(Part 3) A Little Paradise in Mindanao: General Santos City and Pasalubong/Souvenir Tips

- Nov. 3-4, 2018, Saturday to Sunday.

- General Santos City, also known as "GenSan," is a city that I've always heard of but had no idea what was there to see or do. Now that I really had to be in GenSan since the airport back to Manila from Lake Sebu  (click for Part 1 here and Part 2 here for Lake Sebu) was in this city, I had a chance to find out what GenSan has. To be honest I did not really had plans to stay in GenSan, but because flights back to Manila are at noon I didn't know if I'd make it to the airport in time if I planned to leave Lake Sebu and fly to Manila on the same day. The earliest shuttles going to GenSan from Lake Sebu leave around 8 in the morning, but will only leave if the van is full. During the trip, tje van will pick up or drop off other passengers from/in undesignated stops (like what jeepneys do.) With all these things, I didn't know if I'd make it to the airport in time. After all, time is merely an option in the Philippine public transport system. Because of this, I just decided to stay in GenSan for a day, and fly the day after so I'll be sure that I'd get to the airport in time. Well, at least it's an excuse to see and experience GenSan.

- From Lake Sebu, my driver-guide Richelle picked me up from Punta Isla and drove me to the Lake Sebu bus terminal where I rode a direct shuttle (fare was 150 pesos) going to Lake Sebu, passing briefly in Surallah and Koronadal (Marbel). I arrived in GenSan around 10:30 in the morning after around a 2-hour ride, and rode a tricycle going to Hotel San Marco. The hotel looks fancy (it has an Italian motif) but prices are quite cheap. It is also centrally located, and has an airport pick-up and transfer service.

Hotel San Marco.

Small but fancy lobby and restaurant.

My bedroom is a lot larger than this (but good for one person), it was just hard to get a full photo of the bedroom.

- After checking in, I walked south to see what probably is the most cultural open space in the city: Plaza Heneral Santos or General Santos Plaza. Formerly known as Carlos P. Garcia Park, it was renovated in 2008 to give way to this newer plaza with the statue of General Santos in the middle. General Paulino Santos was the Commanding General of the Philippine Army and is highly awarded by the government because of his achievements (of course doing more reading on his achievements may deem controversial, especially the occupation of several cities in Mindanao.) There is actually a museum on General Santos inside the Notre Dame University due north of the park, but I did not know about this museum until a few weeks after coming back to Manila.

Plaza Heneral Santos (with my Yakan scarf.)

Status of General Santos.

At the back there is a statue of national hero, Jose Rizal.

- While I was told that there were nice things to see in GenSan apart from the plaza, such as the tuna market in the morning (GenSan is famous for tuna,) Sarangani Highlands, and other natural wonders like mountains or seas, most of these are quite far from the downtown area. Since I only had an afternoon left, I just decided to go somewhere near and buy some souvenirs and local snacks to bring back home. First on the list is the Kablon Farms store right across SM General Santos at San Miguel Street. Kablon Farms, apart from their dried fruits and coffee, are also famous for their natural chocolate products.

- While walking around, to be honest I was a bit scared since GenSan seemed too quiet, at least for someone who came from a very busy and noisy city like Manila. There are more people, however, near the mall area. GenSan, however, is quite urbanized, and is considered as a "1st class highly-urbanized city" by the government.

Kablon Farms pasalubong store. They sell food.

- Near SM is what I call the "mall strip" of General Santos since all major malls are right beside each other: SM, Gaisano, KCC, and Robinsons. However, I went ahead to KCC Mall since I heard that there are reasonably-priced souvenirs there. There is one pasalubong center that sells food at the second floor, and souvenir items such as keychains or magnets inside the deparment store at the ground floor.

KCC's department store at the ground floor.

- I later walked back to SM General Santos since it also had another pasalubong center, and it was the mall nearest to my hotel. It has a small pasalubong center at the second floor selling things both from GenSan and Lake Sebu. Afterwards, I had a late lunch at Ranchero, which was highly recommended by my friend who used to live in GenSan. It was OK for me, but nothing spectacular. I walked around the mall the whole afternoon until I decided to have an early dinner at Tambilawan, which is a restaurant serving local food. Their main branch is located, coincidentally, two doors from my hotel.

The blue tricycles of GenSan.

SM is everywhere.

Yay fun.

Find this at the second floor near the cinemas.

A lot to choose from.

Ranchero, at the ground floor. The serve steak.

Their best-seller steak.

The aftermath.

Early dinner at Tambilawan. I only had kinilaw na tuna (tuna tartare) for dinner.

- I lazed around in my room that evening after packing my things, and after breakfast the following day, my airport transfer van drove me to the airport. Do note that there is no food after passing security checks, as the airport is very small. If you must eat, eat at the small cafe right after you enter the airport where the check-in counters are. I did this mistake and wasn't ab;e to eat lunch until I arrived home a few hours later (since I flew via Cebu Pacific, there were no meals on board unless you buy.)

I thought someone was shoved inside the overhead cabin.

- Overall my short trip to one of the frontiers of Mindanao was a different experience. I had longed to interact and immerse myself in the indigenous cultures of the country. I'm also proud that I survived my first local trip, despite many concerns regarding public transportation and the almost non-existent timetable with these vehicles. I do hope that I'll have more opportunities to mingle with other local indigenous groups in the future! (See Part 1 here, and Part 2 here!!)