Gensan Gazer May-Jun 2012 by Armando Nicolas PJ

Arts & Culture ● Health & Environment ● Lifestyle & Entertainment ● People & Places ● Travel & Leisure

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GENERAL SANTOS CITY’S MAGAZINE WWW.GENSANGAZER.COM VOLUME III NUMBER 3

MOVIE ADDICTS, RAISE YOUR HAND!

BORACAY/GENSAN/GLAN/ MAASIM (PHILIPPINES) MEKNÈS (MOROCCO) RIO DE JANEIRO (BRAZIL)

GEN. SANTOS CITY’S MAYORS

SAKURA IN MY EYES (JAPAN SPECIAL)

SUMMER PART TWO

TOOTING YOUR OWN HORN

MORE STORIES!

A NOISY WORLD LEVI’S ETC.

Marc Nelson and GG in Boracay

Horse Carriage in Meknès, Morocco

Ana Marie for Summer Part Two

Yaman Gensan 2012 is presented by

Negosyoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;y Palaguin, Biyayang Kalikasan Pagyamanin (Nurture Business, Nourish Nature)

Yaman Gensan 2012 activities and events run from June 20 to July 21 at different venues citywide. Call (83) 3015011 for bookings and inquiries.

editor’s NOTE

Armando Nicolas P J EDITOR Van Almeria Egai Cadiente Bing Cariño Donna Mae Congson Romarie Ivy Cunanan Apple Greatson Francisco Nusha Susanne Heit Avel Manansala Orman Manansala Johann Niño Mari Marthin Millado Nymo Munda CONTRIBUTORS

ravel has always been foremost in our minds, and we thought we’d put that on center stage in this second summer issue. We’ve chosen three countries (three continents, too) to get going, though we might have to supplement this feature in the next prints. The most recent entries to the travel spread include a snapshot with Gov. Migs Dominguez at the 7th Sarangani Bay Festival this month, and the 6th Boracay International Dragon Boat Festival in April, where we chanced upon TV host and model Marc

Gensan Gazer™ Magazine is published by Armanikolas Publishing ®™ and printed in General Santos City, Philippines.

Proud member of the General Santos City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Incorporated GENSAN GAZER MAY-JUN 2012 Gensan Gazer shall not, without the consent of the Publisher, be given, lent, resold, used as textbook, hired out or otherwise disposed of; or affixed to any part of any publication or advertising material in any way whatsoever. While all reasonable care is taken for contributed material, no responsibility will be assumed for its return or for corrections. Opinions expressed or implied are solely those of the authors, and are not necessarily endorsed by the Editor or Publisher. Advertisers and/or their representatives shall indemnify the Publisher in relation to any concomitant slander, defamation, breach, royalties, intellectual property and copyright infringements, unfair trade practices, or violation of privacy rights in their ad material. All contributions must be submitted by email to writing@ gensangazer.com and are subject to editorial review for possible inclusion in Gensan Gazer. Armanikolas Publishing ®™ B34 - L7 Doña Soledad II A, Espina Gen. Santos City 9500 Philippines Phone : +63-83-8269221 Phone : +63-83-5547055 Mobile : +63-908-3373005 Website : www.gensangazer.com

AD PLUS -- When you advertise with us, you get free online mileage since the printed magazine also has a counterpart eZine at www.gensangazer.com -- now read in 345 cities across 57 countries and territories worldwide. Call or text +63908-3373005 now to know your advertising options. 2

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what’s INSIDE

GG Travel Special: Join us as we scour 3 continents and take a peek at Boracay, Gensan, Sarangani, Meknès, and Rio de Janeiro!

Cherry Blossoms on My Mind, Sakura in My Eyes by Bing Cariño

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Summer Part Two by Johann Niño Mari Abiabi Tooting Your Own Horn: Shameless Self-Promotion To Get Ahead by Joan Schram

GGList: Motorola RAZR, Levi’s 527, Asics running shoes, Versace’s Blue Jeans/Red Jeans

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Places2Go | GGPicks: To wine, dine, chill, party, stay Back2Back: SarBay Fest by Donna Congson, Quiet Beach Time by Romarie Cunanan

Movie addicts, raise your hand! Here’s why you’re always at the cinema.

Opinions Cache: Pumping Gas Prices for All Their Worth by Donald Kaul

Postscript: A Noisy World by Armando Nicolas PJ

Book Pickings: Quiet, A Million Suns | Music Reviews: The Black Keys, Madonna

Pop Pizzazz: Low-Cost Housing, Priceless Dwelling by Egai Cadiente

Arts Attack, Culture Shock: Oh, When the Chiefs Come Marching In by Bing Cariño

Marc Nelson posed with GG at the 6th Boracay International Dragon Boat Festival in April this year.

Nelson (below), who most graciously posed with our magazine by the beach. The same visit also gave us a first look at the posh, topnotch District Hotel -- probably the island’s best address to date. The cover story won’t be complete without Meknès in Morocco, Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, or Gensan, Glan, and Maasim in the Philippines. To all our readers in 348 cities across 58 nations, our warmest cheers!

Armando Nicolas P J

The Acute Eye by Apple Greatson Francisco | El-Hdim Square (Meknès)

HOTEL SAN MARCO Touch of European Flair A Warm Gensan Welcome

• Boutique hotel with 28 elegant guest rooms • 24-hour cable access with 32” LED TV • 24-hour free Internet access in all guest rooms • ESD electronic door lock system • Airport transfers and valet services

• Authentic Italian cuisine at Cafe Verona • Banquet and catering facilities Laurel East Avenue, General Santos City Tel:+63.83.3011818 | +63.922.8217332 Email: hotel_sanmarco@yahoo.com Website: www.hotelsanmarco.com.ph

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Wanderlust Express ( ) Part One

Text and photos by Armando Nicolas PJ

alking toward the medina and the sunset in Meknès in north central Morocco is one of the most poignant moments of my life as a traveler. My girlfriend and I took the road on foot from Gare de Meknès, without a map and not quite certain where to go, but trudged on unhurriedly toward the hilltop expanse of kasbah, minarets and other structures, guided only by the warm and gentle sun setting in the distance. Eventually we found our riad, our little home in that beautifully strange land, and a taste of life in this part of Africa that has changed little through the centuries. Here are travels you can take on yourself: Meknès in Morocco, Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, or Boracay, Gensan, Glan, and Maasim in the Philippines. Take your pick!

Boracay

Rio de Janeiro

Maasim

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Quick Guide to Meknès, Morocco Meknès is an imperial city with many historical monuments and natural sites, and is the nearest city to the Roman ruins of Volubilis. Prices here are among the most reasonable in Morocco. Its locals tend to be more polite than in the other cities. Getting there. Several airlines fly to Morocco, but from Gensan I flew on Philippine Airlines to Singapore, and from there got on Qatar Airways to Casablanca via Doha and Tunis. Meknès can be reached by train from Casablanca (3 hours, 50 Moroccan dirhams) and most major cities like Marrakech (6.5, 174), Tangier (3-4, 85), and Rabat (2, 65). Check updated times/ticket prices at www.oncf.ma. Traveling by train is the most comfortable option; bus routes, though scenic, may take longer. Getting around. A petit taxi (small blue Fiat Uno or Peugeot 205 car) can be hailed from most anywhere at a minimum cost of 5 dirhams, but expect to pay more around terminals and tourist places, as well as after 8 pm.

A horse carriage driver naps at the corner fringes of Bab Mansour (bab means gate or door in Arabic), the largest and most striking of Meknès’ 27 gates. It is directly across from Place Hdim, the medina’s main square. Hdim, only recently redone, rivals Jemaa el Fna in Marrakech as a crowd drawer.

Walking around. The ville nouvelle (new town, Hamrya in Arabic), is easily navigated on foot, as is the medina. The two quarters are connected by a bridge over the dry river, Oued Boufekrane. Hamrya has all the entertainment facilities and amenities, while the medina on the other side has all the monuments and historical sites.

