Recommendations needed

This week, I have not been lucky with the companies I go to for certain products and services. I have come to the piont when I have gone beyond crossing arms in the office while standing/refusing to sit down. I actually spoke more than one sentence in reprimand. This means I am just really angry already.

One of these services is my mananhi/sastrera/dressmaker. I go to two people depending on the work I need done. If it’s a simple change zipper or putol, I go to my friendly neighborhood mananahi. For custom designs and other more complex sewing needs, I go to Noel Adlawan. (They recently changed their name to something I have not memorized yet.) I have been going to Noel Adlawan for six years now. Even the uniforms for Sydney Hotel when I was still working there were done by them. My daughter’s school costume was done by them. That’s because I like how they do my clothes. On this one simple job I brought to them recently, they just failed me big time that I have already decided not to give them any mroe business and go look for another dress shop. I am not a fussy customer. I pay cash and on time. I am loyal to whoever deserves it.

So now, I am looking for another designer or seamstress. Someone who is good and someone who will deliver on time and who will give  importance ot a loyal patron. If you know somebody like that, please leave a comment here. Thank you!

Should stores open on Sundays?

Just lately, my husband and I got inconvenienced by stores in Gensan that are closed on Sundays. You figured you need a certain item or service and when you go the store,  sarado! What stores am I talking about? Monterey Shop on J. Catolico. It’s closed on Sundays. Imperial Appliance, Emcor and others.

I know that business is a lot slower for a lot of companies on Sundays. They feel that it’s not worth the effort of opening on Sundays. There are even stores that close over lunch (12nn to 1pm) on weekdays!However, I think thqt there is business lost when people get turned off learning you are closed on probably the only day that working people have for other stuff other than work. Sunday is the only time to buy things or go to the salon or have something fixed.

Understandably, there are businesses that are somewhat expected to be closed on Sundays like offices, schools, most banks (except my favorite BDO, of course), clinics and the like..However, some consumer services and products, I believe should be open. Have you been to City Hardware on Sundays? It’s a mighty busy place! I think that when you stick to opening to Sundays without fail, people learn about it and remember it the next time they have a need for your business.

How about you? Do you think the said kinds of stores should open on Sundays?

De Boerderij Deli Store and Snack House

Swiss deli in Gensan? Really? Why not!

Together with laughtermates (we laugh out our stress all the time) , Chiclet and Chef Kring with Kuya Nelson, we headed off to De Boerderij for an unplanned date. Chef Kring didn’t even know the name of the palce until we got there. *smile* All the more, we didn’t know how to pronoune Boerderij: “bor-de-ri” or “bor-de-ray”. The staff said it’s the latter.

Sure enough, they sell a few deli products which the staff at the store said they get from Swiss Deli in Davao. It was good that they sell these items, though, few. I did not really put any effort to look at the products closely. Maybe in our next visit. For this visit, let’s talk about their food.

Its a snack house so there were a couple of burger choices, spaghetti bolognese and a few appetizers. I ordered French Burger. The others ordered Pakistani Burger, Hungarian Sausage and Spaghetti. I personally liked my burger except that it had catsup. Uggh. Some of you might like it. I will eat it but I think that the next time I order it I will ask them not to put catsup. The patty was great though! It was thick about 3/4 inch, juicy, perfectly seasoned and had a smoky flavor to it. I just wished I got another drink aside from my favorite C2 Lite. It was just not quite a match. A citrus juice might have done the trick. Now, the hungarian was a winner except that Chef Kring didn’t realy like the spices. Same with the spaghetti. I have to come back for their coffee because Chef Kring said it was good.

De Bourderij is located along J. Catolico St., Lagao.

Till next food trip!

My First Visit to Blugre in Gensan

Last weekend, my husband and I capped our date night at the newly-opened Blugre on Osmena. We have been to Blugre in Davao so I am personally excited that there is Blugre in Gensan now. Signs of a continuously booming city? Hope so!

When we got there, the main cafe area is packed already. Besides, I felt claustrophobic in that area. The counter was too close to the tables already. We had to dilly-dally on whether to sit outside where the smokers were or upstairs. Good thing we chose to sit upstairs. They both have an outdoor area and an air-conditioned area upstairs. Of course, I like the air-conditioned area best.

The coffee was okay but my husband’s durian coffee was excellent. The quesadillas was not flaky. It was crispy already. So at this point, I am going to give that a bad rating. However, I will be fair as to give the food another try. I have to say that, had they did not have an upper floor, I would not return to Blugre anymore. I would go back to my favorite, Coffee Club 101. But the second floor made all the difference. For me, coffee shops are all about drinking good coffee and chatting long hours or, when I am alone, a good place to read or write notes or do some planning. Some space of my own without being really alone. The second floor is a winner for me.

I have to acknowledge the staff of Blugre. They were friendly, genuinely helpful and apologetic about their late quesadillas. I hope they stay that way forever or at least for a long time. *smile*

So guys, let’s support another new business in the city. Head off to Blugre now for your fresh cup of coffee.

I love Genee!

If you’ve never been to Genee, you should go check it out right now.

Why do I love Genee?  I love it for a lot of reasons. The price, I think, is a BIG reason. For a decent meal, the price is outrageously cheap. At the same time, the food is good and is served to you in a jiffy. A lot of boys I talked to think the portion is not enough. (well then order an extra cup of rice). But for the price, that is what ought to be in the plate. The portion for me is okay.

