Great Induction Night of GSC Chamber

I had the pleasure of attending the Induction Ceremonies of the General Santos City Chamber of Commerce and Industry last night at the East Asia Royale Hotel. There were I think a total of 42 new members (I was one of them!). Thanks to the campaign of Mr. Bebot Haw to invite SMEs and micro-entrepreneurs to the Chamber. He sponsored my application to the organization. Thanks Sir Bebot!

Mr. Orman Manansala of Asia United Bank did a great job hosting the ceremonies. Funny, I was there at 6:15pm because they said it was going to be at 6. But it started a lot later. Oh well, I’ll know next time. *wink*

The function room was on standing room already. It was a good first gathering for me with the Chamber. I already met some of the members and I honestly feel good. It was a little bit intimidating and I was a little starstruck to be with Gensan’s major businessmen and women but they were actually encouraging. Mr. Jan Ced was inducted as the new president. I am positive about the coming year with his leadership.

Kudos to the Chamber!

Restaurant Review 2: Theresa’s Cafe

After dropping off a proposal for a client, I decided to check out a new restaurant in Gensan called Theresa’s Cafe. I came to know about it from the city government’s official website, gensantos.gov.ph. I was intrigued by the article.

Well, it is indeed on the quieter side of the Osmena St. The facade is simple and cafe-ish. It would be intimidating for people who are not used to eating in these types of dining places. I would say the interior is cozy and, if I’m not mistaken, the only one in Gensan which would have this look. Tables and chairs are made of wood. Most chairs do not have backs and armrests though so you either have to vacate your seat in an hour or have a strong back. ‘wink’. I cannot say it’s not comfortable. In fact, it’s okay with me.

The food is good. I had pepper pasta with tuna (i think) with olives and basil. It was refreshing to see their presentation. Not a common thing in most restaurants in Gensan. Plain white plate, height, good play of colors. Their menu had items not yet offered in the city.  I tried the Thai Tea coffee (are you confused? I was for a while.) It’s not tea. I suppose Thai Tea is a coffee brand. It had a cinnamon taste to it.

The dining staff were friendly and in proper uniforms, thank God. Plus, they knew how to talk.

One thing though, the music was a bit loud and quite not smack for the place.  But all in all, I liked the dining experience. I’m not a fan yet but I will sure come back.

Weekend Scenes in Gensan

I had a rare opportunity to be out downtown or travelling during the weekend. And I realized a couple of things.

Saturdays are, of course, not your usual weekday rush-to-work eksena. It was slower but with a little energy brought about by weekends. Add to that, the need to do some housework and errands for the house. Laundry, general cleaning, grocery and the like.

Late afternoon of Saturday was surprising. To think that I have lived here for almost 5 years. The downtown area, officers, shops were closing at exactly 5pm like in any weekday. But on this day, you could literally see the city closing down like a garage door. It was like, “we are closing even if you want to buy all our products”. Because it’s Saturday.

Sundays, you will see families heading for churches. Then to the malls after the 10 or 9am mass. Others choose to go home then go to the mall later in the afternoon. Malls are practically packed on Sunday afternoons with some mothers chasing after the last chunk of the weekend to replenish their refrigerators and pantry. Between morning church time and late afternoon, the streets are quiet.

Restaurants are not busy on weekends. Sad but it’s the case for Gensan. Beaches and swmming pools might be but not restaurants. Gensan is not like other metros where people just don’t want to eat home-cooked meals on weekends

Where have all the bombays gone?

I don’t mean bumbay na nagpapautang at may payong at dating taga-India.

I mean onions! Where have they all gone?

The last time I went to the public market, the price was P 180 per kilo. Horrendous no! (is the spelling correct?). Worse, the choices were not that good. Not good enough at all for P 180 per kilo.

Last week at KCC supermarket, there were only lasunas and indian onion. Nah. Luckily, we still have a couple of pieces at home.

And today, dyaraaannnn!, there were some at KCC! P 30 for a couple of grams? Well, I guess that’s life and that’s trade.

Osh Kosh BGosh is now sold in Gensan!

It would appear very trivial to you, even, unnecessary for me to point this out. But for a mother who is very picky about her pretty daughter’s clothes, this is big news for me!

I have seen this store around New Year and I was elated! I saw on the store front logos of Osh Kosh, Periwinkle and Chicco plus other brands. I checked out the store the other week. They do have nice kids’ clothes and other Disney brands I have not seen in Gensan (please correct me if I am mistaken).

The shop is in RD Plaza right on Daproza Avenue. The store name was Aven or Ayen and Claire (sorry I was in a hurry). So for those of you looking for nicer choices for your kids’ clothes, visit their shop now!

Restaurant Review: Mandarin Tea Garden South Osmena

My family went to Mandarin Tea Garden for dinner after hearing mass at OLPGV. Location is good as it is near some offices, the city hall, church and schools. The restaurant is spacious, neat with mainly white and beige colors and comfortable, I would say.

Of course, you would ask, how about the food? The food is, of course, dimsum/chinese food. Most of the food we ordered, sweet and sour fish, asado and the wanton soup, were a little bit on the salty side though not very salty. One thing I say again, as this my second time to eat there, was how ‘blendered’ their iced tea was. There was probably only half of the glass which was iced tea. The other half is foam.