Quick Guide to Boracay Boracay figures in countless World’s Best Beaches list (№ 6 in TripAdvisor, № 9 in ListVerse, and № 41 in CNN Go, to name a few). Getting there. Domestic carriers fly to Caticlan, where jetties ferry passengers to Boracay. (Book discount flights/rooms on www.VisitFilipinas.com) Getting around. Most places can be reached on foot, but you can take tricycles, too. Things to do. Ariel’s Point offers cliff-diving at Buruanga Island. It has 5 diving platforms from 3 to 13 meters high, bamboo rafts, and canoes. Get your ticket for 1,400 pesos at Boracay Beach Club at Station 1 (inclusive of 2-way boat ride, seafood lunch, and drinks). Diniwid Beach is a quiet cove next to White Beach, perfect for when you want some peace and quiet. And when you crave to party, Station 1 is close by, too. Island-hopping tours at P1,500 per person takes you to Crocodile/Laurel Islands, Crystal Cove, and Mt. Luho. Cocomangas remains a major draw for its notorious Still Standing After 15 drinking contest. Fancy getting your name and country etched on its own Wall of Fame? Ask your lover (and liver) first! Paraw sunset sailing at P500 per boat (45 minutes) can be had in May and June (habagat season) when the wind is strong. Kiteboard, windsurf, and/ or skimboard at Bulabog Beach. Hangin Kiteboarding School offers lessons from P6,000 per person (4 hours). Things NOT to do. Littering, smoking on the beach, public drunkenness, nudity.

ummer in Boracay would be a perfect addition to my spate of visits to the island, which began only in October 2005 with a party buddy, and was followed by December 2010 with my family and December 2011 by myself. Same great beaches, same laid-back vibe, but not quite the same crowd... That’s not a bad thing entirely! When I hit the the Big B this summer, I went weak in the knees to see a more homogeneous crowd that sincerely worshipped the beach and worshipped the night even more after the sun went to sleep, and this, despite the off-putting near-stampede at the Caticlan jetty port. Teenagers and college kids on school break, young professionals on holiday, local celebrities letting their hair down, and foreign tourists chipping in -- all made for a happily explosive mixture of party folk on the beach and the bars. Even the hundreds or so merry-makers caught in the rain on the newly opened Skye Lounge partied on in the heavy after-midnight rains! What better way to witness and immerse in it all than being at the heart of the action, thanks in no small measure to the newly opened District Hotel at Station 2, the same hotel where Sky Lounge sets shop. Its strategic location and exquisitely tasteful modern interiors and amenities (they even provide a bottle of citronella spray for when you hit the outdoors) prep you for a great time out in the sun and the shade, and welcome you right back home like a loyal Labrador, minus the stink of course.

Earlier, checked out of my previous hotels, I joined the 6th Boracay International Dragon Boat Festival media crew and saw the races from up front. This is the summer in Boracay I’ve always dreamed of. GG V3N3

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Quick Guide to General Santos and Maasim General Santos is a highly urbanized city of around half a million people, and is invariably nicknamedTuna Capital of the Phillipines and Home of the Champions. Visit www.GenSantos.com to know more about Gensan.

Susan’s Beach

ave for Kalilangan (Feb), Sarangani Bay Festival (May, “summer’s last beach party,” says Gov. Migs Dominguez of Sarangani), Yaman Gensan (Jun-Jul), and Tuna Festival (Sep) season, life in Gensan is pretty leisurely and laid-back. Locals tend to dine and go out on the town regularly, however, so there’s always crowds of people at most places. My friends frequent the Robinsons Place Gensan Al Fresco strip (BigBen Steaks & Grills, BluGré Coffee, Piyesta KTV & RestoBar) early evening most days, especially the weekend, and SunCity Complex after (Caffe Firenzo, V Bar), perhaps Roxas East (Taps & Mix) still later. New joints are sprouting everywhere for sure, with C Bistro mostly likely becoming a top draw around Tiongson Arcade and the SM City Gensan Al Fresco strip around the central business district. Pahayahay and Bodega are especially popular among the casual, younger group, while the joints at the arcades of East Asia Royale Hotel tend to attract a mixed crowd. As with most other places, you’d probably be better off checking out the city yourself, starting with the immediate vicinity of your chosen hotel. Chances are a friendly General (how we call the locals) or two would share their personal tips, even take you to their chosen hangout. You’re in for a treat! 8

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At the 7th Sarangani Bay Festival in Gumasa with (from right) Mayor James Yap of Glan, Gov. Migs Dominguez of Sarangani, Che Tiongson, and Kenneth Bañas

Lemlunay Resort

Sarangani Highlands

Getting there. Gensan is served by Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific Airways, and Airphil Express, connecting passengers to and from Cebu, Iloilo, and Manila. By sea Super Ferry, Negros Navigation, and Sulpicio Lines link to similar cities. By land Yellow Bus Lines, Holiday Bus, and Husky Lines transport passengers to and from Davao City, Koronadal City, and Cotabato City. (Maasim is an 1 hour from downtown Gensan by taxi or rental car, Glan a bit more.) Getting around. Passenger jeepneys and tricycles move commuters within the city. Cede Taxi (+63-83-5523084) and Socsargen Taxi (+63-835521164) are on call; meters are often not used. Things to do in the city. Lounge at C Bistro. Party at V Bar. People-watch at Robinsons Place Gensan. Chill at Amandari Cove. Drive by the Pacquiao Mansions. Stay at Hotel San Marco. (See Places2Go/GGPicks on page 25 for other wining/dining/hotel/resort options.) Things to do outside the city. Climb Mt Matutum. Visit Lake Sebu and zipline at Seven Falls. Tour the Klaja Eco Park. Dive at South Point Divers at Lemlunay Resort (Maasim). Bum around at London Beach (Bawing), Gumasa (Glan), or Susan’s Beach (Maasim). Swing away at Sarangani Golf Club or Kalsangi Golf Club (Polomolok).

Quick Guide to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Rio de Janeiro, Brazil’s second largest city, is famous for its breathtaking landscape, laid-back beach culture, and the Carnaval. Its harbor consists of a unique entry from the ocean that makes it appear like a river’s mouth, and is surrounded by spectacular geographic features like the Sugarloaf Mountain (396 meters), Corcovado Peak (704), and the hills of Tijuca (1,021) -- making the harbor one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Rio will host the final game of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and the 2016 Summer Olympics and Paralympics. Getting there. Several airlines fly to Brazil, but from Gensan I flew on Philippine Airlines to Singapore, and from there got on Emirates Airlines to

Christ the Redeemer

Rio via Dubai. Four bus lines depart every half hour (5:30 am to 10 pm) from right outside the arrival section of Galeão-Antônio Carlos Jobim International Airport. Airport taxis just outside Customs are more expensive than the standard yellow taxis outside the terminal building. Getting around. Taxis offer the best means to move around Rio (flag rate of 4.40 reals and 1.60 reals per km). You can also choose your arrival and drop-off points, and pay online at www.rioairporttransfer.com. Public buses are aplenty and cheap, but not quite easy to navigate at first. Traffic jams in Rio can be terrible at times, so make sure you have spare fare and time if you don’t want to be late.

Things to do. Beaches (oceanic): Leme, Copacabana, Arpoador, Ipanema, Leblon, São Conrado, Barra da Tijuca, Recreio dos Bandeirantes, Grumari, Abricó (nudist) | (in-bay): Ramos, Flamengo, Botafogo, Urca, Vermelha. Sugarloaf Mountain and Corcovado Mountain, location of the Christ the Redeemer monument Jardim Botanico, a park and scientific laboratory with a collection of plants from all over the world Landmarks: Arcos da Lapa, Catedral Metropolitana, Teatro Municipal, Biblioteca Nacional, Câmara Municipal, Palácio do Catete, Itamaraty, Palácio Guanabara Others: Museums, parks, concerts, sports, samba parties, night life, more!

