Gensan Gazer July 2010

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

Gensan Gazer

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General Santos City’s First Lifestyle, Trades & Travel Magazine ● July 2010

General Santos City Business Month Special

Quality Customer Service in Gensan

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Foy Vance, Orman Manansala & More!

21 ● Gensan Gazer ● Apr-May 2010

There is no greater wealth than

CUT OUT WHITE SPACE

family.

We’d love for you to be a part of

CUT OUT WHITE SPACE

OURS.

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

21 ● Gensan Gazer ● Apr-May 2010

Armando Nicolas P J Editor Donna Mae Congson Romarie Ivy Cunanan Dan Meyer Marthin Millado Neelima Reddy Nannette Villajos Guest Contributors Jay Harvey J Circulation Manager 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.

Gensan Gazer shall not, without the consent of the Publisher, be given, lent, resold, used as textbook, hired out or otherwise disposed of; or affixed to any part of any publication or advertising material in any way whatsoever. While all reasonable care is taken for contributed material, no responsibility will be assumed for its return or for corrections. Opinions expressed or implied in Gensan Gazer are solely those of the authors, and are not necessarily endorsed by the Editor or Publisher. Advertisers and/or their representatives shall indemnify the Publisher in relation to any slander, defamation, breach, royalties, intellectual property and copyright infringements, unfair trade practices, or violation of privacy rights.

All photo and story contributions must be submitted to inquiry@gensangazer.com and are subject to editorial review for possible inclusion in any issue of Gensan Gazer.

Armanikolas Publishing ®™ B34 - L7 Doña Soledad II A, Espina Gen. Santos City 9500 Philippines Phone : +63 83 826 9221 Phone : +63 83 554 7055 Mobile : +63 908 337 3005 Website : www.armanikolas.com Website : www.gensangazer.com Email: inquiry@armanikolas.com Email: inquiry@gensangazer.com

Your Copy 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.

editor’s

note eadlines have always been a pain, but that’s never been more pronounced than in this issue of Gensan Gazer. The articles have arrived quite later than usual, with several of our ads crossing way past the editorial freeze just prior to hitting the printing press, so we didn’t make the presses until quite late in the month. But what to do in the glut? Help our advertisers streamline their ad design, put out last minute features, do other logistic stuff and office housekeeping, and wait.

And what a worthwhile wait that was! This issue of our trendy, eclectic, fun and informative magazine (quoted verbatim from an online reader) is finally out in vivid color despite the cover’s formal, even somber feel.

We don’t have a dress code where we work on the magazine, but out of courtesy to the organizers, collaborators and participants in this year’s Yaman Gensan celebration, we’re putting on our best suit for posterity and for a little sense of style. Our readers deserve no less!

D

Armando Nicolas PJ

17 RRead&Reviewed by Dan Meyer 18 QQuikSoundBites by ManDeeJay

what’s

inside

3 TTravel Tales & Trivia 4 AAlmaMatters: MSU Gensan

6

8

of an OFW 19 RRecollections b

by Nannette Villajos-Ratilla

B Biz Buzz: Business news & more Q Quality Customer Service, C Concerned Citizens Corner

10 SSelling Gensan to the World

11 1 1

Y Yaman Gensan 2010

20 22

24 25

G Gadget Talk, Places2Go and G GGPick H HealthBits B Beauty&Fashion Back2Back b

by Donna & Romarie P Playbill

27 BBigOnBlogs, DigiArt, Postscript 14 PProfileFocus: Foy Vance leFocus: Orman Manansala 15 PProfi 28 LLast Look B Beauty Bully Baby our cover

story

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risk business, bright outlook, even brighter prospects -- it’s business as usual in Gensan! And yes, we want all that briskness and brightness bit to last for a long, long time. Incidentally, a lot of that has been going on in this bustling urban center, and probably because it’s Business Month, with Yaman Gensan leading the collective drive and optimism. But more than the annual celebration, numerous companies and individuals have indeed opened shop around this time of year, beautifully transforming the landscape of this boom-town city in ways we only dreamed of before. Here’s a toast to all that, and more!

traveltales&trivia • ajlakbaydiwa

A Taste of Kidapawan

KIDAPAWAN CITY, NORTH COTABATO, PHILIPPINES -- Sort of a feeler before even considering to conquer Mt Apo, my son and I took this first excursion into the foothills of the Philippines’ highest peak early this year. (Mt Apo is actually one of a number of volcanoes to which the major 1641 eruption from Mt Parker was incorrectly attributed to; no record of historical eruptions are known from this potentially active stratovolcano.) The day’s mission? To get a taste of its scalding hot springs and freezing waterfalls. The road trip on public bus, long and arduous, and taking what turned out to be the less convenient way to Kidapawan from General Santos (through Tacurong instead

Rock of Gibraltar: Walking Tour

of Digos), were all worth the trouble: seeing Lake Agco’s steaming (some parts boiling) waters, and soaking in GIBRALTAR -- Just for kicks we skipped the shuttled tour of of the Rock of Gibraltar, this 1400-foot-tall limestone formation facing La Linea in Spain, and walked all the way to the top instead. My friends thought it’d be nice if I saw the place exactly the way they did before. So one fine morning in May 2006 we set

3 Bongolanon Fall’s power pour were a greater spectacle than the journey -- a fitting reward to the wait and the rough roads and the muddy paths and the steep climb.

Lake Agco is a lake where hot and cold springs converge, produced by the emergence of geothermally heated groundwater from Mt Apo’s volcanic basin. The small lake, steaming and boiling in some parts, sulphur and plants at different stages of thriving in and around it, stands at an elevation of 4200 feet above sea level.

It is also only 5 km from the jump-off point for the mountain trek to the famed three-peak summit, a travel prospect in the near future hopefully.

Bongolanon Falls is a small waterfall no taller than 20 feet, accessible by a narrow, steep and muddy footpath from Lake Agco. This shower spout of a waterfall is amazingly very cold, around 10°C, in contrast to the hot springs.

Approaching Makilala on our way back to Gensan, a friendly passenger was shocked to know we were headed for Gensan back the same way we came, strongly suggesting we go through Digos, which we did. (We didn’t know her cause for alarm. We didn’t ask, and we didn’t care.) It was a taste of Kidapawan worth remembering, and we were happy.  off for the leisurely walk, meeting first at the marina and making our way up through the hillside residences. In about an hour we reached the view deck surrounded by the nature preserve at the top, messed around with the Barbary apes but missed the Barbary partridge, took a few photos, and headed back the way we came.

We each then had the all-day breakfast of bacon, sausages, fried eggs, baked beans, tomato, chips, toast and coffee for £4.95 at The Clipper in Irish Town. It was a good morning. 

In Defense of Gumasa’s Questioned Status as the Boracay of the South GUMASA, GLAN, SARANGANI, PHILIPPINES -- No, it’s not as sinister as the title suggests, but we were quite amused when a pair of self-proclaimed travel gurus recently concluded in one swoop that Gumasa’s beaches were nowhere near those of overrated Boracay.

Apparently it was low tide when they visited Isla Jardin Del Mar and the coral bed was showing, and it was raining, too, so the socalled verdict of the helpless tourists was unfavorable, to say the least.

(Now we’re not too sure if we really want to show them what they missed.)

Had they been patient and thorough, they’d have waited to see the tide return at least, and walked to the easternmost point of Isla Jardin where the sand is at its finest.

They should have also covered Coco Beach and Rosal Beach along this long strip of beaches!

Of course, they didn’t know any better. Now that you do, just spread the word! 

almamatters

Mindanao State University - General Santos: Southern Mindanao’s Premier Institution of Higher Learning

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indanao State University General Santos City, aims to become a premier institution of higher education in Southern Mindanao. Its home city, General Santos, is dubbed as one of the most competitive urban centers in the country by registering a massive increase in employment, income, infrastructure development, and investments, among other indicators. As the financial hub of the SOCCSKSARGEN area, the Tuna Capital of the Philippines, and home to world-class boxers, the city is basking in international and national attention. As a result, commercial flights to the city have increased significantly and tourist arrivals have become brisker.

With these as a backdrop, MSU-GSC continues to assert its relevance as an institution of higher education.

