General Santos City

General Santos City: A Trip to Nature

General Santos City, which the locals customarily call Gensan, is a city in the southern Philippines. It is located in the island of Mindanao and is within the South Cotabato province. Northwest of Gensan is Cebu City and to its northeast is Davao, two popular destinations in the southern Philippines.

The city began with only 62 pioneers from the island Luzon cultivating the lands in Cotabato led by General Paulino Santos. After this settlement was established came migrants from other major islands like Luzon and the Visayas. The territory became a municipality in 1948 and gained its status as a city in 1968.

Gensan's agriculture sector and fishing industry are quite strong. The strong agricultural sector growth can be attributed to the typhoon-free weather the city enjoys. The city also enjoys good rainfall, much to the advantage of local farmers. Major produce here include pineapples, rice, asparagus, corn, coconuts, exotic fruits, vegetables, and fruits.

Other than a strong agricultural sector, the fishing industry is also strong in General Santos City thus making Gensan the Philippines' tuna capital. There is a top of the line Fishport Complex, which also houses refrigeration facilities. Tuna exporting is a big business in Gensan and tuna fish is the city's biggest export. This industry contributes more than 50% to the city's economy.

The Gensan Climate

The people of General Santos City enjoy a storm-free weather year in and year out. However, there is still a notable dry and wet season in this region. The best time to visit Gensan is from November to May during the dry season. The wet season, marked by tropical rainfall, is from June to October.

The temperature ranges in the city from 28 degrees Celsius to 36 degrees Celsius. Nevertheless, since the city is situated away from the Philippines' typhoon belt, visitors can still enjoy great weather here in spite of occasional tropical rains during the wet season.

The Gensan Tuna Festival

Among the many festivals the city celebrates every year, the Tuna Festival is probably its biggest and most popular one every year. August is a fun and colorful month for the people of General Santos City due to the Tuna Festival celebrations. Highlights of the festivities include culinary competitions, parades, street parties, ceremonial awards, pageants, and float competitions.

Where to Stay in Gensan

You'll find a lot of different accommodations in General Santos City. Hotels here generally offer today's modern amenities. The smart traveler, however, should check out or call several hotels and other establishments just to be sure. You'll find that there are accommodations in the city that will suit your taste and/or fits your budget.

Some notable hotels in General Santos City include Anchor Hotel right along Santiago Boulevard, Phela Grande Hotel, which along President Quirino Avenue, Sydney Hotel on Pendatun Avenue, East Asia Royale Hotel on National Highway, and Family Country Hotel on the DBP Compound. Another interesting place you might like to check out is Isla Parilla Resort Hotel, which is just 15 minutes from downtown Gensan. This resort slash hotel has a bit of a rustic feel with huts/cottages on stilts.

Where to Eat in Gensan

Like most cities in the Philippines, you'll find the popular fast food restaurants in General Santos City as well. If you want to stay away from all that and try the genuine Gensan taste and flavors then there are several food houses and restaurants that serve a variety of cuisine.

If you are craving for something Japanese then try Ni-Mosho-Be, chicken cravings are satisfied in Chickenhauz on South Osmeña, Nana Beth Fastfood House serves everything Filipino, Bee Stop Restaurant is also another chicken place, Fagioli is the place to take a coffee break. In case you're looking for great steaks try Ranchero Grill or Cotton Bowl. If you want Chinese food then you either run off to Orient Seas or Rosewood Palace.

Something Fishy in General Santos City

If there is something fishy going on in Gensan it could be something good. Great weather, industrial heritage, and strong industries are enough reasons to warrant a visit here.

General Santos City is one the of the cities of the Philippines located in Mindanao. A fortress of modern yet solemn amenities endowed with breathtaking beauty and culture. It lies in the southern part of the country. Just like the city of Davao, Gen.San is a well known typhoon-free climate land area. The city is home to the best tuna fish in the Philippines. They account that largest daily total of fish landings and the number producer of the finest sashimi tuna. The residents of General Santos city is proud to say that seafoods are fresher when it comes from their beloved city.

Known as the Tuna City, resident pamper their visitors with tons of fresh tuna and other seafood delights which then gave birth to a lot of eating institutions. The city is packed with several food establishments catering Mindanaoan foods and delicacies. Most of them serve freshly catch seafoods and straight from the harvest agricultural products. In return to this abundant seafood blessing, General Santos celebrates the Tuna Festival. Residents come up with various Tuna Float as part of the festival. Aside from the tuna festival, the city also celebrates the Kalilangan Festival. This festival is a display of amenities and artistic aspects of socialization. This is in fact a noble tradition for the people of Gen San, in which they represent their rich heritage in culture that remained in every generation.

SOCSKSARGEN is the window to an enthralling trip to nature. It is composed of three provinces; the South Cotabato province, Sultan Kudarat Province, and Sarangani Province. General Santos

is the take off point to this nature trip. There provinces offers a perfectly landscaped coastlines which is great for swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling and other water activity. It has a pristine marine life. South Cotabato is rich is inactive volcanoes and verdant mountains. A great hub for nature tripping. Mountain lakes, springs, caves and waterfalls can also be found in the province.

One noble eco-tourism destination in General Santos City is Kalaja Karsts Land, derived from the word “kalaha”, literally means a frying pot. The place is surrounded by karsts formation that was carved million of years ago, which has now produces caves and waterfalls. During the world war II, the Japanese colonies made this land their ground defenses which is why there where pieces of artifacts from the Japanese that were found in the place. Tunnels did exist during the early years but they are now unavailable due to some developments in the place.

General Santos General Tourist Information

General Santos City, or simply GenSan, has gained prominence, not just in Region XII but in the entire country for being on the cutting edge in terms of economic stability, growth and tourism potential. Through the efforts of its citizens, the city has gained a reputation as being business and tourist friendly.

Geography in General Santos City - Philippines

General Santos City is located in South Cotabato, in the regions of Mindanao. The city is rich in fertile agricultural land, which comprises 32.63% of the citys total land area of 490 sq. km. or 180 sq. miles.

Geographical Coordinates

The city is situated at 6º7 North Latitude and 125º10 East Latitude. It is located southeast of Manila, southeast of Cebu and southwest of Davao. It is also directly located at the head of the Sarangani Bay, which is part of the Celebes Sea, giving the city its rich resources for the fishing industry here; which is a major player in General Santos Citys economy.

Its geographical location is likewise marked by Sarangani Provinces Alabel, Malungon and Maasim barangays; and South Cotabatos Polomok and Tboli barangays; which border General Santos City.

Geographu and Economy

With the citys tactical geographic location, General Santos City is a strong player in the economic growth areas of SOCSKARGEN an economic collusion among the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City.

Furthermore, General Santos Citys geography likewise gives the city good trading access to market traders from other countries: Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and other Asian countries.

Due to its location at the southern shores of Mindanao, General Santos City is outside the typhoon belt; which gives it just the right amount of rainfall each year, making its soil fertile for agriculture.

This being said, the citys geography can also be attributed to its reputation as being a top producer in the country of corn, coconut, copra, pineapple, asparagus and rice; not to mention, producer of top-grade tuna, which they boast you couldnt find anywhere else in the Philippines.

Municipalities

With its total land area of 180 sq. m. as previously mentioned, General Santos City is comprised of twenty-six municipalities, in alphabetical order: Apopong, Baluan, Batomelong, Buayan, Bula, Calumpang, City Heights, Conel, Dadiangas East, Dadiangas North, Dadiangas West, Dadiangas South and Fatima.

The other thirteen municipalities are: Katangawan, Labangal, Lagao (1st and 3rd), Ligaya, Mabuhay, Olympog, San Isidro (Lagao 2nd), San Jose, Siguel, Sinawal, Tambler, Tinagacan, and Upper Labay.

A good number of these barangays are surrounded by magnificent beaches, which are a huge part in the citys tourism industry; picturesque landscapes; magnificent mountains and rich forests.

Finally, its geography give the city its share of rich flora and fauna; which most tourists can see when they visit the forests here. You may even come across a few of the Philippines tarsiers hanging in trees.

Climate in General Santos City - Philippines

For travelers wanting to visit General Santos City, two considerations to think of when planning for your trip are the Climate and weather conditions prevailing in the city during your time of visit.

These will help you not only pack appropriate clothing for the Climate during your time of visit, but also plan your trip around the time that both of these factors will be favorable.

General Climate

General Santos City enjoys a fairly favorable Climate throughout the year, with temperatures ranging from 28 degrees Celsius to 36 degrees Celsius. Average rainfall during the wet season is somewhere between 11 inches up to 20 inches.

Being outside the typhoon belt however, the city likewise enjoys fairly good weather all throughout the year. While the city does experience rainy weather, it is not as strong or tumultuous as the storms being experienced by the rest of the country.

This being said, travelers visiting General Santos City will enjoy great weather almost all the time.

Best Time To Visit

On the other hand, it is best to know when the wet season is in the city so travelers can plan their trips to General Santos City during the dry season, which is ideal for enjoying more of the city; particularly its beaches.

Wet season here begins some time in June and lasts all the way to October. Dry season is from November until May. Summers in the country usually start at the end of March and last until the end of May; these months are usually the best time to holiday in General Santos City.

Climate And Economy

The favorable Climate condition all year-round contributes greatly to the growing economy of the city; making fishing conditions favorable, since the fishing industry here is among the biggest contributors to the countrys fish exports.

Moreover, the favorable Climate likewise plays a huge role in the growing tourism industry in General Santos City; making the city more inviting because of the promise of good weather during peak season, and even off-peak season.

For travelers wishing to enjoy their favorite water sports like diving and snorkeling; they are advised that the best time to visit is during the dry season where the waters are calm and visibility is relatively clear.

On the other hand, for those who enjoy a cooler Climate, November and December are ideal; not only are these the coolest months in the city; there are also enough holiday festivities in town to keep you entertained.

Natural Resources

The geographical location of the city, like Davao, makes it an ideal place for planting and sowing crops. With 30% of the land ripe for agriculture, General Santos has become very competitive in the production of prime commodities. Among its numerous products are rice, corn asparagus, okra, and an assortment of export quality

fruits and vegetables.

Economic Infrastructure

A sound infrastructure is needed for any city to attract investors, and General Santos excels in this department. Basic necessities, like power and water are provided for by the Napocor (National Power Corporation) and the GSC Water District, respectively. The transport sector has also been well established. The General Santos International Airport is the most modern in Mindanao. With a runway over 9,000 feet long, it is more than capable of

handling the largest passenger airlines.

The Makar Wharf, on the other hand, is regarded as the finest in the region, if not the country. With a 2,400 ft. docking length, and about 63 ft. wide, it has become the primary shipping port, and is always busy with ships transporting goods and cargo. Through the Pan-Philippine Highway, General Santos is no considered as a gateway city to all parts of Mindanao, and also linking it with the other cities in the country.

These elements have combined to make one of the most economically vibrant cities. All the institutions that one would expect in a first class city that one expects, like banks, universities, government offices, etc. can be found throughout the city.

Tourism in General Santos City - Philippines

General Santos City is a thriving municipality in the southern regions of the Philippines that boasts of having beautiful landscapes, picturesque sceneries, crystal-clear waters of beaches, mouth-watering culinary treats and historical sites that offer a brief glimpse into the citys colorful past.

Tourism is a major driving-force of the citys economy and the many exciting tourist destinations in the city provide travelers with a good number of outdoor recreational activities to enjoy all year-round.

Tourists, especially first-time visitors, are encouraged to stay for at least a couple of days to give ample time to explore the city.

Things to See And Do

Kalaja Karsts

Topmost in the citys Tourism destinations is the Kalaja Karsts located just fifteen kilometers off the northeastern section of General Santos City, in the locality of Conel. Guests can behold the breathtaking views of the falls and caves found within the Kalaja Karsts area.

The Kalaja Cave, Bunga Spring and the Malakong Gorge are part of the Kalaja Karsts Eco-Tourism area. Camping grounds along the Bunga Spring and Malakong Gorge are open for all visitors.

Nopol Hills

Another major Tourism destination in General Santos City is the Nopol Hills, bordering the localities of Conel and Mabuhay, about thirty minutes from Kalaja Karsts. Here, guests can take advantage of the campsite, considered as the highest camping ground in the city; giving an excellent vista of the waters of Sarangani Bay and parts of Couth Cotabato, which General Santos City is a part of.

General Paulino Santos Museum Foundation, Inc.

This museum houses memorabilia of the citys pioneer, from whom General Santos City derived its name. A visit to the museum will also give guests a brief glimpse of the citys rich

history, with relics, artifacts, and a display of the native costumes of the Tbolis.

Parks

There are two public parks in General Santos City, also part of the citys Tourism hotspot: Carlos P. Garcia Park and Freedom Park. These parks play a major role during the celebration of the citys many festivals.

Travelers can also view the beautiful plant and flower gardens in these parks, while going on a leisurely stroll.

Beaches

Travelers should not leave General Santos City without visiting some of the citys most amazing beaches.

London Beach Resort, Tboli Beach Resort, and the Rajah Beach Resort are only some of the beaches found in the city, but the most popular beach among tourists is the Maharlika Beach Resort, where a freshwater pool along the shore provides a spectacular place to swim.

These Tourism destinations are ideal for a number of water sports such as diving and snorkeling.

Annual festivities and celebrations, fine local and international cuisines, the tuna industry in the city and most importantly; the warm and friendly welcome of the locals, all play a major role in the citys Tourism industry.

Language in General Santos City - Philippines

For foreign travelers visiting General Santos City, a major consideration is the Language being used in the city. While General Santos City boasts of many wonderful tourist destinations, the communication gap could get in the way at least this is what tourists who havent gone to the city might think.

On the contrary however, General Santos City is an English-speaking city; with this Language being the main instructional language in schools, colleges and universities here.

Common Languages/Dialects

Everyday Language in the city is Cebuano; it is a predominantly Cebuano-speaking community but other Philippine languages are also used here such as Ilonggo or Hiligaynon and the national language, Filipino, but Filipino here is based on the Tagalog dialect so you may find a very slight difference on occasion.

Other ethnic languages may also be heard from time to time, although on rare occasions only.

In some parts of General Santos City, Ilokano is also used a native dialect in the mountain regions of Northern Luzon.

Do not be surprised if, as you travel around General Santos City, you will find people speaking any of these languages from one place to the next. Cebuano is the native Language in the Visayas region which has also found its way to General Santos City.

The reason for this is that a number of people from other regions in the country migrated to the Mindanao region, in particular, General Santos City, thus giving the city its diversity in Language usage.

On the other hand, since English is likewise widely-used, foreign travelers will not have a hard time communicating with the locals through this Language.

Spoken English In Major Districts

Foreign travelers will find that major tourist destinations around General Santos City adopt the English Language as their major means of communications for foreigners.

Accommodations such as hotels, pension houses, lodges and resorts have an English-speaking staff to be able to properly communicate with foreign visitors. Restaurants, coffee shops, clubs, sports facilities and other business establishments in and around the central business district of the city also use the English Language.

Foreign visitors are assured that the whole community of General Santos City at least has a basic knowledge of conversational English for easy communications. From the airport, bus depots to ports, all the way to your accommodations; conversing in the English Language with the locals will not be a problem.

This being said, the peoples ability to speak the English Language has likewise greatly contributed to the booming tourism industry of the city.

People and Population in General Santos City - Philippines

General Santos Citys People and Population contribute largely to the citys economy and workforce, whereby most of the people who were born and raised here opted to stay put and make a living from the fishing industry, among other fields.

Back in 2000, the citys People and Population were calculated at 411, 822 persons and this number reached a significant high by the time statistics were taken in 2007.

2007 Population

As of August 2007, the citys People and Population data showed an increase of 117, 720 persons, jumping to 529, 542 persons from 2000s last population count. Percentage of population growth was pegged at an average of 3.53% for the periods covering the years 2000 up to 2007.

Out of all the local communities belonging to the city, Calumpang registered the most number of people, with 67, 832 persons or 12.8% of the citys total population/

From households numbering to 86, 595 in 2000, this saw an increase of 25, 332 in 2007; making the number of households as of last data input, to 111, 927. The average number of persons per household remained the same however, at 4.7 heads per household for the periods of 2000 up to 2007.

Out of these numbers, there were more men than women at 50.5% for men and 49.5% for women. Median age is 21 years old, a year older than 2000s median age of 20 years old.

34.9% were persons under 15 years of age; where children 5 years and below took up most of the percentage, at 12.4%. While 11.8% were between the ages of 15 and 19.

An important note here for the citys People and Population is that 58.1% of the total population was of the voting age, from 18 years old and above.

People

General Santos Citys People and Population are called Generals. The Generals are known for their fun-loving nature, as is evident in the numerous festivities celebrated each year and where everyone participates in.

They are also very warm and friendly towards tourists exploring their city, always ready to extend a helping hand and oftentimes going out of their way to help someone in need of assistance.

The Generals are also known for being neighborly. It is common to see neighbors walking up to each others houses to offer food and often to chat-up the neighbors on free afternoons.

A large influence on the People and Population of General Santos City is religion. Most of the people here are practicing Roman Catholics, while a good number are also Protestants and Muslims.

History of General Santos City - Philippines

Remembering the Time

After getting a go signal from the National Land Settlement Administration way back the late 1930's, General Paulino Santos spearheaded the largest and first group of settlers to the beaches of Sarangani Bay. These pioneers (mostly locals from Luzon) plowed and cultivated their new luscious land diligently. Since then, influxes of locals from Visayas and Luzon Islands journeyed to this land and decided to settle for good. This movement or development had forces the native of the place (the B'laan) to migrate to the mountains. These nomadic locals had eventually changed their way of living as the new settlers boomed and continue to develop the place. Though the B'laans were ousted from their own land, they lived harmoniously with the new

settlers with the help of the RA (Republic Act) 8371 which upheld the rights of these indigenous settlers.

Republic Act 82

At the dawn of the New Year in 1948, Buayan District (native name of the place) had been considered as a municipality under RA No.82. Irineo I. Santiago, a NLSA Hospital Administrator, had been hailed as its first mayor. Polomok, Malungon, Malapatan, Glan and Alabel were the province of South Cotabato that had been included under the jurisdiction of Buayan District. The autonomy of this district also comprised of the present municipalities of Sarangani.

Republic Act 1107: The place called 'General Santos'

In June 1954, almost six years of being a municipality, in tribute for its founder, the place was renamed as 'General Santos'. This development had been made possible by Republic Act No.1107 credited to Luminog Mangelen, a Cotabato Province legislator. Since then, the place experienced economic and commercial upsurge as multinational and local companies made use of the municipality's raw materials that upgraded it as a fourth class city. During the period of economic rush, there was a movement to change to name to Rajah Buayan, but the settlers rejected the proposition.

Republic Act 5412: General Santos City

The late Representative James L. Chiongbian authored the Republic Act No.5412 which proposed the province of General Santos to be upgraded as a city. Upon the bill's approval in July, 1968, General Santos was recognized as city as it maintained its name. The newly converted city was instated in the month of September on the same year and Antonio C. Acaron was hailed as its first mayor. For the next twenty years, stability had defined its economic drive and in 1988, General Santos City was considered to be one of the Philippines' highly urbanized cities.

A Renowned Fish Place Today

Nowadays, General Santos City in the Philippines is considered to be the Tuna Capital of the country. It is located at the southern part of the Philippines in the territory of South Cotabato to be exact. It is considered to be one of the densely inhabited metropolitan in the Philippines having a population of more than half a million way back 2007. As its moniker goes, it is the Philippines leading manufacturer of sashimi grade tuna. Aside from the rice marine resources the city has, General Santos City is also one of the largest producers of rice, asparagus, pineapple, copra, coconuts and corn. GenSan (as fondly called by some locals) had been a recipient of the 'Most Competitive City' award in the Philippines for numerous times since 1999 to 2007.

Entertainment

General Santos has become a big draw for tourists for several reasons. Those who like to experience the best of modern life can get it with shopping malls, movie houses, restaurants and a wide range of hotels and inns.

Those who want to get a glimpse of the culture and history should look no further than its various festivals, which tell the story of the city and province through colorful parades and dances. There are also several landmarks such as the tunnels, waterfalls and camping grounds.

Money - ATMs - Money Changers in General Santos - Philippines

For foreigners traveling to General Santos City either for business or pleasure, you will find that this city is a modern place with all the facilities that you will be needing for your holiday in town.

From comfortable accommodations to restaurants including some of the countrys popular fast food chains; to banks for your Money transactions everything you could ever need to make your stay in the city as convenient as possible, are all found here.

Cash Transactions

Travelers visiting General Santos City for the first time are advised to bring just enough Money for your holiday. Since most establishments in the city accept credit card payments, you will not have a hard time paying for your accommodations or your meals in the fancier restaurants in town.

If you need to have your own currencies exchanged to Philippine Peso, there are a number of Money Changers in General Santos City that you can go to. These are usually found in the central business district of the city and there is one that you can find right in Matutum Hotel.

You will find that the locals in General Santos City are very helpful and they can likewise point you to good Money Changers around town.

Travelers are likewise advised to carry Money in small denominations of 100, 200 and 500 at the most.

ATMs

For ATM transactions, there are several banks operating nationwide that are located in General Santos City. These banks have their own ATMs right inside or alongside their branches as well as several other satellite ATMs spread out across the city, within the central business district.

Among the banks in General Santos City that have ATMs in town are the following:

Development Bank of the Philippines located along Roxas Avenue and this bank has 2 ATMs: one within the branch and one in KCC Mall along J. Catolico Avenue.

Security Bank along Irineo Santiago Boulevard in Lagao, with an

on-site ATM

Union Bank of the Philippines at the Laiz Building and at the Union Bank Building both along Pioneer Avenue

Bank of the Philippine Islands at the BPI Building along Pioneer Avenue and two other ATMs along Santiago Boulevard and J. Catolico Avenue

Travelers are advised that travellers cheques are usually not accepted in most establishments including hotels, inns and pension houses. However, most hotels in the city accept payments in US dollars.

