Unang Maligaw sa Mindanao

Hindi na ko virgin sa Mindanao!

I just came off a 4 day lakwatsa tour of the cities of General Santos (South Cotobato) and Davao (Davao del Sur). I've always been curious how the South looks (or feels) like and I never imagined it to be that much of a beauty. Not as exquisite as "Sagada" or "Pagudpod", mind you. Not even a "Boracay" beauty (with all of its resplendent commercial shit), but it has this charisma common to most unfazed probinsya. You know… living is simple; time seems to pace really slow; everybody’s willing to help you with anything; and the greens are a very welcome escape from the bland colors of our urban landscape.

One thing I loved the most about the place though is the FOOD! Aaaaang muraaaa at aaaaang saraaaap... as in "putangenayeah!!" And surprisingly, there’s an overabundance of pork and beef delicacies in contrast to our prior notion of Gensan being all about seafoods (tuna!) because it’s a fishing port city. Basta, any longer than our stay and I’m sure it’s a surefire 20-pound gain for me.

Quick facts muna bago ako mag proceed sa journal ko.

Location: General Santos City
Province: South Cotobato
Nickname: Tuna Capital of the Philippines
Region: 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN – Mindanao)
Random Facts:
* There are three major malls in the city: KCC, Robinson’s Place, and Gaisano.
* Climate is good (i.e. not so hot, not so cold) most of the time and typhoon-free!
* Dole Philippines has a plantation here.
* There’s a free public beach.
* Most of the people in the City speak Tagalog well aside from the local Bisayan dialect.
* Manny Pacquiao owns several businesses in the City (wise investor).

The Shak Expedition Corps: Jakers, Whel, Alou, Arvs, Me, and Pocopuff

Day 1
5.07AM
* Left home for NAIA Terminal 3
(Isang cartwheel at dalawang backflip lang nasa NAIA 3 na ko. Can’t get late.)

Flight Info: Cebu Pac 5J993, Manila – Gen San

6.01 – 6.33AM
* After processing our papers and baggage, we did a quick breakfast and headed for Gate 120 for boarding.

6.53AM
* I’m at Seat D23 under the care of Captain Bucal.
(The ride was a bit bumpy but I just read a book throughout the flight.)

8.42AM
* Descent to General Santos Air Port.

9.33AM
* A local taxi gives us a side-tour to this place where Manny Pacquiao grew up (his turf!). Aling Dionisia (aka Mommy Dee) still lives on the area. Ang taas taas ng bakod ng bahay niya. Hindi na siya ma-reach! Tinkyu berimats!

9.47 – 10.30AM
* Nagpabalik-balik kami between Amigotel and Dolores Hotel. In the end, Amigotel wins!
(Paano gusto ng Dolores patulugin si Jake sa kamang kalahati lang ng size niya. Haha.)

12.18 – 12.58PM
* Off to KCC Mall to meet Arvs for lunch.
(First Mindanao trike ride… woot! Grabe ang food court ng KCC! Meron silang halos tig sampung putahe for each choice of food… pork, beef, veggies, and seafood. Pati dessert! And quite ironically, seafood dishes pa ang konti. Sabi ni Arvin malaki daw ang pork and beef farm ng KCC kaya madaming supplies. In any case, lahat ng ulam mura to start with… hindi lumalampas ng 50 buckers on average. Laging dalwang ulam ang kinakain ko… hehe.)

1.34 – 5.36PM
* Tambay lang sa Amigotel.

7.53PM
* Tuna Grille Resto for dinner.
(I love this resto! Ang mura at ang sarap ng pagkain!)

Grub Lineup: inihaw na tuna egg, tuna sashimi, mixed seafood soup, tuna egg adobo, chopsuey, and mixed fruits in choco-condesada dip for dessert… yub yub!

9.06 – 10.51PM
* We walked back to the hotel.

Day 2
8.46 – 9.10AM
* Attempted to cross Sarangani Bay to go to Balut Island in vain. Ferry sched sucks.

9.25AM
* Breakfast at a local carinderia near KCC Mall.