Sugarloaf Mountain

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Copacabana Beach

With that out of the way -- we scoured the city’s landmarks on foot, commuted to Corcovado and communed with the awed crowds beneath Christ the Redeemer, wined and dined with the locals, practiced some língua portuguesa, lounged at Sugarloaf Mountain, bummed around at the beaches of Copacabana, Ipanema, São Conrado, and Vermelho, strolled Jardim Botanico, even plunged into the ravine off Pedra Bonita on hang gliders. It’d be a real shame if we didn’t have all that simply because we were afraid to take chances. Travel, like life, is lived not by sitting idly, but by walking on headfirst.

Photo of Copacabana Beach Courtesy of Gimma Samalca

he notion that tourists in Rio de Janeiro are prone to be taken advantage of, robbed, or worse, physically harmed, has been at the back of my mind previously. After taking to the streets of Centro and Lapa (where our first hotel was) at night, my girlfriend and I decided all that fear was just ignorance, the same kind that makes Manila residents think that Mindanao is unsafe, for example. Crime is everywhere, and it takes wisdom and caution to keep out of harm’s way at all times.

Hang Gliding

São Conrado Beach

View from Corcovado 10

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el GvsG ThTTearale TrTarivveial& Special

hile Gensan broiled in 36°C heat I was lucky to have a nine-day escape to a cool spring season in the Land of the Rising Sun. Chosen as one of eight supervisors to the Japanese government’s Japan East Asia Network Exchange Students and Youths (Jenesys) Program, I temporarily hung my summer gear, packed warmer clothes, and headed for Anime Land.

Text by Bing Cariño Photos by Angelie Azcuna

Cherry Blossoms on My Mind, Sakura in My Eyes

had to make do with ample sleep and be up and about as we had to return home to Hino, a quaint agricultural town, every night. Hino is the birthplace of Japan’s merchant class and the origin of Japan’s business philosophy. The mission came to an end with the Philippine delegation participating in a Japan-Philippine University Forum, where the Philippine’s disaster risk management programs were presented. No doubt, the Philippines has a lot to learn from Japan’s disaster resilience.

n our last day in Tokyo, the mercury has risen to early summer warmth, acclimatizing us to an even warmer Philippine summer back home.

We were there as goodwill ambassadors, not tourists, but still the program gave us a glimpse of a country no ordinary tourists get to experience: to live with the locals; move about with them in spirit; to eat, live, and love with them. Disaster Risk Management and Recovery is this year’s Jenesys program theme. A hundred students and supervisors were selected to observe and study Japan’s recovery efforts from last year’s Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami that devastated most of Japan’s northwest Pacific coasts. From a day of lectures in Tokyo’s Grand Pacific at the Daiba district, the student ambassadors took the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Ichinoseki City. We missed the cherry blossoms in the south but we caught the Sakura in full bloom at the Iwate Prefecture.

One of hundreds of Temples in Shiga Prefecture Murals adorn buildings in German farm-themed park in Hino Town.

Expecting to see a devastated province, we were amazed to see that recovery efforts are going full swing. New infrastructures are mushrooming everywhere and industries are now in business as usual. We left the Tohoku region for Kyoto via Sendai Airport, which was washed out last year but was in full operation two months after the tsunami, and now literally sparkling as if the devastation never took place. Kyoto, a university town, is bustling with energy. With hundreds of sights to enjoy and a busy schedule to keep, we 12

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Horse Sashimi tastes like cold cuts, melts in your mouth. Torii gates almost everywhere

As capital of Old Japan, Kyoto Prefecture’s temple gates evoke old world, oriental charm.

• 1,000-person capacity convention center • Spacious, grand lobby • 25-meter Semi Olympic size swimming pool, children’s pool • Floating restaurant and coffee shop • Boxing and Fitness Gym

• The Arena @ Family Country Hotel for Large Group of Functions • Annex building with 5 air-conditioned function rooms • 4,450-square-meter fenced parking area • Executive board room for small functions

Deluxe Room Matrimonial

Deluxe Room Twin

Quiet, Clean, Green, and Homey. Family Country Hotel Standard Room Twin

Suite Room

& CONVENTION CENTRE Mateo Rd, Lagao, Gen. Santos | Tel (083) 552-8895 to 97 | Fax (083) 301-0774 www.FamilyCountryHotel.com E-mail: fchcc@bayandsl.com

Executive Ballroom

Semi Olympic-size Swimming Pool

We’re a -ready establishment!

Annex Function Rooms

Newly-built The Arena for Big Groups

Cafe Leticia

when is your

kathrina

Meteorologists map summer as occurring in Jun/Jul/Aug in the northern hemisphere, and Dec/ Jan/Feb in the southern hemisphere. This is true in Austria, Denmark, the former USSR, and the UK, where summer is thought to span from mid-May to mid-August. Unofficially, the US summer is regarded to begin on Memorial Day weekend (end of May) and end on Labor Day weekend (beginning of September). In Chinese astronomy, summer starts around May 5, ending around August 6. In southern and southeast Asia, summer is more generally defined to cover March to May/early June, ending with the onset of the monsoon rains. In Australia and New Zealand, summer starts December 1, ending as March sets in. So, when does yours begin?

kristel ann

Text and photos by Johann NiĂąo Mari Abiabi

he sizzling hot summer is definitely here! And thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no better way to beat the heat than to take a holiday and enjoy the sun with your friends and family. There are many exciting destinations around the region (the world,

PART

summer?

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ana marie

UMMER

bea

TWO

even) that promise a fun summer that will undoubtedly meet the expectations of the young and young-at-heart alike, in the end rejuvinating those who have experienced the best and worst of school and work. For many of you who have worked hard for a bikini-worthy body, I’m sure sporting a jaw-dropping summer get-up is on top of your list. The good news is, there’s more room for creativity now than at other times of the year. Do bear in mind to protect yourself from the harmful UV rays!

ust like our models Ana Marie, Bea, Kathrina, and Kristel, who took an early summer splashing, you and your friends can enjoy the heat in style! Spice up your outfit by wearing quirky patterns, interesting hues and give it extra oomph by adding unique accessories such as floppy hats, sunnies, and chunky necklaces. If you’re a bit on the shy side, fun cover-ups can also be had with brightly-colored square pants, denim cut-offs, and sheer mini dresses. So kick off that joyride and drive your way to an unforgettable summer in style!

Models: Bea Alima, Kristel Ann Cornel, Ana Marie Gubalane, Kathrina Dawn Negrillo | Makeup artist: Diwata Angco | Crew: Marthin Millado, Alejandro Reblando GG V3N3

Tooting Your Own Horn:

Shameless Self-Promotion To Get Ahead by Joan Schram

ou probably grew up like I did, with your mother trying to instill in you a sense of propriety and humility. As kids, we are fearless about shouting out our accomplishments and trying to out-do one another. As we get older, though, we pick up on clues that other people don’t like it when we brag about ourselves, and we learn to keep our successes hidden. What we don’t learn, though, is the right way to get credit for what we do professionally. What are some of the things you heard growing up? “You’ll break your arm, patting yourself on the back.” “You have two ears and one mouth, so listen twice as much as you talk.” Or, my mother’s favorite, “Self-praise stinks.” There’s a wide gulf between practicing humility and promoting ourselves at work. What works to our advantage in a social setting (or with our family) doesn’t always translate to the workplace. So, how do we make sure our accomplishments get noticed?

1. Own your success. Men learn this early on -- watch any pro football player who’s just waltzed over the goal line. He celebrates immediately and publicly, making sure that everyone knows that he’s the man! If men in business could carry 16

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footballs, they’d be spiking them in the boardroom. Women are taught to be humble and will frequently attribute their success to luck or to the efforts of other people. Sure, your team worked hard to come up with the new marketing strategy, but aren’t you the head of that team? By all means, make sure they get credit, but don’t short-change YOU -- every team needs a leader and, if you’re it, stand up and take the leader’s share of the applause.

