Shamcey Supsup covers M Magazine!

Miss Universe 2011 third princess Miss Shamcey Supsup from GenSan City is on the cover of the latest issue of M Magazine!

The only glossy magazine about life and living in Mindanao.

The magazine is now available at all Bookstores and Newsstands Nationwide.

Grab a copy now!

SMX Convention Center Davao to rise soon!

Davao City will be having an SMX Convention Center soon, which will be part of the SM City Lanang. This will be a big boost to Davao City's economy since this will be the largest convention center to rise in Mindanao.

The SMX Convention Center in Davao City is smaller in size compared to the one in Manila. It has a leasable area of 5,400 square meters (can be split into three halls with a maximum capacity of 1,800 people each) if combined it can accommodate about 5,000 plus people.

This will be Mindanao's largest privately-run exhibition and convention facility, the SMX Convention Center is an ideal venue for international exhibitions, large-scale local trade events, major medical and other industry conventions and corporate and social functions.

SMX Convention Center Davao will be open by the first quarter of  2012.

The biggest Pizza ever at Calda Pizza, Gaisano Mall of GenSan!

Have you ever tried eating the biggest pizza ever!  Calda Pizza boast the largest pizza that you can have in GenSan !

The hungry bloggers of the S3X Tour Tres ( Soccsksargen EXperience Tour) organizer Avel Manasala of  GenSantos.com   with the teamed up of Ganda Ever So Much, well we did and one large pizza is not enough for all of us!

The pizza snack was sponsored by Calda Pizza, Gaisano Mall of GenSan, and they gave us another large pizza to feed our hungry stomach. Deliciouso is all I can say!

Have you tried their pizza yet? It is about time!

New cable car added attraction at the 5th Mountain Adventure Park!

The 5th Mountain Adventure Park at Balakayo, Brgy Olympog, GenSan City has a new added attraction to offer to their ever fast exciting zipline in this part of Mindanao. This is the second time for me to visit this place in GenSan with the S3X Tour Tres ( Soccsksargen EXperience Tour) organizer Avel Manasala of  GenSantos.com   with the teamed up of Ganda Ever So Much.

The road going up the mountain is an adventure in itself, we have to pass by a lot of cock breeding village before reaching the place. As always we were there very early n the morning and breakfast was served courtesy of the owner Mr. & Mrs. James and Twilight Betonio. Breakfast was a feast and it was really heavy they served vegetable soup,tuna steak, banana blossom salad with coconut milk, fruits and suman.

After our breakfast we headed down to gear ourselves for the adventure we came for which is ziplining. But before our breakfast we got to try their cable car, which is the latest attraction of the park. It was an experience of a lifetime to ride a very bare cable car where you can see the deepest part of the mountain as we cross two mountains, just like a slow motion. A must try ride!

This is the fastest zipline  in the area, and if ever you want adventure and fun this is the place to be when in GenSan!

Ride Prices: Zipline - P250; Xtreme Cable Car Ride - P200

For more information just visit 5th Mountain Facebook page!

Davao City's new brand revealed!

“Life is here.”

The city government government launched the three-word tagline along with a  lumad headdress-clad Philippine Eagle for a mascot during the unveiling of the new Davao last Sept. 21.

What do you think of the new Davao logo?

Mayor Sara Duterte's State of the City Address full transcript!

Last September 20, 2011 Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte gave her second State of the City Address.


Below is the full transcript of her speech:

