervising the venue setup didn’t stop me from looking fabulous. On the big night I wore my black dress from Mirror and paired it with my smoky eyes look.

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cityhallsnapshots • avelmanansala

32

Darlene ranks 4th in Top 10 Prettiest Pinay Politicians list

Cebu rep and former TV host • Emmeline Aglipay, Democratic Independent Workers Association PLR • Fatima Aliah Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte representative • Loren Legarda, former senator

A

S

pot.ph, a popular entertainment portal, recently released its Top 10 Prettiest Pinay Politicians, and guess what? GenSan’s very own new mayor, the Hon. Darlene Magnolia Antonino-Custodio, made it at № 4!.

Mayor Darlene’s inclusion in the list was thus explained: As the current mayor of General Santos City, this petite cutie, who had also served as the congresswoman of South Cotabato’s first district, charms her public with her feisty ways and her glorious tan. She’s 36 but she always looks like a little girl. We wonder what kind of anti-aging cream she uses. She’s one politician who looks great even without makeup.

The hardworking chief executive of GenSan joins 9 other political personalities from all over the country: • Monica Louise Nikki Prieto-Teodoro, former Tarlac representative • Shalani Soledad, Valenzuela councilor and P-Noy’s girlfriend • Rissa Hontiveros, former senatoriable and Akbayan party list rep (PLR) • Darlene Antonino-Custodio • Jannah Ejercito, San Juan councilor • Abigail Ferriol, Kalinga PLR • Rachel Marguerite Cutie del Mar,

lthough we know she’d most likely cringe in embarassment at this distinction, allow us at GenSan News Online Mag and Gensan Gazer to congratulate Mayor Darlene for this. We and the rest of her constituents could not help but feel proud that our good mayor is recognized not only for her work but also for her physical attributes, which she got from her parents, Adelbert Antonino (former Mayor of GenSan) and Lualhati Ricasa-Antonino (current head of the Mindanao Development Authority).

If there were a Ms Universe-Philippines tilt for politicians, surely she’d be at the top of the winners’ roll. Mayor Darlene Magnolia Antonino-Custodio is definitely Magandang Gensan personifed. (This and other features appear in GenSantos.com -- visit us soon!)

postscript Arnis. We can’t get

enough of this national sport, you must think, as we continue to barrage our pages with escrima this and kali that. I guess we won’t stop until our world champion gets some kind of recognition, and that arnis gets the due credit it rightfully deserves. Two Pacquiao relations figure in the sport recently (see page 14), so maybe that’ll make some heads turn. We are a team of dreamers, why not?

Deadlines. Merriam-

Webster defines deadline as a date or time before which

something must be done, and more specifically as the time after which copy is not accepted for a particular issue of a publication. Seemingly, deadlines are taken very lightly in Gensan. Or to be more accurate, some tend to disregard, even disrespect other people’s deadlines.

(Could it be they derive some joy or a sense of satisfaction from making people wait?

Or they feel important when a project is inadvertently stalled because of their missing input? Here’s news for you: among many things it isn’t is global competitive-

ness, more sorry than sad to say.) Merriam-Webster also defines deadline as a line drawn within or around a prison that a prisoner passes at the risk of being shot.

I’m all anti-violence, and completely against weapons of any sort, but that last definition kinda made me smirk.

Errata. Last issue we saw our editing quality stats take a plunge, with the major major error being asupcious (meant to be auspicious before it was mistyped), and the mishap befell the Congressional Representative Jun Acharon’s message in the Tuna Festival spread, too! To Sir Jun and our readers, our apologies. Elsewhere we see a word duplication and a sneaky lenght in one ad (we know you know it should be length); it was provided as is by the advertiser, but that’s not an excuse -we should know better. (ANPJ)

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