9.42 – 10.10AM
* Attempted to go to Balut Island from another route… still in vain. We learned that there is no scheduled ride going back to Gensan, meaning we have to stay for the night in Balut if we want to push through.
(Next attempt is to go to Dumasa Beach instead via a huge jeep. But cluelessness on the logistics part of things made us withdraw the idea and go to a nearer dip-spot – Olaer.)

10.25 – 1.45PM
* Olaer Resort
(Isang mahabang batis ito na may relaxing na kubo kubo sa tabi. Nag ihaw kami ng isda. Actually, si Whel lang ang nag-ihaw. Good job. Habang nakahilata kaming lahat hehe. Impromptu lahat ng gamit… kutsilyo, binili lang sa malapit na tindahan worth 20 buckers; plato ay dahon ng saging; kubyertos at baso at softdrinks, bili lang din; pati pang tuhog ni Whel sa isda, hindi ko alam kung saang punong-kahoy niya ninenok.)

2.13 – 2.45PM
* Robinson’s Place – Gen San
(Namili ako ng mga pang pasalubong na polo shirts sa boutique ni Manny… aka Team Pacquiao store. Marami-rami din nabili namin.)

7.32PM
* Nag internet lang ako to pass time. Nanood kasi sila ng ”Step Up 3” at ayoko sumama. May kinainan din kami na masarap sarap na crepes. Panalo.
(Tambay kami afterwards sa isang coffee shop na si Manny din daw ang may-ari – Blugre. “Blugrey” ang bigkas, parang Beyonce. Hindi ko alam kung saang lekat na bagay nakuha ni idol ang pangalang yan. Pero di ko trip yung kape nila, masyadong creamy. Si Arvs gustong gusto. Pero cosy yung lugar. Oks nang tambayan.)

(Dinner at Rob Place food court afterwards. Si Jake sobrang orgasmic sa pagkain ng buntot ng tuna niya. Sulit na daw yung pag lipad niya sa Gensan.)

8.23 – 11.55PM
* Back at Amigotel to call it a DAY.

Day 3
5.26AM
* Off Amigo to go northwards to Davao del Sur!
(Umarkila kami ng pickup.)

5.53AM
* Malandac, Sarangani Province
(Nahihilo ako sa pag drive ni Koya Owen kaya natulog na lang ako. Sila Arvs at Jake lumipat sa likod ng pickup para ma-enjoy ang alikabok ng Sarangani.)

7.12AM
* Sta Cruz, Davao del Sur
(Nag tatanong na ko ke Menchie kung tamang landas pa ba ang tinatahak namin. Spur of the moment etong planong eto na iwan ang Gensan para pumuntang Davao. Ang sandata lang namin for references ay isang 2005 issue ng Mabuhay. Sobrang hightech.)

7.43AM
* Stopover for breakfast.

8.38AM
* Davao City
(First stop, Crocodile Farm! Isa pala siyang zoo at leisure park. Akala ko panay buwaya lang at pulis [gets nyo? Haha.]. Mas extensive pa ang collection nila ng hayop at sobrang mas mabango kesa sa Tagaytay Zoo. Not bad. Napaka-interactive pa dahil hindi masyadong kulong na kulong ang hayop nila. I dunno if it’s a good thing or not but for us, it’s cool to get up close!)

10.15AM
* Brunch… Crocs and Ostrich!
(Break break para kumain… at ang lineup: Crocs and Ostrich barbecue! Ayus. Ang croc meat ay surprisingly white meat. Lasang beef tapa kaso mas matamis at mas malansa. Contrary to common notion, hindi siya “tastes like chicken”. Ang ostrich meat naman ay surprisingly red meat. Masyadong rich fowl-like yung lasa neto. Overall, mas gusto ko pa ang croc meat.)

11.03 – 11.35AM
* After Croc Farm, pumunta kami sa port area para i-Roro yung oto namin papuntang Samal Island!
(While in transit, nag pektyur pektyur kami around the barge. Si Alou got the chance to drive the ship. Astig. Orgasmic din siya sa tuwa. Parang si Jake lang habang kumakain ng Tuna Tail.)

