Dolefil Golden Anniversary's Awesome Streetdancing Grand Winner

Dolefil plants 1,100 bamboo trees with Lead.ph to launch 5-year Greening Program

Congratulations to Dolefil Management headed by Dolefil VP and Managing Director Simon Denye and 200 of its employees who are members of Lead.ph (Labor Employeess Association of Dolefil.Polomolok Hourlies) for the launch of their 5-year Greening Program with their planting of 1,100 bamboo seedlings on September 8, 2011 in Polomolok, South Cotabato.

The tree planting event is LEAD.PH’s expression of its commitment and support to the company’s CSSR (Corporate Sustainability and Social Responsibility) initiatives as reflected in the Green Clause of the said union’s CBA. LEAD.PH is the official bargaining agent of Polomolok-based hourly-paid employees of Dolefil.

Our hats off to you Dolefil and Lead.ph! This deserves unlimited fresh pineapple drinks compliments of Dolefil Kalsangi Clubhouse!

For more of this story from Dolefil... please CLICK HERE.

2009 Tuna Festival opens!

Congresswoman Darlene Antonino-Custodio address the crowds during yesterday's opening ceremony for the 2009 Tuna Festival. Behind her is Senate President and Guest Speaker Juan Ponce Enrile.

Soccsksargen Bloggers Unite!

Mabuhay ang SOCCSKSARGEN BLOGGERS!

Regional Consular Office of DFA to open in GenSan soon

According to a report by Bariles in his blog, the Regional Consular Office of the Department of Foreigners Affairs will be opening at the Gaisano Mall of GenSan compound this month.

This came upon as a directive of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo a few months back.

The GenSan RCO will occupy the vacant two-storey unit beside the restaurants Big Chow, Cafe Uno and Shakeys.

For more info, please check out BARILES REPUBLIC.

First 2 parts of Dela Hoya-Pacquiao 24/7 HBO Specials can now be seen

Good news to all fans of Manny Pacquiao!

HBO Sports has started airing its 4-part series to drumbeat the Dela Hoya-Pacquaiao Fight on December 6th, according to Bariles Republic.

The series entitled "Dela Hoya-Pacquiao 24/7" follows the two protagonists in the course of their preparations for their match up at their respective training headquarters in the US. It also features segments filmed in their native hometowns in Mexico and General Santos City, Philippines.

To view the first 2 parts, please CLICK HERE and HERE.

Source: Bariles Republic

MBS 2, Here I Come with 100 Bloggers from all over!

CO-PRESENTERS:
NOKIA (Philippines), Inc.
Mayor Pedro B. Acharon, Jr.
Congresswoman Darlene Antonino-Custodio
ABS-CBN Regional Network Group
<Bariles Republic

GOLD SPONSORS:
ACLC-Skeptron Ventures, Inc.
Gregoria Printing Press

SILVER SPONSORS:
Asia United Bank
NoKiAHOST.COM - P5/day Philippines Webhosting
Family Country Hotel & Convention Center
East Asia Royale Hotel

BRONZE SPONSORS:
GensanSALE.COM - AnyThings for Sale in Gensan
Blogging from Home Book
Pacific Seas Seafood Market
Shalom-Crest Wizard Academy
Generals Logimark Exponent
Prints and You
Sta. Cruz Seafood, Inc.
Dellosa Design Builders, Inc.

Registration on for Mindanao Bloggers Summit in GenSan!

The Soccsksargen Convenors Collective, the group spearheading the 2nd Mindanao Bloggers Summit this year in General Santos City recently announced the opening of the registration for what is to be the biggest gathering of blog writers in the island.

A project of the Mindanao Bloggers, the first one was held a year ago in Davao City and was meant to organize the bloggers into a cohesive group and encourage them to write more about their home.

For this year, the theme is "Mindanawan, Paminawon Intawon: Blogging the Mindanao Consciousness" which seeks to strengthen the voice of these young islanders.

The 2nd Mindanao Bloggers Summit is scheduled during the GenSan E-Business Week, from October 25-26, 2008 and will be held at the Family Country Hotel and Convention Center.

Anybody who has a BLOG hosted at Wordpress, Blogger, Multiply, i.ph, Live Journal, Friendster or other publishing platforms are welcome to join.

Registration is FREE but they will have to write about the event in their blogs and put the names and links of the sponsors.