Ladies and Gentlemen: 
Maayung hapun kaninyong tanan.
Allow me to give you the bad news first. An examination of the first State of the City Address reveals we 
were not able to do four things: first, our district health centers are not yet PhilHealth-accredited as we are 
still processing the requirements for accreditation. Second, we were not able to build the public library 
because the site we intended for it will be used as a temporary office while the City Hall Annex building 
in Pichon St. is under construction. Third, we did not push through with the privatization of hauling and 
segregation of our garbage because we intend to do something better. Finally, we are still waiting for the 
DepEd Division Office to move to their new building so that their old structure can be remodelled for our 
Pasalubong Center. 
On issues that plague our rapidly developing landscape:
I have issued Executive Order No. 18 creating the Task Force Drainage which assists the City Engineer’s 
Office to monitor our drainage and flood concerns. Initially they reported a requirement of P91 Million 
for 16 projects. We were able to fund 9 projects out of this requirement with a budget of P57.8 Million. 
The task force is continually making an inventory of the existing drainage system in the city to establish 
the drainage flow direction and implement the necessary engineering interventions.
On December 1, 2010, we began operations for our sanitary landfill. While we are truly in a better 
condition than other cities because we have our own sanitary landfill, our CENRO has warned that we 
may not be able to maximize our investment in the landfill if we do not implement other solid waste 
management technologies. We are currently reviewing proposals and continue to check the technologies 
available in the market. 
Prior to the landfill, the average disposed volume of garbage in Lacson Temporary Disposal Facility ranged 
between 500 to 700 tons per day.  As of June this year, the volume decreased to 476 tons. With the full 
implementation of the ordinance, the average volume of disposed garbage dramatically dropped to 359 
tons per day. We aim to further decrease the figures and strengthen the enforcement of the ordinance as 
well as synchronize our garbage collection.
On the issue on housing, we have 459 titled lots granted to relocatees in Brgy. Los Amigos. We have also 
signed an agreement with the National Housing Authority for the construction of 200 units. Our architects 
have also designed a tenement building for socialized housing. The challenge, however, is how to keep 
the cost of medium rise buildings within the price range appropriate for socialized housing. Our Local 
Housing Board is regularly meeting to address this concern.
I strongly urge the City Council to refrain from granting new urban land reform projects because time and 
again our attention has been called regarding the failure to recoup and collect from the beneficiaries. Our 
City Housing Office is putting up a system for the processing of ULRP back accounts which date back 
several years and up to this date remains unpaid. We shall update you further if we have made progress 
on this end.During my inaugural address we defined our direction with BAROG - Barangay Empowerment, 
Academics, Resources, Peace and Order, and Governance. This is our way to stand firm as we 
move forward and upward as Dabawenyos.
BARANGAY
In helping our barangay units: we continued conducting our Caravan of Government Services. It is our 
target to visit all the 182 barangays within the year as mandated by the Local Government Code to ensure 
that the offices in City Hall are within reach of the people and able to answer their concerns. The City Civil 
Registrar’s Office has served approximately 3,000 for civil registration services, City Health Office catered 
to more than 15,000 individuals for various forms of medical and dental services. The City Agriculture 
Office has distributed vegetable seeds to 10,000 recipients. The CENRO and the TMC have been able to 
conduct 3,805 waste segregation campaigns and traffic laws orientation. CSSDO assisted the Office of the 
Senior Citizens in issuing 13,647 ID cards and 32,589 purchase booklets. The City Veterinarian’s Office 
was able to immunize 67,716 dogs and cats with anti-rabies vaccine for free.
Our Food for Work program has been quite a positive endeavour. Our primary aim of de-clogging canals has 
been successfully matched with volunteerism. The intent of slowly erasing our “dole-out” mentality have 
been accepted warmly especially by the women. We were able to get enthusiastic community volunteers 
for our clean-up.  We have cleared approximately 19 kilometres of canals, riverbanks, coastlines and were 
able to properly dispose 720.36 metric tons of garbage so far.
Our City Planning and Development Office conducted meetings with our barangay captains and 
emphasized the need for each unit to create and/or update their barangay development plans from which 
they should cull their priority projects. We were able to collate these projects for all 182 barangays most 
of which were included in the annual budget for 2012.
ACADEMICS
We have strengthened our “Magbasa Ta” reading enhancement program which brings learning and literacy 
services beyond the confines of our city library.  This project has benefited 68,848 persons who borrowed 
42,744 books for them to learn from. 
I have issued Executive Order Nos. 19 and 27 creating the Educational Benefits System Unit to handle 
all the education assistance projects of the city, including that of elementary and high school students 
and our tech-voc skills trainings. Under the expanded Scholarship on Tertiary Education we were able to 
accommodate 420 new scholars, a 119% increase from 2010 bringing the total number of STEP scholars 
to 774. We have intervened in the form of allowance to 66 lumad college students studying in downtown 
poblacion. Our CSSDO provided educational assistance to 1,303 children needing special protection and 
indigent youths, 288 of whom are already in college.
Our Local School Board has been able to maximize the use of our Special Education Fund and assist 
the Department of Education. At the start of this school year we hired 163 auxiliary-teachers intended 
to improve the teacher to student ratio in our city. Our board has also approved the construction of 
22 classrooms complete with comfort rooms, blackboard and arm chairs. The challenge now is how to 
support the K+12 program of DepEd. We have sent resolutions to the Secretary Armin Luistro to enlighten 
the LSB on the program so that we can make the necessary appropriations to support our kindergarten 
classes.
RESOURCE
Early on, I already identified the focus industries for our city as Agriculture, Tourism and Information 
and Communication Technology sectors. While export manufacturing and mining are the multimillion 
industries to focus on, there isn’t much we can do to compete with manufacturing countries. Also, I 
have already declared that mining is out of the question as it will bring more problems than solutions 
and we can learn a lot just by a cursory examination of LGUs with mining areas. I have already made 
representations with Secretary Ramon Paje and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau to keep mining out of 
Davao City, more specifically in the areas of Paquibato and Marilog.
Our City Agriculturist’s Office has identified agro-forestry, agri-business, agri-fisheries, and agri-tourism 
as the areas to strengthen further. We have started agro-forestry projects by establishing satellite nurseries 
in Marilog, Calinan and Baguio districts to produce the supply of endemic and other trees. We have 
designated Engr. Elisa Madrazo to take charge of developing and executing our Urban Greening Program 
and to collaborate with DENR for the National Greening Program to expand our forest cover.We provided farmers with appropriate upland technologies, agro-forestry crops and farm inputs. 
And we enhanced their organizational and entrepreneurial skills through farmer-clustering, field 
school, observation tours and farm peer exchange. We put premium on the propagation of Cacao 
which can be grown under coconut trees, fruit trees, other crops and forest trees.
Last year, we inaugurated the establishment of the Cacao Agribusiness Zone Center facility in Brgy. 
Talandang, Tugbok District through a Department of Agriculture — Cocoa Foundation Philippines, 
Inc. investment partnership. It is the biggest in the Philippines.
Our Tourism Office has launched a training program for tour guides with 38 new graduates ready 
to assist our growing number of visitors. We have constructed a Visitors Information Center at the 
airport and will soon commence the remodelling of the building intended to be the Pasalubong 
Center. 
Tomorrow, we will be unveiling the new campaign of the city, with new materials and collaterals. I, 
therefore, urge all our tourism stakeholders to support this campaign by carrying the collaterals in 
all your promotional materials, and join our march towards capturing the top spot as the country’s 
most-visited destination. We intend to localize the campaign so that Dabawenyos will always be 
reminded of how we should give value to our city as our way of exemplifying patriotism.
Davao City saw an unprecedented number of recorded visitor arrivals. Our four major events 
come-on for the city: Araw ng Dabaw, Summerfest, Kadayawan and Pasko Fiesta have greatly 
contributed to increase the number of visitor arrivals. We hosted 62 meetings, incentive travels, 
conventions and events or MICE activities through the initiative of our private sector partners. As 