2. Develop a good story.

Salespeople all learn something called the elevator speech -- a 30-second tidbit given in response to the question, “What do you do?” Even though you may not think you’re in sales, you need to start seeing your work as a commodity and you as the salesperson who’s touting the benefits. Don’t just say, Oh, I’m in marketing; say, You know that ad with the elephant playing tag with the rabbit? I’m head of the advertising team that developed it. And let me tell you -elephants are no pleasure to work with! A good story makes you sound interesting and approachable, and gives the other person a place to take the conversation to.

3. Pass the word. If you

get an attaboy from a client, send a copy to your boss. (Better yet, ask the client to write a note to your boss.) If your boss sends you a great job note,

send a copy to the district manager. If the district manager thanks you, send a copy to your boss and to the regional manager... and so forth. You get the picture.

4. Network, network,

network. Savvy professionals know that no matter where they are or who they’re talking with, they’re networking. You never know when your airplane seatmate, cab driver or son’s soccer coach will be your next big business contact. When you show up fully everywhere and express yourself with authenticity, passion and conviction, it generates attention. When your cab driver’s nephew is looking for the perfect widget-maker for a huge order, wouldn’t it be great if you just happened to be in his uncle’s cab, tooting your own horn?

emember: good work isn’t necessarily its own reward. It doesn’t matter how great you are if no one knows you’re alive. So get out there and start choreographing your end-zone celebration! Joan Schramm, the Workplace Solutions Expert, is a career, executive and personal coach with 20 years experience in management, training and coaching. Joan can work with you to figure out exactly what you want from your life and your career, and how to get there without a lot of detours. For more information, or to talk about what’s going on in your career and life, go to www.achieve-momentum.com.

How to Annoy Your Friends Using Social Media Tools 1. Post minute-by-minute updates about everything you’ve done (or seen or heard or eaten, etc.) on Facebook.

2. Tweet every little boring detail of your day (you’re tired or bored or sleepy or drenched, etc.) on Twitter.

3. Upload every little boring picture describing items 1 and 2 above on Instagram.

4. Find other social media apps to increase your annoy factor. (LoCoCa)

Levi’s 527 Low-Rise Boot-Cut Jeans: All-Time Favorite We have a soft spot for Levi’s 527 denim, a low-rise pair of 100% cotton boot-cut jeans with regular seat and thigh, and zipper closure. Washed for a worn-in look and feel, this low-rise jean fits regular through the hip and thigh with a boot-cut flare below the knee -- perfect for all-weather, all-season casual and rugged wear -- especially for big fans of leather boots. Our editor is a regular consumer of Levi’s jeans, especially the 527 (we think he has at least three 527s in different styles and colors). We agree: they are stylish, the fabric is of excellent quality, and the cut is timeless.

Motorola RAZR: Uberkool!

We got the iPhone, now it’s time to try the RAZR! It’s impossibly thin and spiffier in sculpted glass and diamond-cut aluminum accents, and despite its fragile look, it’s super strong and scratchproof, too. Spilled coffee? Caught in the rain? No problem: RAZR is protected with a splash-guard coating, even the electrical boards inside. The RAZR’s powerful dual-core 1.2 GHz processor and 1 GB RAM let you act as fast as you can think (finally). MotoCast, a free built-in app, lets you stream music and movies from your PC. And whether you stream or download movies, the vibrant colors of its advanced display and zero motion-blur technology make watching flicks onthe-go just as thrilling as watching on your HDTV home. Other perks: dual cameras (8 MP cam and 1080p HD video recording), Smart Actions app to help with everyday tasks, governmentgrade encryption, etc.

Asics Gel-Kinsei 4: Perfect running shoes

Gensan folks have all of a sudden discovered the fun and benefits of running. However, serious runners out there, beware! The wrong pair of shoes can be the end of your sprinting career. Why not try this light beauty? Asics Gel-Kinsei 4 is just 11.9 ounces, with a roomy toe-box, lower midsole, and discrete gel cushioning in the heel. Check out these features: • Impact Guidance System (IGS) - Enhanced natural gait of the foot, from heel strike to toe-off • Guidance Line - Vertical flex groove for enhanced gait efficiency

GGList

Red Jeans, Blue Jeans: Romantic Match-Up Feeling romantic and ready to show it as a couple? The ladies can try Red Jeans by Versace, a sharp, flowery fragrance (a blend of jasmine, vanilla, musk, sandalwood and lily), recommended as a casual wear cologne. The guys can wear Versus Blue Jeans (also by Versace), a youthful fragrance that is fresh, clean, crisp, sporty, and virile. Both scents are packaged in a Coca-Cola style bottle and encased in a red and blue tin. Single and searching? Pick the right color and wear the scent. Who knows? The perfect match just might be around the corner! • Heel Clutching System - Exoskeletal heel counter for improved support and heel fitting environment • Discrete Heel Unit - Takes IGS to a new level with the highest degree of shock attenuation and stability • Propulsion Trusstic - Mimics connective tissue in the foot by creating tension as foot enters propulsion stage • Cuprothermo - Metallic film that retains heat in cold weather and releases heat in warm weather

bookPICKINGS

Of Introverts and Godspeed

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain At least one-third of people we know are introverts. They are the ones who prefer listening to speaking, reading to partying; who innovate and create but dislike self-promotion; who favor working on their own over brainstorming in teams. It is to introverts, often labeled quiet, that we owe many of the great contributions to society -- from van Gogh’s sunflowers to the invention of the personal computer. Passionately argued, impressively researched, and filled with indelible stories of real people, Quiet shows how dramatically we undervalue introverts, and how much we lose in doing so. Charting the rise of the Extrovert Ideal in the 20th century and explores its far-reaching effects, this extraordinary book has the power to permanently change how we see introverts and how introverts see themselves.

musicREVIEWS El Camino (2011), by The Black Keys | êêêêê -- Guitarist-vocalist Dan Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney never disappoint: the band named The Black Keys are back with their seventh (wonder) studio album, El Camino (that’s Español for The Road, by the way). In this relatively more radio-friendly production, we get hints of classic Dr John styled acid-gospel in Hell Of A Season, sexually charged glam-rock in the flamboyant Gold On The Ceiling, bombastic blues-rock in Little Black Submarines, and plenty of Nuggets styled garage-pop in Lonely Boy. Once again we get plenty of heartfelt declarations of love, lust, and the desire for redemption -- hallmark themes of the duo’s (or any other artist’s) best albums to date. MDNA (2012), by Madonna | êêêêê -- At 53 Madonna proves that she still makes significant contributions to music. In MDNA Madonna and her multimillion-dollar production infused sharp rhythms and dance sounds “that would fit the audience of a

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A Million Suns by Beth Revis It’s been three months since Amy was unplugged, the life she always knew over. Everywhere she sees the walls of the spaceship Godspeed. There may just be hope: Elder has assumed leadership. He’s finally free to enact his vision -- no more Phydus, no more lies. When Elder discovers shocking news about the ship, he and Amy race to discover the truth behind life on the ship. They must work together to unlock a puzzle set in motion hundreds of years back, unable to fight the romance growing between them and the chaos that threatens to tear them apart. In Book II of the Across the Universe trilogy, New York Times bestselling author Beth Revis mesmerizes us again with a brilliantly crafted mystery filled with action, suspense, romance, and deep philosophical questions. This time it all builds to one mindbending conclusion: They have to get off this ship.

The (Bitter) Road to MDNA pop star.” The newest release is full of upbeat dance jams and slow grooves, albeit abundant with less tasteful sexual undertones, risqué language, and musical clichés reminiscent of Madonna’s more recent albums. Give Me All Your Luvin’ (featuring Nicki Minaj and MIA) sounds like fun but dated, Girl Gone Wild a shamelss pandering to juvenile club femmes (that’s a frighteningly multiplying bunch), and several tracks here hint that the pop icon still resents her divorce with Guy Ritchie, such as

Love Spent, replete with the now ubiquitous Bollywood beat, which has Madonna wailing: “You had all of me / You wanted more / Would you have married me if I were poor?” Bitter or not, this probably stands out as the album’s best track, especially so when I’m A Sinner sounds just so-so, I’m Addicted a tad too overproduced, and Gang Bang a total disaster. After being around too long, Madonna should know she doesn’t need to sound like Lady Gaga or Rihanna. But really, who cares?