Its graduates have already proven to be highly competitive, both in the licensure exams and in the ensuing quest for gainful employment in the industry, business leadership and local governance. Its ability to positively influence communities has been proven pro ven in its its fruitful frui fruitfu tfull partnerships part partner nershi ships ps

(4th Place, Agriculturist, Oct 2008), Aratuc Zainal (8th Place, Agriculturist, Oct 2008), Lyn Osano (6th Place, CPA, Oct 2008), Ronald L. Hidalgo (1st Place, ME, October 2008), Benjer A. Acosta (2nd Place, ME, October 2008), Chanley L. Callano (3rd Place, ME, October 2008).

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with AusAID in its BEAM programs and with Philippine Council for Agriculture Resources Research and Development with its TechnoGabay programs.

In the more recent roster of MSU-GSC’s board exam topnotchers are Julius V. Ulandria, Jr (9th Place, ECE, Oct 2009), Michael B. Cahapay (9th Place, LET, Oct 2009), Ariel C. Nacion (2nd Place, CPA, Oct 2009), Floramae Claire Secreto (6th Place, Agriculturist, Oct 2009), Shiela Salde (5th Place, Agricultural Engineering, Oct 2008), John Rudolph Dela Cruz (9th Place, Agricultural Engineering Oct 2008), 2008) 200 8), Jos Josh h Elis E lisha ha Oct Octura ura ing,, Oct Elisha

eeping abreast with the innovations in their various fields of expertise, faculty members continually avail of scholarships from local and international institutions in order to maintain and strengthen the University’s program offerings. MSUGSC pursues academic excellence with fervor through an empowered and healthy atmosphere characterized by the management’s thrust on consultative and participative leadership. It is thus, not surprising, that its licensure performances exceed that of or is at par with the leading schools in the country.

MSU-GSC strives to become the premiere university in the SOCCSKSARGEN area and to the whole of Southern Mindanao. It aims to become come an an institution inst institu itutio tion n of of higher high higher er learning learni lea rning ng

5 randum of Agreement between CHED and MSU provides for the implementation of programs relevant to the enhancement of Agriculture. A grant of P500,000.00 every year for three years will be used by the University for the improvement and upgrading of facilities of the college.

which provides diversified, demanddriven and highly competitive degree programs. MSU-GSC has also been institutionally recognized in the following disciplines:

College of Fisheries in Region XII and now a member of the networks of Centers of Excellence in Fisheries in the country with a P1-million grant every year for three years.

College of Fisheries as Center of Excellence - MSU-GSC was identified by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) as the National University/

College of Agriculture as Provincial Institute for Agriculture - CHED also identified MSU-GSC as Provincial Institute for Agriculture (PIA). A Memo-

College Of Education as Center of Training in Region XII - The Department of Education and CHED identified MSU-GSC as Region XII’s Center for Training in Filipino and Araling Panlipunan. MSU-GSC has conducted training for two summers (2008 and 2009) to teachers who are non-specialists in these subject areas.

The MSU-GSC faculty from the History and Filipino Departments served as trainers for the 220 participants of Araling Panlipunan (Social Studies) and Filipino.

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mong the areas foremost in MSUGSC’s agenda are faculty and staff development programs, infrastructure projects, upgrading of instructional facilities, industry linkages, sports, research and developContinued on page 26 

The 2010

International Grand MSU Alumni ni Reunion and Convention It’s happening in General Santos City on August 6-8,, 2010. Have you registered yet? et?

Contact Ting at (0928) 5453956 / (0905) 5982780 / (083) 3807185 or Joan at (0910) 4098929 / (083) 3807193

businessmonth

biz buzz

Newly elected GenSan officials SM City GenSan sworn in to office News updates from www.GenSantos.com

breaks ground before yearend

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M Prime Holdings, the country’s largest mall operator, is finally pushing through with the ground-breaking of its much speculated multi-million peso investment in General Santos City -- their first mall in South Central Mindanao -by the third or fourth quarter of 2010.

To be called SM City GenSan, the mall, according to sources, is purported to fill up all of 90,000 square meters of a three-story structure inside the 6-hectare property straddling the corner of Santiago Boulevard and San Miguel Street, which they have leased for 50 years. (SM City Davao covers only 50,000 square meters of floor space.)

It is scheduled to open after eleven months of construction, in August-September 2011.

Last month the Human Resource Manager of SM City Davao, Rosemarie Beltran, and three other managers paid a courtesy call at new GenSan Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio’s office. They discussed with her and City Administrator Atty Jong Gonzales their company’s intention to seek for tax incentives for their upcoming investment in the city.

According to Mayor Custodio, the tax breaks or incentives would be granted in exchange for the mall’s assurance that 80% of their job vacancies would go to the city’s residents, among other things.

For their part, the SM City Davao people will be conducting a Jobs Fair for their GenSan Mall sometime in October 2010, in coordination with the Public Employent Services Office. This is on top of the regular job vacancy announcements they have been running for job seekers online.

(Avel Manansala, www.gensantos.com)

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he newly elected officials of General Santos City were sworn in to office in a touching ceremony that had some of the guests in a jam-packed PBA Sports Center teary-eyed. The program started late since the earlier rains made the organizers transfer the venue from the original set at Plaza Heneral Santos to the Oval Plaza Covered Court. It was almost 7 pm when everything began.

After a soulful rendition of the Lord’s Prayer by three former GenSan Pop Idol winners and the National Anthem by the GSC Government Employees Choir, the elected city officials were called to ascend the stage one by one by the hosts, Atty Elvie Albano and RMMC Dean Joana BantingLapore.

The officials then had to walk from the main entrance of the covered court up to the stage and pass through the center aisle flanked by numerous seated guests, a good mix of generals from the private and public sectors, most in their evening finery.

When it was time for new mayor Darlene AntoninoCustodio, resplendent in her sister Eliza’s ecru Oskar Peralta gown, to ascend the stage, the audience rose from their seats and cheered her on while she walked across the aisle.

A semi-pandemonium ensued, with people reaching out to touch her and/ or shake her hand.

Upon reaching the front row where they were seated, Mayor Darlene Custodio then kissed her parents, the former mayor Adelbert Antonino and the former representative Lualhati Antonino.

Representative Pedro B. Acharon, Jr was the last to traverse what was supposedly a short distance, but it took him a while to do it; almost everyone who were seated at the courtyard rushed to the middle aisle to shake the former mayor’s hand

to congratulate him. There were so many that he could only manage high fives with the rest. He finally reached the center stage after more than five minutes, with a few people near him noticing that he was teary-eyed.

With all accounted for, Judge Oscar Noel then administered the oath of office to the 12 city councilors and Vice Mayor Shirlyn Bañas-Nograles.

Then it was Mayor Darlene Custodio’s turn to be sworn into office with her parents and husband businessman Benjie Custodio.

Finally, the new Congressman Pedro B. Acharon, Jr was joined on stage by wife Dr Rose, brother Yolando and children PJ, Honey and Pedro III. Mayor Custodio then delivered her inaugural address, which focused on her administration’s agenda, based on the SHEEP Program. She also revealed that together with Congressman Acharon, she will push for the establishment of the GenSan Economic Zone.

The inaugural rites ended on a high note with a group of small children representing the city’s youth handing out tokens that symbolize the

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Now Open!

Opening SOON! Amandari Cove -- The old Dacera resort gets a makeover from the people who brought you Cafe Amoree, this time bringing us a complete hotel resort with full dining, wining and entertainment experience. Old Dacera Farm Resort, off Mabuhay Road

Kreativ Boutique -- Ready-to-wear apparel, fashion accessories and more.

Level 2, Atrium, Gaisano Mall of Gensan

Tickets To Go by Marbel Mt Zion Travel and Tours, Inc -- Over-thecounter ticketing for domestic and international flights, also offering package travels, visa assistance, educational tours, passport application. Upper Ground Level, Gaisano Mall of Gensan.

Ice Castle Experience -- Luxury, fullamenity, theme hotel with restaurant, bar, spa, function rooms and renta-car service.

Ambassador Provido Village, City Heights Fully Booked -- 300-sq.m. bookstore space with living-room lounges, novelty merchandise and cafe. J. Catolico Sr Façade, KCC Mall of Gensan.