good news, I am glad to report that our strong partnership with the private sector was instrumental 
in reaping the best booth award during the Philippine Travel Mart in Manila, aside from P1.5M 
sales we have raked in. This golden partnership paved the way for the honor  to host the 3rd 
Philippine MICE Convention on 2013, besting the bid of CamSur.
Our Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector is going stronger with the entry 
of new BPOs and software developers that employed 10,985 full time agents in 2010 alone, an 
increase of 41% from 6,480 employees recorded in 2009. These new ICT players are not limited 
to call centers.  We have new locators who are engaged into animation, data transcription and 
design process outsourcing.
The number of dengue cases in Davao City has dramatically dropped from 2,107 in the second 
semester last year to 238 in the first semester of this year. This positive performance is a result 
of our distribution of treated curtains for elementary schools, soaking of nets, indoor residual 
spraying, de-fogging, massive information campaign and our initiative to implement the 4 o’clock 
clean-up habit at the barangay level.
Our Local Health Board and City Health Office were able to draft the Comprehensive Investment 
Plan for Health, requiring approximately P1.5 Billion to provide prime health services to our 
residents. As an initial output, we have appropriated P36 Million to construct a 4-storey building 
in Pichon Street to house all our medical services and offices, including the chest center, the 
animal bite center, medico-legal, dispensary, dental and the main city health office. We have 
also allocated budget for the construction of the Agdao district health center with birthing facility, 
which will be a model design for all other district health centers.
With regard to Reproductive Health services, the issue here is not whether or not population is 
linked to poverty. We believe that progressive societies should have policies for the physical, 
psychological, mental, social health of our families, thus, family planning services are made 
accessible to our constituents.
Our City Social Services Development Office is working with the Committee on Women and 
Children to come up with an ordinance for the holding facility of children who come in contact 
with the law, apart from those in the diversion program. We have also made appropriations for 
the improvement of Lamdag Home for Boys and the construction of a holding facility in Bago 
Oshiro for children who are in need of intervention. We have strengthened our home-based ECCD 
program with 99 centers. This program was a quick response to the increasing demand for daycare centers and the long travel of children in far-flung barangays.
We have strengthened our economic enterprises with alloted budgets for the improvement and 
rehabilitation of the Davao City Overland Transport Teminal and the rehabilitation of the Wireless 
Public Cemetery. Our Davao City Recreation Center is adopting new rates, further increasing its 
viability as an enterprise.
Our City Treasurer’s Office was able to collect P552,832,436.61 from January to June for the 
business taxes this year, or an 18.53% increase from the collection made last year. Our total 
revenue collection from local sources is in the amount of P 1.09 Billion or a 17.79% increase from 
the same period last year. 
In our commitment to being a business-friendly LGU, we have conducted 19 one-stop-shop in the 
issuance of permits, with a modified processing system in malls and other strategic areas of the city. 
As a result, the number of our business establishments significantly increased by 24% or 30,000 
from last year to 36,000 this year. Furthermore, investments registered with the Business Bureau 
reached an all-time high of P 183.5 billion in terms of capitalization. Employment generated by 
these investments increased by a staggering 66%, or from 177,175 in 2010 to 293,435  jobs for 
Davaoenos.
With reduced registration requirements and a simplified system in place, Davao City is now the 
second easiest city in the country to start a business and the first in processing construction permits, 
both cited by no less than the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank.
However, I bear again bad news: the Department of Budget and Management released Local 
Budget Memorandum No. 65 and 65-A with two advisories: that the 2012 IRA level is 4.8% lower 
than that of 2011 and that the entry of judgment in the 16- cityhood case has the overall effect of 
a corresponding reduction in the revenue allotment of all local government units.
With this reduction, the Office of the City Treasurer projects a 13% decrease in the annual budget, 
or a staggering loss of P360 Million for the city. Our annual budget for this year is P4.3 Billion. 
With a loss P360 Million, our budget 2012 budget will now only be P4.1Billion. We are aware of 
the impact of cost-cutting on personnel services hence we are adjusting our debt servicing as this 
option would not have the same damaging effect as the mass termination of personnel. We shall 
try our very best to cushion the impact of this problem.
I hereby turnover to the Honorable Floor Leader the proposed 2012 annual budget for the council’s 
consideration and favorable action. It is a budget best described as sustaining socio-economic 
growth amidst challenging times. 
PEACE AND ORDER
A report from the Davao City Police Office showed that the total number of index crimes has 
decreased from 3,604 in July to December last year to 3,019 in January to June this year. From 
July to December 2010, we have posted 1,177 or 57.60% crime solution efficiency, while from 
January to June 2011, our crime solution efficiency increased to1,226 or 57.67%.
From January to June this year, 570 index crimes and 707 non-index crimes have been solved or a 
17.83 percentage points increase in solution efficiency of the same period last year. Actions taken 
to achieve this rapid increase are: the adoption of the Anti-Crime Incentive Program to police 
officers, integrated patrol plan and more cooperation from witnesses.
We have zero-terrorist incident, mainly due to the hard work and vigilance of the Task Force 
Davao. We, however, continue our target hardening measures to keep our city safe. We have 
allotted budget for additional CCTV cameras in critical areas, government and vital installations 
including checkpoints in barangays Sirawan, Calinan and Ilang. 
Our City Peace and Order Council has updated and adopted our Local Government Security Plan. 
We have responded to the needs of the Bureau of Fire Protection with the purchase 50 firemen 
suits, 4 computers, 10 radio base and 20 handheld radios; the Bureau of Jail Management andPenology with the construction of their multi-purpose visitor center; the Davao City Police 
Office for the repair of Sasa Police Station and the construction of Calinan Police Station. 
From August 2010 to July this year, our Traffic Management Center apprehended a total of 
31,484 erring drivers. We have emphasized that public utility drivers should police themselves 
because public transportation involves public safety and interest. Since October last year, 
we have conducted 44 traffic education trainings participated by a total of 16,212 drivers.
We exact strict discipline to our traffic enforcers with administrative sanctions for misdeeds and 
making them liable for criminal actions. Two former traffic enforcers are now facing criminal 
charges before the Regional Trial Court for extortion. Our traffic enforcers were also subjected to 
random drug testing, four of whom were found positive and summarily dismissed from service.
GOVERNANCE
We have intensified our campaign against drug use in the workplace and have found 7 personnel 
positive for drug use. We have terminated their service and recommended that they seek professional 
intervention. 
Our Human Resource Management Office developed and implemented 7 training and career 
development programs with 36 sessions, including orientation sessions for the public assistance 
counter desk officers to improve our engagement in public transactions. Technical teams were 
created to conduct job analyses for pilot departments for the development and retention of a 
highly competent and professional workforce.
Our Davao City Investment Incentive Board has created a technical working group among its 
members to come up with recommendations on how the city can further increase its local revenues, 
thus reducing our dependence on the internal revenue allotment. These recommendations allow 
room to improve the city and sustain competitiveness. The group will also come up with strategies 
on how the city can rationalize its expenditures.
Allow me to acknowledge the generous support of the private sector, our Chamber of Commerce, 
the Tourism Alliance, the Chinatown Development Council and all Chinese communities, our 
Muslim brothers and sisters and Lumad families, all other stakeholders in their untiring assistance 
to our local government. Your generosity is something I can best describe as above and beyond 
the ordinary.
Finally, I run through how your support has been the past year: our 1st Lamdag Parada during the 
Pasko Fiesta gathered 40 contingents. Our Araw ng Dabaw parade was joined by 248 contingents. 
And our Kadayawan floral float parade was joined by over 100 contingents with 22 competing 
floats. These high numbers are testaments of the Dabawenyos commitment to our beloved city.
Ladies and gentlemen, these are just highlights of the state of our city. Rest assured, your local 
government shall continue to work to improve our city and shall always be faithful to public service.