The restaurant itself is a winner. It’s fresh, vibrant, clean, cool but not intimidating or fancy altogether.

I have tasted all their food except for the gellee and tunaghetti. All the others I have tasted, chicken and bangus inasal, burger, hotdog, halo-halo, are good for me. I would have a few changes like the bread could taste better especially for the hotdog. Or maybe another choice for the siding for the inasal.  It would also be great if they can add another dish or two.

For me, Genee is a place where everyone can eat. Rich, not rich, middle-class, students, workers, businessman. It’s also a place to hang out, make your assignments, think, have meetings and the like. I like that they have WI-FI and that the place is not airconditioned. I also like that Ernan is there! *smile*

Check out our pictures at Genee. These were taken during Kalilangan.

Restaurant Job HIring II

I am in search of three (3) restaurant supervisors for restaurants located here in Gensan.

Requirements:

- At least two years experience in restaurant or other foodservice companies

- Previous restaurant supervisory or managerial experience will be an advantage

- Graduate of a business course, HRM or Tourism

- Willing to be trained

- Has a knack to please guests

- Generally friendly

- Enjoys leading a team

- Organized and detail-oriented

If you know anybody who fits these qualifications, please tell them to send their resume with photo to mindanaobiz@gmail.com. If you are an applicant, please follow this simple instruction.

Robinsons Place Gensan Now Hiring

Most of us Generals (adopted Generals like me) have probably passed by the site of the newest mall to be built in Gensan, the sprawling Robinsons Place General Santos City. I bet you are just as excited at the thought of another mall! Yes, another mall for our, well, malling and shopping pleasure.

Even greater news is the that now Robinsons Place Gensan is now hiring! Please check out the attached image. Should you or anybody you know are interested in sending in your application, the instructions are there. Goodluck!

Royale Lounge: It might be my new favorite place…

I attended one of the  monthly meetings of GSC Tourism Association. Since we have mostly hotels and restaurants as members, we book meetings with all of them in alphabetical order. Our last meeting was the East Asia Royale Hotel.

No function room or whatever. Just East Asia Royale Hotel.

Boo of Sarangani Highlands and I were early and decided to camp out at the fabulously designed Royale Lounge. I have been there once before on a very brief meeting.

This time, I had the chance to really sit down and eat and enjoy the place. I loved the Royale Lounge! It’s where you would want to be for corporate meetings. Definitely good to meet there at 2 to 5pm beczuse there’s nobody there. What was most surprising was the price. It was affordable, in my opinion. I ordered Spaghetti Bolognese since it was just 3pm. I think it was good and for a restaurant to cook spaghetti the way I like it, I think we would probably agree on their other dishes.

The place is small for a 100 plus room hotel. But good for Gensan crowd. (By experience, Gensan diners like small dining rooms, trust me.)

Check out their buffet dinner from Wednesdays to Saturdays at P 299 only per person.

My Pinoy Valentine at Marasa Grill

Now on its 6th year of cooking good food, Marasa Grill invites you to a hearty Valentines bufffet dinner on February 14, 2009.

“My Pinoy Valentine: A Filipino Buffet Dinner”

February 14, 2009, 6pm to 2am

Dinner is at P 250 per person. Kid’s rate apply.

You’ll enjoy your favorite Filipino dishes like lechon, grilled tuna belly and panga, kinilaw and other delicious fares Marasa Grill has served its loyal patrons for years.

A live rondalla group will entertain you the classic Filipino way! Marasa Grill will be open till 2am for those who choose to have their late dinners.

What’s even greater is that when you buy tickets to this valentine dinner, you help Rotary Club of Greater Gensan’s feeding program. P 10 will be donated by Marasa Grill to the program for every ticket sold.

Marasa Grill is located in Kadulasan St., General Santos City. Telephone numbers 5524628 and 3045785.

Business permit renewal

I was again on another encounter with government offices. It’s the time to renew business permits. I am renewing mine for Chimes Concepts, my event management and consultancy company.

The one-stop shop for business permit renewals and applications is in the lobby of the City Hall until January 20. From what I know, last year’s one-stop shop was at the Oval Plaza covered basketball court.

I would say my experience was short and fortunately not bad. Eerything you would need is practically there but it also felt like you are packed like flowers in a bouquet! It was hot, stuffy and hot! I also wished that some of the other city hall employees were more helpful, knowledgeable and complacent. I think they are forgetting that the people they are bitching to are the city’s taxpayers. But anyway, I guess they know that. It’s just that maybe the work seems endless and there are just more people than their airconditioning units can handle.

However, I am happy that most of the city hall employees I encountered did their best to help.

TIP: ASK!!! If you do not know where to go next or what to do, there is an information desk at the entrance and you can ask any employee in the lobby. BRING ALL YOUR DOCUMENTS! Saves you time and effort. Bring all the past year’s receipts and documents (from the city hall). The application starts with getting purok clearance, cedula and barangay clearance from the barangay your business is or will be located. So get those first.

Also, if you are planning to get a new business permit, get it in this period, January 1 to 20 of every year. I applied for a new business permit in May. I had to travel to every office. It will be more convenient to apply now since all those offices will be in one place.