Mercury Drug -- 6th Mercury Drug outlet in General Santos, North National Highway Branch. National Highway, General Santos

Sun City Suites -- 42-room hotel providing full luxury amenities and the SunCity Complex, which houses Cafe Firenzo, Gusteau’s Crabs and Seafoods, Q Bar, Central Convenience Store, Firenzo Deli, Quality Appliance, Digital Interface, Jill’s Specialty Shop, a KTV bar, salon and spa, photography studio, and more. SunCity Complex, National Highway, beside 18th Hole Driving Range.

PCWorx Gensan -- Computers, peripherals and high-tech gadgets store, seventh branch nationwide and first outside Luzon. KCC Mall of Gensan. (More at GenSantos.com)

different committees that the newly elected officials will each be heading.

The 12 city councilors, in alphabetical order, are Richard Atendido, Beth Bagonoc, Remus De Claro, Bing Dinopol, Dom Lagare, Eduardo Leyson, Virgie Llido, Nep-Nep Natividad, Marius Orlando Oco, Ronnel Rivera, Meg Santos, and Dante Vicente.

Top photo, from left: City Councilors Beth Bagonoc, Richard Atendido, Eduardo Leyson, Virgie Llido, Marius Orlando Oco, and Remus De Claro. Lower photo, from left: City Councilors Meg Santos, Dom Lagare, Dante Vicente, Nep-Nep Natividad, Bing Dinopol, and Ronnel Rivera.

(Text by Avel Manansala, www.gensantos.com; photos by Avel and Orman Manansala, www. gandaeversomuch.com)

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Call/text (083) 826 0692 | (0926) 326 6903 | (083) 552 1263.

The Gensan Gazer eZine on gensangazer.com is now read in 27 nations.

Don’t underestimate the power of advertising. Place your ad now!

Call (083) 8269221 for details.

businessmonth

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ome of the comic devices used in Hollywood movies involve a pretty female protagonist wearing a brand new dress with the price tag still on, trying everything in her power, often to hilarious effect, to keep the dress spotless for its trip back to the store the day after. It conjures e of a society where commodities an image nge hands routinely after a point can change of sale, and that ownership is negotiable between buyer and seller for a given te time, provided the goods immediate eir original condition. are in their Not so much the case in the es, let alone General Philippines, Santos, you’d insist. That ely not going is definitely to work on that black cocktail dress you’ve eing that’s been eyeing ree months worth three ry; here, you your salary; nd it’s yours buy it, and to wear and bear pery. But do we manently. know thiss for a fact? omer service Customer tion is the by definition n of service provision mers before, before during and after a pur to customers purchase. Jamier L. Scott raises the bar further: Customer service is a series of activities designed to enhance the level of customer satisfaction – that is, the feeling that a product or service has met the customer’s expectations. Exactly the gist of three incidents I’ve personally come across in Gensan.

the house on a regular basis; I also do the purchasing of items for resale at my mom’s little convenience store, so for someone with already so much work on his hands with no help from an assistant, doing this extra bit of chore can be a good or bad distraction, depending on how well the hours of the day have been managed. KCC was where you’d get everything, my mom would say over and over, so that’s where I’d buy stuff for her little store, despite the fact that the lines at the counter here are horrifically long and cramped, especially on pay days for obvious reasons. One time I came home with such purchases and my mom diligently checked the receipt, prices and items, only to find a dozen shampoo sachets missing from the shopping bag. My mom then called Customer Service at KCC, and true enough the missing items were kept somewhere for pickup. That was good, I said to myself, feeling a little stupid for declaring the missing items lost for good. Now if only KCC would let me use my own grocery canvas so I didn’t have to waste any more plastic bags.

Cvz nf" Lffq nf"

H

alo-Halo Half-Empty or Half-Full.

The one thing most people like about halo-halo is the topping and garnishing, not so much the ice slush you mix it in. My family started asking for half servings of ice instead of the full bowl one day when we‘ve finally had enough of spills and instances where lumps of ice form inside the bowl and the mix thins out due to too much melted ice. Of course, the service crew at Chowking were not accustomed to such requests, as it took a while before they completely halved the ice; for them, it was as if putting in only half the amount of ice was not the standard, and hence, a bad service altogether. The new arrangement went well after that, until a new staff filled the usual order, and we were back to square one. Busy on the phone when the bowls were served, and I immediately dug into mine, the ice and toppings spilling onto the table like an accident just waiting to happen. Frustrated, I went to the counter and asked resignedly whatever happened to my half-serving of ice.

The service staff apologized, cleaned up the

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mess at my table, and reappeared with a new bowl of halo-halo with half the ice as quickly as she left. That night we came home not only content, but also happily impressed with Chowking personnel as a whole.

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ama’s Convenience Store Inconvenience Galore. I don’t only do grocery shopping for

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hat is the legal basis for prohibiting the No Return, No Exchange policy of business establishments?

Pursuant to RA 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines, the words No Return, No Exchange or similar phrases shall not be written into the contract of sale, receipt of sales transaction, in any documents as evidence of sale, or anywhere in the store or business establishment. The prohibition aims to correct the misconception that consumers do not have the right to return shoddy or defective goods, or to demand for remedies, where necessary.

The No Return, No Exchange notice is considered deceptive because consumers have the right to return or exchange the goods, or avail of other remedies, in case of hidden faults or defects, or any charge the buyer was not aware of at the time of purchase.

By law, sellers must honor the implied warranties and grant corresponding remedies to consumers.

ad About Majestic. Just recently I wanted to play technician and reuse a CRT television I shipped from Singapore, hook it up with my cable, and use it as the main set in the living room. So off I went to Majestic to look for a cable/television converter box, and after almost an hour with the very able saleslady testing three similar devices on their demo television set, I settled to buy a particular model, on the condition that if it didn’t work on my TV for whatever reason I’d return it the following day for a full refund. The day

Business estabsttablishments with unused Officiall Receipts should d erase or blot out the words No Return, No Exchange before issuing such c ch receipts; such words w should no longer ge er be printed on receipts eiipts or erre in posted anywhere establishments. s.

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owever, if an n item bought from ma store turns outt tto b be more expensive than a similar item in another, the customer cannot return the item and ask for a refund. Neither can a refund be done if the customer simply changed his mind on the purchase. (More on this prohibition in the DTI-NCR website at http://dtincr.ph/ faq_noreturn.php)

9 manager assured me that the device should work, and in the end agreed to my terms.

True enough the device didn’t work, and my hunch that the TV set I brought was either damaged from the freight or simply incompatible with the converter device stuck. The only other thing left to do was go back to the store and get my refund. The following day, after half an hour with the same saleslady doing the same tests she did before the purchase, a short talk with the cashier and her short phone call with the

day manager who was out of the store that day, I got my full refund to the last peso.

It turns out that whoever said customer service is unheard of in our city is wrong on two counts: customer service is alive and well in General Santos, and it’s quality customer service with a capital Q. (Although the names of the establishments mentioned in this feature are factual, the photos are not the actual representation of their products and/ or services and are used solely for creative purposes. - ANPJ)

Quality Customer Service Countless books talk about quality customer service, tackling it using different approaches while immersing in different contexts, but they all talk about the same principles. Here we list a few of them:

Giving customer service consistently is key. You have to offer the same level of service and the same quality of products (even across your branches) every minute of your business hours. There’s nothing worse for a suki (regular customer) than finding out that his favorite chicken barbecue chain in his own town does not give him the same experience in another.

Treating employees as customers works wonders. Improving the quality of interaction between your business and the suppliers, and among the different departments in your organization improves the service you give to customers. There is a lot to be gained from hiring employees and honing their potential; service staff that have been properly empowered respond to customer issues quickly.

Everyone would agree when we say the bane of work and personal life in Gensan these days is the unrelenting power outages, which everyone thought was over and dealt with. Imagine our surprise when an 8-hour blackout ate all of Sunday one weekend, and intermittently interrupted work the day after -without any warning or explanation or apology whatsoever. Here are what some concerned citizens had to say between hair-pulling and cursing through their teeth (edited for obvious reasons):

ING C R YO W E D ALL

Direct line of communication between provider and customer?

Keeping old customers is easier than getting new ones. It’s a struggle to get an individual or a business to open an account with any bank for example, but once in, a customer can be easily swayed to take on other products and services.

Loyalty rules!

