Jan1

 Happy new year generals! 

#2016

HOW genSAN CELEBRATE TUNA festival ?

Oct15

F

“TUNA FESTIVAL”
General Santos City celebrates its charter day every 5th of September with its week-long Tuna Festival. The Generals pay homage to the industry that brought the southernmost city in the Philippines into economic spotlight–tuna fisheries and processing. Also, on 5 September, 1958, General Santos became a city. The rest became part of its colourful history.
A lot of us may know GenSan as “The Tuna Capital of the Philippines.” Who wouldn’t? Majority of the tuna canning factories and processing plants are located here, employing thousands of people and earning millions every year. It was because of tuna that brought GenSan from being a “backwater dusty city,” into a boom-town.
As a tribute to the Generals’ flagship industry, hardwork, and determination to develop, GenSan perks itself up by celebrating its city-hood with illuminated tuna float replicas parading the streets with music, dance, and art during the annual Tuna Festival. Thousands of Generals march towards the main avenues to watch the parade and be merry.
 
You may read more about GenSan Tuna Festival and the General’s Story on HabagatCentral.com
source: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1457460&page=77

              :http://www.choosephilippines.com/do/festivals/620/gensan-tuna-festival/

This entry was posted on October 15, 2013. 2 Comments

Wonderful Place in Gensan

Oct9

Oval Plaza

The B’laan people are the original settlers of GenSan which they called Dadiangas in the work of the time. The Blaans live a wandering lifestyle in & around GenSan. Facts of their early occupancy are…The B’laan people are the original settlers of GenSan which they called Dadiangas in the work of the time. The Blaans live a wandering lifestyle in & around GenSan. Facts of their early occupancy are the more.~as an active resident of General Santos City, Philippines, she is passionately involved in community developmental efforts.~as a Mindanaoan, she is determined to show the whole world the beauty and bounty of the island that is usually misunderstood.~as an educator, she equips college students to be ready to make a life, not just a living. She intentionally cultivates their competence and character.~as an agent of transformation, she is Leaping Forward and Leading Change.~as a grateful person, she knows how to savor simple joys and celebrate daily victories.

SM Mall of Gensan

We warmly welcome our valued customers to SM City General Santos, our first mall in the province of South Cotabato. With its thriving economy, General Santos provides an ideal venue for SM Malls as we see a huge potential for growth in the city,” SM Prime president Hans Sy said.Upon opening, SM City General Santos is 80-percent occupied by various tenants. The three-level shopping mall’s anchor tenants are SM Department Store and SM Supermarket.Other mall tenants include Watsons, Ace Hardware, Toy Kingdom, Breadtalk, Congo Grille, Classic Savory, Max’s, Tong Yang, Bench, and Gymboree among others.The amenities include a food court; four cinemas, with a combined seating capacity of 1,400; and parking slots for 1,500 vehicles.General Santos or more popularly known as GenSan, is a highly urbanized first class city and is one of the most populous urban centers in the country. It is the largest producer of sashimi-grade tuna in the Philippines. It is also the hometown of Boxing Champion Manny Pacquiao. General Santos City is the center of commerce, trade, and logistics of Region XII, also known as Soccsksargen, an acronym that stands for South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City

Royal Hotel

Situated in the heart of General Santos City, the hotel is only 20 minutes away from both the international and domestic airports as well as the city’s financial districts, shopping malls, convention and exhibit centers, and a sports complex are a short ride away. East Asia Royale Hotel is situated in the heart of the Tuna Capital of the Philippines, it is only 30 minutes away from both the General Santos City International Airport and the Makar Wharf.  The city’s financial districts, shopping malls, convention and exhibit centers are just around the corner.ROYALE LOUNGE is open 24 hours for fine dining and room service. We also have 2 arcades located within the compound wherein you can find a Beauty Salon, Laundry Shop, Convenience Store, Billiard Hall, KTV Bar, Giacominos Pizza Station, Dimsum Diner, café & other concessionaries. THE BABES BAR draws a crowd from all age groups. Located along the 2nd floor of the Arcade One. Where you can enjoy listening and dancing to the beat of non-stop party music.