On the other hand, foreign travelers visiting General Santos City wont have a hard time exchanging their currencies to Philippine Peso or withdrawing through ATMs since there are several of these found in key locations around the city.

Internet Providers in General Santos City - Philippines

General Santos City is regarded as a first-class city in the region of Mindanao and its steady economic growth has contributed greatly to this reputation. In keeping abreast with the changing times and the technological advancements in the field of communications, Internet Providers and telecommunications companies have made their presence felt here, by providing top-of-the-line internet services and mobile communications infrastructure.

With the strong presence of Internet Providers in General Santos City, businesses have also started booming here, taking advantage of this communications and business tool to advance in their industries.

Internet Providers Companies

The Philippines has a good number of telecommunications and internet service providers, which are mostly based in Manila, but which have now found their way to General Santos City to provide the latest and the best internet services to the city.

These Internet Providers include the following: PLDT/PilTel, Bayantel, Smart Communications, Globe Telecoms, Inc., Sun Cellular Inc., and Mozcom/Omnitronics.

These Internet Providers offer the following services: Dial-Up, Digital Subscriber Line or DSL, Broadband, Voice Over Internet Protocol or VOIP, and mobile internet access; among others.

Internet Providers in General Santos City give high-speed, quality internet access for residential subscribers as well as businesses; whether small, medium or large enterprises.

Whatever type of internet access you wish to have while in the city, you can definitely find one that will suit your requirements.

General Santos City WI-FI Hotspots

Tourists will find that most areas in the central business district of the city have internet access via wi-fi technology. Hotels, inns, hostels and even resorts also offer free internet access through the same wi-fi technology, for all their guests.

This is a convenient facility that most tourists and business travelers visiting General Santos City can take advantage of, to keep in touch with their home offices or home countries.

A number of restaurants and coffee shops around the city also offer free wi-fi internet access to all their customers all year-round.

These wi-fi hotspots and other internet accesses contribute to the growing tourism industry in the city.

To date, the abovementioned Internet Providers are the major companies offering internet services to residents and businesses here; although there are a few small businesses as well that are affiliated with these Internet Providers that offer the same internet services to the city.

With internet access being readily available in the city, tourists wont have a problem anymore communicating through internet protocol and doing business transactions even while theyre on holiday in General Santos City.

Visa for Foreign Tourists in General Santos - Philippines

For foreign travelers wishing to visit the Philippines, a Tourist Visa may be required in order to be allowed entry into the country. A Visa for Foreign Tourists may be obtained from the Philippine Embassy office located in your country, provided that all requirements are met and applicable fees are paid in full.

On the other hand, there are several foreign visitors allowed to travel to the Philippines, whether for business or tourism, for as long as their stay does not exceed 21 days and they can present a valid return ticket for their trip home.

Countries Allowed Entry Without a Tourist Visa

If you are traveling to the Philippines and are a citizen of any of the following countries, you may be allowed to enter and stay for 21 days:

Argentina

Australia

Bahamas

Bahrain

Brunei Darussalam

Cambodia

Chile Colombia

Denmark

El Salvador

Fiji

France

Germany

Greece

Iceland

Japan

Sweden

Switzerland

USA

These are only a fraction of the list of countries allowed to visit the Philippines without a Visa for Foreign Tourists, good for 21 days.

On the other hand, holders of a valid Brazil passport or an Israel passport may also be allowed entry to the country without a Visa for Foreign Tourists, provided that the stay does not exceed 59 days.

For travelers visiting the Philippines not exceeding 7 days, the following are allowed entry without a Tourist Visa: holder of a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport; British national Overseas passport; Portuguese passport issued in Macao and Macau Special Administrative Region passport.

Tourist Visa Application

For travelers required to obtain a Visa for Foreign Tourists, the following requirements are needed:

Tourist Visa Application F.A. Form 2; completely filled-out and answered as accurately as possible

Valid Original Passport; good for at least 6 months beyond the intended period of stay

1 2 x 2 photo taken not more than 6 months prior to the application

Photocopy of applicants ticket or confirmed travel itinerary

Proof of financial capacity i.e. travelers cheques, bank statements, ownership of real estate properties

For applicants who cannot personally appear before the Consular Office, the application form must be duly notarized by a local

Notary Public

Payment of Visa Application Fees

For travelers already in General Santos City, with a valid Visa for Foreign Tourists, who wish to extend their stay; you may visit the local Bureau of Immigration Office at 2nd Fl., Arcade II East Asia Royale Hotel, National Highway, General Santos City.

For more information on Visa for Foreign Tourists, you may visit http://www.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2000159&Itemid=40. Forms may be downloaded from: http://immigration.gov.ph//index.php?option=com_docman&Itemid=99.

Visa Extensions in General Santos - Philippines

Foreigners visiting the Philippines, in particular General Santos City, may obtain an entry and exit visa good for 21 days. In technical terms however, this is actually not a visa but a permit to visit for a limited 21 days.

This visit permit officially becomes a Tourist Visa once travelers apply for Visa Extensions, good up to 38 days. After the first 59 days of the visas validity period, travelers may once again apply for Visa Extensions.

Where to Get a Visit Permit and Visa

The initial 21 days of visit permit may be acquired directly once visitors arrive at the airport or port. The 38-day Visa Extensions may also be immediately obtained from these locations.

For travelers already in General Santos City, an Immigration Office is available in the city for Visa Extensions. The Bureau of Immigration Office in General Santos City can be located at the second floor of the Arcade II East Asia Building, Royal Hotel, National Highway.

Person in charge of the office is Atty. Ernesto Hechanova Mercado; with contact numbers (083) 552 3442 and 0917 714 1337.

Fees

For the first 38 days of extension, travelers are required to pay the following fees:

Visa Waiver Php 500.00

Visa Waiver Application Fee Php 1, 000.00

Certification Fee Php 500. 00

Express Fee for Certification Php 500.00

Express Fee for Processing Php 500.00

Legal Research Fee for each item Php 10.00

Visa Extensions after the initial 59 days:

Each month of extension Php 500.00

Penalty for overstaying for each month or a fraction thereof Php 500.00

Application Fee for every 2 months of non-restricted visa Php 300.00

Application Fee for every month of restricted visa Php 300.00

Alien Certificate of Registration for Adults 14 y.o and up Php 1, 000.00

Alien Certificate of Registration for Minors below 14 y.o Php 500.00

Re-issuance of ACR for 2nd entry onwards: Adults Php 250.00, Minors Php 150.00

Head Tax for travelers over 16 years of age Php 250.00

Certification Fee Php 500.00


Express Fee for Processing Php 500.00

Emigration Clearance Certificate Fee Php 700.00

Certificate of Exemption for below 14 y.o. Php 200.00


Visa Extensions after 6 months of stay:

For each month of extension Php 500.00

Certificate of Residence as a Temporary Visitor Php 1, 400.00

Application Fee for Regular Emigration Clearance Certificate Php 700.00

Certification Fee Php 500.00


Express fee for Processing Php 500.00


Travelers are reminded to dress appropriately in order to be allowed entry inside the Immigration Office and obtain the necessary Visa Extensions in order to be allowed to stay in the country.

Electricity in General Santos City - Philippines

Electricity in General Santos City is solely provided by SOCOTECO

II or South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative, Inc. It covers the SoCSarGen areas of South Cotabato, Sarangani and General Santos City.

SOCOTECO II provides Electricity to all the barangays of General Santos City and ensures that every household and business establishment enjoy the full benefits of a reliable electrical power, with as little power interruptions as possible.

This being said, foreign travelers visiting General Santos City are assured that Electricity is available throughout the city, thus ensuring that accommodations, dining and business establishments like banks and other such places are all electrically-powered for your convenience.

Overview of SOCOTECO II

SOCOTECO II was established to provide Electricity to the SoCSarGen area which, as mentioned, includes General Santos City; way back in 1977. The city is actually a key coverage area of SOCOTECO II, with the city being considered as the Tuna Capital of the Philippines; and with thriving industries here, SOCOTECO II has made it possible for all establishments in the city to operate in an efficient and timely manner by providing Electricity to run machineries, office equipment and tools, and advance in the progress and modernization of the city.

The cooperative has likewise been instrumental in keeping the city abreast with the latest technology in communications by providing efficient Electricity to power communications infrastructure in the ICT field.

SOCOTECO II and The Tourism Industry

Moreover, SOCOTECO II has made it possible for the tourism industry of General Santos City to thrive even further by giving Electricity to accommodations in the city, which are a huge part of tourism here.

This means that guests can enjoy all the modern amenities and facilities to make your stay comfortable and convenient. The supply of hot-water showers, the use of TVs, refrigerators and secretarial services such as fax services among other things, are all made possible through the Electricity amply supplied in the city.

While the city did go through rotating brown-outs, which was experienced by the whole country at one point, SOCOTECO II made sure that all the affected areas are informed ahead of time to help them prepare for the scheduled power outages.

This responsible information dissemination has enabled affected areas, especially business establishments to act in a timely manner to avoid any hassles in their transactions.

All in all, foreign travelers visiting General Santos City will enjoy a good stay in the city and are assured that there is ample supply of Electricity throughout the city.

General Santos Diving

General Santos in South Cotabato is not short of tourist attractions and historical landmarks. But unbeknownst to most tourists, there are several outstanding diving sites in the vicinity of the city. Some of them are scattered at various points throughout the province but are within easy reach.

Several of the diving sites in General Santos, South Cotabato can be found in Sarangani Bay. Although no longer a part of the province, it is nevertheless still the place to go to experience some good diving.

Rocky Beach

Rocky Beach, just near the Sandbar, is a nice alternative for beginners, because you do not have to go in too deep to get a view of the corals and fish beneath.

It will only take a few meters and you will be able to see several types of the aforementioned coral reefs, mostly the hard variants. An assortment of reef fish can be found in the vicinity of this General Santos diving site, swimming along with the current.

Takot Maasim

There are several other dive sites near Sarangani Bay, and Takot Maasim, while not one of the most well known, is well worth the 45 minute boat ride.

The currents in this dive site can range from moderate to heavy, depending on the weather. In the waters, you can find several types of fish, including a plethora of rays and Trigger Fish.

Kapatan Reef

Gensan is known to locals and visitors to hold some of the best places for diving, swimming, snorkeling, or just hanging around and enjoying the sea water and warm heat of the sun. That is why diving in General Santos wouldn’t be complete if you haven’t visited one of its best private diving sites known as the Kapatan Reef. This private reef serves as the favored home of Sarangani Divers or those who choose to visit Gensan and stay for more than a day. Since it is a privately-owned place, the owners see to it that it is kept clean and safely protected through the years. Some of the diverse marine life that captures the attention of many divers are the giant clams or interesting snappers that live in its waters. But don’t go rushing to the place without permission. It is recommended that you first seek permission from the owners to let you use the area.

Read more about Kapatan Reef...

Kabog Marine Reserve

If you are one of those people who are totally fascinated with live turtles, you may want to take a visit to Kabog Marine Reserve. Turtles can be usually seen in this place. Going to this reserve makes diving in General Santos a most interesting thing to do.

This reserve remains protected eversince it had a major main damage to the area. Aside from turtles, beautiful corals and various fishes can also be seen. One of its must-see spots is the Zillion Fish Rock where you can see a lot of small fishes.

Read more about Kabog Marine Reserve...

Petron Pier

Petron Pier is one of the relatively new dive sites in General Santos City. Like most of the major dive sites you can find in the borders of the city, this one is also located in the rich Sarangani Bay. You get to Petron Pier from Tambler in General Santos.

Since this dive site is quite a bit young, just about two years or so, you shouldn’t expect it to be as good as the top notch dive sites of the bay area. However, if you’re a diver who is curious how life begins in such deep solemn waters then feel free to explore and see how one of the best diving destinations in General Santos begins.

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Bawing Offshore Pinnacle

This is one of the older dive sites in General Santos City. Like the many dive sites you can find here, it is also located on the western side of the Sarangani Bay area. Divers can access this site via a small boat from any of the beach resorts in the said area. The weather conditions on this side of the bay are far better compared to the eastern side since you don’t get as much rainfall.

The only bit of disappointment in this dive site is the fact that its top has already been leveled by fishermen. However, the scenery is far better once you go below the 12 meter mark. Take note that the base’s depth is quite frankly unknown since this site isn’t exactly in the charts.

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Bilangdang Reef

This is one of the many interesting dive sites in General Santos City. The strong currents can prove to be quite a challenge, which in a way means hands off to beginners. This dive site is located on the eastern side of the Sarangani Bay area. This means you should expect some form of turbulence on certain days.

Unlike many of the dive sites in the said area, this site is actually a private area. The site was developed and cared for at great cost, which basically translates to divers paying more just to see the natural attractions. The cost of the dive is actually worth it since the coral garden and the rest of the site is beautifully preserved unlike the many areas of the Sarangani Bay.

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Tango Point

This is another one of the dive sites in General Santos City that is located on the eastern section of the Sarangani Bay. Tango Point is best suited for more experienced divers since you’ll have to work with poor visibility and strong currents. It is better off as a boat dive than anything else. Some of the attractions here include snappers, sweetlips, and wrasse.

Read more about Tango Point...

Lago Creek

This is one of the dive sites in General Santos City that is more suited for beginners and intermediate divers. The slopes here are quite gentle and very maneuverable. Pinnacles and coral outcrops are usually decorated by a lot of swimming fish. You’ll regularly find turtles swimming here as well.

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Malapatan Offshore Pinnacle

The Malapatan Offshore Pinnacle is another area which offers lots of wonderful sea creatures to see including turtles, too, just like the Kabog Marine Reserve. Its top is measured around 5m under the water surface. That is during low tide. You may see lots of fishing nets in the area. It’s a perfect place to find and photograph the sea creatures so you can bring home photos to show of your wonderful stay at the place.

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Tampuan/Tinoto Wall Complex

This dive site in General Santos City is otherwise known as The Wall. This is one of the best diving destinations the city has to offer and has been noted as one of the best dive sites in the Philippines. Getting to the site won’t be that difficult since the Tinoto Village is only about 50 kilometers away from the city proper.

Coral gardens are found along the way from the high water mark all the way to the very top of The Wall. Many divers describe the interspersed coral gardens as matching some of the world’s best. There have been some who have noted that the wall itself is an awesome sight to behold with only a few locations on earth to match it.

It’s covered with sponges, hydroids, sea fans, tunicates and other forms of marine life. Sea creatures that have found a home in this site include crustaceans, cucumbers, reef fish, and nudibranchs. Do take note that at certain times the current in this site can become quite strong. Visibility is usually around 10 meters, which makes it an interesting site for snorkeling.

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Partridge Point

This dive site in General Santos City is located near

http://www.generalsantosboard.com/tampuan_tinoto-wall-complex.php

Tampuan/Tinoto Wall Complex. You can find it just around 300 meters from The Wall. You will see the same features you find in The Wall including the types of undersea life as well. Like Tinoto Wall Complex, this dive site also has magnificent coral gardens teeming with underwater life.

The only unfortunate detail about this dive site is the evidence of damage on some of the coral gardens caused by dynamite/blast fishing. However, the big plus factor comes in the form of a comfortable weekend set up by the American owner of the nearby shore land, which makes it quite a treat after a long day’s diving adventure.

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Lau-Tengco Point/Barracuda Point in General Santos City - Philippines

Another great diving spot in General Santos City is the Lau-Tengco Point/Barracuda Point. The Lau Tengco Point/Barracuda Point is easy to distinguish among all the other dive spots along the Tinoto or Tampuan Wall in General Santos City. All the diver has to do is to look for that point in the Wall where it bends into an S, and there they are. To be more specific, the Lau Tengco Point/Barracuda Point is situated right after Partridge Point, another dive point at the wall which is third in a series of dive points.

There is one sad story about the Lau Tengco Point/Barracuda Point which explains to tourists the state of the coral garden which is one of the main attractions in this dive point. According to officials in the area, this area has once been the victim of illegal blasting by some unscrupulous fishermen in the place. Up to this point, this coral garden is still on its way to recovery from the damage it incurred from the blast, and so tourism authorities appeal to tourist divers to do their best to not spoil the existing as well as the growing corals.

Aside from the coral reefs, another prime attraction at Lau Tengco Point/Barracuda Point is the schools of large barracuda teeming in its waters. Barracuda is also one of the prized fish catch of General Santos City, second only to tuna. But, the challenge here is, tourist divers will only get to see the barracuda if they dive deep, deep down into the water. Aside from barracuda, of course, one would also get to see in here the most common kinds of fishes that one would get to see living in corals, such as the wrasse, the surgeon fish, angel fish, and butterfly fish.

Typically, just like any of the other dive points in the Tinoto Wall, the most comfortable depth at the Lau Tengco Point/Barracuda Point is up to ten meters. At this point, one will still be able to see clearly the wonders that the Lau Tengco Point/Barracuda Point could offer; any farther than that and the waters would be a bit murky already. It is all right for first time divers to go and venture into Lau Tengco Point/Barracuda Point, but they should always be assisted by the more professional, seasoned, and hardy divers, because there would be times when the water currents would be really strong. In fact, as a diver quipped, there are times that the

waves in here could resemble the waves in a washing machine. But there is less reason to worry anyway, because the coast guards in the area usually warn the divers minutes in advance when they know the waves are about to grow strong, so that divers will have time to escape from the water if they are not comfortable battling against the waves.

Costs of going to Lau Tengco Point/Barracuda Point is at their peak during peak season, which is during the summer months and semestral breaks. During off peak season, travel packages are usually at the year's lowest as well.

Tinoto Village

The dive sites at the Tinoto Village are quite ideal for beginners since you won’t get a lot of problems with currents. The village itself is set in a small bay which makes it quite a nice place. The relatively minor drawbacks here include damage made in some of the corals and some problems with visibility.

Read more about Tinoto Village...

Cambridge Dive Center in General Santos City - Philippines

Cambridge Dive Center is your one-stop diving center in General Santos City; offering several diving trips, a number of PADI diving courses as well as diving supplies. At the moment, it is only one of two diving centers in General Santos City.

LOCATION/GETTING THERE

Cambridge Dive Center is located at the Cambridge Farm Hotel in Purok Malakas, General Santos City. Whether you will be arriving in General Santos City via air or sea travel, you can easily reach Purok Malakas and the Cambridge Dive Center through public transportation; mainly via tricycle or jeepneys rides.

There are also vehicles for hire if you wish to travel around town in a more private transportation.

LANGUAGES OFFERED

The main language for instruction offered at Cambridge Dive Center is English. Filipino is also used.

SPECIAL COURSES AND RATES

PADI-certified instructors, led by Cambridge Dive Center operator, Chris Dearne, handle the PADI diving courses here. Diving courses and corresponding rates are as follow:

Open Water Diver Php 12, 000

4 days

Includes manual, certification card and full use of equipment

Advanced Open Water Diver price available upon request

5 dives: deep, navigation, search and recovery, night dive


Rescue Diver price available upon request


Cambridge Dive Center does not disclose prices for other PADI courses and travelers are advised to contact them through their website: http://www.cambridgedive.com or through email: [email protected].

DIVE RATES

Maharlika Area Dive Sites

1 night dive Php 1, 600

2 day dives Php 1, 800

Tinoto Area Dive Sites

1 night dive Php 1, 800

2 day dives Php 2, 600

Dive rates are inclusive of full use of scuba equipment needed for the dive, transportation to the dive site and entry fees.

Cambridge Dive Center would like to advise divers that diving to other dive sites can be arranged upon request. They can offer discounts to divers who bring their own equipment; and equipment rentals are also available to certified divers only.

Furthermore, Cambridge Dive Center advises that divers who cannot present a certification card will not be entertained for equipment rentals.

OTHER INFORMATION

Cambridge Dive Center offers diving trips and courses all year round but they advise travelers who wish to dive to visit any time from April to November.

Travelers are advised that the humidity level in the city is usually at at 70% and water temperature ranges from 24 to 27 degrees Celsius; while air temperature ranges from 25 to 35 degrees Celsius.

Takot Malbang

Not far from Takot Massim is Takot Malbang, another General Santos dive site that will be enjoyed by both seasoned and neophyte swimmers.

Because the currents in Takot Malbang move in accordance with the changing tides, knowing how to drift with it is important, and

those who can do this will find it an exhilarating experience. Down at the sandy bottom are all the elements you’d expect to find in an excellent dive site: corals of different types (hard and soft) sponges, and gorgonians.

There are also numerous types of groupers, rays, turtles, rainbow runners, and also several Napoleon Wrasse.

Kamanga Reef

Kamanga Reef, as the name implies, is the dive site to visit if your goal is to go sightseeing for coral reefs.

The currents in Kamanga Reef are not difficult to navigate, and once you get there you can see several types of shell fish and around the reefs would be clown fish, parrot fish, groupers, and many others.

The Sandbar

Of the numerous dive sites in Sarangani Bay, the one nicknamed the Sandbar ranks as one of the most picturesque.

Although navigating this General Santos dive site can be challenging due to its current (which can be challenging at times), it can be done provided one is experienced enough or with a guide. The nice thing is that even with a moderate current all kinds of fish come up, intermingling with the various types of corals in the deeper parts.

Diving in General Santos is turning into one of the biggest tourist attractions in South Cotabato and Sarangani, and will no doubt lead to the development of more resorts. Already there are several dive shops around General Santos, where you can purchase the needed equipment or hire guides as needed. For tourists it means things will only get better.

General Santos Restaurants

General Santos City attracts many tourists because of its nearby tourist attractions. As the city thrives on tourism, General Santos City has become home to many hangouts, restaurants and cafes in the area.