Understanding customer needs is halfway to meeting them. Listen to your customers via feedback forms and surveys, even casual conversation with regulars and new walk-ins. It’s easier to please your customers (and get them to come back) when you know what they want and what they don’t.

concerned citizens corner

Publicity guru and blogger Avel Manansala (concealed in dress on display) demonstrates extreme customer service to GSCCCII executive director Pilar Afuang and publisher-editor Mandi Nicolas PJ to hilarious effect.

Giving good customer service is expected by everyone everywhere. Consider a normal working day: you commute or drive to work, buy coffee maybe, then start work.

You expect the petrol station to be quick when you gas up on your way to the office, or expect the jeepney to get you to your stop safe and without delay. You expect your coffee to be hot and served fast in a cup that doesn’t burst when you hold it. You expect your co-workers to do their tasks and/or collaborate with you so you get the job done.

In general and naturally so, we get frustrated when things come short of our expectations. More and more we demand better quality customer service when we shop, dine out, and get things made or done by people whose time and effort we pay for.

These and other similar scenarios can be applied in your own job or business, whatever that may be. If there’s one thing you want to stand out and be known for, let it be quality customer service. (ANPJ)

“At first I thought it was just another 5-minute interruption, so after an hour I called Socoteco using the numbers printed on their Official Receipt (which prominently shows OUR MISSION IS SERVICE in green).

Amazingly, of the 6 numbers 3 are currently not in service, 1 belongs to Isuzu (go figure!), 1 is a fax line that works (but whatever for during a blackout?), and only 1 phone line works but is never picked up after 6 rings, if at all. Is this normal?”

-- PlurkPundit Customers need to know everything about the service they’re paying for. Or do they?

“Yeah yeah yeah, we get it -you’re not generating your own power, and you’re relying on some other source, and that it’s out of your control and all that -- but shouldn’t you at least inform us in advance what kind of stunt you’re pulling on us each time you do it?

This is the (expletives deleted) 21st century for crying out loud!”

-- Bulekk Does service denied mean payment denied? (Really, we want to know!)

“Sure, it doesn’t work that way, so we’d still pay. But consecutive blackouts and the charges are the same, and worse, in some cases even higher? How in the world did this happen?” -- Percy Jackson We did call 5523964 (Operator) who said the Official Receipt contact details have not been revised; the other issues still need appropriate feedback. More information may be available at www.GenSantos.com.

businessmonth

®

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he local government’s Magandang GenSan FacesFacetsPlaces campaign continues in full steam years after its inception. Through the auspices of the City Economic Management & Cooperative Development Office (Tourism and Cultural Promotions) under the City Mayor’s Office, the movement has gone to a new level, gaining more ground online

As an icon, it is the visual reflection of the city’s character: vibrant, resilient, progressive, global. and in real time -- with our army of bloggers in the periphery helping in their own way to spread the word.

The catchy greeting -- Magandang GenSan! -- has become the de facto salutation of

FACESFACETSPLACES

choice for personnel in government agencies and businesses alike, in turn nurturing a community culture that is open to camaraderie, to change, and to competitiveness. Here we reprint the official manifesto of the campaign.

The GenSan Brand.

“Essential to promotion is branding. Significant to it is the visual component that illustrates the brand’s character. The Magandang Gensan icon is the campaign carrier of General Santos City’s brand.

“Magandang GenSan started off as a salutation line that then City Mayor Pedro B. Acharon Jr used in his speeches. Today, it is the city’s official greeting in guest reception, telephone pleasantries, and public gatherings.

“Beyond the slogan is a statement of hope and conviction. As a catch phrase, Magandang GenSan is the shortened mission statement. As an icon, it is the visual reflection of the city’s character: vibrant, resilient, progressive, global.

“The branding project basically leans on tourism promotions, but it sweeps across the city’s investment potentials, governance, economy, culture and the arts, and its people, among others. Hence, Magandang Gensan FacesFacetsPlaces.

“Faces, a showcase of Warmth, Hospitality, Competence, Resiliency, Pride, Achievement, Character, Creativity, Artistry, Integrity, Excellence, Endurance, Courtesy, Graciousness, Honesty, Victory, Resolve, Charm, Spirit, Courage.

“Facets, a taste of Culture, Economy, Bankability, Industry, Cuisine, Welfare, Festivity, Livability, Technology, Governance, Environment, Infrastructure, Fashion, Arts, Competitiveness, Wealth, Architecture, Entrepreneurship.

“Places, an experience of Comfort, Wonder, Ambience, Romance, Mood, Fun, Experience, Excitement, Respite, Atmosphere, Escapade, Happening, Journey, Serenity, Tour, Sight, Solace, Thrill, Awe, Adventure, Discovery.

“Truly, Magandang GenSan neither ends in the greeting nor in the icon. It is in every General’s beauty of character and spirit. It is in GenSan’s every face, every facet, every place.” (Condensed from official CEM-CDO material.)

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YAMAN GENSAN

OFFICIAL IMPLEMENTOR

YAMAN GENSAN PROJECT PARTNER

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he 8th Yaman Gensan celebrations went full blast June 23 through July 22 this year with no less than 38 training and seminar workshops, 4 forum events, 8 trade fairs and exhibits, and 9 other showcase events spread out through what is also known as the General Santos City Business Month.

At its grand opening ceremony last June 23, GSC Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council, Inc. (GSC SMEDCI) president Theresa Pacheco outlined this year’s commemoration and event Highlights.

RNC Marketing Philippines president Rey Calooy, 2010 Small Business Entrepreneur of the Year (15th Annual Grand Chamber Awards), speaks at the Entrepreneurs’ Forum July 14 at Phela Grande Hotel.

YAMAN GENSAN PROJECT PARTNER

Participants at the Vegetable and Fruit Processing Workshop held July 7 at Casa Luisa Restaurant

Participants at the Flower and Balloon Arrangement Workshop held June 24 at Casa Luisa Restaurant

MEDIA VOLUNTEER

Yaman Gensan 2010 Opening Day Guest of Honor Rommel T. Juan and GSC SMEDCI President Theresa Pacheco after the keynote speech at the Robinsons Place Gensan atrium June 23.

Yaman Gensan, a monthlong business celebration institutionalized by the local government, is implemented by GSC SMEDCI, whose mission statement is to serve as the coordinating body for SME development; provide timely and relevant

directions; optimize utilization of available resources and ensure that SME benefits will trickle down to the lower end of the population. This year celebrates the theme: “Trabaho... Negosyo...

Asenso.” (Work... Enterprise... Progress.)

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F

ine Saturday that was, the 20th of October in 2007, and the Bloomsbury Festival at Brunswick Square in London was in full gear. The concert series at the park, one of the marquees announced, featured Paloma Faith, Hanne Hukkelberg, Alexis Taylor, Elysian Quartet, and Serafina Steer, among other live acts. But it was Foy Vance that I walked in on that afternoon, singing Shed A Little Light on stage, live, in the flesh. It was my lucky day.

“Vance is one of the whitest people I’ve ever seen,” writes Taylor Bruce in Foy Vance: The Homebird’s Chorus (Paste Magazine). “Even on an island full of white people, he’s really white.

Jack White white, except shiny bald. And he digs hats—driving hats, newsboy hats, felt snapbrims. But when you hear him sing, especially in person, you swear this white-boy Irishman belongs on some heart-pine front porch in the Delta. There’s a blues sound lingering around the edge of most of his songs, and a folky spirituality runs through him.” Taylor couldn’t be more superficial or more profound.

M

ore than two years later, I got to track Foy Vance himself, and managed to get a few words from the man The Sunday Times call “an unbelievable voice... in the premier league of British songwriters.”

Armando: Where were you born and where do you live now?

Have you heard of General Santos City before?

Foy: I was born screaming in Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland... and now live wincing in London. I heard about General Santos City about 30 seconds ago.

A: What made you want to become a singer-songwriter?

F: It was a choice between this

Foy Vance

15

or being a store man in a soon to be bankrupt electrical goods store...

Say no more...

A: What got you started?

F: My father. (In the interview with Taylor Bruce, Foy reveals, “My father was a man of huge generosity.

Someone on the street might say they liked his tie, and he’d take it off and give it to them... He was more real than his religion allowed him to be.

There’s something of him in everything I do.

He was an eternally hopeful character. It wasn’t until the day he

died that I really started writing songs.”)

