General Santos City Archives - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

May222014 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Travel guide: CDO to GenSan by land

Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Cotabato, General Santos City, Koronadal, Malaybalay City, Mindanaoan Update, North Cotabato, SoSCksargen, South Cotabato, Tacurong, Tourism, Travel

When I got that invitation to experience the Sarangani Bay Festival 2014 a few days ago, I was supposed to fly from CDO to Davao (a half hour flight) then take the bus from Davao to General Santos City (a 3-hour ride). Unfortunately, the airline had other plans - they postponed the flight to FOUR days AFTER my supposed arrival (which also meant that the festival already wrapped up by then!) due to "aircraft situation." Ergo, I had no other choice but to take the bus all the way from Cagayan de Oro to GenSan. It was a long and arduous trip but still worth it - I was, after all, heading to Sarangani for the biggest beach festival in Mindanao! I will no longer name the airline but here's a clue - they love playing games. And they played one on me! Anyways, I will share more about my SarBay...

Sep62013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

GenSan 15th Tuna Festival 2013 schedule of activities

Entertainment, Events, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, General Santos City, Sarangani, Tourism

General Santos City, known as the Tuna Capital of the Philippines and the Home of the Generals, is currently celebrating Tuna Festival 2013! This Mindanao festival, the 15th Tuna Festival, is in celebration of the 45th Charter Anniversary of General Santos City. This year, the festivities started last August 15, 2013 and will last until September 15, 2013. GenSan, led by its Mayor Ronnel Rivera, is home to 6 of the country's 7 tuna canning factories. Lots of metric tons of tuna, including first grade or "sashimi grade" tuna, land on the famous GenSan Fish Port every single day. In 2012, a total of 139,613 metric tons of fish were landed at the General Santos Fish Port. Those tuna then get sent out not only to domestic customers but to foreign markets as well. The tuna industry sure is t...

Aug282011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Help a Mindanaoan bag the Miss Universe 2011 crown!

Announcements, Contests, Entertainment, Features, General Santos City, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Sarangani, Society

A few months ago, a Mindanaoan beauty bagged the Binibining Pilipinas Universe 2011 crown. Shamcey Supsup of General Santos City bested the other candidates and brought home the crown. The topnotcher of the June 2010 architect licensure exam, Shamcey Supsup also graduated magna cum laude from the University of the Philippines - Diliman. This 24 year old, 5' 7 and 1/4" General Santos City beauty is indeed beauty and brains combined! Currently, Shamcey Supsup is in Sau Paulo, Brazil to represent the Philippines in the Miss Universe 2011 pageant. Here's our chance to help her conquer the universe! We can all help our fellow Mindanaoan gain a spot in the semis by voting online. If she garners the most number of online votes, she immediately qualified as a semi finalist! Please vote fo...

Aug262011 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Boxing coach Freddie Roach: Manny Pacquiao is broke

Commentary, General Santos City, Headline, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, News, Opinion, Personalities, Politics, Sarangani, Society, SoSCksargen, Sports, Weird

Freddie Roach, the longtime coach of Filipino boxing champ and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao, shocked a lot of people when he allegedly said downright that the world boxing champion is broke. Yup, as in broke, wala nay kuwarta, no more money, wala nang pera. Freddie Roach's statement baffled a lot of people and not a few expressed their doubts. After all, didn't Manny Pacquiao just buy a multi-million mansion at Forbes Park? Doesn't he give millions away in his GMA 7 show "Manny Many Prizes"? Doesn't he and wife Jinkee Pacquiao have a lot of businesses not only in General Santos City, Sarangani, Davao City but even in Manila as well? Is it really possible that Manny Pacquiao, whose latest guaranteed purse from the bout with Shane Mosley last May 2011 was a staggering US 20 Million, i...