Some examples can be found below:

• MISS-Understood
• Pangitster
  

Only 100 slots are to be given out to interested bloggers.

If they are able to fulfill the requirements, they are entitled to the following:

• MBS2 Kit
• Identification Card
• 3 Meal Coupons
• Raffle Tickets
• Sashimi Night Pass
• Tour Pass (October 26)
• Certificate of Attendance
• More Freebies!
  

For more details, check out BARILES REPUBLIC at http://www.gensantos.com or the MINDANAO BLOGGERS at http://www.mindanaobloggers.com .

It's all systems go for GenSan Tuna Festival 2008

Everything is set for the conduct of the 2008 Tuna Festival in Gensan, the only festival of such kind in the whole world.


Now on its 10th year, this festival has been rated as one of the country's Best Festivals by the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines in 2007. It was conceptualized in 1998 by then Gensan Mayor Adelbert Antonino to commemorate the Charter Anniversary of the city and as a means to give focus on the Tuna industry to which Gensan owes much of its economic livelihood.

This year's festival officially starts on August 29 and ends on September 7, two days longer than the usual. For the schedule of activities, CLICK HERE.

Gensan awarded 2007's Most Competitive Mid-Sized City of the Philippines

Mayor Jun Acharon's Thank You Message Billboard for the generals

General Santos City has just been proclaimed by the Asia Institute of Management Policy Center as MOST COMPETITIVE MID-SIZED CITY of 2007.

For a more detailed report, CLICK HERE.

Yaman GenSan 2008 Opens

The 6th YAMAN GenSan formally opened today, June 23, 2008 at the KCC Convention Hall attended by city bigwigs and corporate sponsors from Manila.

For more about the event, please read Bariles Republic or click HERE.

YAMAN GENSAN 2008 BIGWIGS. GenSan City Mayor Jun Acharon (3rd from left) leads the distinguished roster of guests at the opening of the month-long YAMAN GenSan 2008 (GSC Business Month) at the KCC Convention Center on June 23, 2008 consisting of (from left) Tentay Food Sauces, Inc. and speaker Velia Cruz, SMEDCI President Tess Pacheco, Barangay South Captain Flora Aponesto, Muslim Business Forum Chair Sultan Tungko Saikol, GSCCCII Exec Director Pilar Afuang, Office of Muslim Affairs Guialill Kanda, ABS-CBN star Aldred Gatchalian & DTI ARD Doris Delima, among others. The event, now on its 6th year also served as the launching of Globe Bridgecom sa Bayan and the Entrep-Fair 2008. (GenSan CMO/avel manansala)

YAMAN GENSAN 2008 OPENS. GenSan Mayor Jun Acharon and Vice-Mayor Flor Congson (shown 3rd & 4th from left) formally opens the month-long celebration of the 6th YAMAN Gensan with a ceremonial unveiling of a giant backdrop at the KCC Convention Center on June 23, 2008. This event hosted by TV host Amy Perez was also the launching of Globe Bridgecom sa Bayan & the Entrep-Fair. A yearly project of the local government and the DTI, it focuses on activities geared towards the upliftment of small and medium entrepreneurs. Also shown in photo (from L-R) are SMEDCI Prexy Tess Pacheco, ABS-CBN Bayan's Irma Cosico, Tentay Foods & Sauces Prexy Velia Cruz and Globe Vizmin External Affairs Head Jerry Yntig. (GENSAN CMO/avel manansala)

YAMAN GENSAN ENTREP-FAIR. This is one of the booths featured during the one-day Entrep-Fair at the opening of the 6th YAMAN GenSan 2008 at the KCC Convention Center. The event was graced by ABS-CBN star and host of the weekly business program SWAK NA KABUHAYN Ms. Amy Perez. YAMAN Gensan 2008 will run for one month. For more info, please visit www.yamangensan.ph. (GenSan CMO/avel manansala)

Kalilangan 2008 Opens

KALILANGAN OPENING. Gen.Santos Mayor Jun Acharon in his Welcome Speech during the opening program of Kalilangan Festival 2008 on February 16 at the Oval Plaza stage. Behind him are Department of Agriculture Regional Director Abosama M. Alid, CESO IV, representing the DA Secretary, City Administrator Engr. Teody Dumagan, Counciors Orly Oco and Richard Atendido & former Councilor Minda Atendido. (GenSan CMO/avel manansala)