A: What was your first big break?

F: My front tooth in a bumper car... Musically speaking, I suppose having a couple of songs in the Grey’s Anatomy television drama series was quite big (for me, at least).

A: What are your career highlights to date?

F: Playing in New York City with Pete Townshend and playing to a full house in Belfast with the Ulster Orchestra. (The Ulster Orchestra, founded in 1966 by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland,

BeAuty, BUL L y , B a by

This über ubiquitous personality needs no introduction, but lest you mistake him for the androgynous Trudis Liit who didn’t make it to the first day of shooting of the hit day-time TV series, we present Orman Ortega Manansala --

is one of UK’s major orchestras.)

Always take praise with a pinch of salt.

A: What would you call the soundtrack of your life?

F: Eclectic Trinkets by Various.

A: Best advice you’ve ever received?

F: Always take praise with a pinch of salt.

A: Favorite pieces of literature and music?

F: Literature: definitely The Outsider by Albert Camus, and music: too hard to pin down -sometimes it’s the Sex blogger, banker, benefactor.

(We can think of two more Bs for sure, but they’re not suitable for printing here!) His beautiful brouhaha of a blog crosses the one-year mark in August, so we offer him a little glimpse into what he’s become since, in our eyes, at least. GandaEverSoMuch.com needs no introduction either.

This least subtle and most unrestrained of sounding boards in cyberspace this side of the planet is one of Gensan’s most followed public diary of sorts -- replete with stories of carnal desires, comic adventures, escapades, infatuations, heartbreaks, gastronomia, canine love, scandals, politicos and what have you -- a social commentary in a way, minus the preaching, pretensions and posturing. eauty he is indeed in the most unconventional of terms. He’s definitely not one you’d call voluptuous, and he doesn’t fit the height-6’1” chest-40 waist-30 mold either, but what he lacked (or exceeded) in physique, he more than made up for with his quick and razor-sharp wit, disarming charm, and unforgiving

B

Pistols and sometimes it’s Joni Mitchell and sometimes it’s something in between.

A: What’s your favorite holiday destination? Have you ever traveled to the Philippines before?

F: I don’t have one, everywhere is equally interesting to me. I’ve not been to the Philippines... yet!

A: What are your plans for the future?

F: Keep on keepin’ on...

(Foy was last seen playing at the Hop Farm Festival in Kent with Bob Dylan, Ray Davis and Mumford & Sons, among others, on 3 July 2010.) sense of humor. He doesn’t really do much, but wait till he parts his imaginary bangs, raises a brow, thrusts his tongue in his cheek, rolls his eyes, and drops the punch line -- his comic timing is flawless. That’s what he does in his blog, pretty much, minus the visual cues. ully, yes, he’s that, too. He’s swayed many a stalwart into his camp with his powers of persuasion, and reduced many an opponent to complete submission -- at work and in his personal life. In his blog posts he can be very passionate in the outpouring of resentment against an estranged ex-lover, for example, so that if you were the intended recipient of his ill will, you’d probably wish you

B

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all. Things do get blown out of proportion (such are the wonders and woes of media) -- gossip, it turns out, is much sweeter in your own backyard -- but that only means everyone wants to be privy to the Big O’s life story as and when it unfolds. (Others, on the other hand, are first in line at his blog-knob simply because they do not want to be the last to know, especially if Orman is on to them.)

Aside from his more I-me-mine musings (a personal blog is mostly that anyway), Orman, in spite of himself, goes out of his way to bully people to wake up from their daydreaming,

to get out of their comfort zones, to think differently and do something different, and to see a whole new world through somebody else’s eyes. He can be a real pain and a nag, but in the thick of the fight, literally or otherwise, this is one bully you’d want on your side. aby, ah, there’s a name cross-dressing standup comic Vice Ganda or Ganda Ever So Much tribute blog (search at http://knowread-knowrite.blogspot.com) winner Gilbert Tan haven’t used for Orman before. Truth be told, here is a plus-size grown man, with corporate management prowess and business sense so precise

B

...Inside, this brute of a mover, shaker and powerbroker is just a little boy lost... that professionals, entrepreneurs, consultants and stockholders form a bee line to his office door, and social clout so immense that he’s got a VIP pass to every single premiere, pageant and party imaginable -- not that he hasn’t turned down a few of them.

A first-class hotel suite for emceeing at a wedding reception is practically nothing, so to speak.

But we digress. Deep down inside, this brute of a mover, shaker and powerbroker is just a little boy lost (girl, too) in the absurdities and complexities of this thing we call life. Like every last one of us, he, too, has insecurities (“Am I too skinny? Does my intelligence turn you off?”),

longings (“What I wouldn’t give for another piece of that... lechon!”), fantasies (“Tom Cruise? Oh, hi. Sure, 7 pm is just fine. Seeya.”), and the basic need to be respected and loved. (Being knighted by the Queen of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, appearing in Donna Karan’s fall collection, and winning an Oscar wouldn’t hurt either!)

Just like you and me, he’s also had a fair share of hardships and trials (“Will the cable snap? Will the harness hold? This is my last zip-line ride for sure!), failures (“Bowling?

I think the lanes are out of order. Let’s watch a movie instead.), and a taste of the miserable and the mundane. He’s been wounded in the heart department as well, though it’s hard to tell with his steady supply of repartees and comic monologues. Unless he’s blabbing about his old flame or current ex online, that is.

This beauty-bully-baby of a blogger is just getting started. Stay tuned for more laughs -- chances are you’d be laughing at yourself, too. (Ortega Files)

-in

an -k um yang a

ng

k

Kum a

...Everyone wants to be privy to the Big O’s life story as and when it unfolds.

16

at ba in, kum rkad a a s nt a a ah tm ala ag ga

didn’t cross paths with him in the first place. Which is not to say that his vindictiveness is misplaced, for ours is a free country after

ilya g pam a an sa! u m b a g l kas a y a n

New! ERRYTRAWBATIN S N I RHUM ORED GEL FLAV

ng Pinoy na m siyaha arar y ka ma a Piyesta! KT V & Re anasa g sto n in ng s g Ba La la

o Dit

r!

Al Fresco, Robinsons Place Gensan, Lagao, National Highway, Gen. Santos (083) 5542139 (0923) 9289057

read & reviewed • danmeyer

17

 Perfect travel

stories, capturing the essense of the time and the place with laughter, passion and drama.  

ollected Short Stories: Volume IV by W. Somerset Maugham, is the final installment of Maugham’s marvelous stories, which collectively reveals his unique talent for exposing and exploring the bitter realities of human relationships. Here he weaves brilliant tales of love, infidelity, passion and prejudice -- with stories ranging from The Lotus Eater in which a

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man has a vision of a life of bliss in the Mediterranean, to the bitter and biting tales of The Outstation and The Back of Beyond set in the Malaya and Southeast Asia. Largely backdropped by a favorite Maugham country, this vivid collection of narratives impeccably and poignantly evokes the numbered days of the British Empire.

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he Six Wives of Henry VIII by Alison Weir, is about the six women who were married to the infamous Henry VIII of England: The Catholic Catherine of Aragon, the ambitious Anne Boleyn, the sensible Jane Seymour, the wise Anne of Cleves, the naive Catherine Howard, and the opinionated Catherine Parr. Weir explains the political, social and religious pressures that influenced Henry’s choices of wives and describes the wily politicians and court favorites who manipulated him in and out of wedlock.

Throughout the book, the six wives emerge, despite 3 being excuted, as individuals with strong personalities who left their marks on the British monarchy and on history.

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

 It reads like a great novel. . .Who could resist a book with these sentences: . .a medicine . .caused him to bepiss my bed, and She hath done wondrous naughty!   

DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF ADVERTISING.

quiksoundbitez • mandeejay

18

uccumb to passing pop trends and music gimmickry we all do, and quite often, too. But every now and then comes along a singer that doesn’t have to do anything else -- take on a false image, feed on controversy, thrive on shock tactics -but sing. Two artists come to mind, both stepping onto the global stage in 2007, one through YouTube and the other via American Idol, and catapulting to supersingerdom solely because of their voice.

Charmaine Clarice Relucio Pempengco or simply, CHARICE, with her sweet teen image can catch you unawares for when the pretty and petite 18-year old opens her mouth to sing -- with her deep, full and intricately versatile voice -- the audience holds its breath in awe.