11.52AM
* Samal Island landing.
(Isa siyang malaking island near the coastline of Davao City.)

1.33PM
* Lunch at Paradise Island resort + tambay

Grub Lineup: Sinigang na Hipon, Lechon Kawali, Calamares, Pancit Canton, Garlic Brocolli

(Masarap lahat except yung pancit na makunat, parang buhok ni Melai nung nasa loob pa siya ng PBB. Segue way fact: Taga Gensan si Melai.)

3.54PM
* Search for Hagimit Falls
(Na-propaganda na naman kami ng lumang Mabuhay na dala namin. Ang ganda ng Hagimit falls sa picture sa magazine. I was disappointed when I saw the real thing. Ang labo na ng tubig at there’s nothing really especial about the place. Sobrang nature lang talaga ng ambiance.)

4.15 – 4.36PM
* We ferried back to mainland Davao, and drove back to South Cotobato.

5.25PM
* Toril, Davao del Sur

6.12PM
* Digos City, Davao del Sur

7.41PM
* Welcome to South Cotobato (Sarangani)

7.54PM
* Back in General Santos City

8.17PM
* Dinner at Tuna Grille Resto (again!)

Grub Lineup: Seafood Chopsuey, Mixed Seafood Soup, Kinilaw na Blue Marlin, Inihaw na White Marlin, Mixed Fruits in Choco-Condensada Dip

(Nakalibre pa kami ng dalwang order ng Inihaw na Malasuge kasi nagkamali ng bigay na order sa amin. Since wala namang ibang kakain nun AT nailuto na, binigay na lang sa amin. Hehe. Panalo.)

10.03PM
* Back in Amigotel
(Nawalan ng dalawang libo sa loob ng room si Jake, after mag-room service ng hotel staffs. Later on, binalik na lang sa amin ng management yung pera and bahala na sila dun sa staffs nilang huling pumasok ng room namin. Hindi na lang nagpa blotter si Alou para walang gulo.)

Day 4
9.14AM
* Wakey, wakey!
(May kinaadikan kaming masarap na mamon sa bakery sa tapat ng Amigotel. Napakalambot at may toppings na icing and/or leche flan.)

10.19AM
* Breakfast at KCC Mall with Jake and Arvs.
(Si Alou at Whel ay nasa kanya kanyang lakad para bumili ng pasalubong. After breakfast, bumili ako ng Mangosteen at Rambutan para sa bahay… trenta per kilo lang! Sinamahan ko na ng murang Asparagus. Waah… lahat doon mura!)

11.51 – 12:28PM
* Check out from Amigotel.
(Dumaan kami ng isang fish stall para bumili ng sandamakmak na seafoods. Ang muraaaaaa! Potangenayeah talaga! Sinagad namin ang mga baggage limits namin.)

Seafood Shopping: 2 kilo tuna belly, 2 kilo boneless dory, 3 blocks frozen shrimps, 2 parts tuna tails, packs of tuna chicharon

1.47 – 2.07PM
* General Santos Airport check-in.
(Kinain ko ang baon ni Jake na shawarma ni Pacquiao. Binili niya sa KCC earlier.)

2.44PM
* Boarding the airline: Flight 5J996, under the care of Captain Singson.

4.44PM
* Touchdown at NAIA Terminal 3.
Whel: Ano ang dating pangalan ng NAIA?
Obi: MIA (Manila International Airport). Naging NAIA nung binaril diyan si Ninoy. Kaya yung airport sa Subic, dun babarilin si Gloria. Para maging GMAIA.

5.11PM
* Tiwalag nang tropang Shak!

Acknowledgment:
* Thanks kay Karlo para sa pagpapahiram ng pre-funding for the airplane booking.
* Thanks kay Whel and Alou and Jakers and Arvs for the pre-planning and the tour logistics itself.
* Thanks kay Pacman para sa shawarma at sa durian frappe.
* Thanks kay Kuya Owen para sa pag-drive samen sa Davao.
* Thanks kay Tim para sa DSLR.
* Thanks sa SST dahil kung wala sila wala akong perang pang gasta... kahit pinag trabahuhan ko ang pinanggasta ko.
* Thanks sa nanay at kapatid ko sa pag sundo sa akin sa airport. Mabigat ang dala ko.
* Thanks sa Amigotel, sa pagsauli sa pera ni Jakers.
* Thanks sa mamamayan ng Davao at Gensan.
* Thanks the Maker! The Man upstairs! For keeping my life as interesting as it can be and just for giving me life, that is!