KALILANGAN BOAT SAILING HIGH. Gen. Santos City Officials headed by Mayor Jun Acharon (3rd from right) release the Kalilangan boat signaling the start of the Kalilangan 2008 Festival with its theme, "Kalinaw, Kauswagan, Kasadya" (Peace, Progress, Pageantry or Pomp) on February 16 at the Oval Plaza Stage. This was followed by the grand fireworks display at 7:00pm. (GenSan CMO/avel manansala)

Indon Consul Keynotes Kalilangan 2008 Opening

INDON CONSUL KEYNOTES KALILANGAN OPENING. Indonesian Consul General Honorable Lalu Malik Partawanan (extreme right) is the Guest of Honor during the Opening Program of the Kalilangan Festival 2008 Opening slated on February 16, 3pm at the Oval Plaza Stage. The consul was a recent visitor to the city during the Mayor's SOCA on February 7 as evidenced by this photo which also includes (from left) Kalilangan Vice-Chair Rey Billena and City Councilors Jon Gonzales, Lulu Casabuena and Richard Atendido. (GenSan CMO/avel manansala)

Acharon Bares GenSan City Hospital Accomplishments, plans

STATE OF THE HOSPITAL. GenSan City Mayor Jun Acharon delivers his SOHA (State of the City Hospital) during the February 14th 34th Foundation Anniversary of the General Santos City Hospital before hospital employees and guests, revealing his plans for the next 2 years and evaluating his performance for the past 12 months. (GenSan CMO/avel manansala)

LOYAL HOSPITAL EMPLOYEE. GenSan City Mayor Jun Acharon congratulates City Government Hospital employee Mercedes Lacera, one of the loyalty awardees given recognition during the hospital's 34th Foundation Anniversary celebration on February 14, 2008 where the former also read out his State of the Hospital Address. Looking on (from left) are City Hospital Chief Dr. Arvin Alejandro and Hospital Administrator Marcelino Dospueblos. (GenSan CMO/avel manansala)

GenSan Mayor delivers State of the City Address

VISION AND MISSION. The Mayor delivering his SOCA at the SP Session Hall before the city council and Gensan's movers and shakers. (GenSan cmo/avel manansala)

BUSINESS SECTOR. Association of Barangay Captains Prexy Lulu Casabuena (center) in a souvenir pose with Gen. Santos City Chamber of Commerce & Industry Executive Director Pilar Afuang and Vice-President Orman Manansala at the SP Hall for Mayor Jun Acharon's SOCA on February 7, 2008. (GenSan CMO/avel manansala)

US Ambassador Graces Waste Water Treatment Facility Project Presentation

MOA SIGNING. US Ambassador Kristie Kenny (sitting, 3rd from left) pose with Gensan Mayor Jun Acharon (to her right) after presenting to him the contract of BNS Phils. to the city government directing them to prepare a Detailed Engineering Design for the city's public market Wastewater Treatment Facility in simple ceremonies on February 8 at the public market access road. The project is a joint undertaking of the city government, the US government through USAID's Philippine Environmental Governance Project (EcoGov), DENR and DILG. Also in photo are left-right (standing) EcoGov's Ernesto Gulang, USAID Deputy Mission Director Ezadia Washington, DENR's Datu Tungko Saikol, City Administrator Teody Dumagan, City Assistant Administrator and program emcee Glennville Gonzales, City Planning Officer Nael Cruspero, City Environment Officer Dr. Val Lastimoso; and (sitting) Councilors Odjok Acharon and Richard Atendido, Amb. Kenny, Mayor Acharon, Vice-Mayor Flor Congson, & BNSP's Engr. Jonas Maronilla. (GenSan City Mayor's Ofc/avel manansala)

RMMC's Teatro Ambahanon Sparkles at CCP

Just when City Mayor Pedro B. Acharon Jr. declared 2008 as the year of Excellence in General Santos City, Teatro Ambahanon - the resident Dance and Theater Company of the Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges - was invited to perform at the Main Theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines for “Galaw, Galaw… The Filipino Soul in Dance”, CCP’s program offering for the National Arts Month Celebrations.