Daghang Salamat

The only shabu-shabu dining place in Gensan is at Meilih Restaurant!

I have tasted a lot of shabu-shabu in different restaurants around the country, but the best so far is at Meilih Restaurant at Phela Grande Hotel in General Santos City! And it is the only dining place in the city that offers shabu-shabu.

While I was in GenSan with the S3X Tour Tres ( Soccsksargen EXperience Tour) organizer Avel Manasala of  GenSantos.com   with the teamed up of Ganda Ever So Much, me and along with the bloggers who participated were lucky enough to taste one of GenSan's best shabu-shabu.

Not only that, the dishes that was served was exceptional. There were two types of shabu-shabu that was served, the regular and the hot one. I opted for the hot one, OMG it was delectable a must try if you pass by Gensan. And the best of all is their stuffed cookies with shrimp and quail eggs. Thanks to Mr. & Mrs. Charles & Helen Angderson for our dinner.

37th Infantry Batallion Camp in Maasim, Sarangani Prov. now a tourist spot!

Who would have thought that an Army Camp will become one of the tourists attraction in Maasim, Sarangani Province?

Not many people would want to go to an army batallion camp, but that changes everything once you got to visit the 37th Infantry Battalion Camp at Barrio Tampuan, Brgy Kamanga, Maasim, Sarangani Province under Batallion Commander Lt Col Adolfo Espuelas Sr.