Aug82011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

GenSan Tuna Festival 2011 schedule of activities

Announcements, Beauty, BIMP-EAGA, Blogging, Business, Consumer, Entertainment, Events, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, General Santos City, Government, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Sarangani, SoSCksargen, Tourism, Travel

Mindanao is really the place to be these days, folks! Davao City's Kadayawan Festival 2011 and Cagayan de Oro City's Kagay-an Festival 2011 are fast approaching and as if those two grand activities are not enough --- here's another Mindanao festival for you to join! The much-awaited 2011 Tuna Festival in General Santos City! The Tuna Festival 2011 is not just an event that highlights the importance of the tuna fishing industry in this part of Mindanao but also celebrates GenSan's 43rd Charter Anniversary. This year's Tuna Festival is the 13th. Experience the 13th Tuna Festival in GenSan from August 27 to September 5, 2011. Tuna Festival 2011 General Santos City theme --- Exploring New Depths, Conquering New Heights! Saw this Tuna Festival 2011 schedule of activities on a social ne...

Jun242011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Coffee Congress 2011 in General Santos City, Mindanao

Announcements, Business, Consumer, Events, Features, Food, General Santos City, Sarangani, SoSCksargen, South Cotabato

General Santos City, Mindanao will play host to the 2011 Coffee Congress which will be held on July 11 to 12, 2011 at the KCC Events and Convention Center, KCC Mall of GenSan. This is the perfect event for people who own coffee shops and other coffee-related businesses and for people who have coffee farms or are looking for jobs within the coffee industry. It is also ideal for people who want to venture into the coffee business. This year's Coffee Congress in General Santos is made possible by the GSC Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. in cooperation with various sponsors including the Philippine Coffee Board, Inc. Speakers include South Cotabato Congressman and former GenSan City Mayor Pedro Acharon, Jr., Philippine Coffee Board Chairman Nicholas Matti, author of the book "Barak...

May182011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Sarangani Bay Bodies 2011 this Sarangani Bay Fest season

Beauty, Entertainment, Events, Fashion, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Sarangani, Style, Tourism, Travel

If there is one thing I can never pull off, then that is to wear a two piece bikini and strut my stuff along the catwalk. This is why I have so much respect for people who have the intestinal fortitude to join bikini contests and flaunt their shapely bodies before thousands of people. Sabagay, who wouldn't want to flaunt their assets if you have bodies like these two? These are the previous winners of the Sarangani Bay Bodies contest - one of the much-awaited events during the Sarangani Bay Festival in Sarangani, Mindanao, Philippines. Cute muscled guy - check! Pretty sexy lady - check! And guess what? You'll see more toned bodies this year during the 2011 Sarangani Bay Bodies event! (more…)

May22011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Mindanaoan Manny Pacquiao vs Sugar Shane Mosley livestream

Bukidnon, Davao City, Entertainment, Events, General Santos City, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities, Sarangani, Sports

Who isn't excited about the upcoming Manny Pacquiao vs Shane Mosley fight? I'm pretty sure that my fellow Filipinos are not the only ones who are looking forward to this Manny Pacquiao versus Sugar Shane Mosley fight for the 2011 World Welterweight Championship belt. Bet the rest of the world is also eager to know who will reign supreme in this boxing match. I also think that a lot are looking forward to the Manny Pacquiao vs Shane Mosley fight livestream! The Pacquiao vs Mosley fight will be held on May 7, 2011 (May 8, 2011 Manila time) at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. Are YOU as excited as I am? :) Manny Pacquiao, as many of you may already know, is a fellow Mindanaoan. He was born in Kibawe, Bukidnon, Mindanao but his family later moved to Davao City then General Santos C...

Apr112011 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Mindanaoan beauty bags Binibining Pilipinas Universe 2011 title

Beauty, Davao City, Entertainment, Fashion, Features, General Santos City, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Society, Style

A Mindanaoan beauty from General Santos City bagged the Binibining Pilipinas Universe 2011 title during the pageant Sunday. Shamcey Supsup, beauty and brains combined, was crowned Bb. Pilipinas Universe. Another Mindanaoan was declared Bb. Pilipinas 2011 2nd runner-up, Mary Jean Lastimosa of my hometown Davao City. Supsup was the topnotcher of the June 2010 architect licensure exam. This General Santos beauty queen was also a magna cum laude graduate from University of the Philippines - Diliman. General Supsup (General Santos City citizens are called "generals" ;) ), 24 years old and a 5 feet 71/4 inch stunner, will represent the Philippines in the Miss Universe Pageant to be held in September in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The other winners of the Binibining Pilipinas 2011 pageant were:...