“Galaw, Galaw…” which ran from February 1, 2, and 3 was dubbed “the Concert of the Best in Philippine Dance”. RMMC’s Teatro Ambahanon (TA) shared the limelight with world class dance companies like Ballet Philippines, Lisa Macuja and Ballet Manila, the Philippine Allstars, Philippine Ballet Theater, the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Dance Troupe, among others.

TA performed their critically-acclaimed dance piece called “Sa Ngalan Sang Inahan” from their “Oraciones” series choreograped by Julius Lagare. The nine-minute program slated for General Santos City’s dance company was well received by both audience and critics.

TA was discovered by Nestor O. Jardin, President of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, when the group competed in July 2007 at the National Modern Dance Competition in Koronadal City. Mr Jardin, who was one of the judges of the competition, invited the group to perform at CCP immediately after the program, to the surprise of the group considering the piece only ranked fourth in the competition. Apparently, the CCP President saw the appropriateness of the piece and its aesthetic appeal.

Vision of Excellence and Community Involvement

Teatro Ambahanon Contemporary Dance Company started as a dance arm of RMMC Theater company as its training laboratory for dancers and choreographers in the region. In the four years since its founding, the group won in many local, regional and national competitions.

TA is also a training ground for emergent leadership and has produced three GSC Youth Awardees and a finalist. Julius Lagare, the group’s Principal Dancer, was a 2005 recipient and is now based in Cebu as the resident choreographer and teacher at Nicolas Pacaña’s Ballet Center; Hosen Ngilay was a 2006 Finalist; Jan Robert Acharon was a 2007 Awardee. Both are sough-after choreographers. Another member, DeeJay De Vera danced for Exquizyth as guest performer when it competed and won in ABS-CBN’s TV show “You Can Dance Competition” in 2007.

Alongside leadership and excellence, the group is also active in community extension program. Jan Robert Acharon, the group’s Dance Master, formed Renegade 360 and Extreme Boys, two hiphop dance groups composed of both in- and out-of-school boys in Barangay Bula. These two groups, both award-winning in local dance competitions, are recipient of the program Tulbong - a training initiative by RMMC and Teatro Ambahanon in the fields of leadership and excellence.

Promoting Dance Appeciation and Introducing New Form

Having rooted its artistic direction on contemporary or modern dance form, Teatro Ambahanon has been active in its mission of bringing to fore this relatively new dance mold. Utilizing materials which are of rural and provincial appeal, the group creates dance pieces that depict “Philippine-ness” of dance. This did not escape the eye of Ms Edna Vida, a premier Filipina ballerina who directed the CCP show “Galaw, Galaw…”. “The choreograhy and movements have a distinct Filipino flavor. It’s a raw, pure Filipino form and I would love to see you choreograph more pieces like that…”, Ms Vida enthused.

Future Performances

Aside from such raving reviews after the 3-day performance, the group also received two invitations. Myram Beltran, Artistic Director of Dance Forum and the forerunner of WIFI Body Festival which has supported independent Filipino choreographers and dancers, invited the group to participate in WIFI’s 2008 season at CCP this June.

Another invitation came from Floy Quintos, a respected Theater, Movie and Television Director who said he was enthralled and “moved to tears” by the performance. He personally requested the group to perform, along with Filipino luminaries in world Opera, in his upcoming show “Virtuosos” on February 28, 2008 again at the CCP Main Theater.

With all these pouring-in of invitations, Gensan Dancers sparkle with the stars of Philippine Performing Arts, proving that Generals are indeed a breed of excellent artists. (press release)

_______________________________________________________________________

RMMC Teatro Ambahanon recruits new members through its Summer Dance Workshop. This workshop is free for incoming RMMC Freshmen enrollees. Six new members will be chosen. College scholarships will be granted to successful auditioners. For information and inquiries, see the RMMC Admissions Office.

Teatro Ambahanon displays a trademark structure before an appreciative crowd as Philippine Allstars looks on, at the Main Entrance of CCP after the February 3, performance

Jamming with a full house crowd after the performance inside the Main Theater

City Coop Dev Council Inducted

The City Cooperative Development Council officers were inducted Monday, February 4, 2008 by Mayor Pedro B. Acharon, Jr. during the flag ceremony at the City Hall grounds.

Art Aller of the Workers Cooperative of the Philippines (WCP) chairs the council and Co-chaired by Mr. Danilo Paredes. Melvin Tolibas of the General Santos City Government employees' multi-purpose cooperative was elected as the vice chairman, Mila Eugenio-GSTENPC treasurer and Emma Gatmaitan of Land Bank of the Philippines as auditor.