The camp is civilian friendly and they really take good care of the people in the area. They do not only engage in military activities, they are also engaged in Peace building and community services in the area. Sarangani Province is now one of the peaceful province in Mindanao due to their presence.

During the  S3X Tour Tres ( Soccsksargen EXperience Tour) organizer Avel Manasala of  GenSantos.com   with the teamed up of Ganda Ever So Much, we experienced first hand hospitality from the 37th Infantry Battalion and a tour to their camp that made them special from the rest.

We had a fun time riding their "Tanke de Guerra" around the camp, it  was once in a life time experience, they also have a "Flirting Park", where soldiers can flirt with nature, a "Serenity lounge", where they spend sometime and have fun and their famous septic tank which they turned into a sight seeing pad to see the whole of Maasin and the Sarangani Bay.

If you are in the area, this is one experience you wouldn't miss!

25 Years Of Side A with album “SIDE A 25” with special performance at Abreeza Mall on Sept. 20!

       The past decades have sent the rise and fall of the seemingly invincible artists and groups, Side A has braved the storms and persevered through whatever trends The name is synonymous with an unmatched classic-after-classic repertoire of songs (spanning a whopping collection of more than a dozen official albums, a Christmas album, singles and various greatest hits collections…) and unequaled live performances nationwide and abroad.

            The band – composed of founding member Naldy Gonzales, veteran guitarist/vocalist Joey Generoso and veteran drummer Ernie Severino, former Take One guitarist Leevon Cailao and former Freeverse bassist Ned Esguerra –aren’t resting on their collective laurels. Their music lives on and just like wine, it gets finer with every new musical outing. Timed to their celebration of the band’s Silver Anniversary,  Warner Music releases a special collection entitled “SIDE A 25”, a double-disc offering that includes twenty-five years of the greatest and bestmusic that the band has created.

            Featuring vintage material from the band’s beginnings – “Eva Marie,” the Tagalog ditty “’Di Pa Huli,” the band’s breakthrough heartbreak anthem “Hold On” and the infectious remake of Labuyo’s “Tuloy Pa Rin,” this collection also puts together fan favorites through the years, including sentimental tracks like “Until Then,” “So Many Questions,” “Forevermore,” “Will I Ever,” “Set You Free,” “By Your Side,” “If Only” and “Let The Pain Remain,” among numerous others, and goes the extra mile with live renditions from their legendary 10^th Anniversary Concert disc “I Believe In Dreams,” “Foolish Heart” and their revivals “Ang Aking Awitin” and “Tell Me.”           And no new release is complete without a new track, in which the band happily obliges with “Before I Let You Go,” a previously unreleased original that, judging by the title alone, will have fans swooning to its bittersweet lyricism and melody.

            This outing is special for Side A for two reasons. “First, it marks our 25^th year in the business. And second, it is a gesture of thanks to our fans who have been supporting us through the years. We won’t be who we are and achieved what we had in the business if not for the fans.” says Joey Generoso.

             Being the group’s silver anniversary, Side A treats its  loyal fans to special live performances of their timeless hits in the country’s biggest shopping malls: September 18 at the Ayala Center in Cebu  and September 30 at  Abreeza Mall in Davao.

Davao City transport strike will push through on Monday!

Militant and moderate transport groups in Davao City already announced to the public their planned transport strikeon Monday, September 19. and a People's Protest that will raise issues confronting various sectors will also be staged simultaneously with the transport strike.

A representatives from various sectoral groups announced they have decided to push through with the protest actions to air their grievances and press the government to address their demands.

Among their demands to be raised during the protest actions are scrapping of the Oil Deregulation Law, removal of the 12 percent Value-Added Tax, and rolling back of prices of oil and petroleum products.

10 bus companies operating in the city have assured the City Government they will deploy buses to ferry commuters stranded due to the strike.

IML Eco Park, a must visit in Maasim!

On the first day of our S3X Tour Tres ( Soccsksargen EXperience Tour) organized by Avel Manasala of  GenSantos.com  with the teamed up of Orman Manansala  we had our lunch at IML ECO PARK, Barangay Lumasal, Maasim, Sarangani Province owned by Mr. Jojo Lopez and Haydee Lopez.

The IML Eco Park is an all adventure park  located on top of the mountain overlooking the Sarangani Bay, where you can enjoy swimming in their pool for adult and one for children, rooms where you can stay overnight. If you want adventure, they also have a zipline to perk up your adrenaline. A restaurant to go to when you are hungry.

We really had a good time at IML Eco Park and we had our sumptuous lunch through the courtesy of Maasim Mayor Jose Zamorro.

For more information on IML Eco Park Visit their Facebook Page Here!

Best White Water Tubing Experience in Maitum!

An adventure of a lifetime awaits visitors and tourist who wants to experience White Water Tubing, in Pangi River, Brgy New La Union, Maitum, Sarangani Province!

For those who are into fun and adventure, this is the place to be. White Water Tubing at its best. The downstream trail has improved a a lot since the last time I was there. The water flow is much faster now and the dips and dive are more exciting.

When in Maitum, Sarangani Province this is a must try ride of a life time.

