Anything that is worth sharing for everyone to see, read, react and comment. Everything under the sun which the author finds interesting for himself and for others.
Residents of Barangay Olympog to avail of the services of the City Hall sa Barangay. Services like the medical, dental, tuli, civil registry, agriculture, veterinary and animal branding are the most in demand.
More photos of the services during the CHB in Olympog.
City and barangay officials with the different Department Heads and assistant Department head of City Hall departments were discussing several issues during the conduct of the CHB.
This week I had a chance to moderate the press conference in line with the celebration of the World Aids Day. It is one program that the city government of Gensan embraced to protect the residents here from being inflicted with the disease.
HIV AIDS is a global concern that needs attention by the community and the government. Dra. Mely Lastimoso of the City Health Office here looks into the programs such as the Information and Education Campaign to address this problem which affects the the life of the victims.
The disease alone carries different issues that needs resolution but despite the many efforts of the national and local government many are still not aware of the effects that HIV AIDS can do to mankind.
Here in Gensan six(6) more were found positive after they voluntary submitted themselves to test and this makes a total of 25 who were found positive of HIV AIDS.
Lastimoso also clarified that more number of the populace submits themselves to testing would mean an effective campaigns and advocacy. Presently there is still a need to intensify their programs to reach more people to have a test.
Nevertheless her team and the partners are optimistic of achieving their goals after Pope Benedict XVI approves the use of condom to address the growing number of HIV AIDS.
The team hopes that the media will be their allies in bringing to the people of Gensan the information they need about the disease. An exhibit was opened to the public in one of the malls in the city and later in the day a parade and a program was held.
It’s Christmas time again . . . a time when parties are everywhere. For us, this season of the year is a time for celebration, joy, sharing, reunions, love and most of all the season to remember the birth of Jesus Christ.
Our Filipino culture and influences from our colonizers and western culture taught us many practices aside from those that are ours. We have practiced a distinct celebration which made us known anywhere in the world. We make it a point that every year our Christmas celebration is different and meaningful.
The nine mornings of misa de gallo ( dawn mass) , the manito-manita (exchange gift), christmas carols and parties and many more are some of the many practices that our culture brought us.
Because of all of this most of us would wish that the whole year round is Christmas. One thing that I consider Filipino during this season is our being sentimental and mellow dramatic. From the simple gifts that we receive to the most touching moments that our families and friends does for us, we always find ourselves in tears for different reasons.
Whatever it is. . . this is who we are and this season would always bring surprises and joy. A season when your wishes do come true. Merry Christmas everyone.
One thing I love doing during my spare time is cook for my nephews and niece for they too like to eat and for the whole family as well.I can still remember when I started learning how to cook, that was when my grandparents especially my grandfather taught me.
He would let me watch how he does things in the kitchen and slowly I started doing it myself.But what I am sharing to you my readers now is what I learned from my grandmother. .. it is the “minatamis na saging”(sweetened banana).
Bananas grow anywhere in the country and there are several of varieties that can be grown here.One popular to us is the Cardava which is often cooked for snacks and can be an abundant source of carbohydrates. It can be a substitute for rice.
We Filipinos loves to cook it “nilaga(boiled), prito (fried) or just simply eat it fresh when ripe.I can still remember when my Lola Dolor prepares a sweetened banana and sell it in a school nearby.
I can still vividly rememberwhen she wakes up early and starts to boil water in a big pan.When it boils she will mix the mascubado ( a sugar locally produced here) until it is dissolved in the water.And then shewill pour the bananas into it and simmer it until the mixture thickens.
Last weekend I had the chance to prepare the same for my nephews and niece.We had shared another yummy snacks . .thanks to our grandma.
Isa sa mga bagay na gusto kong gawin ang kumain, at syempre karamihan sa ating mga pinoy really loves to eat. Though napakaraming choices, today I wanted to treat myself para naman may matikmang bago ang aking panlasa. Maaring karamihan ay nasubukan na ang ganitong trip, eh sa ngayon ko lang feel e-try.
Walang ibang lugar ang nasa isip ko maliban doon sa ang pangalan ay hango sa isang character sa pelikulang Ratatouille ( a cartoon movie from PIXAR about a soul who used the rat to teach his son in the kitchen of a restaurant owned by the father)
Kaya naman when I passed by the SunCity Suites along national highway where Gusteau is located, I said to myself soon I will eat in that restaurant. Unexpectedly the owner happen to be my tukayo (kapangalan ko). . si Sir Allan.
At first, I got confused as what to order because you know I still look at the price. It’s really expensive . . . not at all especially when I started tasking what me and my friend ordered. We choose fish fillet, crabs, ice tea ( for me) and sprite ( for him).
While waiting for our order, we keep on looking at the neighboring tables , syempre I wonder about the taste of the food they ordered including the tall glass filled with ice tea. Everything I saw looks so yummy.
Kaya after we took photos of our orders, I was so amaze about the taste and texture of the fish fillet . . . . super crunchy ang coating while super soft ang laman ng fish plus of course the salad dressing and the sauce.