Lagao Gymnasium

The whole gym shook and rattled as my 7,000++ townmates all simultaneously released whoops and shrieks of cheers and delight which went on for around 2 minutes. The noise was deafening, the energy was overwhelming, and goose pimples were the order of that moment for me.It was the most heavily-attended fight of Pacquiao at the Lagao Gym so far, ever since the local government of Mayor Acharon started airing his bouts here.According to the mayor, for one, there was no corporate sponsor requiring them to buy liquor or whatever brand they were promoting just to be given a ticket inside.  It was all for free since Congresswoman DarleneAntonino-Custodio(Pacquiao’s opponent in the only fight which made him lose to a tiny wisp of a woman) footed the bill at Solar Sportswhich had the rights to air the pay-per-view telecast.Another thing is the wide coverage of all the major radio networks of theimpending FREE telecast at the gym two weeks prior to the fight date.  This was unlike before when onlyBOMBO RADYO and GMA Super Radyo reported about the free telecast (the former because it was the liquor company’s media partner and the latter because they were Manny’s new TV home).

Prayer Mountain

photo

  Gethsemane  Prayer  Mountain  is  found  in  Rd  Ranch Tambler ,  General Santos City. It  has  a  total  area   of   5oo  hectares  but  10-20  hectares  is  only   use  for  the   Prayer  Mountain  making.  Design by  the  Philcam  or  the  Organization  of  the  alliances  of  the  Philippines.  Gethsemane  Prayer  Mountain  is  found  in  Rd  Ranch Tambler ,  General Santos City. It  has  a  total  area   of   5oo  hectares  but  10-20  hectares  is  only   use  for  the   Prayer  Mountain  making.  Design by  the  Philcam  or  the  Organization  of  the  alliances  of  the  Philippines.

SOURCE: http://gensanchampions.wordpress.com/article/wonderful-place-in-gensan/

Festivals and Events in Gensan

Oct9

 

Kalilangan Festival

Kalilangan Festival is an annual celebration in General Santos City held in the Month of February. It coincides with the city’s founding anniversary and is held in celebration of the arrival of the pioneers of General Santos City which was led by Gen. Paulino Santos and the warm welcome of the local residents mainly the Maguindanaoans and B’laans that created a harmonious relationship between them.The Festival is also a celebration of the city’s economic growth, progressive tourism and and entertainment and also showcases the memory of its glorious past and old age traditions.

Street Dancing in Kalilangan

IT SEEMED like the entire populace of General Santos City was out in the streets last February 27. It was the last day of the Kalilangan Festival 2010, and the day when dance contingents brought their best to the streets of General Santos City.The contingents were divided into two categories: the Kadsagayan Competition and the Mindanao Festivals Competition. The contingents from within General Santos City competed in the Kadsagayan Competition.Meanwhile, groups representing the various festivals in Mindanao competed in the Mindanao Festivals Competition.Competing in the Kadsagayan Competition were Barangay Bula, Buayan High School, SPED High School, Trade School, and Datu Acad Elementary School.And representing their festivals were contingents from Malapatan, Bagumbayan, Tampakan, Sultan Kudarat Pendatun 1, General Santos City, Sarmiento, and Sultan Kudarat Pendatun 2. Together with their own Festival Queens, the contingents from other parts showcased their best music and dance on the streets of General Santos City.

Tuna festival

General Santos City is a three time awardee for the “Most Competitive City” in the Philippines for the years 1999-2000 (all cities), 2000-2001 (mid-sized city) and 2001-2002, an honor bestowed by the Asian Institute of Management SGV policy forum and the Department of Trade and Industry. 
Perhaps, unlike more prominent Philippine festivals which started out as an output of a planned concept, Tuna Festival sprung from a spontaneous idea. In 1998, during the 30th City Charter Anniversary, the General Santos City Tourism Association (GSCTA) – a consortium of hotels, resorts, restaurants, travel agencies, and other tourism-related establishments, then chaired by Mrs. Liwanag Ferrer – staged a one of a kind affair at the then Halieus Mall (now RD Plaza), that showcased gastronomical tuna cuisine through culinary competitions, exhibits, and such other visual and taste delights anchoring on the bounty of the sea with emphasis on tuna as the central thematic relishment. 
A Parada sa dagat or street dancing, Tuna revolution or float parade competition including the Higante ng dagat competition is one of the highlights during the culmination of the activities is expected to have a live in the street signaling to Gensanian’s. The Bancarera competition and the opening of the 5th tuna congress and trade exhibit for tuna industry, the Coca-cola Hottah concert, Shashimi night and the blood bath would be on Sept. 4 during the said event in oval plaza tuna saya will also be held at the where luscious sashimi are serve while ethnic and folk dances are being presented to paid ticket holders. 