I was there for the experience and I still get excited even if it is my second time there. . Thanks to  S3X Tour Tres ( Soccsksargen EXperience Tour) organizer Avel Manasala of  GenSantos.com   with the teamed up of Ganda Ever So Much for this second time, big time experience!

 

Pawikan Sanctuary in Maitum is a must visit for all tourist!

There are a lot of tourist destinations to visit in Maitum, Satangani Province and one of them is the Pawikan Nestling Sanctuary and Research Learning Centerlocated at the Old Poblacion.

It is a nice feeling to see that nature is taken cared of, especially the Pawikans (Sea Turtles)which has a nestling snctuary in the area. We could see that they are well taken cared of until they are big enough to go back to the vast Sarangani Bay to their freedom. The experience I felt while letting go a baby Pawikan Sea Turtles) to the vast sea was . .. .  I just can't explain the joy to see the small sea turtles raising to the water along the shore to their freedom. Home at last for the sea turtles!

Thanks a lot for the SEX Tour   organizer Avel Manasala of  GenSantos.com   with the teamed up of Ganda Ever So Much together with the Soccsksargen Bloggers or Sox Bloggers. 

 

A visit at the Museum and meeting Maitum Mayor Elsie Lucille Perrett!

After having a hefty breakfast through the courtesy of the mayor of Maitum, Sarangani Province, Mayor Elsie Lucille Perrett, we went to the municipal hall and got to meet the mayor in  person. Thanks to  S3X Tour Tres ( Soccsksargen EXperience Tour) organizer Avel Manasala of  GenSantos.com   with the teamed up of Ganda Ever So Much for this one of a kind experience.

Meeting a local politician is really one of a kind experience since they are busy with their daily activity running the town. In Maitum we were gladly welcomed by Mayor Elsie Lucille Perrett and she was game enough to have a group picture taken with us and after that a photo op with each of the bloggers present.

Next in agenda is the Maitum Museum visit, which is housed just inside the municipal hall. There we can see the rich culture of Maitum, the rich archaeological find in the area. It is a must visit if ever you are in town and it is highly recommended. And our official tour guide is no other than the Tourism officer of Maitum,  Mr. Arlex Narte who gladly gave us the details of the culture and the archaeological find in his hometown.

59th Araw ng Bansalan schedule of activities!

The municipality of Bansalan will celebrate on September 18, its 59th town anniversary!  Bansalan used to be a barangay of Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur. When Digos became a town, Bansalan was one of those areas included. Then in 1952, Bansalan was separated from Digos.



Data and schedule of activities:

September 12, 2011 

Opening ceremony      -     Municipal lobby

September13, 2011

Jobs Fair

Opening of Grow Micro Dusplay Boots     -   Municipal Hall

September 14, 2011

Cooking Contest     -    Municipal Hall

September 15, 2011

Agriculture Day of Bansalan   - ABC GYM 6:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Parade of the Most Beautiful Carabao & Most Talented Varetaker

Mass Graduation (School on Air and Low Income Family Pax)

Mass Induction Ceremonies (BAFC & MAFC Officers)

Gawad Saka Awarding Ceremony-Municipal Level Winner (2010-2011)

Free Consultation/Dialogue-Agri Pinoy Program

September 16, 2011

Band and Lyre Presentation  -  BCES Athletic Grounds7:00 a.m.

Cheer Dance Presentation   -  ABC Gym 1:00 p.m.

September 17, 2011

Municipal Hall - Bansalan Central Elementary School grounds

Bansaulog ( Street Dancing)

September 18, 2011

Anniversary Program  -  ABC Gym 9:30 a.m.

Awarding of Plaques to Outstanding Bansaleños

 

Breakfast at Cresilda's courtesy of the Mayor of Mauitum. . . amazing!

The first day of the  S3X Tour Tres ( Soccsksargen EXperience Tour) is always the most anticipated of all. We have to wake up early from GenSan City and have our first itinerary for the day and that is going to Maitum town of Sarangani Province!

I was very excited since we are going to have our breakfast at Cresilda's (Cresing's Food Products), this is not the first time that I've been to their place. The memory still lingers, the organic food that they served is very filling, and they also served the food products that they are selling. They are into organic farming and their products are sure 100% organic.

Thhey served organic vegetable salad that is grown in their backyards, different variety of organic rice, the red rice, black rice and brown rice, the marinated Bangsi (flying fish) of course will not be missed.  Lemon grass-Turmeric hot drink, and the cold drink counterpart with a punch of lemonsito as out thirst quencher.

They also have a new caffeine free coffee made from rice and corn, wild turmeric powder, moringa, fresh dalaldan, herbal salted egg, lemon grass powder, coco sugar and bagoong. I gought a half dozen bagoon with me back home.

If enver you are interested in buying their products you can order from them directly by calling or text with mobile number 0919-3045279 or email them at ferminc.rivas@hotmail.com

The breakfast is through the courtesy of the mayor of Maitum, Sarangani Province, Mayor Elsie Lucille Perrett(meeting with her needs another blog post). Thanks to  S3X Tour Tres ( Soccsksargen EXperience Tour) organizer Avel Manasala of  GenSantos.com   with the teamed up of Ganda Ever So Much for this memorable tour .

Piyesta KTV & Resto Bar always a welcome treat when in GenSan!