Messy man ang pagkain ng crabs na full of garlic sauce, the taste was really distinct. . . hindi common. It’s good din kasi may utensils na magamit to crack the hard shell of the crab.
Super delicious and it was worth it. Thanks Gusteau’s!!!!!
The long weekend gave me the chance to relax and spend time with my friends in Gensan View resort. It was Gian’s birthday. . son of my friend Vince and Michelle. We were invited to the celebration and as expected it was a bonding time not only for us adults but most especially to the kids who missed each other.
Like in most occasions and events I have attended . . . I do make some observation around. During this day I felt the longing of a mother’s care and affection for most mom’s in the resort was so caring and affectionate to their children.
As the saying goes “Mothers knows Best”. . in any situations they have the ways to make things done. Applying a lotion in their kids skin before plunging into the pool, accompany them inside the pool or just simply stay near them, keeps on reminding them of the harm in case they run around, wrapped them with towel to stay warm, feed them and change their clothes after are some of the sceneries I have enjoyed looking at.
The children are the center of their attention yet they are not deprived from enjoyment. I saw the happiness in a mom’s eyes seeing their kids learn to swim and mingle with other children in the pool. It was also the chance to take some memorable moments they and their children had in the resort.
I suddenly recalled the memories I had with my mom and yes those were the times when the family is still intact. I wished it is still up to now but we cannot bring back the times instead just a remembrance of the moments shared with my mom.
What I am proud about Filipino motherhood is that it remained the same . . . the affection, love, care, and attention they give to their children never fades. It continues to grow as the stages elevate and it never ends. Motherhood for Filipino mothers is a lifetime commitment to love their children no matter what it takes. . . and that makes them unique.
Population control is one of the most talked about issue in my country today. Many sectors of our society including the government are alarmed about the uncontrolled growth of our poplution. Despite the awareness of many of my countrymen about the ill effects of over population, yet the problem continues to get big for many reasons.
Government and Non-Government Organizations both local and foreign set programs that will make us all aware and plan to address the problem but despite the efforts made by this groups in our society, it has become one of the concerns up to this time.
We Filipinos do not realize how it will affect all of us in the future. We might not know the consequences we will be facing if we do not do something about it. This post will probably help some of us realize that we are all be affected by this issue and at this point in time we might not be aware but we have already experiences connected to this problem.
As a Filipino and as a general I wish to encourage everyone here in General Santos City and the whole country to take part of our weeklong Population and Development (PopDev) celebration. Below is the schedule of activities here in Gensan set for this gathering.
A signature campaign supporting the Reproductive Health Bill will also be launch, so be counted and be heard, for we all are Filipinos and we can always make a difference.
Gensan Population and Development Week Celebration
November 23-29,2010
Program of Activities
DATE
TIME
ACTIVITY
Venue
November 22,2010
8:00am
1:30pm
• Opening Program
• Launching of Signature Campaign in Support to Reproductive Health Bill
• Inter-School Youth Assembly
• LGU-GSC Covered Area
• Robinson’s Mall Atrium
November 23,2010
10:00am
• Press Conference
• Opening of Information Education
Campaign/Advocacy and Reproductive
Health & Family Planning Services Booth
(until November 29,2010)
• Radio Guesting (schedule depends on the radio stations)
• CMO Conference Room
• Atrium of Robinson’s Mall
•
November 25,2010
1:30pm
• Population Quiz Contest for Students of TESDA Schools
• Golden State College
November 26,2010
1:30pm
• Population Quiz Contest for Public & Private High School Teachers
Unexpectedly, CHB's visit to Barangay Baluan on October was a box office hit. It was one visit to the barangay where the bulk of residents availed of the services provided by the program. Many families flocked at the covered court where medical services is situated. Social Security System (SSS), Philhealth and National Statistics Office were in one table to cater residents who needs their services. Other local government departments were placed in different areas in the covered court and barangay hall compound.
I happen to pep some of the service providers and here are some of the photographs of the different teams who works hand and hand for the generals in Barangay Baluan.
The Tooth Extractors. . . Members of the Dental Team of the City Hall sa Barangay.
Philhealth(PHIC), Social Security System (SSS), National Statistics Office(NSO), Local Civil Registrar(LCR), City Population Management Office (CPMO) and the Barangay Affair Division Teams at work.
Others may wonder as to how fathers, dad's, tatays, tatangs, itays care for you or their kids. When I was in Barangay Baluan here in Gensan, I happen to witness how fathers handle and take care of their kids. I happen to get some photos and see for yourself how dads carry, hold hands and show their love for their children.
Different faces of father's love, care and protection to their children. This can be seen anywhere and everywhere for like all the mothers, fathers will always shield them from harm.
I feel envious for this scenery for I can hardly remember how my Dad cared, loved and shielded me like the fathers on the collage I have made.
But I still believe that all the fathers value their children so much and I want to share this short phase I happen to read as I was browsing some quotes of fatherhood.