Jam's Restaurant

Jam’s Restaurant is one of the hippest dining places in General Santos City. It offers a variety of dishes that take pride to the city’s most important product – tuna. Grilled, fried, or steamed, no matter how your tuna is done you can be sure that it is good and oh-so-fresh. Aside from tuna, Jam’s Restaurant also offers other seafood dishes. Based on customer’s reviews, the Chicken Tinola is said to be a must-try.

Jam’s Restaurant is located in Nunez Street. You must never miss a trip to this seafood haven if you happen to be in general Santos City.

Read more about Jam’s Restaurant…

Kanto

General Santos City takes pride as to how fresh the seafood served to the public is. There are numerous restaurants and grilleries that capitalize on that. Kanto is one of those restaurants that use seafood to good use. It serves hot-off-the-grill seafood that is fresh, succulent, and tasty. Aside from seafood, it also offers meaty treats for those who still seek steaks and pork chops and whatnots. Aside from the grilled food, what Kanto is becoming even more famous for is the sauce they serve with thee food. The ingredients the chefs use to create that sauce is supposedly secret. But it does tastes really good.

Read more about Kanto…

Sud-an

When other restaurants try to offer international dishes to attract foreign visitors, Sud-an decides to stick to the native recipes that are popular to the locals so it can offer a taste of the GenSan lifestyle.

Sud-an is all about the city. It is all about General Santos City. It offers tuna, a local delicacy widely, and an assortment of seafood dishes. It presents Filipino food in a way that even those who are not familiar with it would be attracted to try it. Some of Sud-an’s bestsellers include Crispy Pata, Sugpo sa Aligue, Crispy Tuna Tail, and Sizzling Sisig among others.

Read more about Sud-an…

Mandarin Tea Garden

The Mandarin Tea Garden is located at Osmena South, one of General Santos’s busy tourism and commercial districts. The restaurant serves Chinese food, with a selection ranging from noodles, dim sum, rice toppings and soup, and provides a spacious and comfortable ambience. The dishes are reasonably priced, with a minimum price of 70 pesos. Mandarin Tea Garden also provides a free Wi-Fi connection for customers. Mandarin Tea Garden is located at the KCC Mall, and there are also other branches in the Gaisano Mall and Acharon Boulevard, all within the vicinity of General Santos.

Mang Gorio's Bahay Kainan in General Santos City - Philippines

Mang Gorios Bahay Kainan (MGBK) was established in September 30, 1996. It began as a small eatery situated in front of the Barter Trade in Gov. Gutierrez Avenue, Cotabato City. Since then, it has grown and now has four branches. It caters to the gastronomic desires of the people of Cotabato, Koronadal, General Santos and surrounding cities and municipalities. Its integrity as a restaurant grew not only through serving excellent Filipino dishes but also providing excellent customer service and superior cleanliness.

Nearing its 14th year of quality service and excellent dining, Mang Gorios is aiming to establish itself as a unique establishment by offering fast food and made to order dishes to its customers. Its litson manok and Buko Halo Halo serves as its trademark dish and

is among the top selling menus of the restaurant. The mesmerizing taste of the former is one of the reasons why customers keep coming back to the venue while the unique preparation of the latter has made it one of the best.

Mang Gorios Bahay Kainan is operated by MG Milestone Corporation headed by its General Manager, Victor Villa. The company likewise handles the hiring, accounting, training, payroll, and marketing support for MGBK. MG Milestone is also the owner of Mainstream Food Services Incorporated.

Located at the National Highway in General Santos City, Mang Gorios Bahay Kainan is open from 10 am to 10 pm serving high-end fast food restaurant. McGregors Coffee House, its sister establishment, provides hot coffee as well as Wifi connection to customers. Aside from the classic litson manok and the top selling Buko Halo Halo, MGBK also recently offered its newest specialty spicy chicken, a breaded variety with a sweet and spicy sauce.

Aside from serving excellent food and quality customer service, MGBK also offers various other services. It also offers booking assistance and provides the venue for the functions. Likewise, they offer amenities such as overhead projectors, white board, sound system and others that can make the event worthwhile.

Mang Gorios also offers catering services. Whether its a baptism, wedding, or other events, the staff of the restaurant will work with the customer to come up with the best menu packages for your event. Aside from that, the restaurant also actively participates in community activities and encourages its employees to be involved as well.

Mang Gorios Bahay Kainan is located at National Highway, General Santos City. For booking and information, you can contact them at (083)554-2242. Check out their official website at http://mang-gorio.com.

Tatay Pepe's Restobar in General Santos City - Philippines

When visiting General Santos City either for business or leisure, one of the best establishments that will surely satisfy your gastronomic desires is Tatay Petes Restobar. A cumbersome routine and a completely unusual day can become meaningful in this venue. Whether simply dining out with friends, relaxing after a hectic schedule, or merely having fun, Tatay Petes can surely have your fill.

Tatay Petes Restobar offers live entertainment every night from 9:30 pm to 1:00 am regardless of the weather. Guests will be treated nightly to different repertoire of music ranging from contemporary, modern, alternative, and a little bit of mellow songs from the entertainers.

But the establishment is more than just a place for hanging out or chatting with your friends. Tatay Petes Restobar is also an ideal place for feeding a hungry stomach. The restaurant specializes in Nilagpang and Gulami. It also offers one of the best and tastiest fried chickens that are crispy outside and juicy inside.

Now on its 8th year of service, Tatay Petes provides you with more than the ordinary but not as challenging as the other restaurants. Even those who have visited the place for the first time cannot help but be captivated by the simply but cozy ambience offered by he restaurant. It is colorful and unpretentious in both dining and entertainment areas.

Although it has no air-conditioning systems, it is well-ventilated and has high ceilings and open air which all contributes to its cool and breezy feel. Tatay Petes Restobar is normally the hangout of fun loving and happy customers. From being just merely acquaintances, there customers eventually end up as friends.

Rather than inviting well-renowned guests and performers, the management taps local talents to provide the nightly entertainment. For instance, they invite college students to perform and entertain the crowd. There are nights wherein the band will invite customers on stage and have a jamming session with them. So if you are brave enough and in to this kind of thing, this is the best place for you.

Tatay Pepes Restobar is a cool and chic place go hang out in. Whether you are just relaxing or looking for some good time, it is unlikely that you will not meet new acquaintances here. It offers simple dining pleasures and laid back while listening to live music from the performers. Located at South Osmena Street, General Santos City, you can contact them at (6382)302 2555 or via email at [email protected]. Check out website at http://tataypepes.com

La Veranda Cafe in General Santos City - Philippines

Think that General Santos has more to offer than just tuna? General Santos city is one of the few cities in the Philippines that has one of the best places to eat. Scattered around General Santos are a lot of great restos and La Veranda Cafe is one of them. Its a new kid on the block and it has a great menu that anyone would surely love.

La Veranda cafe is classified as a coffee shop and restaurant that makes a variety of food especially American and Italian aside from the local cuisine. They bake their own bread and the pasta used in the meals are made fresh everyday.

La Veranda cafe is one place that is proud of their coffee and has its own trademark cafe mocha drink. It is a hit among the expat community as well as teenagers who need to satisfy their sweet tooth. They also have their own method of processing and brewing coffee so it can lay claim that they have one of the most unique tasting coffee in Gensan.

On thing to note about the La Veranda cafe is that the store is situated on the rooftop of the Tandem Center building. With its unique location, patrons can relax and unwind with a view of the city whether day or night. It is also a great way to watch the sun go down but one has to be there a bit early for the cafe tends to

fill up just before six in the evening.

The good thing about the cafe is that the coffee starts at eighty pesos which is pretty good since the coffee is freshly brewed and the cups are larger than usual. Add a bagel or scone to the deal and you have got a good thing going for you. Toss the sunset in and it becomes one priceless experience.

The La Veranda cafe also has its share of drinks and they also specialize in serving fruit shakes and fruit juices. They only use fresh fruits and its not a bad thing to drink while looking out into the city.

Many people might find the place a bit inaccessible but the building has a high speed elevator that lets patrons zip up and down the building with minimal wait time.

The cafe has a free wifi connection so students who need to study or yuppies that need a place to unwind will find this unique place a great place.

Ranchero's Grill in General Santos City - Philippines

Rancheros Grill and Seafood Restaurant was first established as a small restaurant in General Santos City and has now expanded through major cities and tourist destinations in Mindanao. Through the years, it has become a popular destination for both residents and tourists with its sumptuous grilled dishes. It serves affordable meals for as low as 100 pesos in huge servings.

The restaurant is well-renowned for serving the best baby back ribs in the city. Aside from that, it also offers grilled tuna jaw, marinated with the restaurants special sauce. It is located at the National Highway in General Santos City. Conveniently situated in a veranda adjacent to their Paseo del Sol venue close to the Mitsubishi Motors, it is known for several dishes it revolutionized in the city such as babyback ribs, sizzling tuna belly, pochero, grilled tuna jaw, fried quail, to name just a few.

Aside from that, Rancheros Grill and Seafood Restaurant also pioneered in serving non-traditional fruit desserts like Honey Dew Melon, Dragonfruit, and Passion Fruit, which is cultivated by the restaurant owner Mr. Pabling Sunglao himself. With its excellent customer service and cowboy-dressed staff, the restaurant is among the most popular places to dine not only in the city but also in the entire SocSarGen region.

If you are used to the small regular servings offered by other establishments, you will be treated to one of Rancheros Grills top selling dishes namely the Angus Feast and the Brahman Feast. The former is a combination of one heap of white rice with tuna kinilaw, king crabs, fried quail, prawns, lato seaweeds, and pork barbecue.

If you belong to a large group, the staff of the restaurant would still serve you with Seafood Platter, Babyback Ribs, and Pochero.

Ranchero Grill and Seafood Restaurant is the sister facility of Pablos Steaks and Crabs with stores in General Santos as well as in Davao City. There are many wonderful sights to see and activities to perform in General Santos. After a hectic and tiring daily grind, the restaurant is the best place to go to if you want to satisfy your craving for delicious foods. It specializes in grilled delicacies from the local dishes to international cuisines Even if you have a low budget, your satisfaction is guaranteed with the huge servings at an affordable cost.

For the finest and most delectable grilled dishes in General Santos, there is no other place worth visiting than Ranchero Grill and Seafood Restaurant.

Dimsum Diner in General Santos City - Philippines

Dim Sun Diner Restaurant provides customers with a taste of Chinese and Japanese dishes for both domestic and foreign tourists. The place is recognized for offering the best dumpling in General Santos City. Located in Arcade 1 of the East Asia Royale Hotel in Magsaysay Avenue, it operates on a 24/7 basis and accepts deliveries within a 1 kilometer range from the location. Orders are delivered within 3 hours upon confirmation.

Description of the Cuisine/Specialties

For guests who are craving for a Chinese meal during their visit in General Santos City, Dim Sun Diner Restaurant serves old time Chinese dishes such as cold cuts, congee, noodles, chicken feet, and a wide range of rice toppings. Siomai Supreme and Humba Rice are among the restaurants top selling delicacy. Aside from that, you can also try out their Bulad Rice, Salt and Pepper Riblets, and different dim sum varieties.

Are you craving for some cool beverages to refresh your tired body after a spate of activities? Dim Sum Diner Restaurant offers a wide range of refreshments, such as Mango Sago, the all-time favorite Halo-Halo, and one of the favorites Taho with Sago. Different varieties of ice creams are served in selected restaurants.

History

Dim Sum Diner Restaurant is recognized as one of the best dim sum restaurants in the Davao City as well as one of the most successful in the franchising business in the Philippines. It has made a lot of strides since it entered the fast food industry 9 years ago.

On August 12, 2009, it opened its 9th branch on Quirino Avenue in Davao City. The first seven restaurants are owned by franchisees while the other two are company owned by the founders Mr. Bryan and Mrs. Czarina Lim.

The couple established Dim Sum Diner in December of 2000. Their passion for food influenced them to put up a restaurant that had a mix of Oriental and Western style at a reasonable cost. The pioneer branch opened on Ilustre St., on Davao City. Currently, it has established franchises in major cities in the Mindanao region

Davao City, General Santos City, Cagayan de Oro, Butuan City, and Valencia City.

Mrs. Czarina Lim is happy with the current growth of the business. At present, they are offering a franchise business to those who are interested. As part of the franchise package, the interested individual will receive a training manual for the proprietor, supervisor, cooks, and servers. Likewise, they will receive a procurement package and can avail of marketing and grand opening assistance.

Grab-A-Crab in General Santos City - Philippines

Grab-A-Crab Restaurant provides customers with a combination of contemporary and elegant fine-dining convenience with a choice of gourmet and modern atmosphere. Its well-decorated interiors and intimate settings are designed for the upscale residents of General Santos City. It offers Filipino, Chinese, and seafood dishes. The neighboring Coffee Club 101 provides a relaxing and laid-back atmosphere. It offers home-baked pastries and freshly brewed coffee.

Located in Laurel East Avenue in General Santos, Grab-A-Crab Restaurant is the pioneer fine dining restaurant in the city. Its multicolored sofa cushions and classy sleek interiors give the venue a more appealing and modern look. The restaurant is open for lunch from 11 am until 2 pm and is always jampacked with customers craving for its specialties which include a wide range of crab delicacies that will surely satisfy your appetite, such as the top selling Crab by the Bucket, San Franciscos Wharf Spicy Salt and Pepper, Shanghai Szechuan Crab, among others. You can also have a taste of Western, Filipino, and Chinese dishes.

Grab a Crab opens for lunch from 11a.m. until 2 p.m., and is always filled with loyal customers clamoring for its specialties: different gourmet dishes of crab cooking that whets the appetite (bestsellers with mouth-watering names like Crab by the Bucket, Shanghai Szechuan Crab, San Francisco's Wharf Spicy Salt and Pepper, to name a few) as well as your favorite Western, Filipino and Chinese cuisine.

Grab-a-Crab Restaurant re-opens at 5 pm until midnight. The place is rocking with reservations during the weekends. In fact, boxing champ Manny Pacquaio prefers the venue whenever he has events that require catering in his house. It is also the perfect place for relaxing and for conducting business meetings.

Coffee Club 101 does not only offer sumptuous coffee and pastries but also provides an alternative venue for people looking for some quiet time. It has an Internet and library and its sophisticated and vibrant interiors are also seen in he comfort rooms.

There are simply three good reasons why spending your time in Grab-a-Crab Restaurant is a worthwhile decisionthe dining pleasure it can give you, the warm and cozy conversations over a

cup of coffee, and unlimited surfing hours on your laptop. These and other factors contribute in making Grab-a-Crab a trendy venue for hanging out with friends and co-employees.

A visit to General Santos would never be complete without tasting the delicious and popular dishes of this restaurant located in J.P. Laurel Avenue, Dadiangas East, General Santos City. For bookings or inquiries, you can contact them at (083) 553-5430 or send an email at [email protected]

Chicken Hauz in General Santos City - Philippines

The Chicken Hauz restaurant in General Santos city has a reputation for having the best tasting garlic chicken. The chickens are marinated in their famous sauce then grilled and served with the side dish or dishes of your choice. Next to the various tuna or other fish dishes in Gensan, garlic chicken ranks a top second place. Similar to Vigan's famous Longganisa, the garlic chicken is hailed as the best ever in the Philippines. This claim has been backed up by many food bloggers and travelers that have trekked there just to taste it.

The Chicken Hauz has a saying that once you try their chicken you would always come back for more and this holds true since many people travel to Gensan just to sample the cuisine.

Many people have theorized to what makes the garlic chicken so good. Some swear it is the local salt from the sea, some say it is the annatto seeds that are crushed and mixed with the baste. Some say its all in the wrist or grilling technique. The chicken sold here is always grilled. Never fried, never made into a soup but grilled all the way.

How does one find the Chicken Hauz? The small shop can be found along South Osmena street and another branch has opened along Magsaysay avenue, both in Gensan. They have expanded their menu but it is somewhat small and limited since the chicken is their best seller. The resto opens early in the morning at around 8am then closes at 9pm daily. Travelers are advised to avoid eating there after 6pm since that is when the crowd comes in. People are willing to wait to be seated and if you opt for take out or to go, it would take you a good fifteen minutes. It is advisable to just pay up for the order then comeback for it after fifteen minutes.

There have been attempts by the owners to experiment mixing different flavors into the mix but it has not caught on to the people. They still prefer the garlic style chicken. You can also choose the part of the chicken you would like to eat although the favorite part is the breast and wing part.

Travelers should be wary of other garlic chicken restos claiming to be the best and original but many locals can easily point you to the real deal when you arrive in Gensan.

It is not sure if you can order by phone in advance but you can try them at (83) 552-2542.

Fagioli in General Santos City - Philippines

Fagioli restaurant is a small delight for travelers to visit while in General Santos city. The Fagioli restaurant has been made famous for their pastries which has been one of their main fares since they opened several years ago. They have a wide variety of homemade pastries such as panini as well as pasta.

The restaurant is also a place where busy people can catch their breath and unwind after a hard days work. Youngsters can also catch up on their social networking would have no problem chatting up with the stores wifi which is offered free. The place is also situated near the hubs workplace and as many of the regular patrons can attest and is a place that just begs to be visited before heading home.

Fagioli is also the place to be for those who want to try out General Santos local coffee and a second branch has opened up in Davao to those who just can't get enough of the tasty caffeine drink. Fagioli has been one of the restaurants that have been a vigorous endorser for local homegrown coffee in the region.

Fagioli was one of the stores that started the "coffee shop" trend and changed the way the "veterans" took their coffee. Since then Fagioli has redesigned their interiors to reflect the new trend of visitors. Fagioli now sports a slick al fresco design and lots of artsy glass panels. It is a far cry from the old style shop design when it first opened. So far the move has been a good one for the place is almost packed every night.

Fagioli is owned and managed by Maria Christine Rebosura and has been nominated as being one of the leading "product innovator of the year award" by the city government. This is due to her drive to promote local coffee over processed and imported coffee.

How does the food rate? Some folks say that the cuisine is a bit salty but this can be understood considering that people in the Gen San area really go for spicy food so an outsider who samples the fare might find it strong for their taste. However, Fagioli has done its best to stick to authentic pasta recipes and has been known to use original ingredients. Their panini sandwiches are the popular fare and many expats can't seem to get enough of it.

How does one find Fagioli? To date Fagioli has four branches in General Santos City. There is a branch in Gensan Mall, Kare Petron (along the national highway), Davao Quirino, and Lanag. All branches are located near populated areas and it only takes one short jeepney ride to get to any one of them from the main bus drop off points. Everyone in the area knows Fagioli. All you need to do is specify which branch you want to go to.

Sarangani Highlands in General Santos City - Philippines

Sarangani Highlands Garden and Restaurant is located in Purok Wal in Barangay Tambler, General Santos City. It provides customers with a picturesque view of Sarangani Bay as well as downtown Gensan. Mt. Parker and Mt. Matutum will look

breathtaking from the place on a sunny day. It is the best place to commune with nature and boasts of its excellent landscaping.

At the entrance to the establishment, guests will be treated to lush plants and flowers as well as a well-trimmed lawn. Besides the regular dining service, the establishment likewise has air-conditioned and al-fresco function rooms suitable for private gatherings, meetings, and other corporate events Since its inauguration in July 2007, Sarangani Highlands Garden and Restaurant has been the venue for celebrating special events and showing off to visitors.

The restaurant provides its guests with a wide range of Filipino and seafood delicacies amidst the amazing garden scenery Chef Regie Aspiras, a column writer for the Philippine Daily Inquirer, was one of the guests who was captivated by the garden setting of Sarangani Highlands. The establishment treats guests to the sight of driftwoods, bonsais, and other varieties of garden flora

If ever you decide to drop by at the restaurant, some of the top selling dishes ordered are crispy hito with mango salsa, sweet and sour deep fried catfish with shredded green mango, a little amount of sweet shrimp paste, watsai soup, salted eggs and roasted peanut, to name just a few. Likewise, you can also order Asian stew with a mix of dried seaweed with quail eggs and different varieties of seafood. The place is also popular for its deep-fried pork knuckles. For desserts, you might want to try Dadiangas salad, a combination of different tropical fruit like pineapple, mango, pomelo, turnip, guava topped with honey and mustard sauce.

How Sarangani Highlands Garden and Restaurant came about is already a story by itself. It was started by Dr. Anabelle Abella who had a passion for collecting ornamental plants, particularly the flowering type and her business partner, Dr Tranquilino Ruiz, who was interested in landscaping. With this in mind, the two purchased a parcel of land and converted it into a beautiful garden. With its amazing sights and attractions, many of the residents encouraged the two to set up a restaurant.

Dr. Abella and Dr. Ruiz obliged and Sarangani Highlands Garden and Restaurant was born in July 2007. Since then, the venue has become a popular by-word when it comes to dining pleasure and satisfaction in General Santos City.

Bee Stop Restaurant in General Santos City - Philippines

The Bee Stop restaurant in General Santos is the toughest competitor of the famous Chicken Hauz that specializes in serving grilled garlic chicken. Bee Stop restaurant has been serving the public of Gensan for the past few years and locals have claimed that the store opened simultaneously as the Chicken Hauz.

Like their competitor, they offer crispy garlic chicken which has been the rage of the town. Many people have been reported to shift their allegiance when they tried Bee Stop's chicken version.

According to the locals, both shops are very secretive when it comes to the sauce used in their chickens and there have been several times that customers swear that the chickens from both shops taste the same. The trademark of Bee Stop's chicken is to have the outer part or skin very crispy while having the inner part very soft and juicy.

The Bee Stop restaurant is not hard to find. It is located along Santiago Boulevard, in front of Gillamacs building. Most tricycle and jeep drivers know the place by name so it would not be hard for travelers to find the place.

One variation of the chicken that Bee Stop has stuck to is offering their chicken meals in three variants. One is the popular garlic, then there is the buttered, and then the deep fried chicken. Rarely do they deviate from the grilling or frying of the chicken. You will not find any soupy or boiled chicken here. Patrons are aware of this so if you are looking for a meal that has soup and such, you will be disappointed at this resto.