Going to GenSan City, I always look forward to go there since most of the time if not always, my first stop is always Piyesta KTV & Resto Bar !

 

A group of bloggers from different parts of the country was there in GenSan City  to attend the  S3X Tour Tres ( Soccsksargen EXperience Tour) which is organized and spearheaded by no other than GenSantos.com Avel Manansala teamed up again with Ganda Ever So Much under the tutelage of the group which he co-founded, the Soccsksargen Bloggers and you know what? A welcome and refreshing drink was served to us upon arriving, courtesy of the beautiful Donna Mae Congson of Kikay Much and the bar owner, too!

You cannot miss Piyesta KTV & Resto bar since it is located at Robinson's Place GenSan. They also serve fiesta foods to die for and pulotan to the max!!

 

 

Dinner with Gov. Migs Dominguez at Red Trellis Seafood Garden!

I was one of the lucky ones who attended the S3X Tour Tres ( Soccsksargen EXperience Tour) which is organized and spearheaded by no other than GenSantos.com Avel Manansala teamed up again with Ganda Ever So Much under the tutelage of the group which he co-founded, the Soccsksargen Bloggers. ! The first night dinner was at the Red Trellis Seafood Garden (a Japanese inspired garden restaurant) with no other than the Governor of Sarangani Province, Gov. Migs Dominguez.

SOCCSARGEN’s only seafood restaurant. And true to their name they are the best in seafoods in GenSan. They serve the best quality of crabs, prawns and lobsters.  The recipes are delicious and the prices are quite reasonable. The ambiance is really great for families friends and acquaintances.

We are a group of bloggers who went there for the first night of our tour in Soccsargen area and have a good dinner and a chit chat with the owner and with Gov. Migs Dominguez. The food was great the place was so relaxing, a must for seafood lovers.

It is also great to know that Gov. Migs Dominguez is aware of what the bloggers could do to promote the Province

Red Trellis Seafood Garden Restaurant is located at Tiondson Ext. Corner Calina Street, Lagao (Fronting Notre Dame IBED), 9500 General Santos, Philippines!

Thye are open from:

Mon - Sun: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
5:00 pm - 10:00 pm

For more information and reservations:

Telephone: 083-302-CRAB (2722) 083-5520256 Email: redtrellis@yahoo.com

2011 Mr. and Miss GenSan revealed!

The just concluded Mr. and Miss GenSan 2011 which is one of the highlights of the Tuna Festival in GenSan City was very memorable. It was hosted by Victor Aliwalas and Anna Maris Igpit with Claudine Barretto as one of the celebrity judge.

The grand coronation night was held at the KCC Mall's activity center, the contestants was serenaded by Mike Tan and it was like a Kapuso night at the pageant.

Mr. and Ms. Gensan Winners are:

• Mr. and Miss GenSan – Caroline Lim and Jerick Chan


• 1st Runner Up – Ayana Grico and Jeffthie Cardino


• 2nd Runner Up – Windy Lou Pontino and Serafin Lim

Congratulations to Miss Gensan Caroline Lim and Mister Gensan Marc Jerick Chan for winning the The Mr. and Ms. Gensan pageant 2011!

Jinkee Pacquiao on the spotlight!

Compared to the big one in Forbes Park, the Pacquiaos’ house in Brentville, Biñan, Laguna, is too modest. It’s located at a quiet corner of the sprawling subdivision, across from an empty lot, a safe distance from its next neighbor, within walking distance to the exclusive school where the Pacquiao children are studying.



As soon as you enter, Jinkee smiles at you from a lifesize painting that occupies almost one wall, dominating the main sala. A few steps and you are in the dining room. An old sofa that needs to be reupholstered occupies the smaller sala. Framed photos of Manny and Jinkee and other members of the family (including Jinkee’s twin sister Janet) are all over the rest of the walls and inside built-in glass cases.

It’s not easy to enter the subdivision. You have to be checked by guards in three gates before you reach the Pacquiao home. At the first gate, the guard checks the guest list if your name is on it, then he calls the Pacquiao home (or that of whoever you’re visiting) to confirm.

“That’s why we like it here,” said Jinkee on the day we dropped by to interview her as image model for The Belo Medical Clinic, airing on Saturday, Sept. 10, in Startalk. It’s far from the madding crowd.“Tahimik dito, nakaka-relax. Kaya gustong-gusto ni Manny palagi dito.”

It’s almost lunchtime and Jinkee said that Manny is upstairs, maybe still asleep. The kids are in school and, when we arrive, Jinkee is being made up by an Indonesian stylist, her favorite. The week before, Jinkee and Manny were in the news (when was it that they never were?) after they hosted a dinner for visiting Hollywood starlet Paris Hilton, their friend. Paris made a surprise appearance at Manny’s post-fight presscon in Las Vegas last May.

As a warm-up, we engage Jinkee in idle talk. Here’s how it goes:

When are you moving to your house in Forbes Park?

“Next year. Ayaw namin madaliin.”

Is it the most expensive among your houses?

“Yes, it is.”

Magkano ‘yon?

(Smiles) “A, basta. ‘Yon ang pinakamahal.”

Are you inviting Paris Hilton to the blessing?