Tuna Float Competition in Tuna Festival

The week-long celebration features different events and activities focusing on the tuna industry of the province. Among these are the annual Tuna Congress, the Tuna Fiesta Carnival, the Tuna Culinary Skills Competition, the Sashimi Night, the Fish Dance Competition, Miss GenSan Pageant, the Bodyfest Modeling Competition, and the Float Light Parade.Aside from food exhibitions and several other competitions, the festival also highlights the annual Karagatan Awards. This event, organized by the Tuna Festival Council and local government, honors “the unsung heroes of the fishing industry” by giving them awards.

Sto. Niño Fluvial Parade in bula  Gensan

I did really felt the “fiesta fever” while on board the fishing vessel during theSto.Niño Fluvial Parade, there were foods prepared by each participating vessels for everyone to partake. There’s also inuman, singing and some dancing to the tune of the sinulog beat. Some of the fishing vessels ahead of ours also released balloons to the sky and some others fireworks.Devotees of the Senior Sto.Niños and revelers on-board fishing vesselsAnd here’s a video to give you an idea what’s happening on-board the fishing vessels during and before the Sto.Niño Fluvial Parade in Bula, General Santos CityThe highlight of the Feast of the Senior Sto. Niño in Barangay Bula is the fluvial parade which is participated by most of the fishing industry players in General Santos City, most of which were from Brgy. Bula.

SOURCE: http://gensanchampions.wordpress.com/article/festivals-and-events-in-gensan/

GenSan’s Klaja Cave

Oct3

GenSan’s Klaja Cave

What is in General Santos City that they don’t know? Aside from being the Tuna Capital of the Philippines, what else have they heard about General Santos City? Well, in the event you would try to know & visit the place I guess you will be amaze of what the hidden treasure is… it’s KLAJA.
Its been decades ago when the World War is over. The Japanese had already surrendered to the Americans in 1945.
But… does the people knew where the last bastion of the Japanese Imperial Army was? Well , even they Filipinos doesn’t even know it. Since it was not said in any history books.
Klaja is found at Barangay Conel, which is located 15km at the North East side of General Santos City, at Barangay Conel, Kalaja is then surrounded with towers of karsts formation made millions of years ago. It produced waterfalls & caves.
Opposite of this area were the Ranch or the camping ground of Nopol Hills which borders Conel & Brgy. Mabuhay & it offers a wide view of Gensan, Sarangani Bay & some parts of South Cotabato & Sarangani Province.
What is Klaja? Well some other Bisaya would say kalaha, which is named a frying pot., but what is Klaja & what is in that place? Based from our research, the B’laans would define it as a name of a river which is crocked in shape. They actually call it as El’ K’laja, el means water & klaja is a river.
On entering the place you require to pass & cross rivers & walk & jump over different in to shapes of stones, & while hiking you can enjoy the sceneries of the different formations of mountains.
There’s ten caves used by the Japanese Imperial Army as their dwelling place in the coursework of the World War two. There’s even caves allegedly known as the hospitals of the Japanese Army , their outpost area & headquarters of the Japanese Officers namely: General Kuroda, who is next to General Yamashita. The place is historical & there’s identified bunkers in the said area, at Guadalope, Nopol & at Malakong.
Aside from that, there’s caves in which stalagmites & stalactites are present. You can see the beauty of nature in it. Bats & sparrows where present in to that’s caves, as if that you are been gone in to the caves of some other countries, but for me, Klaja is the best among them, historical site were present & it appears to be educational & lovely for those who would like to go on nature tripping. The place is also suited for outdoor sports like off-road racing, rock climbing, mountain bicycle racing competition ,camping & also photography.

source: http://www.zimbio.com/travelblog/articles/iNJ7oB-ReeN/GenSan+s+Klaja+Cave