Bee Stop also serves a food center of sorts for they also sell freshly baked bread. It is not surprising to see the patrons of Bee Stop buy some pastries after eating their fill of chicken.

The Bee Stop restaurant has recently beefed up their drinks menu in order to provide the customer with a complete and satisfying dining experience. Aside from the usual ice tea, they have ventured to include fruit mixed with tea as well as experimented with some smoothies over time. Soft drinks still remains the standard fare for all chicken meals.

In order to attract a larger clientele, Bee Stop restaurant has also offered a catering service so that those who have weddings and other functions don't have to settle for drab hotel food. They can now enjoy the wonderful taste of garlic chicken right at their location.

Rolands Steak House in General Santos City - Philippines

Despite being the Tuna capital of the Philippines, there are a few restos there that can turn out a mean steak. Among the top two is Rolands Steak House. The resto has been in the area for a few years now and has picked up quite a following.

According to the locals, Rolands Steak House makes the tastiest and juiciest steak in town. Their place is very low key and it is definitely not for fine dining. One could very well confuse it as being an extension of the local food stalls in the public market. What makes this place so special is how they cook the steaks just right that you wonder how on earth they made something so delicious.

Rolands Steak House was made famous by word of mouth which speaks wonders. Most other restos would advertise big in the papers or even radio to get a good share of eating patrons but all Rolands had to do was make good steaks and everybody blabbed about it.

To date, Rolands Steak House is the most preferred eating place for steak. They also have other choices on the menu like their burgers but its the steak that make it worth your time.

Rolands Steak House is located along Jose Catolico Ave., Lagao, General Santos City. One has to really walk to their place for you have to navigate through various open air stalls and other vendors in the area. The resto has recently undergone some renovation of the front so it might not be as some locals might remember it.

The prices at Rolands Steak House make it a winner among the people. Its priced much lower than you might think and it is a really penny saver when compared to their competitors. Their hard to find location seems to be a factor that enables the resto to charge their patrons lower than the rest.

Rolands Steak House used 100 percent local beef and does not mix pork or use meat that has already expired to keep prices down. All the meat comes direct from a known supplier, the same one that supplies meat to big companies that also need the same meat. This way, you are sure that the meat is certified clean and free from any virus or bacterias that may prove deadly to humans.

Rolands Steak House has recently improved its side dish menu to include deep fried or boiled veggies and also offered cold salads (leaf or pasta). They realized that the side dishes and salads help clean the palate and keep the customers coming back for the taste. Sometimes the salads are combined with seasonal fruits so it also depends when you visit the area. December is good time since they liberally douse their salads with strawberries and mango.

Kiko's Family Restaurant in General Santos City - Philippines

Only last year did the nightlife of General Santos welcome a new kid on the block. Kiko's Family restaurant seemed like an unusual kid in the resto biz but it has rapidly built up a reputation as serving a variety of meals that are new, refreshing, and health conscious.

Kiko's family restaurant is managed by Gary and Cherry Ocampo who have been in the business of preparing and cooking them for quite a few years now. They opened the restaurant upon suggestions of their friends who enjoyed their food so much that they said they could launch a resto based on their own recipes. The couple soon agreed and opened a small resto beside the DTI office along South Osmena street.

The original resto was small, a bit tight, and had no air conditioning. Since then, they have renovated the place and the store looks modern and cooler this time with several air-conditioners blasting all at once.

The al fresco dining area has a moisture device attached to the fans that regularly disperse fine mist of water to lower down the hot temperature. Incidentally, the garden part is where many people prefer to eat since the atmosphere of the food here is best

eaten out in the open, and not inside the closed resto.

Kiko's Family restaurant is famous for their grease-less fried chicken and their beef estofado.

Owner and chef Gary stresses that for the food to taste good, careful care in preparation and cooking must be maintained. A good example is the deep friend chicken. He says that the chicken must be deep friend for 20 minutes - no more, no less - before it is served to their customers.

If seafood is more your game, Kiko's family restaurant serves a mean crispy tuna "panga" and a hefty grilled tuna belly. At the resto, they make every effort to produce tasty meals and the thing they would want to avoid most is to be treated or branded as if they were just another faceless restaurant in Gensan.

Since Kiko's Family restaurant is geared for all ages, they have a fixed menu for desserts that would make anyone think they were a blessing amidst the scorching heat. Kiko's has their trademark halo-halo which uses only the freshest fruits and also pure whole milk - not those substitutes that most fast food joints use.

Indeed Kiko's family restaurant is a very wholesome place that you can bring your grandfather and grandmother to without being ashamed of the atmosphere. Be warned! They might like the place so much that they might edge you to bring them there all the time.

Casa Goatan in General Santos City - Philippines

Only in the Philippines can you find a restaurant devoted to preparing and serving all goat dishes. Thats right! Although some people may find it inhumane or unusual, its something that happens everyday at the Casa Goatan restaurant. It is not a full fledged fine dining resto for it is made for the masses and there are a lot of single chairs and row chairs in the resto. Its interiors are pretty plain and there are rooms that are air conditioned but most patrons prefer to eat al fresco (because they would like to smoke while eating).

The Casa Goatan has the reputation for safe and clean preparation of their animals. They have their own farm where they breed them so it is a good bet that they make their goats nice and juicy. Normally goats from outside sources normally eat anything that is fed to them but the ones raised by Casa Goatan are fed soft grass, hay, and sometimes oats so that the meat is clean and no other contaminants are present. Sometimes the patrons request for baby goats and the owners oblige but charge a special rate for that.

One of the favorite meals in Casa Goatan is the adobong kambing. The goat is tenderized and cooked adobo style. Lots of vinegar and soy sauce are the main ingredients of the dish and as a side note many dishes including vegetables can be cooked this way as well.

The dishes served can be served as a meal which comes with rice and some sidings or as an appetizer or "pulutan". This resto is one

place that serves both the drinking and eating crowd.

However, some people may not like goat for the goat has a very strong smell. The removal of the smell is one of the biggest challenges that face a resto that serves them. In Casa Goatan, they do an excellent job of removing it thereby making the meal and enjoyable and pleasurable experience.

The resto also prepares goat meals to go but they advise those who take it home to either freeze it or consume the meal right away for goat meat spoils rapidly.

Sometimes the resto comes up with special dishes - that involve goat - for a limited time. Sometimes the owners like to experiment with different taste combinations and let the customers decide. Old faves like Adobong goat or "kambing" and Sisig goat top the list every time.

Opened in July 2004, the resto continues to serve exotic foods. They can be located at Bulaong subdivision, near the Dunker Zone internet cafe in General Santos city.

Orange Bistro in General Santos City - Philippines

Tired of going to a commercial looking coffee shop and wish there was something more like home? Thats exactly what Orange Bistro has that distinguishes it from the other restos. The bistro is built right out of a house and not some commercial establishment. The result is a down to earth, easy on the eyes, and cozy coffee slash internet cafe. The interiors of the cafe are mostly brown and most of the furniture is wood merged with steel. There are some glass elements in the bistro as well and they are distributed to the tables and art type window displays. Leather is another distinct part of the bistro. The leather isn't swanky but looks durable. It's more of the worn and comfy type.

The Orange Bistro is situated along J. Catolico avenue, right at the corner of Geronimo Street, Lagao. They can be reached at (083) 301-0992 or (083) 301-5555 if there is a need for reservations. The Orange Bistro isn't just a cafe but it is also one of the classiest restos in Gensan. Normally by day it serves as a cafe but as the day goes down, the classiness of the resto comes out. The interiors change as the utensils, arrangements, and glassware are swapped for a more formal type of gathering. The Orange Bistro has been known to host news conferences, debuts, weddings, and other private functions. Its a good alternative if one doesn't want to rent a resort or finds a hotel venue too pricey. Homey is what this bistro is about.

The Orange Bistro offers a mix of cuisine from the simple panini to a full course meal with matching drinks. This is the reason why many celebrities and also business men have chosen to use this place more than others. Aside from its free wifi, the bistro can satisfy almost anyone's gastronomic need however the bistro has been catering mostly to pasta but there are times it can offer a viand with rice and salad or soup on the side.

It has recently expanded its menu to entice students from the nearby area to come in and sample its cuisine. True enough, they were able to catch a niche of students to come in regularly and this is another reason why the student body has also chosen to take nest here.

The Orange Bistro does offer an extensive wine and drink list and has a lot of tea drink varieties since this is the second most in demand drink next to coffee. They also have low fat and low calorie meals that can please even the most stringent weight watcher.

One pleasant thing to note about the Orange Bistro is that it recently received an award from the city government as having one of the cleanest comfort rooms in the Gensan area. Quite a mean feat considering that many establishments simple get by on the standard requirements. Because of this fact, many tourists have begun to visit the bistro just for that and take advantage of the food as well.

The Orange Bistro definitely swings both ways to accommodate anyone who just wants a place to relax and unwind.

Paseo del Sol in General Santos City - Philippines

Paseo del Sol is a restaurant that serves one of the best baby back ribs in town. Its close rival is just a stones throw away but the mere mention of the restaurants name makes the locals mouth drool at the grilled meals they serve.

Paseo del Sol is also a popular place where celebrities and politicians meet for functions, press releases and even for some time off. Celebrities like Sam Milby, Ai Ai de los Alas and even former President Erap Estrada have frequented the place. The Paseo del Sol is part of the Paseo del Sol compound where one may indulge in other pursuits aside from eating.

How does the price rate? The prices in Paseo del Sol are slightly higher than most restaurants since their clientele are that of the upper crust but the ordinary Joe can surely find it within their reach. Main meals can go for as much as 200 to 250 pesos and drinks such as iced tea can go for 60 pesos onwards. When one speaks of their specialty, the baby back ribs, the prices usually start at a hefty 400 pesos onwards.

The Paseo del Sol is can also be used as a fine dining restaurant and host more elaborate settings such as weddings for the compound has a lot of floor space and the gazebos and gardens offer a small recluse from the gatherings. One could see that the service and location rival most five star hotels in the metro.

It is also interesting to note that the wife of boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao, Jinkee, is a frequent diner at the Paseo del Sol. She and Manny often have their press conferences in the resto.

Paseo del Sol is located along the national highway and near its sister restaurant, Ranchero grill. Like most restos in town, the

national highway offers a very accessible way for hungry visitor to go to. Most tricycle drivers and taxis are familiar with the place and anyone who goes there to visit should have no problem finding it.

The design of the Paseo del Sol is that of a Mediterranean theme and it works well since the whole area is based near the sea, strong winds, and sunny days. It is no wonder why many expats think of this place as the next Greek getaway.

For reservations, they can be reached any day of the week at (083) 553-9298, 303-1120, 301-9298 or 0906-5788-548. No reservations needed preferred of you are hosting a large set of people.

General Santos Hotels and Resorts

Known by the nickname ‘Boom Town City of the South,’ General Santos City is an excellent Philippine tourist destination that features some of the most exciting, beautiful, and convenient hotels and resorts. Through the years, these wonderful places continuously deliver utmost comfort, convenience, and pleasure to all the tourists and guests who pass by the area. Because of their outstanding services, topnotch facilities, and highly affordable rates, expect more and more people to experience a very pleasant, pleasurable, and memorable stay while they appreciate the beauty and wonders of the place.

La Tierra Del Sur Hotel

This is another great option if you’re looking for budget class hotels and resorts in General Santos City. It is easily accessible since it is located along the national highway. A popular landmark is the old bus terminal, which is right next door to this hotel. Like most budget class hotels in the city, you pretty much get the standard amenities so don’t expect anything fancy.

The place is kept clean and the hotel only has 22 rooms to boot. It has a small bar/cafe and the staff is very welcoming. The guards are quite helpful and will be more than willing to help you. The rooms may need a bit of improvement, but that’s exactly what one might expect for a rate of $20 per room. There are no phones in the rooms but you make calls at the phone at the front desk. A bit of added value is the outdoor pool, which is a relaxing surprise for a budget class hotel.

Read more about La Tierra Del Sur Hotel...

Villa Aurora Pension Hauz

Found along National Hi-Way within Narciso Compound in General Santos City, Villa Aurora Pension Hauz offers relaxing rooms that have affordable rates, which range from 450 pesos to 550 pesos. Rates vary depending on accommodations including Single Bed, Double Bed, and Family Bed. For utmost comfort and convenience, the place also has a spacious parking area, a business center, and a cozy bar.

Princefield Inn

Princefield Inn is a standard class hotel in General Santos City. It is located along Marcos Avenue in Apopong. Standard amenities in this hotel include individual garage, air conditioning, cable TV, room service, and hot and cold showers. Average room rates in this hotel are at Php 900.

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Tierra Verde Hotel II

This hotel in General Santos City is readily accessible since youâ€™ll find it along the national highway. Itâ€™s a standard class hotel with 28 rooms. Room rates in Tierra Verde Hotel II range from Php 500 to Php 1,300. Hotel amenities include restaurant, pool, and bar. It is quite close to the wharf and the international airport, which makes it quite ideal.

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Dolores Tropicana Resort in General Santos City - Philippines

Dolores Tropicana Resort is a popular holiday getaway in General Santos City, especially during summer when the Bikini Open takes place. The resort sits among lush trees and gardens; and is only a few meters from the beach.

It is an excellent getaway for those looking to enjoy more of natures scenic surroundings, away from the hustle and bustle of the city crowd.

While the resort is classified as an Economy type because it is so easy on the budget to stay here, it nevertheless offers great accommodations with all the amenities that would make for a comfortable stay.

Room Rates and Amenities

There are three room classifications for accommodations at the Dolores Tropicana Resort. Depending on the room type, accommodations would cost between Php 1, 200 and Php 2, 800.

Breakdown of Room Rates is as follows:

Balud/Standard Room Php 1, 200; or US$ 27

Katunggan/Superior Room Php 1, 500; or US$ 34

Taub/Deluxe Family Room Php 2, 800; or US$ 63

An extra bed would cost Php 150; or US$ 4; while charge for an extra person would be Php 100; or US$ 3.

All prices are net of government taxes and service charge; plus there is a complimentary breakfast and mineral water for guests. Check-out time is at 12 noon.

All rooms are fully air-conditioned, has a TV set, telephone and, hot and cold shower.

The good news is that Dolores Tropicana Resort offers promotional prices during certain months of the year so it is best to check these out prior to leaving for General Santos City.

For instance, during the months of January, February, March, June, July and August room rates could considerably drop, as follows:

Balud/Standard Room from Php 1, 200 to Php 999.00

Katunggan/Superior Room from Php 1, 500 to Php 1, 199.00

Taub/Deluxe Family Room from Php 2, 800 to Php 2, 399.00

Travelers are advised to refer to the resorts official website for promo updates.

Facilities

There are beach cottages for guests, an airport transfer, safety deposit box, swimming pool, a restaurant overlooking the waters of the sea, and room and laundry services.

For business travelers staying at th Dolores Tropicana Resort, there is an available secretarial service as well. There are likewise function halls for events and gatherings.

A souvenir shop is conveniently located in the resort for take-home presents.

Where To Find

Dolores Tropicana Resort is located in Tambler, General Santos City, with contact numbers: (63-83) 380 7328 and (63-83) 380 7338. More information can be found at the Dolores Tropicana Resort website: http://www.doloreshotels.com.

A popular attraction nearby is the Sarangani Highlands Garden and Restaurant, which is about ten minutes off Dolores Tropicana Resort.

Days Hotel in General Santos City - Philippines

Finding the right accommodations in General Santos City is relatively easy, with a good number of hotels, inns, lodges, pension houses and hostels situated in major tourist areas within the city.

From luxury hotels to easy-on-the-pocket hotels, travelers will surely find one that will fit right into the budget. Days Hotel, General Santos City is one such affordable hotel; classified as a Standard hotel, accommodations here provide travelers with clean rooms, comfortable beds; plus all the amenities that will make your stay as relaxed as possible.

Room Rates and Amenities

Days Hotel has over one hundred rooms, each one equipped with basic amenities such as air-conditioner, telephone, cable TV; private toilet and bath with hot and cold shower; and hair dryer.

Single and Double Rooms are the available choices in the hotel, each one priced at an affordable rate:

Single Rooms rates start at USD65.00 up to USD95.00

Double or Twin Rooms rates start at USD 75.00 up to USD105.00

Complimentary breakfast per room, per night is included in the room rates. Major credited cards are accepted for bill payments. Peso equivalent may vary depending on the peso-dollar exchange rates.

Hotel Facilities

Days Hotel boasts of modern facilities to provide guests with all the conveniences to make their stay even more enjoyable. There is ample parking space for travelers coming in through their private cars or car hire services; a 24-hour room service, and housekeeping services.

The hotel also provides access for people with disabilities, a safety deposit box issued upon request, internet access at the hotel lobby plus other secretarial services for the traveling businessman.

For group events, Days Hotel likewise has excellent function rooms.

Location

Days Hotel is in situated in Lagao, National Highway, General Santos City. It is strategically located close to a number of the citys popular eateries including a Japanese restaurant frequented by tourists, grilleries; and a few select clubs and bars for a bit of the city nightlife.

It is also within close distance to the International Airport, approximately three kilometers off. The hotels international affiliation with Days Inn International, make it a world-class hotel, with budget-friendly prices.

For inquiries and reservations, guests may call them at Telefax Number (63 83) 552 8367.

Guests traveling during peak season are advised to place their reservations at least several weeks before the scheduled trip to ensure that rooms of your preference are still available.

Function room reservations should also be done months before the scheduled event especially during the holidays.

East Asia Royale Hotel in General Santos City - Philippines

The East Asia Royale Hotel is one of the more popular hotels in General Santos City because of its close proximity to a good number of places to visit while holidaying in the city.

This, plus its nice and comfortable rooms, excellent business and entertainment facilities; and friendly staff, make East Asia Royale Hotel a good choice for a hotel in General Santos.

Room Rates And Amenities

East Asia Royale Hotel is one of the biggest hotels in General Santos City, boasting of 102 rooms; each one providing the right kind of accommodation to suit any travelers fancy.

Standard Rooms 72 rooms available

Php 2, 600 Single Occupancy

Php 2, 800 Double Occupancy

There are two double-sized beds in each Standard Room, which can comfortably accommodate up to four guests.

Superior Rooms 22 rooms available



There is one matrimonial bed, a receiving area and a refrigerator in all Superior Rooms.

Deluxe Rooms 5 rooms available



A King-sized bed, sofa bed, Jacuzzi and a refrigerator are all included in a Deluxe Room.

Suite Rooms 3 available



Suite Rooms have a King-sized bed, a sofa bed, Jacuzzi, dinette, and a kitchen set-up.

Room rates are already inclusive of government taxes and service charge. All rooms are equipped with a TV set and telephone.

Facilities

Computer rental is available for all guests, plus a fax and photocopying service for business travelers. Function rooms are also available.

For dining and entertainment, East Asia Royale Hotel boasts of a

24-hour restaurant, the Royale Lounge, offering a wide selection of food choices, from sushi to seafood, salad and steaks. The restaurant is available for dine-in and room service.

There is likewise an arcade within the East Asia Royale Hotel compound that has a salon, laundry service, convenience store, billiards hall, a KTV bar, Giacominos Pizza Station, Dimsum Diner and a coffee shop.

For a bit of nightlife, there is the Babes Bar good for drinks, dancing and partying the night away. Live DJs add to the party scene every Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

Where To Find

East Asia Royale Hotel is located along National Highway, General Santos City. For inquiries and reservations, travelers can visit their website at http://eastasiaroyalehotel.com; or call (083) 555 4119 to 28; Fax No. (083) 553 4129; or email them at: [email protected].

The hotel is conveniently located approximately twenty minutes off the domestic and international airports; and is within easy distance to the citys malls, restaurants, and other establishments.

Dolores Hotel in General Santos City - Philippines

Dolores Hotel is part of the RD Group of Companies which operates the Dolores Hotels and Resorts chain, including Dolores Tropicana Resort, Dolores Farm Resort and the Dolores Anchor Hotel.

The hotel is classified as an Economy hotel because of its affordability; but it has good facilities and amenities that will make a stay here comfortable and enjoyable.

Rooms And Amenities

Dolores Hotel is a quaint hotel right in the heart of General Santos Citys business district and is an ideal place for travelers visiting the city for business or recreation.

It has forty standard rooms that offer comfortable beds, cable TV, a telephone service right in the room for local and international calls, and a modest bathroom and shower with hot water.

All the rooms are also fully air-conditioned for a more comfortable and relaxing sleep.

Hotel Facilities

Dolores Hotel guests who wish to use the internet service, the hotels lobby is wi-fi enabled plus the Business Center also offers internet services. Room service as well as laundry service are likewise available.

In addition, there is a safety deposit box available for travelers who are bringing in some valuables, i.e. documents and jewelry. The hotel can hold these for safekeeping upon the guests request.

A convenience shop is located within Dolores Hotel where souvenir items can be purchased. A function hall is also available for parties and other activities.

There is ample parking space for guests driving into town.

Room Rates

There are four room types offered at the Dolores Hotel and these are the following, with their corresponding prices in Philippine Peso and US Dollars:

Single Room Php 495; US$ 12

Matrimonial Room Php 595; US$ 14

Twin Room Php 695; US$ 16

Family Room Php 845; US$ 20

Guests may also request for an extra bed and would need to pay an additional fee for extra person/s.

An extra bed would cost Php 150; or US$ 4; while an extra person would have to pay Php 100; or US$ 3.

Check-out time is 12 noon; and the room rates are net of government tax and service charge.

Where To Find

Dolores Hotel is located along Santiago Boulevard, General Santos City. Their contact numbers are: Telefax: (63-83) 552 4435 and (63-83) 554 4132. To find out more about the hotel, check out their website at http://www.doloreshotels.com.

