What a beautiful year!

This being my last blog for 2008, I want to thank all of you who have checked out this blog. How time really flies! What’s On in General Santos City is already one year old.

When I started this blog this time last year, I did not imagine that the response would be so good even during times when I did not have time to blog like when I have events and when I gave birth. Your comments were a welcome message in my inbox and I had a lot of fun replying to them even those that did not seem to be as positive about Gensan as I am.

Next year, I hope to continue writing valuable blogs and to step it up. I am one with other bloggers who aim to give the world a good image of Gensan and Mindanao.

To all of you who have sent messges of appreciation, thank you. The pleasure is mine.

I wish you all a great 2009! Stay safe and enjoy the rest of the holidays!

Christmas quake?

Before anything else, I want to wish you a Merry Christmas! I hope you are having a blast of a Christmas day with your family or friends or even without anyone.

Well, it was a most unusual Christmas day in Gensan today. An earthquake hit Gensan somewhere around 12nn. According to IRIS Seismic Monitor, it recorded a magnitude of 6.2. I felt a strong jolt that felt like a sudden brake on a mobile car and followed by a lingering swaying that made me dizzy. I thought the oil bottle would fall on my head!

Thank God it did not cause any mishap  in my house. And I wish that it did not cause any damage to Gensan either.

DFA Regional Consular Office opening very soon!

I recently got an invitation through the GSC Chamber of Commerce and Industry to the opening of Regional Consular Office of the Department of Foreign Affairs. The RCO will be located in the Gaisano Complex. Wow, this is really great news!

This means that we don’t have to go to Davao to apply or renew our passports. Although I know most of us are taking the chance to go to Davao to laag after we come from the RCO in Davao. *smile*. It will be more convenient for people from Region XII. Things are definitely getting better and better in the city!

I do just wonder why it will be located in the Gaisano Complex. If I get the description right, it’s outside the mall itself. I hope there is space for long lines and for applicants to sit.

Anyway, nevertheless, this is a great thing for Gensan and Region XII. The RCO is opening on December 22, 2008.

New restaurant find: Generals Brew

In my continuing quest to find food places to check out, – and for you to check out too!- here’s one for the hip and not-willing-to-spend-more-than-P 100 kind of diner.

Right along busy Pioneer Avenue is Generals Brew. You probably think where on Pioneer Avenue could it be, well, it’s just beside Kristan Educational Supply and right next to Landbank/Philamlife Building.

Here’s how it looks inside.

The place, in my opinion, is clean, modern, coay. The lighting could be better but the place is nicely and simply decorated.

Now for the real deal: the FOOD! First things first since I consult for restaurants, their menu is good. simple, straightforward, not tacky and practical. Of course, it’s still new so it still looks decent (let’s check it out a couple of months from now). They have a couple of combo meals around the P 68 so it’s not bad, I think, even for students. They have coffee, sandwiches and yummy breakfast items. According to the waitstaff, they are open from 7am to 7pm. Quite weird operating hours for me but I would guess that that is because of their location. busy when schools and banks are open and practically a ghost town/street by 7pm.

Going back to the food, I ordered Lemon Chicken and Stromboli. Stromboli, I would assume is a dessert or snack. It’s a log-shaped bread with cheese fillings and tomato sauce dip. Their Lemon Chicken is okay, not crazy over it but it’s good alright. The coleslaw could be better though. Portion size? Good for me and worth the P 68. They actually have other interesting dishes in the menu that I want to try soon.

Lemon Chicken

Stromboli

Service, I wanted not to be too harsh right now since they have just opened although I hate it when I do that since you shouldn’t open when you’re not ready. But anyway, the service could definitely better and the food served faster. I waited 25 minutes on the chicken and the bad thing is the stromboli came out first. (Shouldn’t have unless it’s an appetizer!). The iced tea was served after 10 minutes. Anyway, the lady who attended to me was friendly so that was okay.

Personally, I like it that there is a cafe on Pioneer Avenue now since previously I never want to be in that area around lunchtime since I don’t have a lot of choices for restaurants there except for fastfood restaurants.

The restaurant is wifi ready. It just might be your next tambayan.