2nd Floor, Meetrovi Building, South Osme単a Street, General Santos City, Philippines 9500 +63-83-553 3377 | www.camella.com.ph | camellageneralsantos@gmail.com | facebook.com/camellageneralsantos

popPIZZAZZ

erenity. Romance. Gentle Touch. At first glance, you’d mistake these lines for poetic lattice. They actually sound romantic, except that these are names of paints I bought for the house I was building, my own. These are the same things I got deprived of in the three months of construction. That’s what hands-on supervision can do to you. By hands-on, I mean climbing up the roof twice to do the leak test myself. So trust me, there isn’t an iota of romance, nay serenity, in construction. You could only wish construction work is as soothing as these paint colors. I could have freed myself from the hassle had I chosen to just occupy the twobedroom, low-cost housing unit I put up a loan for, as it is readily livable upon handing over the house keys. But after five years of living in an apartment, I thought I could have a real home built with my handprints on it, so I designed a little renovation. Before I knew it, the little expansion project turned into a full-blown construction. And so there I was, on the roof one very hot day, to make sure I could lie down comfortably underneath once I moved in. Except for the relatively small floor area, there’s really nothing wrong with these mass housing units. But most homeowners (myself included), if not all, would still expand, renovate, or even deconstruct the existing structure, wiping it entirely to build a new one. You go to any mass housing subdivision and you wouldn’t recognize the developer’s original design anymore. You would even find two- or three-storey houses punctuating the rows of the used-to-be identical units. I have a friend who bought two adjacent lots in one of these subdivisions, where she erected a gorgeous, modern house. Once inside, you wouldn’t know that the house actually stood in a development. How it stands out in its contemporary two-level glory! It was the visit to her home that inspired me to design my own. House designing, let alone masonry and construction, are totally alien to me. Imagine the stress I had to go through. Thoughts on the construction consumed my sleeping hours at night. The design was a work in progress, details of which I changed every now and then, to the annoyance of my contractor. But that’s a subplot to the story. 20

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Low-Cost Housing, Priceless Dwelling

by Egai Cadiente

To me, construction was a reconnaissance of sorts. Buying the materials myself, I had to scout from various stores through arrays of brands for the required specifications. I became familiar with varied sizes and angles of PVC pipes and elbows. I got acquainted with headless nails called finishing nails. I came to know that there are 60, 70, and 80 standard door dimensions. I saw the difference between jalouplus and jalousie windows. I learned about the existence of grout, analok frame, G.I. nipple, flexible hose, polytuff, square tube, baby roller, diamond grinder, anchor bolt, riveter, junction box, body filler, concrete neutralizer, flashing, etc. I discovered that metalplas is a plastic roofing sheet without any metal at all. And that, jamb is spelled that way. Construction taught me the beauty of separation: I learned the technique of tossing sifted gravel on a makeshift colander, as far away from the filtered sand. (I wish you can apply this technique to a relationship gone sour.) I also discovered that you can condemn a water pipeline and not just heinous crimes. It also honed my skills in negotiation: I had to explain to one store attendant to replace the #532x1/2 rivets with #532x3/4 because the former wouldn’t latch to the C-purlins beam. There was also this defective bathroom fixture that I had to buy from another shop because the store I bought it from wouldn’t replace it .(I failed the negotiation there.

t taught me estimation and engineering precision. As in, how many pieces of 60x60 tiles do I need for a 628x357cm floor area? I had to measure everything myself if only to minimize variance on material purchases. Thanks to my ever-reliable neon green steel measuring tape. Yes dear, I gathered so much knowledge. And a lot of expense receipts too. But that’s another subplot. The learning didn’t stop after construction though. When I moved in, I took on the art of property protection.

Since mass housing is usually developed in the suburbs on converted rice and corn fields, don’t be surprised to have a company of bugs and red ants terrorizing you soon after moving in. These lands used to be a habitat for insects so you have to deal with their displacement. It is one stressful battle. You are one against colonies hiding in corners and ceilings. They don’t care that you paid your equity and monthly amortization. They care less that you spent your entire savings. Hell, they don’t give a damn that you sweated your butt off constructing your house! All they know is that they are the rightful owners of the land. Your only weapon against their exasperating claim is an effective insecticide spray. And you have to be on the lookout everyday for their invasion. All told, after the hard labor and sundry, it was all worth it. Notwithstanding the tiny crawling creatures foraging into your property, I’m delighted that my foray into construction turned out well. Living in a house you call your own, sipping coffee on a cozy couch, is just priceless.

After months of pleasure deficiency, I am now living with serenity. And who knows, romance and gentle touch may be knocking at my door one day. If they don’t, well, I already have them on my walls.

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artsATTACK cuLtureSHOCK

hen the Municipal District of Buayan was separated from its mother unit, the Municipal District of Glan, Datu Abedin became the first appointed mayor of Buayan. The Muksin-Abedin residence in lower Baluan fronting Sarangani Bay served then as the temporary seat of government of the Municipal District of Buayan.” (Ramirez 1994: 114)

There have been scores of studies on the history of General Santos City. Before Gen. Paulino Santos came to establish the settlement, the areas that now cover the city was just a part of a vast area belonging to the Royal House of Sogoda Buayan. Only in the later part of the Spanish occupation, when the politico-military governments of Mindanao and Sulu were established, that a formal political unit might have been established in the area. As part of the shifting territorial definition of the city (at one time belonging to the District of Cotabato then to the District of Davao the next), the first recorded local chief executive of the now defined area of General Santos was Datu Sarip Zainal Abedin, who welcomed the settlers when they landed in 1939. As a result of the settlement of the lands within the vast Cotabato basin, several municipalities and defined political units were established. This also created a line of leaders, local chief executives at the helm of every local government unit called the mayor. The National Lands Settlements Administration (NLSA), while sowing the seeds of future cities/municipalities, had general managers to run the business of settling the lands. They did not have the mandate of leading a political unit.

by Bing Cariño

Santiago

P Acharon Sr A Acharon

Royeca

Velayo Sr

In 1948, just nine years of setting the community and economy in motion, the areas of present-day Malungon, Alabel, Tupi, Polomolok, and the settlement district of Lagao became the Municipality of Buayan, with Ireneo I. Santiago as the first municipal mayor, who was reelected chief executive (1948-1955). Pedro Acharon, Sr. was elected mayor in 1956 just as the municipality was renamed to Municipality of General Santos, which shrank in area -- covering Alabel, Polomolok, Tupi, and present-day Gensan. After Acharon Sr., Dr. Jorge P. Royeca (1960-63) and Lucio C. Velayo (1964-67) led General Santos until it finally became a city in 1968. 22

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Oh, When the Chiefs Come Marching In! Antonio C. Acharon, the second municipal mayor’s son, was elected in 1968 just when General Santos was chartered into a city; from municipal to city mayor, he then served a smaller area but a more dynamic economy from 1968 to 1986, making him the longest-serving chief executive of the city. Martial Law was declared in 1972 when all of the Philippines fell under the dark rule of the Marcos dictatorship. His term ended after the EDSA Revolution, when all regime officials were replaced by officers-in-charge (OICs) until the 1986

Nuñez

Agullana

Constitution was adopted. The transition to a legitimate government had seated Dominador Lagare, Antonio Munda, and finally Rosalita Nuñez as OIC mayor. When the joint national/local elections were held in April 1988 and Nuñez decided to run for office, Marcelo Agullana acted as OIC Mayor until the results of the election. Nuñez won, making her the first city mayor to serve in post-EDSA General Santos. The four terms from 1988 to 2001 became the fierce election rivalry between Nuñez and Adelbert Antonino. Antonino, who was congressman at the first term of Nuñez, ran for mayor in 1992 and won. The following term Nuñez ran for office and regained the post, only to lose it to Antonino in 1998. Because of health reasons, Antonino resigned and by succession, the Vice Mayor Pedro B. Acharon Jr. became the Mayor. Acharon Jr. won in the following election year and the succeeding two elections, completing three succeeding terms, the maximum allowed by the new Constitution. Incidentally, the incumbent Representative of the Congressional District of South Cotabato, Darlene Magnolia Antonino-Custodio, who also served her three terms, ran for mayor. She is the 12th chief executive to serve the locality that was a settlement district and became a municipality, and is now a bustling city.