Santiago Boulevard is lined with business offices as well as a few dining and entertainment establishments that travelers can check out. The Bee Stop Restaurant fronting Gillamacs Building offers a delectable garlic chicken dish thats worth checking out.

There is also an entertainment venue where live bands play popular music, R&B and alternative music as well.

Phela Grande Hotel in General Santos City - Philippines

Phela Grande Hotel is an Economy type hotel in General Santos City; but this shouldnt dissuade travelers from checking out the place because the hotel boasts of world-class facilities that would make it up to par with other luxury hotels in the country.


The Phela Grande Hotel has nine room settings that will be suitable for any traveling party. Whether you are traveling solo or with the whole family, there are plenty of options for room accommodation at the Phela Grande Hotel.

Single Room Php 854.00

Twin Bed Standard Php 1, 159.00

Matrimonial Standard Php 1, 159.00

Twin Bed Deluxe Php 1, 464.00

Matrimonial Deluxe Php 1, 464.00

Family for 3 Standard Php 1, 708.00

Family for 3 Deluxe Php 1, 952.00

Family for 5 Php 2, 196.00

Suite Room Php 2, 196.00

An extra bed would cost Php 400.00, extra towel is at Php 22.40, and an extra pillow is likewise at Php 22.40.

All rooms are full air-conditioned, has a hot and cold shower, telephone for local and international calls, cable TV, and a bathtub for deluxe and suite rooms. Prices are already inclusive of government taxes and service charge.

Complimentary breakfast comes with each room reservation.

Guests traveling during peak season are advised to place reservations early to ensure that preferred rooms will still be available.

Hotel Facilities

To make your stay even more convenient, the hotel offers several facilities: free airport pick up and drop off, 24-hour room service, a safety deposit box, and internet access at the hotels Business Center.

For dining-in, Phela Grande Hotel provides delectable Chinese and Japanese cuisine at the Meilih Restaurant; while coffee lovers can enjoy their favorite brew while listening to soothing music at the Café Eduardo.

The Amethyst Grand Ballroom offers a spacious room for special functions and group activities, good for up to three hundred persons. For smaller groups, there is also the Emerald Function Room, with easy access to the restrooms, and it comes with a nice, little cozy veranda. Both rooms are fully air-conditioned.

There is also a souvenir shop within the hotel for vacation mementos.

Where To Find

Phela Grande Hotel is located along Magsaysay Avenue n General Santos City. They can be reached at telephone numbers: (083) 552 4925; (083) 552 4220; (083) 552 4240; and (083) 552 4230. Fax number is: (083) 552 2990.

For more information, you may also visit their website at http://www.phelagrandehotel.com or email them at [email protected].

Phela Grande Hotel is close to a few local eateries and food chains; and a few minutes away from the citys malls and other restaurants.

Family Country Hotel

General Santos Citys Family Country Hotel is a Standard-type hotel that sits among lush greens and beautiful landscapes, giving a country-homey feel right in the bustling city life of General Santos downtown district.

A highly distinguishable factor that makes the Family Country Hotel a top choice among travelers visiting General Santos City is the warm hospitality of the hotel staff.

Travelers who have stayed here only have good words about the helpful and accommodating staff, ready to make anyones stay as comfortable and convenient as possible.


Family Country Hotel boasts of excellent accommodations that will suit anyones discriminating taste. There are 76 available rooms in all, each one equipped with modern-day amenities and priced at an affordable rate, making it a good choice for a hotel.

Regular Rooms 16 rooms available

Twin Bed Php 770.00

Triple Sharing Php 925.00

Maximum of 3 persons allowed


Maximum of 3 persons - Php 1, 455.00

Twin Bed Php 1, 155.00

Additional Bed Php 300.00

Deluxe Rooms 33 rooms available

Family of 3 Php 2, 100.00

Twin Bed Php 1, 500.00

Extra Pull-Out Bed Php 300.00

Extra Person Php 100.00

Matrimonial Room 5 rooms available

Php 1, 400.00

Extra Pull-Out Bed Php 300.00

Extra Person Php 100.00

Presidential Suite 2 rooms available

Php 2, 150.00

Maximum of 4 persons allowed

All rooms are equipped with cable TV, telephone, private toilet and bath; and are full air-conditioned.

Deluxe, Matrimonial and Suite Rooms have refrigerators on top of the standard amenities; while a Suite has a veranda, living room and dining area in addition to all the amenities mentioned.

Hotel Facilities

Family Country Hotel has its own restaurant, the Café Leticia, where guests can enjoy a variety of local fares and Chinese cuisine. The café offers a good view of the hotels beautiful landscape, making each meal more enjoyable amidst a relaxing atmosphere.

The restaurant is wi-fi ready as well.

Wi-fi internet access is also available at the Family Country Hotel Grand Lobby, while outside is a 25-meter pool which is free for use for all guests staying overnight or longer.

Computer rental, photocopying, printing, use of the fax machine plus mail and courier services are also among the hotels available facilities for all stay-n guests. Airport pick-up and drop-off is available upon request.

A huge Convention Center, which can accommodate up to 1, 000 persons, is likewise available for group functions.

Where To Find

Family Country Hotel is only about twenty minutes off the citys international airport and is within close distance to KCC Mall and Gaisano Mall, major banks and other commercial establishments.

It is located along Mateo Road in Lagao, General Santos City and can be reached through telephone numbers (63-83) 552 8895 to 97 and fax number (63-83) 301 0774.

They can also be contacted through email address [email protected]. More information can be found at the Family Country Hotel website at http://familycountryhotel.com.

Anchor Hotel in General Santos City - Philippines

Anchor Hotel has undergone some major changes to offer better accommodations to all travelers visiting General Santos City.

These changes included taking on a new name, hence; Anchor Hotel is now known as Amigotel Hotel and Suites, an Economy-class hotel right in the heart of General Santos City.

With freshly-designed interiors, improved amenities and facilities, plus a warm and friendly staff; Anchor Hotel a.k.a Amigotel Hotel and Suites will make for an excellent place to stay in while holidaying in the city.


Amigotel/Anchor Hotel is one of the most affordable hotels around the city, offering accommodations for as low as Php 150 per night, per person. Breakdown of room rates is as follows:

Amigo Economy Dorm Type Room

Php 150 per person

This is a Fan Dormitory Room with six single beds, a telephone, toilet and bath with hot and cold shower, and individual dressers.

Amigo Rooms

Amigo Standard Dorm Type Room

Php 200 per person

Air-conditioned Dormitory Room with five single beds, individual dressers, telephone, toilet and bath with hot and cold shower

Economy Fan Rooms

Single Economy

Php 275 per room

Single bed, private toilet and bath with hot and cold shower, cable TV, telephone and dresser

Matrimonial Economy

Php 360 per room

Double-sized bed, private toilet and bath with hot and cold shower, cable TV, telephone and dresser

Twin Economy

Php 375 per room

Two single beds, private toilet and bath with hot and cold shower, cable TV, telephone and dresser

Standard Air-Conditioned Rooms

Single Standard

Php 450 per room

One single bed, private toilet and bath with hot and cold shower, cable TV, telephone and dresser

Matrimonial Standard

Php 560 per room

One double-sized bed, private toilet and bath with hot and cold shower, cable TV, telephone and dresser

Twin Standard

Php 575 per room

Two single beds, private toilet and bath with hot and cold shower, cable TV, telephone and dresser

Family Standard

Php 275 per room

Three single beds, private toilet and bath with hot and cold shower, cable TV, telephone and dresser; with one additional single bed for free

Executive Suite

Php 775 per room

One Queen-sized bed, private toilet and bath with hot and cold shower, cable TV, telephone and dresser; with two additional single beds for free

Hotel Facilities

Anchor Hotel has its own Coffee Bar and Restaurant, for guests who wish to dine-in at the hotel. Wi-fi internet access is available at the hotel lobby for free use of stay-in guests; plus daily newspapers are likewise available at the Anchor Hotel lobby.

There is ample parking space for all guests, with good security to ensure that all vehicles will be safe throughout the guests stay.

Where To Find

Anchor Hotel is conveniently located in the heart of the city, along Santiago Boulevard, approximately thirty minutes off the citys international airport. It is also within close proximity to the citys premier malls, KCC Mall and Gaisano Mall, plus Fitmart and RD Plaza.

Popular restaurant in the city are also close by: Ranchero, Grab-A-Crab and La Veranda.

They may be reached at telephone numbers (083) 552 4574 and 552 4660 or at [email protected]. To know more about Anchor Hotels upgraded features, check out http://amigotelgensan.com.

Pietro's Hotel in General Santos City - Philippines

When one mentions the word hotel, it brings up images of posh, high class living with room service that could empty your whole bank account in a day. Its a good thing that there is Pietro's Hotel. Pietro's Hotel is a medium sized hotel that is quietly tucked away in the central district. It is only a stones throw away from major roads as well as bus terminals and the airport. One could describe the hotel as a warm and cozy place to be in.

Pietro's Hotel is the kind of place that you can bring your buddies and mother to and not be ashamed of the place. The interior of the place is clean, well lit and is taken care of by a team of regular cleaners. When the hotel first opened, the interiors were puritan white and had very minimal decor. Throughout the years, the interior has reflected the mood and temperament of the times around it and it may come as no surprise that many items displayed art the hotel are valuable memorabilia from the past. You can compare the hotel to something like a mini museum but here you get to sleep and dine inside of it. You don't need to worry if the theme seems a bit old for there is the open air garden / patio that anyone can use as a get together or just hang around with friends.

Clearly Pietro's hotel is something unique in Gensan. Aside from the atmosphere of the hotel, the prices are a far cry than the other high class hotels in the area. Room rates start at PHP 300.00 for a single room but the room has all modern amenities plus hot and cold water - perfect for freshening up or simply to relax. No matter how you look at it, Pietro's hotel is a great way to spend your time and money in Gensan.

Pietro's Hotel has one special charm and that is they actually serve breakfast in bed. Some hotels refuse to do this because of the personal space violation between people or simply for privacy reasons but for this hotel, its simply a means of showing customers that they care.

Want to bring a souvenir home? Pietro's hotel doesn't have a gift shop but there are so many souvenir shops and shacks just around the corner. In a nutshell, staying at Pietro's Hotel is one great place to be!

Pietro's hotel can be found along the national highway and isn't hard to miss.

Sydney Hotel in General Santos City - Philippines

Sydney Hotel is a Standard hotel in General Santos City that has comfortable and affordable accommodations, amenities and; business and leisure facilities for travelers visiting the city whether for business or pleasure.

Guests wishing to stay in a hotel that is within close proximity to some of the citys attractions will find Sydney Hotel a good option for accommodations.


The Sydney Hotel is a quaint hotel that is ideal for any traveling group, with 47 different types of accommodations that are easy

on the pocket. Room types and costs are as follows:


Matrimonial Php 1, 340

Twin Beds Php 1, 340

Family Rooms 3 rooms available

Php 1, 672

Superior Rooms 3 rooms available

Php 1, 793

Executive Rooms 4 rooms available

Php 1, 995

Extra beds will be charged Php 300 each while each extra person will cost Php 100. However, children below twelve years old will not be charged extra.

Amenities in each room include cable television, private toilet and bath with hot and cold shower, and telephone for local and international calls. All rooms are fully air-conditioned.

All prices are already inclusive of government taxes. Check out is at 12 noon. Major credit cards are accepted.

Travelers visiting during peak season are advised to place reservations ahead of time to ensure that rooms are still available.

Hotel Facilities

Sydney Hotel has function rooms that can accommodate small groups of two hundred persons at the Vancouver Function Room located on the 6th floor; while groups of sixty can be accommodated at the Blue Fin and Yellow Fin Function Rooms located on the 2nd floor.

Wi-fi internet access is available at the hotels restaurant, plus there is a laundry shop, a souvenir store and secretarial services at the Sydney Hotel Business Center.

Dining and entertainment are available at the KTV Bar, Wanchin Dimsum and Rooftop Grill. Room service and housekeeping are likewise available for all stay-in guests.

Where To Find

Sydney Hotel is located along the corners of Pioneer and Pendaton Avenues, General Santos City.

They may be contacted through telephone numbers: (083) 552 5479 up to 81 and (083) 301 9140; with fax numbers: (083) 552 5478 and (083) 552 3980. For more information on bookings and reservations, visitors may check out the Sydney Hotel website at http://sydneyhotel.com or email them at

[email protected].

The hotel is approximately twenty minutes from the citys international airport and is conveniently located close to the citys major shopping malls and business establishments.

T'boli Hotel in General Santos City - Philippines

Tboli Hotel gets its name from an indigenous tribe in Mindanao, the Tbolis. This is actually an Economy hostel, with only 47 rooms available year-round. This charming little hotel is situated along a highway in General Santos City so it is very easy to locate.

There is also a huge sign right in front of the hotel that tells guests that a Lotto Outlet is available for lotto betting here. Overall, Tboli Hotel provides visitors to General Santos City an affordable option for accommodations, with basic amenities and facilities to keep guests comfortably settled while in the city.


As mentioned, there are 47 rooms available at the Tboli Hotel and the prices are easily affordable. Rates and amenities are as follow:

Single Annex Room Nos. 401 409, 412 420

Php 750.00

Single bed with cable TV, wireless internet access, private toilet and bath with hot and cold shower; fully air-conditioned

Complimentary breakfast for one

Single Ground Floor Room Nos. 307 308

Php 850.00

Single bed with cable TV, wireless internet access, private toilet and bath with hot and cold shower; fully air-conditioned

Complimentary breakfast for one

Double Matrimonial Room Nos. 102, 109, 110

Php 1, 250.00

Matrimonial bed with cable TV, wireless internet access, private toilet and bath with hot and cold shower; fully air-conditioned

Complimentary breakfast for two

Executive Room Room Nos. 301 306

Php 1, 750.00

Matrimonial Bed with cable TV, wireless internet access, private toilet and bath with hot and cold shower; fully air-conditioned


Double Superior Room Nos. 104 108, 410

Php 1, 526.00

Matrimonial bed and 1 single bed with cable TV, wireless internet access, private toilet and bath with hot and cold shower; fully air-conditioned


Family Room Room No. 309

Php 3, 150.00

Three single beds, two double-decker beds, with cable TV, wireless internet access, two private toilet and bath with hot and cold shower; fully air-conditioned

Complimentary breakfast for seven

Extra Bed with Complimentary Breakfast Php 350.00

Extra Towel and Pillow Php 50.00 each

Extra Hours Php 300.00 per hour

The Tboli Hotel has its own restaurant, an outdoor swimming pool and function rooms for group events.

Where To Find

Tboli Hotel is located along National Highway, General Santos City and is only a few minutes from the citys central business district, shops, malls and restaurants.

There are several public transports available right outside the hotel so getting around the city wont be a problem.

Tboli Hotel may be reached through telephone numbers (63) 083 553 7586 and (63) 083 302 2648; or through email addresses: [email protected] and [email protected].

For more information, travelers may be visit their website at http://tbolihotelgensan.com.

Isla Parilla Resort in General Santos City - Philippines

Isla Parilla Resort was once a resort strictly for the family and friends of General Santos Citys top businessman, Marfenio Tan; ten years later, it has evolved into a premier resort destination in the province of Sarangani.

An interesting and unique feature of this resort is the way that its cottages stand on stilts in the middle of a man-made lake. Since its upgrade some three years ago, Isla Parilla Resort now enjoys an AA rating, making it one of the finest resorts in Sarangani and nearby General Santos City.

Accommodations And Rates

There are a total of fourteen cottages in Isla Parilla Resort, with enough room to accommodate up to seven people in a Family Cottage. Prices of cottages are as follow:

Floating Single Cottage Php 1, 800

Floating Family Cottage Php 2, 500

Dorm 1 and Dorm 2 Php 3, 000

Family Deluxe Php 3, 800

There are three Family Suites and eleven Single Cottages. Single Cottages have twin beds, lavatory and bathroom, veranda, hot and cold shower and these are all fully air-conditioned.

Single cottages are good for up to four people.

Family Suites at the Isla Parilla Resort on the other hand, have two bedrooms, lavatory and bathroom, a small living room within the veranda, hot and cold shower; and they are likewise all fully air-conditioned.

To reiterate, Family Suites can accommodate up to seven people.

All prices are already inclusive of government taxes. Check-out time is at 12 noon.

Resort Facilities

Isla Parilla Resort is known for its mouth-watering seafood fares, served fresh and hot at the Formosa Restaurant, where guests can dine al fresco. Fishing in the resorts pond is also allowed and guests can ask the resort staff to cook their catch good for putting a bit of adventure into your lunch.

There are swimming pools for adults and kids, a billiard hall, a sing-along bar, and a playground for kids. Boating facilities are likewise offered at the Isla Parilla Resort, for a little sailing down the waters to enjoy the scenery.

Function rooms and conference facilities are available for group events.

Where To Find

Isla Parilla Resort is situated in Barangay Ladol, Alabel, Sarangani; and is approximately fifteen minutes off General Santos Citys downtown district; giving guests easy access to the citys tourist attractions and landmarks; as well as within easy distance to a thriving nightlife for a bit of clubbing.

They can be reached at telephone number: (63-83) 304 0981 and telefax number: (63-83) 508 5388. More information is also available through their website: http://www.islaparillaresort.com.

Hotel Filipino and Restaurant in General Santos - Philippines

The Hotel Filipino and Restaurant in General Santos City is classified as an Economy type hotel that provides travelers and guests from across the Philippines and all over the world, rooms and accommodations that are cheaper than most other standard hotels in the city.

Hotel Filipino and Restaurant boasts of budget-friendly rooms that are equipped with modern amenities and facilities for a truly comfortable and enjoyable stay.


Hotel Filipino and Restaurant is one of the more affordable hotels in General Santos City; with room rates starting at less than a thousand pesos. Breakdown of rates per room type is as follows:

Single Bed Php 700.00

30 rooms available

Twin Bed Php 950. 00

15 rooms available

Triple Bed Php 1, 200.00

2 rooms available

Matrimonial Bed Php 1, 000.00

3 rooms available

Family Bed 1, 200.00

2 rooms available

Family Deluxe Room Php 1, 500.00

Extra beds are charged Php 300.00 each; while each extra person will be charged Php 100.00. All rooms are fully air-conditioned, and have their own private toilet and bath with hot and cold shower, cable TV, and telephone.

Additional amenities for Family Deluxe Room are refrigerator and a dining area; while a Matrimonial Bed also has its own refrigerator. Guests are advised that room rates may change without prior notice.

Travelers visiting during the holidays or in the summers are advised to make their room reservations early since Hotel Filipino and Restaurant only has a total of 43 rooms available.

Hotel Facilities

Hotel Filipino and Restaurant also has modern facilities for guests convenience including 24-hour security, 24-hour room service, fax services, laundry services, secured parking space, and a coffee shop and restaurant.

Location

Hotel Filipino and Restaurant is ideally located in the heart of General Santos Citys Central Business District, making it close to a number of office and entertainment establishments.

It stands along Ireneo Santiago Boulevard, General Santos City and is likewise situated alongside other hotels in the city. Just within close proximity are some of good restaurants in town such as Sud-An Restaurant, Nadies Chicken House, Shanghai Restaurant, Jamess Ihawan, and a popular pizza chain, Shakeys Pizza.

Incidentally, Sud-An Restaurant and Nadies Chicken House are both Wi-Fi hotspots in General Santos City, making it an ideal eatery for those traveling for business.

For a bit of nightlife, guests can check out bars and clubs located along Santiago Boulevard.

Hotel Filipino and Restaurant may be reached through telephone number: (083) 554 7089 or through telefax number: (083) 554 7088.

Hotel Sansu in General Santos City - Philippines

The Hotel Sansu in General Santos City is a small but well maintained hotel that has every amenity for the busy traveler. Located at Demalanta Building along Pioneer Avenue, it is very accessible by public transport and approximately 12 minutes away from the central hub or drop off point of many bus lines. One would have no difficulty finding it for its facade is quite huge in front and the lobby looks spacious as well.

The Hotel Sansu is the ideal place to stay in since its rates are significantly lower than the other resorts or hotels in the area. They definitely offer attractive rates that the standard hotel chains in the area.

One aspect that travelers would appreciate is the personalized service. The staff are well versed in English and are ready to serve with a smile.

The rooms are well furnished with modern equipment and are kept very clean by the housekeeping staff. Most of the rooms are spacious and have many views that look out into the city. It isn't hard to find a room with a great view at Hotel Sansu.

Most of the 32 rooms are air conditioned and have tv's with full cable access. Hot and cold water are not a problem and there is a 24 hour laundry service in case you need your clothes to be washed and pressed in a short time. Internet connection is also available and there is also an internet cafe on the ground floor that offers a quick connection.

The Hotel Sansu is one hotel in General Santos city that is known for a traditional and warm atmosphere. It isn't hard to feel right at home here.

For travelers that would like to bring home some souvenirs, there is a small gift shop on the ground floor that is packed with goodies

that you can just pick up on the way to the airport. It has sealed pack candies, some dried meats, a lot of colorful apparel, and some local books.

The Hotel also has rental car services for those who would want to rent one while in town but your goal is to go sight seeing, it would be more enjoyable to travel by jeep or trike. Car rentals may be a bit expensive but it allows the way to travel on your own time.

Some people might opt to hire a local guide in the area but if this is the option chose, you have to watch where the guide would lead you for they might bring you to places that have an overhead or "guide" charge so be advised.

Matutum Hotel in General Santos City - Philippines

Matutum Hotel is a small hotel in General Santos City classed as an Economy type hotel because of its affordable rates. It is set in a contemporary style, 3-storey building; where rooms have a view of the city straight from the balcony.