“Goosebumps,” one observer remarked at her impromptu rendition of Beyoncé Knowles’ Halo in a small meeting room at some studio; “she’d better watch out,” another one in the group said, referring to the diva originally from Destiny’s Child. Charice’s self-titled US debut album features main track Pyramid, an R&B sound that’s a cross between Rihanna and Beyoncé, only more nuanced; it peaked at №56 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and its dance remix single hit №1 on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs. “You are a force to be reckoned with. That voice comes from something bigger than yourself,” raved Oprah Winfrey on her show after Charice performed A

quality machines

Note To God, an inspirational ballad that puts to great use her vocal range and belting powers. Other notable tracks include In This Song, Reset, In Love So Deep, and covers of Whitney Houston’s I Will Always Love You and I Have Nothing/I Will Always Love You medley. Grammy winners David Foster, Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli couldn’t be wrong with sharing the stage with this Filipina -- everything about this diminutive artist is big: big heart, big voice, big talent.



e

LLIOTT YAMIN’s sophomore album Fight For Love cements his place as one of American Idol’s, and America’s, best talents. His voice, solid and textured in the right places, redefines blue-eyed soul for the 21st century. Here Elliott undoubtedly found his niche as singersongwriter, his groove as soul artist. His distinctive timbre resonates with both strength and vulnerability, and flows with old-school sincerity and a contemporary vibe. The breakthrough single here (in the tradition of his debut album’s Wait For You) is, perhaps, This Step Alone -- that resolve to go on after a loved one calls it quits. His R&B groove Don’t Be Afraid and title track Fight For Love take on the same optimistic, radio-friendly vibe; Know Better, How Do I Know and Apart From Me, too, but in the more despairing context of a love lost.

He wrote Someday for his mother who passed on in 2008; here he bares his soul like only a true artist can. 

quality processes

quality printing

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

introspections

he sky was a fiery orange as the sun glided past into oblivion. Such scene has become a familiar sight to me for the past eight months -- the longest time I held nary a work commitment. I was a bum.

The year was 2005.

After working for roughly ten years in IT, I just had my third company closure in March. Strange, but I ended up with companies closing down for unexpected reasons, not the typical shortage-of-fundstype. On the contrary, the closures were born purely out of strategic business decision -an inevitable answer to drive aggressive business growth by having more efficient operational processes.

If bad things happen in threes, surely I had my fill. Right after the closure, I was on the hunt again for a job. Having had a lot of technical writing experience behind me didn’t help as companies preferred the younger, junior ones. I lost count of the number of CVs I sent by email. I probably have searched all the job sites I knew of. Interviews with hiring companies in Makati and other business areas in Manila proved futile.

No interview ever took place. Instead, it was always about salary bargaining and hag-

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gling. I remembered one HR manager saying, “mag-abroad ka nalang.” Was times really that bad?

From afar, love of country, appreciation for its natural beauty and cognizance of the warm, nurturing and resilient nature of the Filipino loom large in my horizon.

Money was just one part of the equation (thanks to a husband who was gainfully employed as a seafarer that time and to some amount I got as severance). The greater part was my own self fulfilment. With two company closures behind me, you’d thought I was already

an expert in handling such cases. I must say each experience is unique. Frustration and pain cuts through in varying degrees.

The third time was the hardest hit which sent me reeling off. It was a long, dark time. I began to re-examine my life, my priorities and sought answers to a lot of questions. Funny how a crisis shifted my focus. Why did I lose again one of the things that I value and love?

Was there a lesson I never learnt? Or, was it meant for a greater purpose? With a heavy heart, I travelled back and forth in the spectrum of denial, anger, depression, bargaining and acceptance, sometimes in long, sporadic waves, at times in downward spiral. The typical Arian that I was, I fought and struggled defiantly, trying to make some sense, not wanting to accept the reality staring me in the face.

Probably it was faith, my strong support system and the inner courage that I never knew I had made me weather the tough time. The bitter lesson can be smothered with the sweet taste of reward if you take to heart and live the lesson well. Just as I was in the final hiring stage for a very promising post for a US MNC -- one that will allow me to build the documentation

team from the ground up, give me access to overseas training and make me a part of a wonderful global team, I received a call from an IT consultancy in Singapore. Ah, life! How playful it can be! here will always be crossroads and there will always be trade-offs -- the important thing is to stand firm and sturdy for your choice.

It has been four and a half years now that I have uprooted myself from Manila and made the diminutive city-state my home (you can call it as such). After two years, my husband joined me and has since embraced a landbased job. I joined the ranks of the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), sweating it out for every dollar, contributing my little piece in making my home country a little better.

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There are things that are best viewed from afar. Just as intricate details are meant to be seen at very close range, silhouettes and outlines are best seen at a distance. Perspectives change. From afar, love of country, appreciation for its natural beauty and cognizance of the warm, nurturing and resilient nature of the Filipino loom large in my horizon.

And yes, I still have questions. I think it’s but natural as we always define, if not re-create our realities.

The only difference is I live them. As Rilke said, “Live your questions now, and perhaps even without knowing it, you will live along some distant day into your answers.”

gadgettalk

W

hat’s your printer’s ink system these days? Original cartridge, refillable, or the continuous flow kind?

Cheap Printer, Expensive Ink.

Sure, you can get an inkjet printer for peanuts, but it comes with ink cartridges that cost up to half as much and need to be replaced way, way faster. Some inkjets enforce this model via chips in cartridges to prevent the use of third-party or refilled cartridges. The chips keep tab of the remaining ink, updating it as you print photos and documents. Ink expiration dates are used, too, so that even if cartridges are refilled, the chip tells the printer that they are empty. Some makers have been accused of falsely indicating that a cartridge is depleted when it’s not. This wastes a lot of resources: discarded single-ink cartridges were found to still have 10% to 60% of total ink capacity. Worse, multiple-ink cartridges are declared empty as soon as one color runs low.

Copies, Refills. Consumers are not taking this lying down. Alternatives: cheap ink cartridges from third parties and refill kits. Many companies now specialize in alternative ink solutions.

Printer makers discourage refills and copies because of revenue loss, of course. Beyond that, unprescribed inks may cause poor color consistency and image quality due to viscosity variations that affect the amount of ink ejected in a drop, and may even damage the printhead. Despite that, alternative cartridges and inks continue to gain popularity, threatening the business of printer makers, and launching lawsuits and anti-trust class-action suits from opposite sides.

Continuous Ink System. CIS is a way to deliver an unlimited volume of liquid ink to the printhead. Many printers merge CIS into their design to increase speed and print capacity.

Still some build retrofit accessories to convert specific printer models.

Small tanks carrying as low as 10

mL of ink can be placed directly on the carriage with the printheads, but need to be replaced often. Bigger ink tanks can be used, but as platen width and printer speed increases the integration becomes impractical: the added weight and inertia can strain the printheads, and print accuracy can deterioriate.

On the other hand, separating ink storage from printhead lets you refill or replace the tank while printing is in progress.

CIS solutions have been developed for most Epson, HP, Canon, and other printers. Bulk feed systems allow

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 St, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5528880)

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 St, Gen. Santos, +63-5521111) [wi◦fi] GGPick Cafe Amoree - Local gem, great drinks/eats, far from city center but definite-ly worth a visit (Mabuhay Rd, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5542173) [wi◦fi]

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 Ave., 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) Cafe Paulino - Unpretentious coffee place, central yet a quiet retreat from the crowd (Gaisano Mall, Gen. Santos) GGPick Coffee Club 101 - Coffee, pasta, desserts, free PC stations and mini-library for patrons (Laurel East Ave., 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

hotels 

Dolores Farm Resort - Hotel, pool, Polomolok Zoo, the great countryside (Pagalungan, Polomolok, South Cotabato, +63-835009362, +63-83-5009260) [wi◦fi] Dolores Tropicana Resort Beach, restaurant, hotel with air-conditioned guest suites/ function rooms (Cabu, Tambler, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5539350) 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), Gensan’s only 25-meter pool, in-house Cafe Leticia amidst greenery (Mateo Rd, Lagao, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5528895-97) [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, +63-838269026) [wi◦fi] Phela Grande Hotel - Basic to luxury guest rooms, in-house Meilih Restaurant/Cafe Eduardo, offsite Phela Convention Center (Magsaysay Ave. cor.