Feb202011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Cute Manny Pacquiao and Mommy Dionisia Pacquiao commercial!

Arts, Bisaya, Blogging, Bukidnon, Davao City, Features, General Santos City, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities, Sarangani, Society

Fellow Mindanaoans Manny Pacquiao and his very own Mum, Mommy Dionisia Pacquiao, have a new, super cute Datu Puti TV commercial! I like the play on the "bumili ka lang ng suka, champion ka na" statement :D Of course, the quotable quote in this TVC is also Manny Pacquiao's "boxing is not for killing." :P In this Datu Puti Manny Pacquiao TVC, a guy who's supposedly playing the role of Coach Freddie (Roach, the Pacman's real-life boxing coach) tells the "true story" behind the Pacman's road to success. Well, of course it's not the real story but this commercial is really funny and clever :) Props to the agency behind this cool Manny Pacquiao TV commercial! By the way, just in case you don't know how Manny Pacquiao and I are fellow Mindanaoans, check this out: (more…)

Nov262010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

SOCCSKSARGEN Blogfest 2010 – registration now open!

Announcements, Blogging, Events, General Santos City, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, SoSCksargen, Technology

If you're a budding blogger in Mindanao and you missed the recent blogging events in Bukidnon and Zamboanga City, then you're in luck! The much-awaited SOCCSKSARGEN BlogFest 2010 is set to take place in a few days' time and yes, registration is now open! The 2010 SOCCSKSARGEN BlogFest will be held on December 11, 2010 at the New Grand Ballroom of East Asia Royale Hotel, National Highway, General Santos City, Mindanao. Slots are very limited so if you're interested to join this blogging event, register ASAP! A fee of P250/US$6.50[PayPal] (Early Bird P150/US$4, before 01 December) will be collected from each delegate. Deadline for registration is on Friday, November 26, 2010. The fee includes a meal, two snacks, a BlogFest 2010 mini-kit and a raffle ticket. You may pay in adva...

Sep12010 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

General Santos Tuna Festival 2010 on September 18 – 26, 2010

Events, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, General Santos City, Mindanaoan Update, Sarangani, SoSCksargen, Tourism, Travel

General Santos City, Mindanao is set to celebrate the much-awaited Tuna Festival 2010 on September 18 to 26, 2010. This, after the Tuna Festival Council of GenSan decided to change this year's schedule. Normally, the Tuna Fest is celebrated during the first week of September. This year, however, it's set to happen on September 18 - 26, 2010. The 42nd Charter Day celebration of General Santos City will also be held on September 5, 2010. The following is this year's GenSan Tuna Fest 2010 official schedule of activities: Tunafest Schedule as of August 16, 2010 (more…)

Jun282010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

T’nalak Festival 2010 Schedule of Activities | South Cotabato’s 44th Foundation Day

Announcements, Culture, Events, Festivals, Fiesta, Koronadal, Mindanaoan Update, South Cotabato, Tourism, Travel

Koronadal's yearly T'nalak Festival is here once again. For tourists and local Mindanaoans who want to witness this colorful festival, check out the Tinalak Festival 2010 Schedule of Activities below. The theme for T'nalak 2010 is “One Dynamic People; One Vibrant Spirit." T'nalak Festival is celebrated in South Cotabato, Mindanao. Incidentally, this year also marks the 44th Foundation Anniversary of South Cotabato. DATE JULY TIME EVENT VENUE (within Koronadal City) 13 Tuesday 4:00 PM Interfaith Thanksgiving Services South Cotabato Gym 6:00 PM Releasing of Flying Lanterns So.Cot Sports Complex 6:30 PM Ceremonial Opening: * Regional Trade Expo 2010 Protech Center * Agri Fair 2010 Rizal Park 14 Wednesday 7:...

