MY uNfOrGeTaBLe ROCK cOnCeRt 6 bAnDs iN 1sHoW iN GENSAN

I got an advantage from the many fans of rock bands today after winning a Rock on Manila all access VIP pass in a contest that Bariles of www.gensantos .com opened for all bloggers.  I am supposed to be home in Cotabato City Friday, the day of the concert of the 6 bands but I didn’t for this reason.

The Carat, Franco, Gloc9, Sandwich, Kamikazee and Parokya ni Edgar had their concert at the oval plaza in Gensan where thousands of the fans flocked. It was an overwhelming experience witnessed them perform in  one night, one venue and one concert.

I was able to go up and down the stage during the concert so I got the chance to take photos in any angles including photos with them.  Like all the other fans what completes me that night was the signature of my idols in my t-shirt.

The night was a hit because the bands performed most of the favorite and hit songs of different bands.  Aside from that, my fave Parokya ni Edgar performed song by request of the audience.  The audience gone wild when Kamikazee started to performed and Jay had also a duet with Chito of Parokya.

To my surprise I didn’t notice that I stayed on stage most of the time during the concert. Whew. . . .  it was one night I can never forget.  The concert lasted for more than 6 hours and for sure like me the experience is something worth sharing to everyone.

You can never say when luck comes; winning the VIP all access pass was my ticket to these once in a lifetime chance to witnessing six famous rock bands in the country.  Thanks to Sir Avel for the opportunity.

a fOoD tRip iN gEnSaN aT GUSTEAU's

Food is a feast to the eye and more to a hungry stomach.  A lunch date today brought me to Gusteau’s one of the newest restaurants in General Santos City located at the Sun City Suites just along the national highway.

I gambled the chance than going to the usual fast food outlets found in the city.  And we (me & my friend) both agreed to dine at Gusteau’s. Though it is not spacious, you can see that the place has the comfort of dining.

We ended up ordering fish fillet and crabs in lieu of lechon kawali and kinilaw. The lechon kawali is not available anymore so without hesitation we return back to our table and waited for our order.

The wait was not long and the foods we choose were served before us.  Before we eat, we took some photos for this blog and yes at last I finally have in my hand the spoon and the fork.

No words can explain the crunchy and tender fish fillet I ever tasted.  It was so tender inside and crunchy outside paired with vege-salad side dish and the orange sauce. It actually surprised us that there is such as tenderness of a fish fillet.

The overflowing garlic sauce of the crab gave it a distinct taste.  Aside from that the presentation of the food to include the utensil for cracking the crab shell which will make it easy for us to enjoy the food.

Everything actually tasted heavenly and I highly recommend to all Cotabateños that if you happen to visit or drop by Gensan don’t forget to have a taste of GUSTEAU’s.  Its not just a feast for the eye, the taste is heavenly.

tHe riSE oF tHe nEw sHoPpiNG hAvEn iN GENSAN

Today, I set aside boredom after deciding to take a short tour around the city. Taking a jeepney ride from Purok Malakas, I started looking for something new which the generals (that’s how residents of Gensan call themselves) can offer to the visitors of this progressive city in the South of Mindanao.

I passed by Plaza Heneral Santos, Queen Tuna Park and the Central Public Market where I stopped and decided to walk around on foot.  As I was taking a look of the new establishments like the RD Hardware and the newly renovated façade in some areas along the stretch of Santiago Boulevard I saw the big probability of further development.

What makes this feeling more probable is the on going construction of one of the biggest malls in the island. . . . The SM City General Santos.  I finally reached this area fenced with blue G.I. sheets and was given the chance to take some photos as to the progress of their construction after it started a month ago.

Bigger than SM City Davao by 20,000 square meters, the mall will have three floors, a fountain inside and a terminal for public utility vehicles.  It will be another option for all Cotabateños to shop since it’s nearer compared to Davao.

SM City General Santos will be finished in the next 9 months and in the next years Christmas Season it will be one destination for shoppers in Region 12 to visit.  Right now all we can do is wait for what you see in the photos now are just the foundation of a new landmark for the Tuna Capital of the Philippines.