Atis St, Gen. Santos, +63-835524220/3017676) [wi◦fi] Sydney Hotel - Centrally located, offers comfortable accommodations and excellent restaurants, professional banquet/ conference facilities (Pendatun cor. Pioneer Ave., Gen. Santos, +63-83-5525479, Fax +63-835525478) [wi◦fi] Tierra Montana Hotel Air-conditioned guest suites/ function rooms, pool, restaurant (National Highway, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5538553, +63-835538433) [wi◦fi]

21 the use of cheap inks, as well as specialty inks for T-Shirt transfers or Black and White inks for B&W printing. These options have allowed users to produce specialty prints at a fraction of the cost of purchasing special cartridges or using more expensive printing solutions.

Printer makers may expressly say that using third-party inks or custom continuous ink systems automatically voids the product warranty.

Your Choice. Small volume and infrequent printing requirements may be done through a printing service or bookstore, but investing in a suitable printer -- be it with original ink cartridge, third-party alternatives, refillable ink delivery, or continuous ink system -- is invaluable to your home and/or business in the long run. (ANPJ)

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 and more (Nursery Rd, beside Susana Homes, Lagao, Gen. Santos, +63-915-6474354, +63-83-3028237) GGPick Merl Garden Spring Resort - Zip-line ride, pool, horse-backriding and more (Brgy Lahit, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, +63-9194577221, +63-922-5713078) GGPick Olaer Spring Resort - Natural springs, a 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,

inspired, gives Singapore-style chili crab/black pepper crab restaurants a run for their money (Across NDDU-IBED, Tiongson Ext., Lagao, Gen. Santos, +63-83-3022722) Rooftop Grill Ihaw-Ihaw - Seafood/grill, great views of Plaza Heneral Santos, City Hall (6th Flr, Sydney Hotel, Pioneer Ave., Gen. Santos, +63-835525479 Ext. 103) [wi◦fi] GGPick Royale Lounge Relaxing café with minimalist decór, acoustic music Wed-Sat (East Asia Royale Hotel, National Highway, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5534123 loc. 2) [wi◦fi] GGPick Sarangani Highlands Garden & Restaurant - Hillsidetop joint with views of Sarangani Bay, downtown Gensan, Mt Parker/Mt Matutum. Nature, fresh air, fine scenery, good food, great space for private parties or company events (Tambler, Gen. Santos, +63-83-3040752) Wanchin Dimsum Restaurant - Good food, pool table, piano, great views of Plaza Heneral Santos/City Hall (2nd Flr, Sydney Hotel, Pioneer Ave., Gen. Santos, +63-83-5525479 Ext. 115) [wi◦fi]

resto-bars

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 cafe, restaurant (J. Catolico Sr Ave., 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 Ave., 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 - Our very own taste of exotic Middle East at a fraction of the price (Safi Arcade, Bula Road, Gen. Santos) GGPick Mandarin Tea Garden Restaurant - Simply amazing dimsum and Chinese /Filipino delicacies (South Osmeña St, Gen. Santos, +6383-3013333) [wi◦fi] GGPick Marasa Grill - Nofrills home-style food in unpretentious setting (Kadulasan St, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5524628) GGPick Pablo’s Steaks and Crabs - Paseo Del Sol’s Pablo’s 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 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 fusion-

Crocodillo’s Resto Bar Occasional expat haunt, laidback and unpretentious crowd (very young, can be rowdy), cheap beers (Laurel East Ave., Gen. Santos) GGPick Grab-A-Crab Same Grab-A-Crab vibe, more intimate dining/wining, with probably the best bar counter in Gensan -- you’d wish it was all bar! (Robinsons Place, Gen. Santos) [wi◦fi] GGPick Jams Resto Bar House of premium steaks and fine cuisine, spacious, relaxed ambience (Nuñez St, Barangay San Isidro, Gen. Santos, +6383-5532763)

GGPick Jmix Resto Bar Great food, great music (JMP Bldg 2, Aparente St, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5542368)

GGPick Piyesta! KTV & Resto Bar - Value-for-money combo meals, inventive dishes, novelty cocktails, tower drinks, intimate KTV rooms, friendly staff (Robinsons Place, J. Catolico Sr Ave., Gen. Santos, +63-83-5542139).

healthbits

Fitness &

Nutrition Practices To Avoid

by Neelima Reddy

T

here are many misconceptions about proper care of your fitness and nutrition, most of which should be taken note of because wrong practices may worsen our health conditions instead of improving it as we intended to do.

Sometimes, people jump from one diet plan to another without knowing the risks. Whenever they hear about the latest fad weight loss diet, they immediately get into it. Though there are many ways to get your desired fitness and nutrition level, there are some common practices which you have to avoid. Here are some of them: Eating power bars in place of meals. This is a common mistake that people

Sweet Potatoes, Sweeter Good News

T

he lowly camote, the butt of most jokes revolving around life in the boondocks, is more than just a source of light amusement. The common potato’s distant relative, stereotypically associated with marginal rural life and austere countryside living (in the Philippines, at least), is confusingly

22 thought could improve their fitness and nutrition. Yes, eating power bars will improve your metabolism but it requires you to eat a full balanced meal for it to work effectively. Power bars generates more energy that’s very handy when exercising or doing a vigorous activity. It is supposed to be consumed as an added regimen to our food and not as a replacement.

Completely avoiding carbohydrates. This is another common misconception. It is true that carbohydrates make you fat but only if you have taken more than the recommended daily intake.

But generally carbohydrates are helpful because it is the main source of our energy.

Others may replace it with other kinds of food like protein-based diets but in the end, they still need to take referred to as yam (a different family altogether) in the United States.

Stereotypes and misconceptions aside, sweet potatoes are a powerhouse of nutrition in one inexpensive and often undesirable lump, and more and more people are seeing their value. Aside from simple starches, sweet potatoes are rich in complex carbohydrates, dietary fiber, beta carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin B6. Pink and yellow varieties are high in carotene. A United States study compared the nutritional value of sweet potatoes to other

in carbohydrates to sustain a well-balanced fitness and nutrition.

Taking muscle building supplements. For those who want to build up muscles fast, taking in muscle building supplements is not the best way to promote your fitness and nutrition health.

It may be true that these supplements can help build your muscles effectively but one must remember that these are just supplements.

It will only work properly if the body has proper nutritional intake. If you want to increase the protein in your body, which is very helpful in enhancing your muscles, then there are many alternatives and more natural ways like eating fish and lean meat.

Reducing your intake of fluids. Some believe that reducing the intake of

Energy Protein Carbohydrate Sugars Potassium Sodium Niacin Pantothenic acid Riboflavin Vitamin A Vitamin B-6 Vitamin B-12 Vitamin C Vitamin E

water can make you lose weight faster. This is entirely wrong. To promote fitness and nutrition properly, you must be able to drink at least 8 glasses of water every day. Experts say that even 1 percent of lack of fluids can affect our body negatively.

Especially when exercising, it’s best to take more to replace fluids you have lost.

Starving yourself. People believe that eating can make you fat. This is not true; it is overeating the wrong kinds of food that can make your fitness and nutrition levels go down. Starving yourself is not the key to better health.

If you skip a meal, there is a tendency that you will eat more on your next meal.

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Red Bull Sugar Free 10 kcal 1g 2.99 g 105 mg 200 mg 19.995 mg 5.005 mg 0.497 mg 1250 IU 5.005 mg 4.81 mcg 60 mg 9.02 mg

Gatorade Energy Drink 310 kcal 77.99 99 g 42 g 200 0m 6.994 94 mg 3.515 15 mg g

Know what’s in your drink?

0.71 mg 2.09 mcg

Red Bull serving 249g, Gatorade 355g based on a 2000 calorie diet Actual figures taken from http://caloriecount.about.com

vegetables. Looking at the fibre content, protein, complex carbohydrates, vitamins A and C, iron, and calcium, the sweet potato ranked the highest by far in nutritional value, scoring 184, 100 points more than the next one on the list, the common potato. (This study was done by the Center for Science in the Public Interest in 1992.)

In Japan and the Philip-

pines, boiled sweet potato is the how it’s done at home.