The officers sworn to perform their duties and responsibilities in accordance with law provided for the cooperatives in front of the city government employees.

Aller and the other officers' challenge is the hosting of the 9th National Cooperative Summit in October where around 5,000 delegates are expected to arrive have in the city and join the 3 days activity.

The city hotels and lodging houses can only accommodate half of its expected participants. The council encourages the residents here to cooperate in the "Home Stay Accommodations" which will answer the deficiency of the City's Accreditation.

"If we will be able to maximize the support from residents in the city, we can accommodate roughly around 10,000 visitors", said Aller.

Mayor Acharon on the other hand encourages the participation of local government employees and civil society in the said program so as to invite more groups to conduct their seminar here in the city.

It is a known fact that the city government supports the small and micro entrepreneurs. Acharon believes that leadership of the CCDC such endeavor will succeed with the aid and cooperation of the civil society.

Newly inducted offices are optimistic in meeting the necessity for the summit before the month of October. They are also hoping for the cooperation of everyone in achieving the goals of the council. (CPIO-ALJVillanueva)COOPERATIVE COUNCIL. GenSan City Mayor Pedro Acharon, Jr. inducts into office the new leaders of the City Cooperative Development Council during the Flag Raising Ceremony of city government employees on February 3, 2008. The city is hosting the National Cooperative Summit this year where it expects more than 5,000 delegates. (GenSan CMO/avel manansala)

Mayor's SOCA airs live over cable & radio

Everything is set for City Mayor Pedro Acharon, Jr.'s delivery of his State of the City Address (SOCA) on February 7, 2008 at exactly 9:00 in the morning.

Timed during the regular session of the City Council at the Sangguniang Panlungsod Hall, the city mayor's office have invited multi-sectoral representatives including business leaders, heads of NGO's and NGA's to the event.

A wide screen will be set-up at the lobby of the city hall to accommodate walk-in visitors and government employees. Chairs will be provided at the area including the balcony of the second floor.

For those who couldn't be there, the mayor's SOCA could be seen LIVE over SkyCable's Kapamilya Channel 28 (with replays in the evening) and heard simultaneously over radio stations, Bombo Radyo, Radio Mindanao Network, DXCP, RPN DXDX, DXGS, Bay Radio and K101.

The full transcript of the address will also be published over the city's print dailies and weeklies. It can also be downloaded from the city government's website at http://www.gensantos.gov.ph immediately following the mayor's delivery.

This is to ensure that everyone can have access to the more important points in the city mayor's review of his administration for 2007 and a preview for 2008 and beyond.

For more inquiries, please contact the City Public Info Office at 302-2309. (GenSan CMO/avel manansala)

MEDIA TAPPED FOR SOCA. City Mayor Jun Acharon while being interviewed by news reporters at his office has tapped all forms of media to broadcast LIVE his State of the City Address on February 7, 2008 which he will deliver at the SP Hall at the City Hall Building. It will be seen in its entirety at SkyCable Kapamilya Channel 28 and heard at various FM and AM stations in real time. Replays will be aired intermittently afterwards while full transcripts will run at the city's print dailies and weeklies. (GenSan CMO/avel manansala)

DILG to strengthen Barangay Development Councils

City Director Rodolfo Bernardino of the Department of Interior and Local Government disclosed that they are going to prioritize the strengthening of Barangay Development Councils in the 26 barangays of Gensan within the first quarter of 2008.

During the City Development Council Good Governance Committee Meeting this week, Bernardino pointed out that the BDCs are already organized and what is needed is to strengthen them because BDCs are tasked to provide priority listing of projects of every barangay.

He also added that accredited Non-Government Organizations and People's Organizations must be ensured of their seats so that they can participate in the process of selecting projects and programs to be given priority.

He clarified that NGOs and POs must also apply for accreditation with the barangay where they operate.

Meanwhile, former Rep. Mario Aguja, chairperson of the CDC Good Governance Committee, disclosed his plan to hold a one-day Orientation for all barangay captains and department heads to discuss concerns on livability, bankability, competitiveness and good governance.

The orientation is to be scheduled within this quarter of the year. (CPIO/ping aponesto)