It has a total of 47 rooms with amenities to make your stay comfortable and relaxing. Hotel facilities are also available for free use of stay-in guests. It likewise has its own restaurant for dining-in or room service, with specialties consisting of Chinese and Filipino cuisines.


THE 47 rooms at Matutum Hotel are divided into three categories, to suit the preference and taste of their guests. Room types and rates are as follow:

Standard Php 300.00

Fan room only

Single Php 550.00

Fully air-conditioned, TV, private toilet and bath with hot and cold shower

Double Php 650.00


Family Room Php 950.00


Matutum Hotel advises guests that prices are subject to change without prior notice. Room reservations are subject to availability hence; travelers visiting General Santos City are advised to place their reservations before their scheduled trip; particularly during peak season; which are during the holidays and summers.

Hotel Facilities

Matutum Hotel is a full service hotel that provides daily housekeeping services, 24-hour room service as well as secretarial services such as photocopying services, among others.

The hotel likewise has its own money changer so foreign travelers wont have a hard time exchanging their currencies to Philippine peso for easier money transactions. On the other hand, Matutum Hotel would like to advise its guests that they accept payments through major credit cards.

Conference facilities are also available for group events.

Location And Nearby Establishments

Matutum Hotel is located at 47 P. Acharon Boulevard, General Santos City. Along the boulevard and close to the hotel, you can find several other specialty restaurants for more dining options.

Some of these restaurants include Capitol Restaurant, New Calpin Restaurant, and Jo-Nas Restaurant and Bakeshop. For a little bit of nightlife, you can check out Overtime Zircon Disco for dancing and nighttime entertainment.

In addition, major malls around the city can be easily accessed from Matutum Hotel for your shopping needs.

There are likewise other hotels and accommodations within close proximity to Matutum Hotel. For more information, you may reach Matutum Hotel at telephone numbers +63(83) 552 4901 and +63(83) 301 8097.

Newspapers in General Santos - Philippines

General Santos City, rated as a first-class city in South Cotabato because of its growing economic standing in the Philippines and its thriving tourism industry, keeps abreast with the latest headlines both in the country and around the globe through major broadsheets of national circulation also found in the city.

The city also has a couple of local Newspapers for news in and around General Santos City.

Local Newspapers

There are three local Newspapers in General Santos City that bring daily news to the community. These are Sun Star, Gold Star Daily and Brigada News. Sun Star is the most popular local newspaper in the city, bringing a diverse set of news regularly for the people in General Santos City.

From general interest to controversial news, to classified advertisements on local jobs, real estate properties, rentals and the latest promotions in local malls; Sun Star brings the latest and updated news regularly to their loyal following in the city.

Gold Star Daily meanwhile also brings the latest news in and around General Santos City to residents and tourists here.

Finally, Brigada News is a local newspaper that has grown since it started back in 2005; and their circulation now also includes other parts of Mindanao. Brigada News is proudly a product of General Santos City, having started their small beginnings right in the city before they widened their reach across the Mindanao region.

National Newspapers

On the other hand, Newspapers of national circulation are also found in General Santos City. These Newspaper keep the people here abreast with all the latest happenings around the nation and the world, with well-balanced news delivered daily.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer is among these Newspapers of general circulation that both locals and tourists can enjoy everyday, for their daily dose of news on politics, and opinions of some of the countrys well-respected columnists in the likes of Conrado de Quiros, Rina Jimenez-David and Amando Doronilla.

The Philippine Star is another one of the Newspapers of general circulation also found in General Santos City. General interest news are likewise delivered by the Philippine Star and this includes the latest controversies on some of the countrys hottest celebrities; popular sports news such as basketball, tennis, golf, boxing and football.

All these Newspapers, both local and national, can be easily purchased at local newsstands. For residents, these are usually delivered right at their doorstep; while travelers can usually get their own copies from the hotel lobbies of where they are staying during their holiday in General Santos City.

General Santos Sightseeing

General Santos is widely recognized as a first class, highly advanced city, among the finest in Mindanao and the Philippines. However, aside from being conducive to business ventures, the city is also recognized for being a major tourist hotspot.

The Kalaja Karst Area

Of the myriad tourist spots in General Santos City, the one that should always be a priority would have to be the Kalaja Karst area.

About 9 miles (15 km.) off the northeast of Barangay Conel, the Kalaja Karst is a sprawling natural reserve that features something for every nature lover and camper. One of the most well visited is the Kalaja Cave. Together with a tour guide, you will find the experience going underground has few comparisons. The highlight is a body of water about 3 meters (10 ft) deep and more than 20 meters (60 ft) wide.

There are also plenty of gorgeous waterfalls, and also lots of space for campers. For those who are more interested in climbing or hiking, the rugged environment also provides a variety of options.

Lake Sebu

There is a reason why the T’boli tribe in General Santos settled in the spot where they have, and it is due to Lake Sebu itself.

Looking over the lake one will be impressed by its clearness and purity, but also the overall serenity of the area, with the pool of water seeming to hold everything together. If you get the feeling that there is something mystical about it, you are not alone, for the local tribes in General Santos have always held the belief that it is miraculous, a body of water that never goes dry, and a source of nourishment provided by the Creator.

Lake Maughan

There are five large rivers in T’boli, and the source of all is Lake Maughan.

The lake and the surrounding land has been declared a sanctuary and a natural preserve. The vast area (50,000 hectares) is home to some of the most exotic plants and animals in the Philippines. Some of them in fact, can only be seen in South Cotabato and General Santos.

The Kalsangi Golf Course

Adjacent to Mount Matutum lies the Kalsangi Golf Course, a place where lovers of the game can gather and play.

The Kalsangi Golf Course is not just for game lovers; it is also the site for DOLE Philippines. There are also other amenities, including a restaurant and a swimming pool. Furthermore, it is also the place where you can begin to explore Mount Matutum.

The T’boli Settlement

Long before the arrival of the Spaniards, the area comprising General Santos City and South Cotabato had already been settled in by various tribes. Now, by going to the west side of Lake Sebu, one can glimpse of its glorious past through the T’boli tribe.

The T’boli tribe is one of several indigenous tribes in the area the others include the Manobo Blit and the famous Tasadays). There you can see these natives, clad in their colorful attires and performing their daily activities. Among these are weaving and crafting complex and stunning beads, baskets, and other local craft. Some of the men can also be seen making various ornaments.

Mount Matutum

Rising over 7,600 ft (2,000 meters), Mount Matutum is one of the highest mountains in all of Mindanao.

The mountain is much sought after by climbers, as the reward for ascending to the top is a spectacular view of the skies and a vast mountain range. Its complex landscape will present a challenge to anyone.

Nopol Hills

If you enjoy hiking, Nopol Hills in General Santos is the best place to go to. Only half an hour away from Kalaja Karsts, it is a great way to start or end your day.

As one of the most expansive and highest grounds in the city, Nopol Hills gives you a good look at Sarangani Bay, and also some of the other towns and municipalities in the vicinity. For several people, the most enjoyable thing that can be done is to just watch the sun go down.

Beaches in General Santos - Philippines

General Santos City has a lot of beach sites in its area where you can dip your feet in, wade in, dive in, or snorkel at. Most have an abundance of live water species and soft coral beds. If you want to explore them, here are some of the wonderful beach sites to go to:

Tampuan or Tinoto Wall Complex

Known to many as The Wall, this dive site has a reported depth level of around 200m. You can see this about 50km from city of General Santos in Tinoto Village. The wall is actually a bed of interesting things to see such as the sea fans, sponges, hydroids, tunicates, and other life forms where the reef fish, cucumbers, nudibranchs, and crustaceans live. It is really an awesome sight to behold. As you wade in the waters, you would get to see other larger life forms such as the bump head parrotfish, eagle and mantra rays, tuna, shoaling fish, and occasional hammerhead sharks.

TBoli Beach Resort

The TBoli Beach Resort in General Santos City is also a good choice to check out when you visit this city. Unlike most of the other beach sites in the Philippines, the TBoli Beach Resort has cheaper accommodations. This also has a small reef, and the place is deemed to be good for water sports.

Rajah Beach Resort

Rajah Beach Resort is another of General Santos quality resorts and beach sites to go to. Its wide stretch of sand and small corals makes it an inviting place to stay in. This is also one of those dive sites that many divers in the beginners level and the more advanced levels prefer to go to for a wet and pleasurable adventure into the deep.

Maharlika Beach Resort

This is actually the biggest resort in General Santos City and is said to be the best of the beach sites. On shore, there is a fresh water swimming pool to enjoy. For divers, there is a larger area where lots of water species including the snappers, wrasse, Moorish idols, sweetlips, groupers, emperors, yellowtail barracuda,

mackerel, cow fish, turretfish, filefish, and more can be seen.

Beach sites in General Santos City are truly a divers paradise. But for those who do not wish to dive, there are also swimming pools within the resorts to please you. Many like the live water species they see in the waters. Others just like to hang around the sites. Whatever you choose to do, going to these places can surely be a delightful experience for you.

Veterans Beach in General Santos City - Philippines

Veterans Beach is located at the village of Tinoto in General Santos City. It is at the end of the structure called the Tampuan or the Tinoto Wall Complex, which is more popularly known as The Wall. Veterans Beach is also known by the moniker, the Sulifman Diving Site. To get to Veterans Beach, first off, one has to locate the Tinoto Wall Complex through the USAID road. When the beachgoer accesses Tinoto through this road, the travel time usually just lasts for around 45 minutes. From the Tinoto Village proper, all the tourist has to do is to make a 50 kilometer ride to Tinoto Wall. Once at The Wall, ask the locals where Veterans Beach is located. They would usually point tourists over to the far end of the place.

Once the tourist gets to Veterans Beach, the first thing he will perhaps blurt out in description of the place is that it is the perfect haven for dive fanatics. This is because from the point of entry, one will get to see instantly how the beach gently slopes off into the sea, which sort of gives the impression that it is an invitation for beachgoers to get into the plunge. And then, once the diver gets into the water, not far off from the beach, he instantly gets a fantastic sighting of the very wealthy sea creatures cohabiting in Veterans Beach.

Among the sea creatures in here include the very popular tuna, the pride catch of General Santos City, as well as hammerhead sharks and several aquarium fishes, such as parrotfish, manta rays, eagle rays, and shoaling fish. Aside from the various school of fish, another added treat here for the eyes is the wide expanses of coral reefs that abound in the waters of Veterans Beach. Now, if the tourist wants to really get the clearest view of all these marine wealth, tourism authorities at General Santos City have decided to put up diving sites around the place to cater to those who went to Veterans Beach specifically for diving.

The first stop, for amateur scuba divers, is the Rocky Beach, where one will get enough of the fish and sea creatures. But if the tourist wants more adventure, and he happens to be a skilled scuba diver, then he might want to try the Kamanga Reef, the Takot Maasim, the Sand Bar, or the Takot Malbang dive points. Aside from providing a more interesting sighting of the rich sea life at Veterans Beach, these dive points also offer the scuba diver more adventure and diving challenge.

Accommodations are typically in the form of cottages, which charge around 150 pesos each. For food, it will be fun if tourists will stage a cook fest in their respective cottages during their stay at Veterans Beach.

London Beach in General Santos City - Philippines

London Beach is one of the many beautiful beaches in General Santos City. It is specifically located at the village of Cabo in the town of Tambler in downtown General Santos City. To go to London Beach, you just have to drive 25 minutes from the city proper. On the other hand, there are sources stating that London Beach is situated at Siguel, which, if the tourist will be coming from the city proper, would just be worth a few minutes motorcycle or habal habal ride.

Upon arriving at London Beach, the tourist will be welcomed by the fresh air and cool breeze emanating from the beach's surroundings. Savor and breathe in this luscious air for a relaxing experience. Moving forward, check out the pure, white sand underneath. This white sand is actually only artificial, but it surely adds to the action packed ambience of the beach. Why action packed? That is basically because at London Beach, you would find a wide array of sea creatures swimming freely in the water as if it were there own natural habitat with the beachgoers in the place.

Expect to see hard to find species of sea creatures at London Beach, such as scorpion fish and moray eels. Now, one might ask why the beach seemingly teems with so much life. Well, this is basically because the locals here are very much protective of this beautiful beach, so they have built safety enclaves around the area to protect both the sea animals as well as the tourists going to the area. These enclosures are usually made of old bamboo fronds, built into a safety boom that separates the place where the swimmers could go to the place where sea creatures usually wander. This bamboo boom is regularly replaced with a new one, and the old one left in place to serve as breeding ground for other sea creatures to habitate, such as coral feeding sea animals.

Aside from natural wonders, the London Beach also boasts of lots of options for recreation and relaxation. Here, tourists could freely engage in water sports and even beach volleyball. Comfort also need not be an issue to those who will be touring London Beach, because it is packed with almost all the amenities that are resplendent of city living, such as comfortable and entertaining accommodations, typically in the form of cottages, wide parking spaces, and shower and dressing rooms in the resort areas. For food, no need to stray any further than to the canteens mushrooming in the place, or else, bring your own food to share at the picnic huts situated in the area.

Margus Beach in General Santos City - Philippines

Margus Beach is another addition to the large roster of beautiful beaches in General Santos City. Margus Beach is specifically located in the town of Glan in Sarangani, which is about 35 kilometers from General Santos. To reach Margus Beach, all the tourist needs to do is to take a 45 minute ride to Glan from the airport at General Santos City. Margus Beach is situated near two other equally beautiful beaches that are the pride of Glan, which are Gumasa Beach and Baliton Beach.

Once tourists get into Margus Beach, they will ultimately appreciate why the locals as well as the tourism officials refer to it as one of the finest beach resorts in the country. That is because from the sight of, first and foremost, the beach waters, one will get the impression of its pure and unspoilt beauty and ardor. Another element that will surely make tourists go gaga over going to Margus Beach is the fact that aside from being a swimming resort, Margus Beach is also a fishing point, what with the 2,400 or so species of marine creatures dwelling in its waters, these including the prized tuna of General Santos City, plus schools of mackerel and shipjack. It will be definitely fun to watch out who among the beachgoers will be able to catch the biggest or the most number of tuna, mackerel, and shipjack for the day. It will also be fun for tourists to be able to haul in their very own catch of yellow fin tuna, have it salted then roasted, and finally, reserve it for dinner that night. Tuna will also make great take home gifts for family and friends, so tourists better make sure that this is their own catch, just so that the tuna will have a sort of personalized value for the receiver.

On the other hand, not just the waters of Margus Beach offer pure nature viewing pleasure. Even just walking or running around the seashore offer aesthetic bliss, all because of the wide stretch of pure white sand that surrounds it. Margus Beach is said to be best toured on during the summer months for tourists to best appreciate the surroundings and, of course, for them to be able to have their best catch of fish.

As for accommodation, great eats, and shopping, the town of Glan is dotted by cottages, hotels, and restaurants, most of which have access roads that cruise national roads and even village roads. This way, tourists are sure of comfort even as they go cruising through the province to Margus Beach.

Sarangani Bay in General Santos City - Philippines

There are many sights and attractions that make Sarangani Bay worth visiting-- the white sandy beaches and coconut palm trees, the open waters, to name just a few. Located in the southernmost edge of Mindanao, Sarangani Bay is a 230-kilometer stretch of shoreline facing the Celebes Sea. It is famous for scuba diving, snorkelling, and wreck diving because underneath its shores are ships dating back to the Spanish times.

The white sandy beaches of Sarangani Bay are well-known to both local and foreign tourists. They are considered among the finest in the country along with their beach resorts, virgin coves, rock formations, and mysterious caves. The beaches of the Bay remains one of the most undiscovered and unpopulated spots in the area. It is the perfect place to go swimming, playing games, engaging in sports, unwinding, and relaxation.

Sarangani Bay is also an exceptional place to go fishing. A huge contingent of fishermen thrives near the shores of the bay and relies heavily on fishing which has served as their main source of livelihood. Most of the fishermen use wooden outrigger canoes and practice the traditional method of fishing. Eventually, the wooden canoes were replaced by pump boats.

During the months of June and July, Sarangani Bay attractions is home to large squids laying their eggs on the corals where different species of fishes and other sea creatures live. The warm and clear waters of the bay are a haven of a wide variety of marine life such as whales, sea turtles, colourful reef fish, and sea cows. Aside from that, it is a place where you can find dolphins and shrimpfish as well as manta rays, barracudas, eagle rays, and others.

For those who are looking for quality time with their friends, families, and relatives, the bay offers a wide range of resorts and beaches. Among the popular destinations in Sarangani Bay attractions include Tropicana, London Beach, Tboli, Rajah, and the Maharlika Resorts. It is the perfect sanctuary to go on a romantic getaway and for beach lovers.

There is more to Sarangani Bay attractions that meets the eye. If you are looking for enjoyment, quality time, and relaxation, appreciate the natural charm and authentic beauty of Sarangani Bay. It may not offer the luxury and accommodation that makes other tourist spots extremely popular. However, you can bank on the warm hospitality and friendliness of the local people which can give you a guarantee of a memorable and enjoyable experience.

Gumasa Beach in General Santos City - Philippines

Gumasa beach is one of the three popular beaches that are the pride of the village of Glan in Sarangani province, which is just worth around 30 kilometers in distance to the Tuna Capital of the Philippines, General Santos City. The two other beaches are the beaches of Margus and Baliton.

To go to Gumasa Beach from the General Santos City proper, all the tourist has to do is to board a public transport van bound to Glan from the KCC mall. He will have to pay about 68 pesos for the fare. Travel usually just takes about 40 minutes. The van will drop him off at the tricycle terminal in Glan. From there, he has to ride a tricycle to Gumasa Beach.

Only two passengers can board the vehicle at one time, and they would have to pay 30 pesos each for the fare. Otherwise, if the tourist has his own means of transportation, he will just have to take a 40 minute ride to the beach from General Santos International Airport, via the airport shuttle service. Taxi cabs are also available, but these may charge tourists up to around 300 pesos for just a 40-minute ride.

Once the tourist gets into Gumasa Beach, what will most probably get into his senses first are the stretches of white sand, the clear blue waters, the azure sky, and the forest covered mountain ranges in the background. This is most probably the reason why Gumasa Beach has been declared by many as the Boracay of Mindanao. And then, if the tourist will be scouring the entirety of Gumasa Beach, he will also get to notice that it is, as a whole, shaped like a crescent, all six kilometers of it.

Truly, Gumasa Beach is as picturesque and as postcard like in beauty as it were portrayed in articles hailing it as the Boracay of the South. And tourists go here for many different reasons. Whether it is simply swimming or going diving, there is a treat for anyone at Gumasa Beach. Or even if they just want to go look for the perfect view of the sun, whether rising or setting, they are sure to get it at Gumasa Beach.

Places to eat at Gumasa Beach range from luxurious hotel fare, to the plush Sarangani Highlands, which is one of the most sought after restaurants in the town of Glan because of its nature inspired beauty and delicious Pinoy dishes.

Saravia Falls in General Santos City - Philippines

Saravia Falls takes its source from the city of Koronadal in South Cotabato, which is about an hour ride from the tuna capital, General Santos City. It is one of the seven falls that pour from Lake Sebu. Lake Sebu is another highly acclaimed tourist spot because of its natural beauty as well as the tilapia cages. Aside from the Saravia Falls, the other falls flowing from Lake Sebu are the Lambusong Falls located in Norala, the Matimus Falls in Tantangan, and the Traankini and Nongon.

To get to Koronadal, where Saravia Falls is located, from General Santos City, all the tourist has to do is to ride either a bus or jeepney going to Koronadal from General Santos City. Travel time usually takes about 50 minutes to an hour. And then, from the Koronadal City Proper, ride a multi cab or tricycle and ask to be dropped off the village of Saravia -- this is where they are going to find Saravia Falls.

Once tourists get into Saravia Falls, they will get an idea why this is acclaimed as one of the most beautiful and tourist flocked locations in the city. Why not, with its beauty considered as one of the most outstanding of all the seven falls of Lake Sebu. The waters look so immaculate, and the gush of water falling in from its source high above looks so engaging that all tourists could do is to succumb and head for a swim. Looking around, security need not be an issue, because the Saravia Falls has officially been pronounced by the local government officials as a tourist spot. Thus said, tourists can be sure that they will be getting not just the facilities that they need when they go to the place, such as shower and dressing rooms, but they could be sure also that life guards will just be on standby in case something untoward happens during their sojourn to Saravia Falls.

Speaking of facilities, since the Saravia Falls has been converted into a swimming resort, more and more people have continually been flocking in here, this including not just the tourists from afar but even the locals of Koronadal City as well. Expect the government officials to be continuously up and about, coming up with ideas and ways to further liven up the tourist-y atmosphere at Saravia Falls. As per shops and restaurants, if tourists would want to go cheap, there are lots of sidewalk shops all over the village that peddle their stuff at bargain prices.

Baliton Beach in General Santos City - Philippines

Baliton Beach is situated at the town of Glan in Sarangani, which is located just around 33 kilometers from the Tuna Capital of the Philippines, which is General Santos City.

The town of Glan is known not just for having the biggest land area in the province, but for having some of the world's richest fishing fields as well as the most beautiful beaches, which, obviously, includes Baliton Beach. Baliton Beach can also be accessed by boat from the beaches of Margus and Gumasa, which are, by the way, two other top rating beach resorts in the town of Glan. Now, if the tourist will becoming from the airport, all it takes is a 45 minute ride and he will be in Glan to visit Baliton Beach.

Once the tourist gets to Baliton Beach, the first thing he will most probably notice is the cool and refreshing sea breeze, which seems to be an open invitation to tourists to scour the deeper waters. One will also perhaps get to notice the view of mountains and rolling hills at the background. Once he gets into the water, he might be surprised at the wide array of sea creatures dwelling in the beach, such as dolphins, whales, and sea turtles. There are also tuna a-plenty, the yellow fin kind. Also look for mackerel fish, shipjack, and a whole lot of aquarium fishes, such as eagle rays. According to tourism officials in the area, all in all, there are more than two thousand species of marine creatures in Baliton Beach.