P Acharon Jr

Lagare Munda

Antonino

Antonino-Custodio

The terms of each of the city chiefs tells of an exciting tale of a place, one that would be a subject of another story. The names and dates are based on the List of Mayors of Gen. Santos City of the GSC Human Resource Office and from the Catalogue of City Officials of the Records section of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Office.

I feel like wine and zabaglione tonight. Where can we go?

bars Babes Bar - One of East Asia Royale Hotel’s watering holes, with discotheque, live music Thu-Fri (2nd Flr, Arcade 1, East Asia Royale Hotel, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5534123 ext. 106) Cassado Billiard Bar - Pool tables, ice-cold beers, live band, (Grd Flr, Arcade 1, East Asia Royale Hotel, Gen. Santos, +63-83-3028389) Drill Shack- Aussie staples such as salads, steaks, condom-wrapped beers (Grd Flr, Arcade 1, East Asia Royale Hotel, National Highway, Gen. Santos) Pahayahay - Live band, ice-cold beers, best live guitar by owner Gifford (Mezzanine, Marietta’s Bldg, Magsaysay Ave., Gen. Santos) GGPick Piyesta! KTV and Resto Bar - Super value combo meals, inventive dishes, novelty cocktails, free KTV up to your total bill, friendly staff, al fresco heaven (Robinsons Place, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5542139) [wi◦fi] GGPick Red Rocket Sports Bar Warm meals and ice-cold beers (Grd Flr, Arcade 2, East Asia Royale Hotel, National Highway, Gen. Santos) Veranda - Two levels of bars, discotheques and open-air bistro, very young crowd (National Highway across NDDU campus, Gen. Santos) GGPick V Bar - Longest bar counter in Gensan, great vibe, best music (SunCity Complex, Gen. Santos)

cafés

GGPick BluGré Cafe - Next best thing to Starbucks, designer coffees, hot/cold mixes, filling meals (Robinsons Place, Gen. Santos, +63-835542177) [wi◦fi] BluGré Cafe - Bigger and more relaxing than the one at Robinsons (South Osmeña, Gen. Santos, +635521111) [wi◦fi] GGPick Cafe Amoree - Local gem, great drinks/eats, off city center but worth a visit (Mabuhay Rd, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5542173) [wi◦fi] GGPick Caffe Firenzo - Gourmet coffees, desserts, sandwiches, pizza, open 24/7 (SunCity Complex, National Highway, Gen. Santos) [wi◦fi] Coffee Club 101 - Coffee, pasta, desserts (Laurel East, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5535430) [wi◦fi] GGPick Coffee Club 101 - Gourmet coffees, great place to peoplewatch and be seen in (Robinsons Place, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5534878) [wi◦fi] GGPick Coffee Dream - Coffee, sweets and refuge before/after shopping (2nd Flr, KCC Mall, Gen. Santos, +63-83-3018263) [wi◦fi] GGPick Fagioli Coffee Shop - Great after-hours haunt (Petron Station, Lagao, National Highway, Gen. Santos, +63-83-552749) [wi◦fi] GGPick Fagioli Coffee Shop - Private, cozy, perfect mall chill (Grd Flr, KCC Mall, +63-83-5542384) [wi◦fi] GGPick Kee’s Café - Roadhaus

Economy Hotel’s spacious and trendy café (Aparente St, Dadiangas Heights, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5538888) [wi◦fi] Red Ribbon Bakeshop - Cakes, pastries, sumptuous Filipino/Western meal combos (Lower Grd Flr, KCC Mall, Gen. Santos, +63-83-3018388)

hotels

CBHL Garden Rooms & Dormitel - Central location and tasteful guest rooms at budget rates (Laurel, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5546336) [wi◦fi] GGPick East Asia Royale Hotel Stone’s throw away from the financial district, shopping malls, convention centers, with bars, function rooms, restaurants, business center, 24-hour room service (National Highway, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5534123) [wi◦fi] GGPick Family Country Hotel & Convention Centre - Guest rooms, pools, meeting/banquet halls for 1,000 heads, Cafe Leticia (Mateo Rd, Lagao, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5528895) [wi◦fi] Florotel - Strategic loaction downtown, modern amenities (Laurel North, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5540880) GGPick Hotel San Marco - Newly built boutique hotel with 28 elegant rooms, restaurant and bar (Laurel East Ave., Gen. Santos, +63-83-3011818, +63-922-8217332) [wi◦fi] GGPick Ice Castle - Centrally located, offers modern rooms, in-house bar and restaurant (Provido Village, City Heights, Gen. Santos, +63-835544423, +63-83-8269026) [wi◦fi] Phela Grande Hotel - Luxury guest rooms, in-house Meilih Restaurant/ Cafe Eduardo (Magsaysay cor. Atis, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5524220) [wi◦fi] Residencia Heneral Travelers Inn - Prime location, affordable rooms (RD Bldg, Pioneer Ave., Gen. Santos, +6383-3020533, +63-922-8420103) GGPick Richeva Gensan Suites Minimalist-modern, centrally located, quality rooms (11 Sampaguita St, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5540410, +63-9197936227, +63-932-3753001) [wi◦fi] GGPick Roadhaus Economy Hotel - Pacquiao’s upscale hotel with large rooms and cutting edge facilities (Aparente St, Dadiangas Heights, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5538888) [wi◦fi] GGPick SunCity Suites - Hotel at the heart of upscale and trendy SunCity Complex (National Highway, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5523333) [wi◦fi] Sydney Hotel - Centrally located, offers comfortable rooms, restaurants, professional banquet/conference facilities (Pendatun cor. Pioneer, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5525479) [wi◦fi]

resorts

GGPick Amandari Cove - Resortquality accommodations, pool, Cafe Amoree and Avalon Restobar (Dacera, off Mabuhay Road, +63-083-5542654 | 8261074 | 8261070) [wi◦fi] Gensan View Resort - Sun, sky,

Perhaps Cafe Verona? How about kebabs to deliver home instead?

swimming pool (Nursery Rd, Lagao, Gen. Santos, +63-83-3028237) GGPick Isla Jardin del Mar - Sand, sun, sky and more! (Gumasa, Glan, Sarangani, islajardindelmar@yahoo.com) Lagare Springfield Resort Natural springs, lanscaped gardens (Apopong, Gen. Santos) GGPick Le Jardin Arnevel Convention halls, swimming pool, 2,000-m2 garden, spacious parking area (Mabuhay Rd, Gen. Santos, +6383-3012513) [wi◦fi] GGPick Lemlunay Resort - Clifftop seaside resort with excellent villas, restaurant, bar, pool and worldclass dive site (Tinoto, Maasim, Sarangani, +63-920-914 9259 | South Point Divers: southpointdivers.ph) [wi◦fi] Merl Garden Spring Resort Zip-line ride, pool, horseback riding and more (Lahit, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, +63-919-4577221) Olaer Spring Resort - Natural springs, lasting city icon (Apopong, Gen. Santos, +63-83-3802345) GGPick Paraiso Verde Resort & Water Park - Modern recreational facility with main attractions Moby Wave Pool, Adventura River Rapids, Freestyle Swim Pool, and Wiggles Kiddie Pool, a 300-person capacity pavilion, and food court (Gen. Santos Drive, Koronadal, +63-83-2281988, +63-923-8701483) Rosal Beach Resort - Sun, sky, and white sand beach fun (Gumasa, Glan, Sarangani, +63-920-9212203) Shellrock Spring Resort - Natural springs and greenery (Barrio Cebuano, Tupi, South Cotabato, +63-9182821801, +63-83-5524278) Susan’s Beach - Beach retreat with spacious cottages and karaoke halls (Tinoto, Maasim, Sarangani)