The staff could be more lively. They move fast and appear to know what they do but they could be better with simple greetings and a smile. At least, they have goodlooking uniforms and the lady staff seem to enjoy

The price is reasonable. Not expensive and not your daily lunch meal price either. The menu book could be clearer, though with darker colored fonts and bigger point size.

That saturday night’s guests were mostly families and groups of people who appear to be barkadas.

And hey, they are a WIFI hotspot! Hmm… Dimsum and blogging might be a good combination to try.

Attention Gensan Bloggers

According to Bariles Republic, there are only 3 bloggers (including us i think) in General Santos City. Whaddahe?!? Really?

There are so many internet cafes in Gensan, internet connection is great and really, I know a lot of people in Gensan, who could very well maintain a blogsite. So if you have a blog and want to join us, please send me an email. If you don’t have one, we encourage you to start your own blog. Really, it’s fun and it could be addictive.

Where to buy Tuna

When you come to Gensan, you cannot not eat tuna! It is compared to going to Thailand and not getting a Thai massage. Even though global trade and smart business people have made it easier for us to enjoy something that is unique to a certain place only, nothing beats having it in the place they come from. Like bagoong from Pangasinan or lanzones from Camiguin. Even white sand from Boracay can be found somewhere else!

Now as I was saying, when you come to Gensan, you would surely ask, “where can we get tuna?”.

If you want to be ultra-touristic, you should go to the Fishport located in Tambler. If you are going to commute, you have to get on a jeep that will go to the Fishport. These jeepneys pass Pioneer avenue or the public market. But before you go there, make sure you are wearing boots and wearing long pants and sleeved shirt if you really want to get into the market areas. Otherwise, you can’t see eye-to-eye with the big tunas. Fish sold at the Fishport is cheaper than other places you can buy them from. What’s more, the fish are fresh from the sea, eyes bright and flesh firm they are such a delight to sea. You will not find other kinds of fishes and seafoods there too. If you are driving your own vehicle, there is a minimal entrance fee per vehicle.

Or you can  go to the public market. Don’t go in the early mornings, go around 10am when fish dealers have come from the Fishport. One tip don’t look fancy and don’t wear open toe slippers.

If you would like to buy precut, blast frozen tuna cuts or tuna-value added products, you can visit the following stores:

• Pacific Seas (national highway and aparente st.)
• Citra Mina (national highway, tambler and davao)
• RDEX (RD plaza, national highway)
• Jobit Tuna Deli (magsaysay avenue)

Citra Mina is the forerunner of these frozen tuna shops. They are quite expensive than the other stores but the quality, I would say, is good. I personally like buying from Pacific seas because the prices are good and the staff know when to talk and what to say (haha!). Jobit’s hotdogs and franks are yummy. RDEX’s tuna sticks and nuggets are ok.

There are also tuna products in grocery stores though I have not seen the above brands in there. There are actually other companies selling tuna but they have not set up shop in the downtown area.

Check out these New Places!

These restaurants or shops opened just around the last quarter of last year.  I personally am happy that they opened branches in Gensan.

• Mang Inasal at KCC Mall

It is a barbecue restaurant that has franchises all over the Philippines. As Generals are barbecue addicts, it seems to be quite busy!

• Zagu still at KCC Mall

Is it obvious I frequent KCC Mall? Hehehe! I love Zagu particularly their Pearl Milk Tea. with extra pearls all the time (if their stocks permit).

• Holiday Spa

My husband and I  checked Holiday Spa in November. I had a foot spa and he had a full body massage. We loved it! The price is very affordable as well. The place is neat and relaxing. The staff are courteous and well-trained.

• Grab a Crab Restaurant and Coffee Club 101

Formerly Orient Seas Restaurant, it is now an urban hangout. Located on Laurel Street.

Living in Gensan vs. Living in Manila

Gensan is not my hometown. I am from Manila and grew up in Tarlac and Pangasinan. I moved here after I got married because my husband is based here.

If you ask me where would I prefer to live now that I have resided in Manila and Gensan, I would choose Gensan.

Gensan is a peaceful place contrary to all the bad publicity it gets because of the bombings. Yes, it could be scary specially after a bombing. You think twice about going to the public market, malls, church, government offices and other public places. You are suddenly very observant of the people around you (which takes away the fun specially if you are in the mall). However, I think that people here in Gensan have somehow gotten used to it. I remember during the February 14 bombing coinciding with bombing in Manila and Davao, we were booked in the hotel for the usual Valentine dinner. SO when we got the news about the bombing, we thought that some people might not push through with their dinner dates. But lo and behold! Everybody arrived! That’s when I realized the Generals are not letting these bombings get in the way of their peaceful living.

Gensan’s cost of living is also way lower than that of Manila’s and even those of key cities in Luzon. I’m lucky to live in a neighborhood where papaya and malunggay can be obtained free (if you have been a good neighbor!). Life here is slower and simpler though not entirely devoid of luxuries.

What I miss about Manila would be my social life, the night life and my favorite restaurants. Starbucks? Not so much anymore because we have good coffee places here anyway. Wendy’s? I get to eat every 4 months or so. Malls? We have good malls. The choices are quite lacking in the style that I want like clothes and bags and school supplies. You can go to Davao if you need something from the metro.

When I said night life, I mean that there are not a lot of clean fun night life places here. You know, the likes of The Fort and Libis. Dinner dates with girlfriends are rate! Group or club meetings are for business mainly.

Of course, for you to enjoy Gensan, you have to have something to get busy with here because beyond the malls and the public market, it is not an eventful place!