Jun222010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Events in Mindanao: Yaman Gensan 2010

Announcements, Business, Events, General Santos City, Mindanaoan Update, News, Sarangani, Society, SoSCksargen, South Cotabato, Technology

Are you a Mindanaoan businessman or an aspiring entrepreneur? Here's your chance to learn more on how to start a business in Mindanao and get to meet other entrepreneurs and perhaps strike a deal or two! Gear up for Yaman Gensan 2010! The annual Yaman Gensan will run from June 23, 2010 to July 22, 2010 in General Santos City, Mindanao. With the theme "Trabaho...Negosyo...Asenso," Yaman Gensan 2010 aims to encourage entrepreneurship and to provide a platform for existing and would-be businessmen not only from SOCSKSARGEN but all around Mindanao to discuss issues and concerns that may affect their industries. Check out the Yaman Gensan 2010 poster below: The Yaman General Santos 2010 event will again feature an Entrepreneurs' Forum, a Franchise Expo, a Jobs Fair plus trade fair ...

May312010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

PBB Big Five on a Bench billboard

Beauty, Bisaya, Cagayan de Oro City, Fashion, Features, General Santos City, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities, Society, Style

The members of the Pinoy Big Brother Big Five or PBB Big 5 (two of whom are from Mindanao and are therefore certified Mindanaoans) are part of the Bench family! Bench is a lifestyle store chain owned by the indefatigable Ben Chan. For years, a lot of big named Filipino actors, actresses, singers and other artists have graced various Bench campaigns including Richard Gomez, Lucy Torres-Gomez, Kim Chiu, Richard Gutierrez, Georgina Wilson, Enchong Dee, Gerald Anderson, Angelica Panganiban and even F4 star Jerry Yan. And the latest members to be part of the Bench family are Melai Cantiveros, Jason Francisco, Tibo Jumalon, Johan Santos and Paul Jake Castillo - collectively known as the PBB Big Five. As we all know, Melai is from General Santos City, Mindanao while Tibo is from Cagayan de ...

May272010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

The first Soccsksargen summer safari | Mindanao Food Appreciation Tour

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Davao City, Events, Food, General Santos City, Mindanaoan Update, SoSCksargen, Tourism, Travel

Taking its cue from the very successful Davao Food Appreciation Tour a.k.a. DFAT (which is now on its third round, by the way!), this now famous bloggers-go-on-a-major-food-trip tour has now expanded and has now turned into the Mindanao Food Appreciation Tour (MFAT)! This doesn't mean that DFAT has seen the last of its glory days, though. On the contrary, it has now paved the way for a bigger, larger and definitely more exciting food appreciation tour for bloggers in Mindanao! The first Mindanao Food Appreciation Tour 2010 will be held late this month and will be participated in by Davao Bloggers, CDO Bloggers and SOCCSKSARGEN Bloggers. Check out the poster below for some of the generous partners of this most awaited food safari!

Apr142010 by Mindanaoan Irene7 Comments

Visiting the Team Pacquiao by Manny Pacquiao store in General Santos City Mindanao

Business, Consumer, General Santos City, Gifts, Koronadal, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities, Society, South Cotabato, Sports, Style, Tourism

More often than not, anybody who gets to visit General Santos City, Mindanao for the first time has this question: where can we find Pambansang Kamao Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao and is there any place where we can buy Pacquiao souvenirs? Well, for die hard Manny Pacquiao fans, fret no more! During Mindanaoan's most recent visit to the Tuna Capital of the Philippines, she finally had the chance to visit the Team Pacquiao by Manny Pacquiao store in Robinson's GenSan! The Team Pacquiao store, located at the Ground Floor of the said General Santos City mall, sells a wide array of souvenir and gift items - from Manny Pacquiao shirts to Team Pacquiao jackets to pretty notebooks to Pacquiao keychains and Pacman lanyards! (more…)

Nov172009 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

RC Cola strengthens presence in Mindanao, P1 Billion to be allotted for new bottling facility

Announcements, BIMP-EAGA, Business, Consumer, Davao City, General Santos City, Jobs, Mindanaoan Update

The licensed bottler of RC Cola in the Philippines is allotting P1 Billion for the establishment of a new bottling facility here in Mindanao. Asiawide Refreshments Corporation's new state-of-the-art bottling facility is set to address the softdrink markets especially in the Davao and General Santos regions. The new RC Cola bottling facility will be put up in Davao City, Mindanao and will hopefully be operational by the first quarter of 2010. Of course, this does not only mean additional jobs for the people in Mindanao but this also shows the confidence of business owners and capitalists on the potential of Mindanao. Mabuhay Mindanao! :) Speaking of RC Cola, here's a video of new RC Cola endorsers Maja Salvador and Kim Bum (Korean actor in the hugely popular "Boys Over Flowers" ...