restaurants

GGPick Aunt Ludi - Besides gourmet breads, Aunt Ludi serves great burger, pasta and rice meals. (Robinsons Place, Gen. Santos and J&G Propriedad Bldg, Nuñez Street, Purok Malakas, Gen. Santos) GGPick BigBen Steaks & Grills - Steaks you can always rely on in a homey, central setting, you’d wanna hang out long after the plates are cleared. (Robinsons Place, Gen. Santos, +63-83-3030315) GGPick Bigby’s Cafe & Restaurant - Great coffees and sumptuous food platters. Try Pescado Al Fresco -- dory in onion sauce! (Robinsons Place, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5520111) [wi◦fi] GGPick Cafe Verona - Authentic Italian cuisine at Hotel San Marco (Laurel East Ave., Gen. Santos, +63-833011818, +63-922-8217332) [wi◦fi] GGPick C Bistro - Fine Filipino fusion cuisine and great ambience for wining, dining and lounging (Tiongson Arcade, Gen. Santos, +63-9053979955) [wi◦fi] GGPick Cookie Factory - Homestyle restaurant (J. Catolico Sr, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5522035)

pLaces2GO

GGPicks

Grab-A-Crab - Exciting seafood, crab specialties (Laurel East, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5535430) [wi◦fi] GGPick Grab-A-Crab - Same GrabA-Crab vibe, only smaller (Robinsons Place, Gen. Santos) [wi◦fi] Gusteau’s Restaurant - Fine crab and seafood delicacies (SunCity Complex, Gen. Santos) [wi◦fi] GGPick Little Dubai Kebab GrillsTaste of exotic Middle East at half the price for home delivery (Gen. Santos, +63-922-8141010) [wi◦fi] GGPick The Little Kitchen Serves European, Oriental and Filipino specialties in Mediterranean-inspired ambience (Cor. Quirino and Zapote, Gen. Santos) [wi◦fi] GGPick Pablo’s Steaks and Crabs - Pablo’s has perfected the art of preparing steaks (certified US Angus) (National Highway, Gen. Santos, +6383-5539298) GGPick Paseo Del Sol - Haciendastyle haven for theme/special events, serving Pablo’s/Ranchero fare, and exclusive dishes/catering for private functions (National Highway, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5539298) GGPick Ranchero Grill - Takes native/Filipino/ranch-style food to the next level (National Highway, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5539298) GGPick Red Trellis Seafood Garden - Asian fusion-inspired, chili/black pepper crab to die for (Across NDDUIBED, Tiongson Extension, Lagao, Gen. Santos, +63-83-3022722) Rooftop Grill Ihaw-Ihaw - Seafood/grill, great city view (6th Flr, Sydney Hotel, Gen. Santos, +63-835525479 ext. 103) [wi◦fi] Royale Lounge - Relaxing café with minimalist decór, acoustic music Wed-Sat (East Asia Royale Hotel, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5534123) [wi◦fi] GGPick Sarangani Highlands Garden & Restaurant - Hilltop joint with views of Sarangani Bay, downtown Gensan, Mt Parker/Mt Matutum. Great for private parties (Tambler, Gen. Santos, +63-83-3040752) GGPick Taps & Mix - Healthy meals, relaxing atmosphere, eclectic crowd, affordable price 24-7 (Roxas East across NDDU campus, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5542846) [wi◦fi] GGPick Tricia’s The Coffee Pot & Tables - Meals, coffee and pastry, homey atmosphere, catering available (20 Champaca St, Gen. Santos, +63933-9411941) [wi◦fi] GGPick Euro Kitchen - European fare at Gensan prices, imported beers and wines served (1st Flr, Arcade 1, East Asia Royale Hotel, National Highway, Gen. Santos) Wanchin Dimsum Restaurant - Good food, great view of Plaza Heneral Santos (2nd Flr, Sydney Hotel, Gen. Santos, +63-83-5525479) [wi◦fi] GG V3N3

SarBay Fest Beach Wear

each fashion is incredibly exciting. Both the men and ladies get to experiment with outfits, and flaunt their sexy bodies. In Gumasa, as in Boracay, we see ladies walking around in bikinis. I love the fact that the ladies I saw at the Sarangani Bay Festival were dressed appropriately and fashionably for the beach. Hot babes and hunky men were all over the beach. Beach football and beach volleyball were played, the participants in matching boardshorts, tanks, and bikinis. Some ladies wearing maxi dresses, sheer dresses/tops, and ikini tops paired with denim daisy dukes. Probably half the people who went to SarBay were not from

Sarangani or Gensan. Most of the visitors were actually from Davao and Manila. Although the notion that locals are old-fashioned and conservative still pervades, through the years itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s slowly changing. Apart from dreadlocks, head bands, and face paints, the staple beach body design remains the henna tattoo, which

Clockwise from top: Feeling lady-like in pink straw hat and backless dress with high belt line, girly in aqua blouse and white shorts, seductive in maxi dress and foam, adventurous in bikini tops and various bottom options, sporty in beach volleyball gear, OR casual in off-shoulder sheer top and henna tattoo tip-off? Take your pick, or create your own style!

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Back2Back by Donna Mae Congson and Romarie Ivy Cunanan

is a huge hit at beach events such as the SarBay Fest. Comfort and color are the main attractions and requisites of beach fashion. Some choose to keep it simple with white sheer top, paired with denim shorts and white backless dress (to highlight the bikini underneath without exposing too much). This is actually

my style. We all have one! So come in your own at SarBay Fest 2013. Cheers!

Photo by Apple Greatson Francisco | Hair by Envy Me Salon | Makeup by Donna Mae Congson

Quiet Time at the Beach

efore the rainy season started, I planned a final beach blowout to enjoy the last days of summer. Some chose to attend head-banging beach parties but I decided to go to the beach on the weekdays where there were no big crowds and loud noises -just the sound of the waves -- to unwind and destress, and take things at a slower pace. What to pack on your quiet time at the beach? Your stylish swimsuits in the season’s hot prints: animal prints on one-piece vintage cut, abstact designs on colorful bikinis with graphic patterns, or girly florals on sexy cutouts or daring plunge.

Even in the scorching weather, it’s important to look hot by keeping cool and fresh. So I had full-body exfoliation: the best prep for a tan, as sloughing off dead skin gives off a more sun-kissed glow. I went to Horizon Spa for some serious

waxing, too. And just before sunbathing, I used an antiaging sunblock that’s easily absorbed by the skin. (Don’t forget big shades to protect the eyes from the sun’s rays!) Since I’m tall and skinny, I wore red bikinis with prints. (Use them to highlight and draw attention to your assets. Geometric figures give definition, making you look slimmer and slicker.) As gifted as I am with defined shoulder blades, halter bikinis really work. (Tieup bikinis for the hips are a plus as it’ll make your hips look wider.) And if you have curly hair like mine, no need to style it: it’s beautiful the way it is, let hung or tied up like a bun. I was so delighted to have the whole day beach-bumming with my man. We swam, sunbathed, pigged out, made sand castles, even set up a tent together! This was my fun and relaxing say-good-bye-to-summer bash, my very own version of a Hawaiian luau to celebrate the new memories I’ve made. If you keep your summer hassle-free and cool, you’ll be recharged. It’s guaranteed!

Experience the perfect blend of culinary delight, elegant ambience, and casual dining in just one setting... C Bistro is now open at Tiongson Arcade along Tiongson Street. Call us at +63905-3979955. GG V3N3

Movie addicts, raise your hand!

f you’re like me, chances are you watch a movie at the cinema at least once a week, and at least one movie every night on cable. That’s over 400 movies per year, more or less 800 hours of viewing time. And if you download and watch movies online from clandestine sites or buy pirated DVDs or both, neither of which I do, that’s even way more hours to burn. (Whether or not what you do is illegal is not my business here, but if you agree that we’re all movie addicts, then you agree that we need to get our fix any way we can. Still, the end doesn’t justify the means, sad to say.) But I digress. So just what is it that gets us hooked to movies unlike any other pastime? The actors we admire with whom we’ve grown together through the years?