(Shrugging) “Hmmmm, baka hindi. Better not kasi some people are making negative comments about me. Nagiging social climber tuloy ako sa mata ng tao.”

You hosted a party for Paris. How was it?

“Okey naman. I was star-struck.”

What did you talk about?

“Beauty secrets, mga ganoon. Also about fashion. Mahilig kasi siya sa mga damit at accessories. She made comment about my watch, ‘Your watch is beautiful!’ O kaya, ‘You have a nice dress,’ mga ganoon.”

Did you exchange gifts?

“No. All we gave her were pictures of Manny and a Pacquiao T-shirt that she wore when she left. And several sets of make-up na iba-ibang brands.”

What did she give you?

“None. She accepted our invitation for her to have dinner with us was good enough.”

Aren’t you affected when Manny and Paris made beso-beso in public?

“Beso-beso is okey. Pag kiss na talaga, I don’t think it’s nice. Hindi naman siguro maganda ‘yon.”

Two Saturdays ago, you guest-hosted in Manny’s show Manny Many Prizes. You and Manny even sang a duet of Miss Na Miss Kita. How would you like to be Manny’s permanent co-host?

“They asked me to be a co-host and I told them, ‘As long as possible d’un sa show ni Manny, okey ‘yon’.”

Manny will have his third bout with Juan Manuel Marquez on Nov. 12 (Nov. 13 Manila Time) in Las Vegas. Do you want it to be Manny’s last fight?

“Hindi pa rin, eh. That’s what everybody is asking him and asking me every time mayroon siyang laban.When I ask him about it, hindi na siya kumikibo.”

Kelan kaya ang last fight niya?

“Siguro after (Floyd) Mayweather Jr.”

But as far as you and Manny’s Mommy Dionisia are concerned, kelan ninyo gusto?

“Siguro anytime, puede na.”

You’ve done commercials (as endorser of The Belo Medical Clinic, etc.) and now you’re TV co-hosting. Would you accept any movie offer (like Mommy Dionisia who starred with former Pres. Joseph Estrada and Ai-Ai delas Alas in Star Cinema’s Ang Tanging Pamilya)?

“I doubt it. Ayokong magka-problema ang pagsasama namin ni Manny.”

Why naman?

“Ayaw ni Manny na may leading man ako, ganyan.”

Why, your leading man might be linked with you?

“Ayaw niya ng tsismis.”

If ever you joined showbiz, sino ang gusto mong leading men? Name three.

“Hmmmmm, let me see…But I won’t mention the name of the actor na natsismis sa akin.” (Clue: There’s “d” and “k” in his first name, and an “r” and a “y” in his surname.) “Si Sam Milby, Alden Richards and Gerald Anderson who is also from GenSan.”

If Manny were your leading man, I’m sure you would have kissing scenes.

“Okey lang. Bakit ko siya tatanggihan?”

And besides, you don’t need any rehearsal.

“Take one lang ‘yon sigurado.”

Do you “rehearse” every night?

“Puede rin.”

Source

The top performing cities for 2010 in the Philippines: Davao City at No.5 for good governance!

THE Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) cited Davao City as one of the top performing local government units (LGUs) for 2010 based on the areas of good governance.



The top performing cities in the highly urbanized and independent component cities category are:

1. Valenzuela (4.9150);


2. San Juan (4.8875);


3. Puerto Princesa (4.8640);


4. Angeles (4.7410);


5. Davao (4.7380);


6. Naga (4.6940);


7.  Zamboanga (4.6865);


8. Iligan (4.6710);


9. Cebu (4.6633);


10. Taguig (4.6415).

The top 10 high performing provinces according to rank are:

1. Bohol (4.9370);


2. La Union (4.9115);


3. Bulacan (4.8628);


4. Negros Oriental (4.8331);


5. Pangasinan (4.8185);


6. Ilocos Norte (4.8185);


7. Albay (4.8064);


8. Cavite (4.8031);


9. Compostela Valley (4.7812);


10. Tarlac (4.7773).

 

For the component cities category, the top performers are:

1. Ligao (4.9240);


2. Laoag (4.9193);


3. San Fernando (4.9177);


4. Vigan (4.8617);


5. Gingoog (4.8568);


6. Cabanatuan (4.8363);


7. Dipolog (4.8113);


8. La Carlota (4.7553);


9. Iriga (4.7522);


10. Batac (4.7430).

 

For the full 2010 local governance performance report, visit the official website of the LGPMS atwww.blgs.gov.ph/lgpms.

The Top Emerging Influential Blogs of 2011!

The Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs is an initiative of Miss Janette Toral of the Digital Filipino Club. The project aims to recognize ten new outstanding blogs who became inlfuential or made an impact to its readers in the year 2011. Blogs which started anytime from April 1, 2010 up to present are qualified for nomination..



Without much further ado, here they are:

1.  Eat’s Terrific

2.  Kikay Much

3.  Mother’s Instincts

4. I Am Ariel Lalisan -

5.  Pinay Travelogue 

6.  General Joana

7.  Libotero

8. Jinky’s Kitchen World

9. Markable.Me

Try visiting these blogs and you will know why Dabaw Pinoy chose them as his Top Emerging Influential Blogs for 2011.  Happy Reading!