Oct52009 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Pinoy Big Brother 2009 – PBB Double Up – has two Mindanaoans

Davao City, Entertainment, General Santos City, Mindanaoan Update, Television

So the Pinoy Big Brother 2009 PBB Double Up finally conducted its "magical reveal" of this year's housemates last night. Mindanaoan was able to watch parts of the show, which was hosted by Toni Gonzaga, Bianca Gonzales and Mariel Rodriguez. Thankfully, there are two Mindanaoan housemates this year. One is Melisa Cantiveros from General Santos City and the other is Marielle Sorino, a fellow Dabawenyo. Both are 21 years old. Melisa is dubbed as "Inday Kengkay" and is an aspiring teacher (during her brief interview, she spoke in English...with very good intonation, I must say!) while Marielle is a single mother and admitted to having been "rebellious" before - i.e. she drank and frequently partied and as a consequence, encountered conflicts with her parents especially her mom. The ...

Sep72009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Another Mindanaoan is a big boxing star! Marvelous Marvin Sonsona of General Santos – video inside

Cotabato, Features, General Santos City, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, News, Personalities, SoSCksargen, South Cotabato, Sports

Mindanaoan gani, lahi ra gyud! :D Another Mindanaoan boxer is the current toast of the boxing world! General Santos City native Marvin "Marvelous" Sonsona recently defeated veteran Jose Lopez in a fight in Canada. Ang get this --- Marvelous Marvin Sonsona is just 19 years old! Wow! Which reminds me...Perhaps Marvin should reconsider his boxer name and change it to Marvelous Mindanaoan Marvin Sonsona! Hehe :D Lopez is said to be undefeated for 6 years. Unfortunately for him, a Mindanao boxer took up the challenge and...well...the world now knows who's better ;) Sonsona, who boxing experts say has powerful southpaw stance, fought in the junior bantamweight division. He defeated Jose Lopez via decision. AYOS! Found this video, by the way, courtesy of Queensberry Rules (check out m...

Sep72009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Be the next Muzika del Sur VJ!

Announcements, Arts, Broadcasting, Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Culture, Davao City, Entertainment, Features, General Santos City, Headline, Iligan City, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Society

Hear ye, hear ye fellow Mindanaoans! Muzika Del Sur, the country's first and only magazine show that delves into Mindanao's music scene, is launching a VJ hunt! If you think you have what it takes to be the next video jock (VJ) of Muzika del Sur, then check out the poster found in this Mindanao blog. Thank you very much to my friend Rudolph for the heads up :) For the uninitiated, Muzika del Sur started airing in 2006. They feature Mindanao artists and their music. From Davao to General Santos to Cotabato to Iligan to Cagayan de Oro, Muzika Del Sur makes it a point to highlight Mindanao talents. The show has various segments such as interviews, travelogues and music videos. Muzika del Sur is also responsible for the annual Muzika Del Sur Music Awards. This unique awards ceremony a...

Aug82009 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

General Santos City celebrates Tuna Festival 2009 – official schedule inside

Announcements, Events, Festivals, Fiesta, General Santos City, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Society, SoSCksargen, Tourism

General Santos City, Mindanao is set to celebrate the Tuna Festival 2009 this month of August until early September. If you're thinking of visiting that part of Mindanao, then you're in luck --- Mindanaoan found this GTX 2009 Schedule of Activities (updated as of August 7, 2009) online. Check out the schedule below. Thank you to Scribd subscriber Orman for uploading the schedule. Meanwhile, if you're looking for a budget hotel in General Santos City, you might want to read my review of La Tierra Del Sur. My brother and I stayed there last year when we joined the Tuna Festival 2008...and when we learned that our uncle, whom we haven't seen in more than 10 years, died seeing his brothers and sister without proper homes. You see, my other uncle and aunt's homes were demolished and until no...