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The stories that depict our lives and adventures, and those we can only dream of having? The world of wealth, beauty, places and pleasures -- endless possibilites -- that only films can deliver? Whatever need for stimulation or desire to escape our mundane existence that watching movies helps us achieve, the fact remains that it has become a basic part of life and living. “Life is absolute chaos,” Jason M. Hebert writes in his article The Human Fascination with Movies. “It’s a mess of successes, disappointments, emotions, confusion and events that bleed together in a seemingly endless and shapeless splatterboard that requires us to organize in our heads, always searching for true meanings and lessons learned, whereas movies organize the chaos

for us. They provide a similar version of what we experience in a neat little package with a beginning, middle and end that we can understand, follow and sort out. In real life, the camera does not stop rolling when the guy finally gets the girl...” That’s cutting it a tad seriously, however. Though I dig high-caliber films that move me emotionally and intellectually without any reference whatsover to my personal experiences and despite complete detachment, I also go for mindless ones that test the limits of fiction or play up longestablished cultural icons like comicbook superheroes, Greek mythology, and popular fiction. I just need my fill of all that action and effects and music and eye candy and what-have-you, and I want it regularly.

hich reminds me, The Dark Knight Rises and the Savages are coming, not with The Bourne Legacy, without Spider-Man either, but all set for the thrill. (Armando Nicolas P J)

opinionsCACHE

Pumping Gas

all their Worth Prices for

Can nations survive $5-a-gallon gas? By Donald Kaul

Fortunately, we have a slate of Republican presidential candidates angling to save us from this crisis. Why, Newt Gingrich alone has promised $2.50-per-gallon gas by next summer if he’s elected. Sure, that’s a big if, and he hasn’t let us in on how he’ll do it yet. But the common thread in Republican rescue plans is this: “Vote for me instead of Barack Obama.” Yes, surprisingly enough, Republicans have looked out on the sea of troubles that

tion have to conserve things? Not on your life. (Unless you count that gas rationing — along with meat, butter, and eggs — during World War II.) We patriotic Americans think that the way to happiness is drill, frack, strip mine, and clear-cut our way back to $2.50-a-gallon gas. Oh, and we need to do what it takes to go back to buying Cokes for a nickel too. And don’t tell me about global warming, that hoax perpetrated by 10 or 20,000 climate scientists who are trying to convince us that the earth is getting warmer. Don’t you know that it snowed in North Dakota just the other day? We global warming deniers have hundreds, or maybe that’s dozens, of scientists on our side saying: The earth isn’t getting warmer. If it is, it’s not our fault. And anyway, it’s good for you. So there. Everything is good. Or it will be as soon as we get rid of Barack Obama and his $5-a-gallon gas. (12 Mar 2012, OtherWords.org -- Columnist Donald Kaul lives in Ann Arbor, MI)

Five Bucks a Gallon, an OtherWords cartoon by Khalil Bendib

h my God. Gasoline is headed for five bucks a gallon. I read it in the newspaper, so I know it’s true. The national US average is already creeping up on $4, and it’s bound to climb higher as the summer surge in travel approaches. FIVE DOLLARS A GALLON! Oh the pain. The suffering. How will we survive? You know, they talk about the courage, fortitude, and resolve of the Greatest Generation, the cohort that came of age in the 1930s and ‘40s and overcame great obstacles to make the United States into Fat City. And in truth they had a lot to deal with — World War II, the Great Depression, polio epidemics, manual transmissions — but they never had to put up with $5 gas. If they had, history might have told a very different story. Could the Greatest Generation have pulled out of the Depression in time to conquer the Nazis, subdue the Japanese, and rebuild Europe if they’d been saddled with $5 gas? Could it have funded the GI bill or established a nationwide system of hospitals to deal specifically with military veterans and their problems? Could it have invented the computer or Instant Replay? No. They’d have spent all of their time and money lining up at gas stations to buy gas at five dollars a gallon! They wouldn’t have been so great if they’d had our problems.

confront us and decided that it’s all Obama’s fault. They say he’s rejected every single plan to increase our oil and gas production. Drilling in the Arctic wilderness? Building a pipeline from Canada down through the United States? Lifting job-killing regulations aimed at preventing oil spills in the Gulf of Mexico? Obama has been against (or kind of against) them all. He, of course, claims that the rising gas prices aren’t his fault. He says that as the recession improves, demand for oil and gas increases, driving up the price. Why, Obama even advocates conservation. Can you believe that? The man will stop at nothing. He and the wimpy environmentalists around him want us to use less oil and gas. They go so far as to suggest we travel on buses and trains. Well, you listen up, Mr. Obama, and you listen up good. We are Americans and we do not believe in buses and trains, which if I’m not mistaken are Communist ideas that originated in Europe. Did the Greatest Genera-

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postSCRIPT

orldweary souls like a growing number of us, perhaps even you, bemoan the demise of peace and quiet, and the end of silence as we now it. The era of the noisy world is here, and whether you like it or not, it’s only going to get worse. Everywhere, it seems, everyone is getting desperate to say something and shout it out loud to be heard, too. Everybody now seems to have an agenda, and by all means they’re not keeping it to themselves. The digital age has empowered millions to say their piece aggressively and

by Armando Nicolas PJ at the slighest opportunity -- often without any merit or purpose higher than selfindulgent rant. All of a sudden, people from all over the world have found a voice, one that tends to be overused/ misused/abused. Suddenly individuals and groups from all sides have a venue for their hate and prejudice, a platform to carry out their one-sided, if not altogether cruel campaign -- including the ignorant teenagers who claimed notoriety for posting their bigoted tirade on YouTube. Of course, not all the noise are garbage. Sifting through all the muck (a most daunting task), we

o placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. •••

Speak your truth quietly and clearly... •••

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexations to the spirit. From Desiderata by Max Ehrmann (1872-1945)

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A Noisy

World

can still hear the truths that really matter. Several blogs and citizen reports exposing child prostitution and human trafficking have given victims an undeniable face, an alternative future even. Truths about civilian conflicts and military atrocities perpetrated in troubled states have also come to light, thanks in big part to voices that would have been unheard (and unheard of) 20 or more years ago. This is the noise that bears merit,

one that benefits many, alleviates suffering, and promotes truth and justice.

eanwhile our friends tweet about their party boo-boos from the night before and this morning’s breakfast platter, complete with inane photos via Instagram and ramblings about how humbled or happy or hungry they were. Really, who are we to shut our ears?

urn away from the crowd and its fruitless pursuit of fame and gold.

All great achievements come from working and waiting. Be patient.

Lay aside your heavy load and rest until your heart is still. Be at peace.

Above all, remember that very little is needed to make a happy life.

•••

Concentrate your energy. To be everywhere is to be nowhere.

•••

From Credenda (in The Gift of Acabar) by Og Mandino (19231996)

acuteEYE

THE

GUEST PHOTO BY ARMANDO NICOLAS PJ

L-HDIM SQUARE is one of the highlights of MeknĂ¨s, Morocco. Around here local musicians, passers-by, story-tellers, traditional medicine doctors, snake charmers, and other local characters are sure to catch your attention. (No staring please!) Showmen abound to entertain not the foreign visitor, but local people mostly. This photo was taken just as we were leaving a cafĂŠ with a balcony view of Place El-Hdim, and before stepping out of the fine establishment into the main street leading to the world-famous square.

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u TAPSIX &M

Hi Alice, It was great seeing you again... Our last holiday was a real blast! J Thank you for letting me in on this cool site called VisitFilipinas. com -- it sure made booking rooms and tickets so much easier & worry-free. I hope we can do this again soon...

YYY Jamie

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