Knowing even just that is already a treat, isn't it? But, as if to double, or perhaps triple, the treat, these marine creatures are not for the eyes only. That is because tourism officials have designated fishing spots in select areas of Baliton Beach. In short, tourists do not just look, they can even fish as well! Now, it will be a thrill to find out who among the visitors would be able to have the biggest or the most plentiful catch of yellow fin tuna or mackerel for the day.

Since Baliton Beach has already been long established as a tourist spot in the place, tourists could expect that there would be food stalls and restaurants located just around the place. For their necessities, there would be lots of bargain shops located around the area, to which they can go to for flea markets and shopping on the cheap.

Tropicana Beach in General Santos City - Philippines

Tropicana Beach is located at the town of Tambler in General Santos City. To go there, one will just have to take a 20 to 30 minute ride from General Santos City's downtown area. And, if one wants to take a trip or a tour of the beaches that the city offers, it is best to go to the route that takes them to Tropicana Beach, because not far from it, just around 50 meters away, is another beautiful beach, the Maharlika Resort.

Once at Tropicana Beach, be prepared for dozens other tourists that commonly flock there to savor the peaceful ambience that the beach brings. Even in the early mornings, expect to see

Tropicana Beach already crowded with beachgoers, as it is usually best to check out the pacifying atmosphere in this tourist spot first thing during the day. This could be attributed to the refreshingly cool breeze that circulates throughout the place whatever time of the day it is, whether during the day or during the night.

Also, check out the pretty beach resort managed by an RD Group of Companies affiliate, as well as a swimming pool, and several dive spots. When diving, expect to be thrilled by tiny corals and the sandy sea floor. On shore, expect an equally picturesque surrounding with clear blue skies, pure white sand, and sea green waters. And, if most beachgoers go to beaches to see the sunset, at Tropicana Beach, see the best sunrise ever in the planet, resplendent of the quiet and serenity of the place. Perhaps this is the very reason why it is called Tropicana, a name from which emanates that fresh feeling that only the wonders of the tropics could give.

Accommodations at Tropicana Beach range from budget hotels to cottages. For hotels, one of the most advisable to go to is the Dolores Hotel, which, aside from offering its guests 34 air conditioned rooms, also boasts of two function rooms which can be used for corporate functions or even parties. For food, you could either go to Dolores Hotel or to the only restaurant in the area, the Sarangani Highlands restaurant. At the Sarangani Highlands restaurant, not only will tourists be able to savor delicious Filipino food and sample dishes made from GenSan's prize ingredient, tuna, they will also be able to check out other eye candies that the town of Tambler has to offer, such as the Sarangani Bay, Mount Matutum, Mount Parker, and downtown GenSan. Even the landscaping of the Sarangani Highlands restaurant is a welcome treat, what with its all nature setting.

Tuka Beach in General Santos City - Philippines

Of all the beaches in General Santos City, Tuka is one of the most interesting. Tuka Beach is located in the town of Kiamba in Sarangani. To go to Tuka Beach from the General Santos City proper, all that one has to do is to first and foremost ride a van going to Kiamba from the transport terminal at North Osmeña Street. The fare going to the Kiamba wharf would usually be around 90 to 120 pesos. And then, from the Kiamba wharf, take a ride via the fishing boats waiting at the area and ask to be dropped off Tuka Beach. The tourist will then be taken to either Tuka Beach 1, Tuka Beach 2, Tuka Beach 3, or Tuka Beach 4. No need to worry, these are just divisions of the entire beach. But one might need to know first from the locals in the area which division of Tuka Beach is the best to go to.

When one goes to any division of the Tuka Beach, there is one thing common among all four: the coconut trees, the spectacular mountain ranges, and the hilly scenery on the backdraft. And all these are virgin, unspoiled natural stuff. Of all the Tuka Beach's divisions, the one that is seemingly and most often flocked by hordes of beachgoers is Tuka Beach 3.

This may be because most of the amenities especially built for swimmers are in here. At Tuka Beach 3, one will be welcomed with the wonderful sight of yellowish white sand with bowing coconut palm fronds in the background. There are some parts of the shore that are dotted with coral reefs, so tourists need better be careful when they approach the beach by their boats, so as to avoid grazing the area. The entire Tuka Beach 3 cove measures around 600 meters, and it is all 600 meters of clear sea green water and fresh air.

There are also a wide variety of sea creatures that you can see at Tuka Beach, a large majority of which are sea creatures dwelling in corals, such as angel fish, clown fish, puffer fish, butterfly fish, and even sea snakes. Some of them, even, belong to species that can only be found in the Philippines. There were also towering rocks in the area, an added aesthetic treat in the place.

Tourists usually bring in their own food at the place. That is because one of the best pleasures when visiting Tuka Beach is cooking by the beach side. Others go to the theme park just located near the beach. There are also plenty of accommodation options available, which one could usually avail through travel packages.

How to Get to General Santos

There are many different transportation options whenever you're planning a trip to General Santos City, otherwise known to the locals as their beloved Gensan. Your options are to travel by air or by sea. Though your travel options may be varied, you should check which ones are more convenient or more practical for you. We have also added other options you might want to take as an alternative if flights are fully booked or otherwise unavailable.

How to get to General Santos by Plane

There are many transportation options to get to General Santos City. One of the most convenient ways to get there is to travel by plane. The General Santos International Airport serves all flights coming in and out of the city. It is the Philippines’ second largest airport and has daily flights to and from Cebu and Manila.

The most viable air routes is to fly into the city are via the daily flights coming from the nation’s capital, Manila, or through the Queen City of the South, Cebu. You can choose from various airlines such as Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, and Air Philippines. You may choose a flight according to schedule or according to fare price as some airlines offer cheaper rates than others.

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Philippine Airlines

Philippine Airlines is the country’s flag carrier and is the oldest commercial airline in the entirety of Asia that still operates under its founding name. This airline is locally called PAL, and serves flights to 19 different destinations in the country. Other than its domestic flights, it also serves flights to 24 destinations outside of

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the country. It operates through its hubs in Manila in the north and Cebu City in the country’s southern regions.

PAL has flights in and out of General Santos City on a daily basis. Budget airfare from Philippine Airlines is ranges from Php 1,800 to Php 2,800, which includes taxes and other charges. The more expensive flights will cost you some Php 7,000 to Php 8,500. You get to choose which available flight you can take. Do take note of special promotional offers that can get you some great discounts.

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Cebu Pacific

This airline is formally known as Cebu Air Incorporated. It ranks as the third biggest low cost airline in Asia. It is owned by JG Summit Holdings, Inc. It has hubs in Manila, Cebu, Pampanga, and Davao. The airline headquarters is located at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila. It serves 50 destinations with a total fleet size of 29 aircraft.

There are those who prefer this airline above the others due to relatively low fare prices or because this it offers a lot of promotional discounts. However, the regular airfare from Manila to General Santos City is at Php 1,800 to Php 1,900 while the more expensive flights will cost some Php 2,200 to Php 2,300. The flight from Cebu will cost you some Php 1,400 to Php 1,600.

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Air Philippines

Air Philippines is low-cost airlines that also serve flights to General Santos City. Its parent company is PAL Holdings Inc. It has its headquarters in Pasay City. With its fleet size of 10 aircraft, it serves 18 flights all over the country.

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PAL Express

PAL Express is a subsidiary of the Philippines’ flag carrier, Philippine Airlines. It is one of the two budget airlines that serve flights to General Santos City, the other airline being Air Philippines. The airline company was founded in 2008 and has its head office in Pasay City. It operating hub is the Mactan-Cebu International Airport but it also flies intra regional routes and smaller operations in PAL’s Manila hub.

Those who are looking for cheaper flights into Gensan may look into the travel offers provided by this airline. PAL flies to this city of the south once a day from the nation’s capital, Manila. It also flies once a day from Cebu City. You can book PAL Express flights from Gensan at the PAL ticketing office located in the Allied Bank Building on P. Acharon Boulevard.

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Getting into General Santos City by Boat

Another option to get to General Santos City is travel by boat. The city’s Makar Wharf is one of the busiest in the Philippines and is also considered by many as one of the best wharfs in the country. This wharf’s docking length measures up to 740 meters with a width of 19 meters. It connects the city via waterways to major destinations in the country and a few destinations in nearby countries.

This seaport has boat trips scheduled to and from Iloilo City, Manila, and Cebu City. The routes in and out of the city are served by at least four ferry companies. Negros Navigation, Sulpicio Lines, and Super Ferry serve passengers to various domestic destinations. Indonesian Shipping Lines serve routes to and from Indonesia.

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Super Ferry

WG & A Super Ferry is one of the ferry companies that serve passengers getting into and out of General Santos City. The ferry company was formed in 1995 due to an amalgamation of three companies namely Williams Lines, Carlos Gothong Lines, and Aboitiz Shipping, thus the initials on the company’s moniker. It is the largest shipping lines in the Philippines to date.

Their main office is at the 12th floor of the Times Plaza Building located at the corner of UN Avenue and Taft Avenue in Manila. However, you can get your tickets in any of their ticketing offices spread throughout the country. Getting a trip via Super Ferry will have you travel via Manila to Bacolod or Manila to Zamboanga and then to Gensan. If you’re coming from the south you can take the trip from Davao to Gensan.

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Negros Navigation

This company started out as a form of inter-island transportation initially intended for the provinces of Negros and Panay, both provinces are sugar rich economies in the Visayas Region of the Philippines. This shipping and ferry company was established in 1932 and has its headquarters at Pier II in Manila’s North Harbor. The company has seven vessels in its fleet and serves various inter island destinations.

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Sulpicio Lines

Sulpicio Lines is one of the shipping companies that operate inter-island ferries in the Philippines. It is also one of your ferry options if you want to travel to General Santos City by boat. This ferry company has been around since 1973 and was founded by Don Sulpicio Go. Mr. Go was once the general manager of Carlos Gothong Lines, one of the three companies that formed WG & A Super Ferry.

Don Sulpicio Go at one time decided to establish his own shipping

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business and founded his own company. The Sulpicio Lines office in Manila is located at 415 San Fernando Street in Binondo. There is also a Manila terminal office that you can find in Pier 12 on Tondo’s North Harbor. They also have a Cebu office in the Don Sulpicio Go Building along Sulpicio Go Street in the city’s reclamation area.

Sulpicio Lines has 17 seagoing vessels in its fleet and 12 cargo vessels. Their routes basically cover many southern islands. Other than trips to General Santos City, they also serve passengers en route to Davao, Iloilo, Cebu, Zamboanga, Tacloban, Dumaguete, Tagbilaran, Ormoc, Dipolog, and Dumaguete. You can book trips in their offices or purchase tickets in various ticketing offices in Manila and other cities in the Philippines.

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Getting to General Santos City by Bus

One of the interesting options to get to the city from various locations in the country is via bus. If you’re traveling all the way from the island of Luzon then you will have to travel to Manila, the Philippine capital. From Manila you can buy tickets from one of the bus companies that ply a southern route like Philtranco.

Buses heading to the southern islands of the country will take the route through the Bicol Region all the way down to the southernmost parts of Luzon. From there the bus will be ferried to Samar and the trip continues until you get to Leyte in the Visayas Region. The long trip doesn’t end there as it seems since you have to travel all the way to Davao in Mindanao. The three local bus companies that transport passengers to and from General Santos City are Husky Lines, Holiday Bus Lines, and Yellow Bus Lines.

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Yellow Bus Lines

Yellow Bus Lines, or YBL, is one of the respected and oldest bus companies that ply the city’s route. You basically get on one of their buses if you want to travel to and from Koronadal City, Davao City, and the Upper Valley areas. This bus company is actually based in Koronadal. The trip to Davao will take about three hours while the bus ride to Koronadal will take only about 45 minutes.

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Holiday Bus

Holiday Bus is another bus company that plies the same route as YBL. The only difference is that YBL is more popular than Holiday Bus. Traveling from Davao to Gensan will require you to get on a bus at the Overland Transport Terminal in Davao’s Ecoland. The bus fare from Davao to General Santos is at P165 but deluxe buses have their fares at P100.

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These are your Gensan travel options. Pick the travel option that is more convenient or otherwise practical. Take note of alternative means of transportation in case some options are unavailable.

Shopping in General Santos

Shopping options in General Santos City are ever growing. New malls and shopping centers are being constructed over a period several years. Of course, this is expected of a city that is ever growing. Some of the malls and shopping areas have been around for some years and will be met by new stores in the years to come. Here are some of the current shopping destinations in the city.

KCC Mall of Gensan

The KCC Mall of Gensan is truly one of those malls that are usually frequented by thousands of avid shoppers and visitors in General Santos. Where else can you find all the things you would need housed under one roof? There are many things to see here that make shopping in General Santos a truly pleasurable thing to do. With its wide stairways, accessible parking spaces, six cinemas, and more, the three-storey building of KCC Mall of Gensan, which is located at J. Catolico Avenue in Lagao, has become a favorite hang-out of many people.

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Gaisano Mall Gensan

Another mall that has operated for several years in General Santos City, other than the KCC Mall, is the Gaisano Mall. In fact, these two malls are on the same street in the town of Lagao. The Gaisano Mall is also another great shopping option due to its amenities and number of shops. The only negative comment you'll usually hear is that the bathrooms are kind of hard to find, so you better ask for directions from the mall's staff. The Gaisano Mall has a bit more to offer since it houses banks, wireless centers, and bookstores.

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Fitmart GenSan

What can you find at the Fitmart Mall? For starters, there is a shop for eye care, great food and dining establishments at the food court, a wide supermarket with the freshest food choices, furniture shops, and more. With these numerous options, it would be best to stop by and check out its many offers.

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RD Plaza

Incidentally, Fitmart is located in the RD Plaza, which is also another shopping option in General Santos City. The place is lined with boutiques, gift shops, hardware equipment stores, fast food stores, and Internet cafes. The plaza is also situated near places of

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interest like banks, salons, schools, and hotels. If you're in a hurry to get supplies real quick then the RD Plaza is a good place to go.

Those who are looking for stuff at bargain prices can always go to the ever-reliable General Santos Public Market. Some may not consider this place as an ideal shopping option. However, if you consider the fact that you can find almost everything you may ever need makes it quite considerable. Another fact that makes this place more appealing is that you can haggle for prices. The commodities here are quite cheaper than the ones you'd find in malls, however, you may bring prices even lower if you know how to negotiate prices.

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Maranaw Shops

The Various Assortment of Maranaw shops, that is right across Gensan’s public market, is another place which contributes to the pleasure of shopping in General Santos. Buyers can have a wonderful choice of artistic crafts and more by Maranaw artists. With a pocket money of around 50 USD, you’re sure to see exquisite finds at this place.

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Tuna Market

The Tuna Market of Gensan continues to flourish. In fact, General Santos has contributed around 4% of the Philippine’s GNP, and tuna is among those 200 and more fish species which continue to have a good and high commercial value for both its fresh, frozen and canned varieties. At the Sarangani Bay, you would see its tuna-rich fishing grounds that stretches along the Moro gulf, Mindanao Sea, the Sulu Sea and Celebes Sea. Shopping in General Santos for tuna would be one of the must-do activities if ever you find yourself in the vicinity. Since Gensan is known to be the Tuna Capital of the Philippines since 1970, it’s not that suprising to learn that the daily catch at this place is usually easily sold out to local buyers and also foreigners.

Read more about Tuna Market...

There are a lot of souvenir items you might like to consider while going through the different shopping locations in General Santos City. You'll find a lot of handicraft from woodcarvings to handmade paper boxes. You'll find a lot of gift cards and cardholders, trinkets that can be used as giveaways, fans, and gift bags. Each item you'll find has been crafted by local skilled artisans. You can even ask for custom-made items if you wish. If you fancy a certain handicraft but would love to make a few modifications, you may order it and ask for changes to be made.

These are only some of the shopping options available in General Santos City. Since the city is fast growing, you should expect to see more shopping centers and malls rising in key locations in the metropolitan area.

General Santos Hospitals - Health Care

A very popular, historical, and interesting city in Mindanao Philippines, General Santos City plays home to several health care service providers that are known for the reliable and efficient medical services that they offer to patients. For those who are in search for hospitals that are very accessible in the area, they can always go to Saint Elizabeth Hospital Inc., General Santos City Doctors Hospital, and Mindanao Medical Center. On the other hand, for those who are in search for health care facilities that offer affordable medical services, the city features SOCSARGEN County Hospital, General Santos City District Hospital, and Polyclinic General Santos City.

Saint Elizabeth Hospital Inc.

One of the hospitals in Gensan is Saint Elizabeth Hospital Inc. which has been serving many local folks who are in need of prompt medical services and continuous healthcare. This is one of the long-standing establishments in the area. And it’s quite interesting to see that it still stands proudly up to now. Years ago, this health establishment in General Santos city only had two floors but that didn’t stop this hospital from giving its best efforts in attending to those in need of their services. It was only in 2009 when its third floor was constructed. During that time, only a few bloggers in the city were lucky to attend the inauguration of the newly-built third floor of the hospital. This inauguration took place a week before it was opened to the public. That is why this establishment proudly has around 40 new rooms to date. These rooms include 18 private rooms, 15 suites, 6 executive rooms and a deluxe room.

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General Santos City Doctors Hospital

Another of those reputable hospitals in Gensan is called the General Santos City Doctors Hospital. It boasts of modern health equipments that are really sophisticated and valuable to use. Aside from this, this health establishment also extends a friendly and warm service from the doctors and staff who are happy to accommodate you. You wouldn’t feel like a confused person when you enter its doors because the people working there treat you very well. That is why you shouldn’t hesitate to ask questions if you need clarifications on anything. This establishment can be found along the national highway of Gensan. Among the other hospitals in the area, this one is best known for its advanced take on its services to people who come to visit and seek health care services. As such, it is the most advanced in terms of provision of medical services, which is why it is also a part of the pride and glory of General Santos.

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Mindanao Medical Center

Although small in structure and simple in nature unlike the other hospitals in General Santos, the Mindanao Medical Center is still

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able to attend to those in need of health care. Its maximum capacity for patients is around seventy five (75) patients. Even with a small number, this establishment still can provide efficient services to the nearby residents of General Santos. Located along Cannery Road, which can be found at the City Heights of the city, this medical center is proud to house physicians who are not only knowledgeable about their own individual specialties but are also diligent and friendly. Special medical fields include Family Medicine, Pediatics, Obstetrics and Gynecology. Its staff is very accommodating and warm, too.

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SOCSARGEN County Hospital

Cheaper alternatives for health care can be availed of in Gensan. Many tertiary hospitals in General Santos are easily accessible to those who are in need of immediate medical care and attention. One of its interesting features that will help make patients more comfortable is its modern equipments and facilities for medical care. Another thing that is really wonderful about this particular hospital is its offer on charitable provisions for those less fortunate ones who come to seek for attentive and superb healthcare. What’s more, this hospital also has a spacious emergency room that can take care of 10 patients at one time. Aside from all these things great features, this health establishment also has a very friendly staff ready to serve its patients.

Read more about SOCSARGEN County Hospital..

General Santos Emergency Hospital

It is most comforting to know that the General Santos Emergency Hospital is another of those best hospitals in General Santos whose staff and physicians aim to deliver the best health services to its people in terms of medical expertise and fees for healthcare. It also gives inexpensive medical fees to help others who are looking for cheaper alternatives when it comes to healthcare services. Just like other health establishments in Gensan, this also does not offer spacious surroundings or modern amenities to its patients. But you can be rest assured that it gives excellent medical service to the local residents and other visitors. Among its various services, you may be pleased to learn that this also offers dental and pediatric services that you can avail of. It also has a laboratory which use advance medical equipment for the safety and comfort of the patients.

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General Santos City District Hospital

For patients who are in search for hospital in General Santos City that offers cheap medical service fees, they can always go to General Santos City District Hospital. Even if this health care service provider is not as spacious or modern as other hospitals in the area, it still manages to attend to the medical needs of people in the city. Some of the services that this hospital offers to

patients are pediatric and dental services. Additionally, this hospital features a clinical laboratory that uses advance equipment.

Polyclinic General Santos City

The Polyclinic General Santos City may not be that known to others who haven’t gone to Gensan. But this is actually one of those hospitals in Gensan that continuously serve the many residents and visitors of the city. Not much is said though about this hospital but if you have a chance to look around the city of Gensan, and ask the people there, you may be surprised to know that there are many who patronize this particular health establishment in the land.

Read more about Polyclinic General Santos City...

General Santos Festivals

General Santos City is one of the major urban centers in southern Philippines. Aside from being one of the most populous cities in the Philippines, General Santos City is also home to numerous corporations, both local and multinational, making it tone of the major centers of industry in the country. Aside from having a fertile landscape that make it a major producer of a variety of crops, General Santos City is much more well known from being a major supplier of seafood, which are touted as the freshest and the best in quality.

Tuna Festival in General Santos City - Philippines

General Santos City is considered as the tuna capital of the Philippines, with about a third of the countrys tuna industry getting its supply from this part of Mindanao.

Location

General Santos City lies in Southern Philippines, in the islands of Mindanao and is part of the province of South Cotabato. Travelers wishing to visit the city have three travel options via air, land and sea.

At the moment there are only two airlines operating to and from General Santos: Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific. From Manila, there are direct flights going to the city; while flights going back to Manila are either direct or with a stop-over in Cebu.

Buses can be taken from other cities close to General Santos such as Davao and Koronadal. Among the bus operators servicing the city are Yellow Bus Lines, Holiday Bus and Huskey Lines.

For travelers wishing to arrive by boat, Super Ferry and Sulpicio Lines are among the most popular choices for sea travel going in and out of the city.

Getting around town meanwhile, is usually done through tricycles and taxis.