My journey today ended thinking that my fellow Cotabateños will soon have the option to visit here and feel “the RISE of the NEW SHOPPING HAVEN”.

Rock – RockAn in GENSAN: ROCK ON MANILA BY MANILA BEER

Six (6) rock bands to perform for all music lovers in Rock on Manila (http://www.gensantos.com/2010/11/15/free-tickets-to-the-rock-on-manila-biggest-rock-concert-ever/) concert in the Tuna Land - General Santos City.  This is a chance for all the fans in SOCCSKSARGEN area to witness this spectacular one time event this year.

K101FM LOVE RADIO and MANILA BEER  is behind this one’s in a lifetime chance of bringing GLOC-9, KaMikazEe, SanDwiCh BanD, FrAnco Band, CaRat BaNd and PaRokyA ni EdgaR together for the biggest live concert.

This BIGGEST ROCK CONCERT EVER is going to happen in  GenSan City's Oval Plaza this coming Friday, November 19, 2010 at exactly 5 in the afternoon.

I was a Parokya ni Edgar fan ever since and will forever be one.  The band goes beyond the musical genres from alternative rock to pop rock and funk to rapcore. Their albums have unique in titles like KHANGKHUNGKHERRNITZ and BURUGUDUYSTUNSTUGUDUNSTUY. Songs like buluy, don’t touch my birdie, halaga, harana, chikinini and to many to mention are most rave about for its original rock novelty songs.

Got the information from General Santos Online Mag (http://www.gensantos.com), thank you Bariles and hopes to see  my readers and followers in this one night of rock party...

ReViSiTiNg oUr lAdY of LoUrDes gRotto

Revisiting one of my childhood and my family’s weekend getaway was just by chance.  The place known to many Christians as a sanctuary of faith for three congregations under the patronage of Mary, the largest portion of the Marian Hills in Tamontaka  becomes one of the most famous destinations where you can enjoy nature and renew ones faith.

The Lourdes Grotto where a replica of Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto in France, a seven foot image of Mary Queen of Saints situated in Marian Hills. The image looks over a fan shaped fountain onto the green rotunda of thick Bermuda grass and cypress trees encircled by nine statues of the country’s popular saints.

A Small World children’s park was incorporated here several years ago.  It was designed for joy and pleasure of the young and even adults who comes and visits the park.

The compound is equipped with a retreat house for recollection and seminars known as the Grotto Convento.  Landscaped and surrounded with flowers as well as palm trees, it is also the residence of the Grotto director.

Station of the cross known as the Via Crusis and Resurrection was hand-carved in a Yakal wood measuring five feet tall.  Donated by Filipino benefactors, the carvings are well protected with elegant cement shelters, flowers and night lighting.

Other amenities like the mini zoo, creation and the guest house were situated in the area where visitors can enjoy.  Many part of the place became a picnic ground to most of the families who comes and enjoy the pleasure of being in this serene place.

 

mAnNy pAcQuiAo tO tHe 8tH pOwEr

Manny Pacquiao fever shoots to the top in PACMAN land, the Tuna Capital of the Philippines . . . . Gensan.  It was a good timing, during this visit here in General Santos City because I had the time to relax and most especially feel the heat of Pacquiao versus Margarito encounter.

Dubbed as the World Light Middleweight Championship, the day here was solely dedicated to support Pacman’s encounter with Antonio Margarito.  This is the 8th title for the Pambansang Kamao and another world record as well.

As usual, the tremendous support to the Filipino’s boxing champ was everywhere around the city.  Every establishment or even residences which availed of the “Pay per View” services, you can see flocks of generals witnessing the fight of Manny Pacquiao.

Not to mention the cinemas from the malls where an entrance fee was required, what caught my heart the most was the thousands of Pacquiao fans who came to the General Santos Gymnasium to witness for free and cheer for their boxing idol.

Manny has again proven his worth as an icon for boxing. His success was the victory of all Filipinos and that makes us all proud.  He is a true legend who put the country  in the map of boxing.