Sweet potato vine tips and young leaves are widely consumed in West Africa and the Philippines. They are a good source of vitamins A, C and B2, and lutein.

Next time you crave chips or dessert, why not just head out to the corner street and have a stick or two of plain camote-cue. It’s good, and it’s good for you, too. (IDNM)

t ewesion n r u O nct u f / y t par ckage! pa

beauty & fashion back2back • donnacongson & romariecunanan

Donna’s Laugh Trip

Rom’s Birthday Bash

watched the recent ola! It’s my 20th birthday! A Vice Ganda show month-long celebration for me. with my friends I’m getting older and better. As my (Piyesta KTV & Resto Bar curly hair gets curlier, my lean body gets was a sponsor, for which leaner, I also get older! I hope my age will I got complimentary stop adding up. I don’t want to get old! tickets). My friends and I Haha, I want to be twen-teen forever! are big fans! Before this My 20th birthday we spent our bonding is one of the most time over clips of Vice unforgettable Ganda on YouTube, birthdays of my life what we’d call our because my best laugh trip. I was with girl friends preClifford, Poncia, Jose, pared a surprise Philip and Jeffrey; we birthday party for met up with blogger me. I was really friends Orman, Avel clueless about it. and my sissy Romarie Since it was Masthead photo by Brian Congson there. my birthday ice Ganda’s fashion sense is very trendy, I wanted to go out with my girl modern, elegant, and has every touch of his friends, naturally, but no one personality in it. His first outfit was a colorful seemed to be interested in my modern mix: metallic blue leggings, white statement plan except Kate. I told her that shirt, pink beaded blazer, personalized sparkling I wanted to just chill, loosen up silver short boots and a headdress. The second came and sing, so we decided to go to in as formal classy diva look: white and black striped a KTV bar by ourselves. I had to tee shirt, a long fluffy black skirt with long front slit, text my other girl friends again but and snake skin short boots. The third, gold gold gold: they had reasons, and regretfully sequined shiny gold blouse, matt gold jacket, black declined in the end. I was upset, shorts with gold linings, and snakeskin short boots. but I wasn’t about to ruin my day Vice Ganda is the epitome of personalized fashion. special day.

“Wear who you are,” I say. Let your outfit reflect your t the KTV bar, a waiter aspersonality. Vice Ganda’s fashion personality, if I sisted us on our way to the were to read it, are loud, lively, fun, modern, sparroom that we booked. Blabkling, diva, but very accommodating and friendly. bermouth that I am, I kept talking This was not an ordinary show. A three-hour with my friend the entire time we non-stop laugh trip, no front acts, no breaks -- just were walking along the hall toward laugh laugh laugh. Vice Ganda’s very keen and the room. I held the knob and quick in his repartees, impromptu dialog and dietwisted it, and the door opened. laughing punch lines. What made the night even Ta-daah! And there I found all my more flawless was the presence of Gladys Reyes. girl friends holding balloons, blowing Her arguing tandem with Vice Ganda was a great bubbles, singing Happy Birthday, success on ABS-CBN’s Show Time. howling and cheering for me. I went The audience had a nostalgic feeling of being blank for a split second, and then I on Show Time when Vice Ganda together with felt tears streaming down my eyes.

Manila’s new top comedians Lassy and MC sang Wow. On the table I saw my cake Show Time’s theme song. My friends and I were with glowing curly candles. At their waving our hands as we sang along; it really felt urging I made a wish, and blew the like we were on the set of pre-noontime show. candles. What’s my wish? Secret!

All in all a great laugh trip night with my friends.

Haha!

Thank you very much for the awesome company.

I felt like I was the luckiest The night will not be complete without girl on earth because I’ve got the best girl friends ever, and all in one place on my birthday, too! I appreciated it a lot. I hugged each one of them and planted big fat kisses all over their faces. We had a blast that night, we ate scrumptious

I

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A

Continued next page

25 Continued from Rom’s Birthday Bash...

food, we danced, we laughed, we sang, we celebrated.

We ended our party by singing this song: If you wanna be my lover, you gotta get with my friends / Make it last forever, friendship never ends / If you wanna be my lover, you have got to give / Taking is too easy, but that’s the way it is.

Thank you very much -- Chenee, Kate, Ailen, Katrina, Marisse, Mis! I love you, girls! It was a blast! Happy happy birthday!

PLAYBIlL Event updates from www.GenSantos.com

J

essa Zaragoza performed June 20 at The Phenomenal Diva: Jessa Zaragoza Sings the Great Musical Icons show at KCC Convention & Events Center. The free live concert was part of KCC’s commitment to give their customers more value for their money by bringing in topnotch entertainment personalities.

G

our photo with Vice Ganda himself.

Sissy Romarie and I patiently waited backstage for a photo opportunity like this. here can you find affordable branded fashion?

I find them at garage sales, which some call pre-loved items sale. Let’s admit it, ladies -sometimes we splurge on things or outfits we do not wear often. Look at your closet: I bet you can find a great deal of dresses, blouses, shirts, skirts, pants, et cetera, that you haven’t worn this year.

Garage Sale vs Ukay-Ukay -- I admit it I buy a lot of my unique clothing in my suking class A ukay-ukay where I can splurge freely on affordable branded fashion. But in ukay-ukay, you don’t know where the clothes came from or who owned them before. On the other hand, with garage sales, you get to know the previous owners of the clothes and even share stories on how, where and when the outfits were worn. A friend of mine told me it’s better to buy at garage sales because good karma from the seller also goes into his/her clothing, and if you buy it some karma is passed on to you. But the tricky part is finding a garage sale because it is not routinely done.

MA7′s fast-rising male star, their most cherished possession (after Dingdong Dantes and Richard Gutierrez), and the Most Promising Male Star for 2009 (Philippine Entertainment Portal) Aljur Abrenica made an appearance June 24 at Robinsons Place Gensan for a meet-and-greet session with fans and friends. This is the buff teen idol’s first visit to General Santos.

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Where to find garage sales? News of garage sales are spread by word of mouth. Open those radars, girls!

Often friends do it so check out their Facebook status or photos for information. They also advertise in community billboards. Right now a garage sale is in action here at Citifront Lodge, RD Building on Pioneer Avenue, fronting BDO). I’ve been doing my garage sale since May. I gather all my clothes, as well as my family’s, and display them at the vacant space at our building. Proceeds of my garage sale all go to the schooling of my housemaid’s four kids. I already sent the four of them to school last June, complete with uniforms and school supplies. Thanks to all my buyers!

ice Ganda, talent search It’s Showtime! judge and standup comedian packed the General Santos City Gym to the hilt June 27 at his live comedy extravaganza, May Nag-Text, May Show Ako: Live @ Gen. Santos City.

Vice Ganda is now one of the country’s most sought-after comedy artists after his hugely successful concert at a jampacked Araneta Coliseum two weeks before the Gensan gig, which was heavily featured by ABS-CBN.

F

ormer child wonder Aiza Seguerra, who performed here years back at a concert for the Passionist Fathers, returned July 4 to promote her new album Perhaps Love at the KCC Convention and Events Center. The free show also doubled as a meet-and-greet session with the Asia’s Acoustic Sensation.

Aiza, after venturing into the recording industry, is now a famous performer in Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia, with her albums doing brisk sales in these countries.

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mongers and constant complainers -- give it a rest, will ya? Clear your head and breathe a little easy. If you

27 social media resources and guides. Mashable’s audience includes trendsetters and early adopters, social media enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, influencers, brands and corporations, marketing, PR and advertising agencies, Web 2.0 aficionados and technology journalists. Mashable is also popular with a steadily growing army of bloggers, Twitter and Facebook users — an increasingly influential demographic. can’t stop to smell the roses (if you don’t have a garden, that is), visit 1000 Awesome Things instead, and know how you can see ordinary people, life events and the mundane things in a different, often inspiring perspective. The little pleasures are a big deal here -- the joys of peeling the plastic film off your new iPhone, crashing through parenthood, getting a smile from a stranger -- the list of a thousand awesome things goes on.

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It is not the conviction that something will turn out well, but the certainty that something makes sense, regardless of how it turns out.

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first president of the Czech Republic (1993–2003)

lastlook

Caveman’s Playground by ANPJ Rosal Beach Resort, Glan Sarangani, Philippines