Activities

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During the Tuna Festival, various activities, program events and shows are held; spread-out during the entire one week celebration of the festival. A colorful parade of floats is one of the highlights of the festival, as well as street dancing by students donning beautiful costumes.

Fireworks display, a carnival presentation complete with a fire-eater, fish dance competition, a beauty pageant, culinary skills competition, a modeling contest, sashimi night and a Tuna Congress are only some of the exciting programs lined-up during the week-long celebration of the Tuna Festival.

As part of the Tuna Festival, an awarding ceremony called the Karagatan Awards is held to pay homage to the unsung heroes of the citys fishing industry.

The festival usually takes place during late August up to early September.

How it Began

What started as a spontaneous event organized by the citys tourism association back in 1998, evolved into what is now known as the Tuna Festival.

During the 30th anniversary of the City Charter, the Tourism Association decided to celebrate this occasion with an event that highlighted tuna cuisine through cooking contests and exhibits.

From this spontaneous idea came the annual celebration of the Tuna Festival.

Cost

A visit to General Santos City will be relatively cheap since there are a good number of excellent accommodations that are very affordable.

Hotels and inns offer comfortable rooms at reasonable rates; while dining in the city is likewise affordable with several dining establishments offering cheap local fares especially during the citys annual festivals.

Tourists wishing to take part in the Tuna Festival are advised to book room accommodations early on since most of the hotels and inns will already be fully-booked during the festival run.

Kalilangan Festival in General Santos City - Philippines

Kalilangan Festival is an annual festivity that is celebrated in General Santos City and takes place in the month of February.

How To Get There

General Santos City is located in southern Philippines, southeast of Manila, and southwest of Davao. There are two ways for us to reach General Santos City: via air and sea travel.

Two of the most popular airlines flying to General Santos City are

Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific. With an international airport that boasts of being the second-largest in Mindanao and excellent facilities making air travel more convenient for tourists, flying-in would be our best option.

As for sea travel, there are major shipping lines that navigate the seas to reach Mindanao such as the WG&A, Sulpicio Lines and Negros Navigation. The Makar Wharf on the other hand, is considered as the best one in the country.

If we are going to be coming from other parts in Mindanao, bus and jeepneys routes are also available.

Kalilangan Festivities

During the celebration of the Kalilangan Festival, we can expect a grand merrymaking of sorts. Each year is themed differently. This years theme was Honoring the Past, Understanding the Present and Embracing the Future.

2010s Kalilangan Festival highlights included the Kadsagayan Street Dancing Competition, Lakan and Lakambini Pageant, Search for the Queen of Mindanao Festivals, Festivals of Mindanao Street Dancing Competition, street parties and live musical events.

A carnival, flea markets, garden shows, an on-the-spot painting competition, motorbike competition, auto show, cultural dances, music competitions and a boxing event are also some of the exciting activities that were lined-up during this years Kalilangan Festival.

A Thanksgiving Mass was also celebrated, plus a wreath-laying ceremony was also held as part of the festivities.

Festival Background

In the vernacular, kalilang means to celebrate and what the Kalilangan Festival celebrates is the tradition of sharing, hospitality, altruism that is part of the cultural heritage of Mindanao.

It is also a celebratory ritual that honors the ethnic rituals of Mindanao such as the local wedding ceremony and other religious rituals. The friendly competitions and the exchange of gifts are also part of the tradition that the Kalilangan Festival celebrates.

Budget

Our holiday budget for this trip to General Santos actually depends on our means of traveling to the city, whether by air, land or sea; the accommodations that we wish to stay in; plus the shopping and dining budget.

Overall however, we can easily visit General Santos on a stringent holiday budget, with affordable accommodations and local eateries that cost less than eating in big-budgeted restaurants.

Shopping in flea markets during the festivities is also cheaper than shopping in malls here but we will find that the prices of goods in

malls are also not very expensive.

One of the major events featuring in the festival is the Kadsayagan which is an extensive street dance competition held in numerous areas in the city. Of course, the usual fireworks display that is a staple in Philippine festivals is not to be missed in General Santos as it is also present in the Kalilangan festivities.

These two major festivals in General Santos City make the Queen City of southern Philippines a destination for local and foreign tourists alike.

General Santos Education

Generally recognized as one of the most industrialized and progressive cities in the southern region of the Philippines, General Santos City features numerous excellent colleges and universities. By enrolling in these world-class educational facilities, students are guaranteed high quality education, which can help them become highly competent and responsible professionals in the future. To achieve their noble objectives, these schools are proud to offer highly commendable undergraduate and graduate academic programs. In addition, some of them offer comprehensive grants and scholarships to outstanding students. Because of these extensive academic programs, many students from different parts of the country continue to show great interest in studying at these topnotch educational institutions.

Notre Dame of Dadiangas University

Found along the National Highway of the City of General Santos, Notre Dame of Dadiangas University is one of the leading tertiary schools in the island of Mindanao. With its desire to provide academic excellence, this premier educational facility offers outstanding baccalaureate academic programs such as Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Business Management, and Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. In the meantime, this school also accepts enrollees for its comprehensive graduate programs such as Master in Public Administration, Doctor of Philosophy in Science Education, and Master in Business Education.

Holy Trinity College

Situated along Fiscal Daproza Avenue in the City of General Santos, Holy Trinity College is a very famous first-rate private school in the province of South Cotabato. In order to attain its noble task of producing highly responsible and competent professionals, this educational institution offers extensive undergraduate academic degrees such as Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Bachelor of Elementary Education Major in English, and Bachelor of Science in Criminology. Aside from these outstanding courses, the school also offers technical education programs in different fields including Practical Nursing, Consumer Electrician, and Automotive Servicing.

Read more about Holy Trinity College...

Mindanao State University

Located at Fatima Campos in General Santos City, Mindanao State University is one of the leading tertiary schools in the province, which aims to provide students with world-class academic programs. Primarily, this place offers comprehensive curriculums and topnotch baccalaureate programs such as Bachelor of Science in Education Major in Secondary Education, Bachelor of Science in Education Major in Elementary Education, and Bachelor of Arts Major in Sociology. As one of the finest educational institutions in South Cotabato, most of its graduates were able to establish good reputations in the corporate world.

STI College-General Santos City

Found along J. Catolico Avenue in the City of General Santos, STI College is a highly reputable educational institution that specializes in the field of Computer Technology. In order to develop the potentials, skills, and knowledge of its students, this school offers excellent two-year and four-year courses such as Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, as well as Associate in Computer Technology. Aside from its computer-related academic programs, this place also offers other excellent academic degrees such as Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management. Overall, this college offers highly affordable tuition fees to everyone.

AMA Computer College Learning Center

Located at SAFI-IV Building along Magsaysay Avenue in General Santos City, AMA Computer College Learning Center teaches students who have deep interests in pursuing careers in the fields of Information Technology and Computer Science. In order to develop them into highly skilled, competent, and responsible individuals, the school offers commendable and extensive baccalaureate academic programs such as Bachelor of Science in Information Management, Bachelor of Science in Accountancy, as well as Bachelor of Science in Information Technology. Additionally, AMA Computer College Learning Center also offers two-year courses covering all-important fields such as Networking and Telecommunication Technologies, Web Application Development, and Office Information Systems.

General Santos City

Coordinates: 6°7 ′ N 125°10 ′ E / 6.117°N 125.167°E

General Santos CityLungsod ng Heneral SantosDakbayan sa Heneral Santos

— Highly-Urbanized City —

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Pioneer Avenue

Seal

Nickname(s): Tuna Capital of the Philippines

Motto: Magandang GenSan

Map of South Cotabato showing the location of General Santos City.

General Santos City

Location in the Philippines

Coordinates: 6°7 ′ N 125°10 ′ E / 6.117°N 125.167°E

Country Philippines

Region SOCCSKSARGEN (Region XII)

Province South Cotabato

Districts 1st District of South Cotabato

Barangays 26

Incorporated (town) 1948

Incorporated (city) 1968

Government

- Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio(2010-2013)

- Vice Mayor Shirlyn Bañas (2010-2013)

- District Representative

Rep.Pedro Jun Acharon Jr.(2010-2013)

Area

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- Total 492.86 km2 (190.3 sq mi)

Elevation 15.0 m (49 ft)

Population (2007)

- Total 529,542

- Density 1,074.43/km2 (2,782.8/sq mi)

Time zone PST (UTC+8)

Area code(s) 83

WebsiteGenSan Local Govt Site GenSan News Online Mag www.gensanexchange.com

The City of General Santos [1] (abbreviated G.S.C. or Gensan.; Filipino: Lungsod ng Heneral Santos, Cebuano: Dakbayan sa Heneral Santos) is a city in the Philippines. Situated in the southern part of the country, in the province of South Cotabato. The city has a population of 535,747 as of 2007, making it as one of the populous cities in the Philippines.

General Santos City is bounded by three municipalities of Sarangani Province and two municipalities of South Cotabato, namely Alabel, Malungon, Maasim, Polomolok and T'boli. The city's economy is primarily agro-industrial. As a component of the SOCCSKSARGEN growth area, it has contributed much to the area's emergence as the country's leading producer of major commodities. Due to its rich soil, good rainfall and typhoon-free climate, the area is the largest producer of corn, coconuts, copra, pineapples, asparagus and rice. The area also produces other high value crops such as exotic fruits, potatoes, vegetables, cut flowers and okra. It accounts for the largest daily total of fish landings in the country and is the leading producer of sashimi grade tuna. Residents boast that fish and seafood do not come fresher than in their city.

The city is a three time awardee for the "Most Competitive City" in the Philippines for the years 1999-2000 (all cities category) 2000-2001 (mid-sized category) and 2007 (mid-sized category)

Contents

[hide]

1 History

2 Geography

2.1 Location

2.2 Barangays

3 Accessibility

4 Infrastructure and Economy

4.1 Industry

4.2 Resources

4.3 Communication

4.4 Business

5 Education

6 Tourism

6.1 Food

6.2 Festivals

6.3 Kalaja Eco-tourism Destination

7 Sister cities

8 References

9 External links

[edit] History

On February 27, 1939, General Paulino Santos led the first and largest batch of settlers organized under the National Land Settlement Administration to the shores of Sarangani Bay. The 62 pioneers, who mostly came from Luzon, industriously tilled Cotabato's fertile expanse of land. After this first influx of pioneers, thousands more from Luzon and Visayas migrated into the area. This started the displacement of some of the native B'laan to the mountains and lost their livelihood. The B'laan people are the original settlers of the area once called Dadiangas for thousands of years. They live in a nomadic system in the area, where the names of the places are still recalled. One name is Dadiangas, the native word name of the tree specifically grown in the area. Under Indigenous Peoples Right Act IPRA law RA 8371, now they were protected and it is proven under the Philippine jurisprudence of the Supreme Court. Now the B'laan people live side by side and with harmony to the settlers and other immigrants from small islands in Visayas and Luzon.

In January 1948, by virtue of Republic Act No. 82, Buayan District became a full-fledged municipality whose territorial boundaries included the present municipalities of Sarangani and South Cotabato Provinces, namely Alabel, Glan, Malapatan, Malungon and Polomolok. NLSA Hospital Administrator Irineo I. Santiago became its first mayor.

Six years later, in June 1954, the Municipality of Buayan was renamed General Santos as a tribute to its great pioneer. This was made possible by Republic Act No. 1107 authored by Congressman Luminog Mangelen of Cotabato Province.

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From 1963 to 1967, during the incumbency of Mayor Lucio A. Velayo, an upsurge in the municipality's economy was experienced as several large agri-based corporations such as Dole Philippines, General Milling Corporation and UDAGRI expanded into the area. Although it was then qualified to become a fourth class city, the residents rejected a move by Congressman Salipada Pendatun to convert General Santos into a city and to rename it Rajah Buayan.

Finally, on July 8, 1968, upon approval of Republic Act No. 5412, which was authored by then late Congressman James L. Chiongbian, the Municipality of General Santos was converted into a city while keeping its name. It was inaugurated on September 5 of that year. Antonio C. Acharon became its first city mayor. In 1988, two decades after its inauguration, it was declared as a highly urbanized city.

[edit] Geography

[edit] Location

General Santos City lies at the southern part of the Philippines. It is located at 6°7'N 125°10'E. The city is southeast of Manila, southeast of Cebu and southwest of Davao.

[edit] Barangays

General Santos City is politically subdivided into 26 barangays.

Apopong

Baluan

Batomelong

Buayan

Bula

Calumpang

City Heights

Conel

Dadiangas East (Pob.)

Dadiangas North

Dadiangas South

Dadiangas West

Fatima

Katangawan

Labangal

Lagao (1st & 3rd)

Ligaya

Mabuhay

Olympog

San Isidro (Lagao 2nd)

San Jose

Siguel

Sinawal

Tambler

Tinagacan

Upper Labay

[edit] Accessibility

General Santos City International Airport

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Makar Wharf

The city serves as the inbound destination for the sights, sounds and culture of SOCCSKSARGEN. Air, sea and land transport provides easy access to the key cities in the Philippines. The city is base to the Philippines' second largest airport-in-area and has one of the most modern seaports in the country.

Air

The General Santos International Airport is the largest Airport in Mindanao., It has a 3,227-meter runway capable of handling wide-bodied jets like Airbus 340 and Boeing 747. This puts almost all key cities in the Philippines. It currently handles direct flights to Manila and Cebu through Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific.

Sea

The Makar Wharf is considered one of the best in the country. With a 740-meter docking length and a 19-meter width, the wharf connects the City to destinations within and outside the

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Philippines. Negros Navigation, WG&A and Sulpicio Lines provide the route while Indonesian shipping lines contribute their GenSan-Indonesian route for passenger and cargo traffic.

Land

Inbound and around SOCCSKSARGEN land travel is a fast and convenient ride. With more than 400 passenger buses and jeepneys wielding routes within, to and from the growth region, getting to your place of destination is a comfort. Tricycles - three wheeled motorcycles with side-cars, are the City's main mode of land transportation and has been in the road since the pioneering times. Air-conditioned taxis and rent-a-cars are also readily available. The Pan-Philippine Highway links GenSan to other Major cities in Mindanao and to the rest of the Philippines.

[edit] Infrastructure and Economy

The presence of major economic infrastructure support facilities provide the city an edge in terms of comparative advantage due to its standards that are comparable to international benchmarks.

[edit] Industry

The world class Fishport Complex has a 750-meter quay, 300-meter wharf for 2,000 GT reefer carriers, refrigeration facilities with 1,500 cold storage capacity, 60 tons/day ice plant, brine, air blast and contact freezers.

Tuna Export in General Santos City

[edit] Resources

Power

Abundant power supply provided by SOCOTECO II retailer of The National Power Corporation.

Water

Clean and safe water supply provided by GSC Water District. Baranagay Water And Sanitation

[edit] Communication

Modern and digital communication offered by major

telecommunication companies. The availability of Internet Service Providers serve also as major key to be top of the domestic and international businesses.

[edit] Business

There are 59 banks operating in the city composed of 46 commercial banks, 5 savings banks, 1 cooperative and 7 rural banks in 2000. Aside from this, there are 49 pawnshops providing emergency loan assistance and 48 lending institutions.

General Santos City registered 1,505 new medium to large enterprises in 2000. Aggregate investment involved is estimated to be around P 1.899 billion, generating 4,361 new employees. Of the total investments, 76.03% were for social and personal services, 9.77% in wholesale/retail trade business, 4.38% were in manufacturing while the least at 0.02% were invested in mining & quarrying.

[edit] Education

General Santos City is the center of education of Region XII. The city houses 2 universities namely Mindanao State University - General Santos (MSU-GSC) and Notre Dame of Dadiangas University (NDDU).

[edit] Tourism

Down the southern tip of Mindanao, expanding from the basin of Sarangani Bay, lies the City of General Santos - a fortress of modern amenities that is endowed with the beauty of nature and diverse cultures abound. Is a gateway in discovering the boundless beauty of SOCCSKSARGEN Growth Region.

[edit] Food

The Tuna City pampers its guest with tons and tons of TUNA and other fish delights that gave birth to several eating institutions. Wide range of dining establishments pop-up right into the heart of the city which can fill your cravings with satisfaction beyond capacity with a variety of Mindanaoan, Filipino, Asian and Western delicacies. Fresh-from-the-catch seafood and right-from-the-harvest agricultural products have perfectly matched to make a savory and sumptuous array of dishes in its various food outlets and restaurants.

Topping the list of must-eats are TUNA and OPAH("Dayana"), two of the best sellers among local celebrities, which come served as the exciting SUTUKIL:SUGBA (Charcoal-boiled in special sauce, dipped in the requisite Toyomansi), TULA (Soup in ginger, onion, lemon grass, pechay and tomatoes), and KINILAW (Fresh cuts in vinegar, shallots, cucumber and pepper).

[edit] Festivals





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Big tuna float during Gensan's Tuna Festival

General Santos City celebrates Kalilangan Festival every February 'Kalilangan' means festival, festivity or jubilee. It is a social gathering marked by exchanging of amenities among traditional leaders, elders, allies and subordinates in varying tones. In a broader perspective, Kalilang projects a positive and dynamic meaning for it engulfs the artistic, humane and altruistic aspects of social interaction that takes place in any occasion or celebration. Kalilangan is a noble tradition. It is a complete work of art nourished and nurtured by rich cultural heritage that has withstand the test of time from generation to generation.

It is also a pageantry of unique and colorful ethnic rites, rituals and traditions like marriage celebrations, religious ceremonies, anniversaries, funerals, enthronement of royal dignitaries, thanksgiving and other forms of social, political and economic activities.

It is not just an economic activity, but a continuous season of

merriment, gaiety and merrymaking accentuated by sharing of gifts, traditional sports competition, dancing, singing and instrumental rendition and other forms of exhibition games, entertainment and amusement.

Every September a part of the charter celebration. General Santos City is known as the Tuna Capital of the Philippines. Thanksgiving and festivities are being celebrated annually through its Tuna Festival. Focusing on its main industries. Tuna Float is an awesome event to taste also sumptuous tuna treats during the Tuna Culinary Contest.

The city of General Santos proposed to be set in a metropolitan status due to income and population. Ang mga tao kugihan ug mautganun..

[edit] Kalaja Eco-tourism Destination

Located 15 km at the North East side of General Santos City, at Barangay Conel, Kalaja Karsts Land derived her name from “Kalaha” or frying pot due to the surrounding towers of karsts formation made millions of years ago. It produced waterfalls and caves. Opposite to this area were the Ranch (camping ground) of Nopol Hills which borders Conel and Brgy. Mabuhay. The place offers wide view of Gensan, Sarangani Bay and some parts of South Cotabato and Sarangani Province.

During World War II, Gen. Santos City become one of the last frontiers between the American, Filipino and Japanese forces. Japanese retreating forces made Kalaja Karsts Land as their last ground for defenses, constructing round cemented bunkers and tunnels. Today, one can still see bunkers at Sitio Guadalupe but unfortunately for the tunnels, most were deformed and even destroyed by treasure hunters and land developers.

Tourism

Coverage

(Conel, Sinawal, Tambler, Tinagakan San Jose)

Tourist Destination

Name of Beaches /

Spring Resorts

Location/

Address

Contact Person Facilities Activities Offered

Mountain CampingNopol Hills /

Bull Mountain

Ranch

Mabuhay, GSC

Eduardo Leyson, Sr.@ 09272635856 Edward Alexander Leyson @

09279300910

Hiking trails and open campsites,

ranch (No Entrance Fee. Camping

should be arranged 1 week earlier)

Hiking and Camping, Ranch

and Fruit FarmTour

Calaja Cave /

Conel, GSC Brgy. Capt. Luciano Palma @ 09273432885

Open campsites Rock Climbing, Bouldering,

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Malakong Wall /

Amsekong Falls

or Barangay Affairs Office @ (083) 302-2678

Caving, Camping, Mountain biking, Falls hopping & Canyoneering

Sansapan Falls

Sansapan, Upper Labay,

GSC

Brgy. Capt. Ruben Santiago @

09165452331 or Barangay Affairs Office @

(083) 302-2678

Open Campsites Falls hopping, Canyoneering,

Camping & Scrambling

El Minit Hot Spring

(Geyser)

Sinawal, GSC Brgy. Capt. Richard Atendido @

09179626288 or Barangay Affairs Office @

(083) 302-2678

Open Campsites River trekking, Camping &

Hiking

Infra and Agriculture

GSC Fishport Tambler, GSC

Phil. Fisheries Development Authority

@ (083) 380-7272

Wharf, Cold Storage Buillding, FreezersTrading

Area, Parking Lot & Banks

Sightseeing/ study tour, tuna

unloading, trading and packaging

Mira Orchid Farm

Baluan, GSC Dr. Lilia Mirabueno@ (083)552-4624

Harvesting and Packaging Area

orchid and ornamental plant

tourYusepeng

FarmNat'l

Highway, GSC

(083) 552-2681 / 301-8899

Harvesting area & mini zoo

Educational tour

Jolisa Agribusiness

Apopong, GSC

Joven Chua@ (083) 552-3881/3651

Slaugtherhouse & freezer

Farm tour/cattle & goat fattening & Farm Demo

Cultural and Museum

Gen. Paulino Santos

Museum

Nat'l Highway,

GSC

Bro. Willy Lubrico@ (083) 552-5196

Museum Viewing of memorabilia

from clothes to books of Gen. Paulino Santos

MSU Cultural Museum

Fatima, GSC Virginia Buhisan@09184451249

Museum Glimpse of the artifacts and

relics of the rich cultural heritage

of the place

Eco tourism RestaurantsSarangani Highland

Purok Wal, Tambler

(Near GSC Fishport)

Dra. Abella @ 553-3509/304-0752

Plaza, Sarangania Gazebo, Garden,

Grotto

Garden and Restaurant

overlooking the Sarangani Bay

General Santos City

Documents

Transcript of General Santos City