Until you have a son of your own... you will never know the joy, the love beyond feeling that resonates in the heart of a father as he looks upon his son. You will never know the sense of honor that makes a man want to be more than he is and to pass something good and hopeful into the hands of his son. And you will never know the heartbreak of the fathers who are haunted by the personal demons that keep them from being the men they want their sons to be. by Kent Nerburn
God Bless all the fathers in whole world and thanks to Ate Alma for sharing her camera to capture this beautiful photos of fatherhood.
Another student from Gensan tops the Population Quiz held recently in Koronadal City besting representatives from the different cities and provinces in the whole of Region XII.
Helen Burtanog a forth year student of Mindanao State University-College of Education Training Department emerged victorious in the annual contest conducted by Population Commission.
Burtanog won the local Population Quiz held on October 6,2010 where she bagged first place from the 29 students from the private and public schools in the city.
The local competition is conducted by the City Population Management Office headed by Ms. Erline Grafilo which form part as one of the activities of the office during the Population Month celebration.
Ms. Grafilo recalled that it was in 1998 when the city won the first place in the regional competition. It’s like a ladder to success because last year our representative placed second, and the other year is third.
Burtanog receives cash prize and medal while her schools receives a plaque. Next year she will be representing the region in the national competition which will be held in Tarlac where the winner last year came from.
Grafilo has high hopes for Burtanog to bring home the bacon and will be an opportunity for the city to host the competition in case our representative wins.
The Population Quiz Regional Competition held in Koronadal National High School where last years winner came from. This years winner with the POPCOM officials and coach held on October 28,2010. (Photos courtesy of POPCOM & MSU)
Winners of the local Population Quiz held on October 6,2010 at the Conference Hall of the Department of Education. (photos coutesy of CPMO)
I happen to witness the 2nd Gensan Secondary Statistics Challenge held on tuesday October 26,2010 at the old Sangguniang Panlungsod Session Hall. Thirty four (34) high school students from the different public and private school participated in the challenge . The contest aims to seach for the City's young statistics geniuses.
This is a joint project of the National Statistics Office-SOCSARGEN, Department of Education and the City Government of General Santos. City Councilor Margareth Rose N. Santos - Chairperson for the Committee on Education, Ms. Etrella Lariosa - Schools Division Superintendent, Mr. Ruben D. Abaro, Jr - NSO, Provincial Statistics Officer , Engr. Nael Joseph C. Cruspero - Department Head, CPDO and NSO Regional Director XII Maqtahar L. Manulon graced the gathering.
Winners received cash prizes, trophies and medals.
Here are the list of winners for this years Stat. Challenge:
Champion Felipe Santillan General Santos City High School
2nd Placer Jazzibel Liego General Santos City High School
3rd Placer Raymart Siao New Society National High School
Meet and greet of the City Health doctors with patients to undergo check up as one of the services provided in the city hall sa barangay.
Medical service still the most sought after services in Brgy. Buayan on October 22,2010 where hundreds of residents came to avail of the services.
The avenue where city officials and department heads meet to discuss the issues brought during the consultation. If there are raised concern it will be immediately addressed since all concerned office heads are present.
Earlier last week General Santos City Mayor Darlene Magnolia R. Antonino-Custodio delivered her 100 days report in the presence of the local media here. She believes that the media can bring her message to a most number of readers, listeners, viewers of GenSan.
The report contains the accomplishments undertaken in the first 100 days of her administration. Some of the highlights mentioned were:
·The modifications in the delivery of various services in City Hall sa Barangay Program.
·The energy conservation measures undertaken by the city and the changing of sodium streetlights into LED.
·The start of the city government’s exercise on its rights under the city charter which lead to the filing of against certain officials in order to reclaim some disputed lands in the city.
·The partial implementation of the organizational development program of the city in the next two years.
·The city’s plan to conduct total census next year and the gains of FRAME program citing its growing savings which has now reached to P21-M.
·The merger of health centers and lying-ins.
·The city’s sound financial management which caused the increase in revenue collection.
·A significant increase in new businesses registered with the improvements made in the steps involved in the processing.
·The status of infrastructure projects of the city which includes the following:
a)road constructions,
b)renovation of Gensan Airport,
c)roofing of phase b public market,
d)the P14.64-M city hospital building, and
e)others
·The drainage plan of the city with budget allocation next year designed to address problems on flooding:
a)P20-M for the drainage project at barangay Fatima
b)P8-M for Gensanville
·The successful staging of the Tuna Congress and the 42nd Tuna Festival.
·The two major awards – Best Tourism Event for Sports and Adventure category: The 3rd Eco Karera; and the Best National Tourism Week Celebration.
Mayor Darlene expressed her thanks and gratitude to the General Santos City Medical Society, barangay officials, the media and other sectors which extended assistance in fighting dengue. It can be recalled that it is one of the challenges faced by her administration in the 3rd quarter of this year.
It is a feeling of fulfillment that I was part of this event and hopes that I will continue to become a witness of the city’s global reach.