*****
Picture at my multiply site.

Unang Maligaw sa Mindanao

Hindi na ko virgin sa Mindanao!

I just came off a 4 day lakwatsa tour of the cities of General Santos (South Cotobato) and Davao (Davao del Sur). I've always been curious how the South looks (or feels) like and I never imagined it to be that much of a beauty. Not as exquisite as "Sagada" or "Pagudpod", mind you. Not even a "Boracay" beauty (with all of its resplendent commercial shit), but it has this charisma common to most unfazed probinsya. You know… living is simple; time seems to pace really slow; everybody’s willing to help you with anything; and the greens are a very welcome escape from the bland colors of our urban landscape.

One thing I loved the most about the place though is the FOOD! Aaaaang muraaaa at aaaaang saraaaap... as in "putangenayeah!!" And surprisingly, there’s an overabundance of pork and beef delicacies in contrast to our prior notion of Gensan being all about seafoods (tuna!) because it’s a fishing port city. Basta, any longer than our stay and I’m sure it’s a surefire 20-pound gain for me.

Quick facts muna bago ako mag proceed sa journal ko.

Location: General Santos City
Province: South Cotobato
Nickname: Tuna Capital of the Philippines
Region: 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN – Mindanao)
Random Facts:
* There are three major malls in the city: KCC, Robinson’s Place, and Gaisano.
* Climate is good (i.e. not so hot, not so cold) most of the time and typhoon-free!
* Dole Philippines has a plantation here.
* There’s a free public beach.
* Most of the people in the City speak Tagalog well aside from the local Bisayan dialect.
* Manny Pacquiao owns several businesses in the City (wise investor).

The Shak Expedition Corps: Jakers, Whel, Alou, Arvs, Me, and Pocopuff

Day 1
5.07AM
* Left home for NAIA Terminal 3
(Isang cartwheel at dalawang backflip lang nasa NAIA 3 na ko. Can’t get late.)

Flight Info: Cebu Pac 5J993, Manila – Gen San

6.01 – 6.33AM
* After processing our papers and baggage, we did a quick breakfast and headed for Gate 120 for boarding.

6.53AM
* I’m at Seat D23 under the care of Captain Bucal.
(The ride was a bit bumpy but I just read a book throughout the flight.)

8.42AM
* Descent to General Santos Air Port.

9.33AM
* A local taxi gives us a side-tour to this place where Manny Pacquiao grew up (his turf!). Aling Dionisia (aka Mommy Dee) still lives on the area. Ang taas taas ng bakod ng bahay niya. Hindi na siya ma-reach! Tinkyu berimats!

9.47 – 10.30AM
* Nagpabalik-balik kami between Amigotel and Dolores Hotel. In the end, Amigotel wins!
(Paano gusto ng Dolores patulugin si Jake sa kamang kalahati lang ng size niya. Haha.)

12.18 – 12.58PM
* Off to KCC Mall to meet Arvs for lunch.
(First Mindanao trike ride… woot! Grabe ang food court ng KCC! Meron silang halos tig sampung putahe for each choice of food… pork, beef, veggies, and seafood. Pati dessert! And quite ironically, seafood dishes pa ang konti. Sabi ni Arvin malaki daw ang pork and beef farm ng KCC kaya madaming supplies. In any case, lahat ng ulam mura to start with… hindi lumalampas ng 50 buckers on average. Laging dalwang ulam ang kinakain ko… hehe.)

1.34 – 5.36PM
* Tambay lang sa Amigotel.

7.53PM
* Tuna Grille Resto for dinner.
(I love this resto! Ang mura at ang sarap ng pagkain!)

Grub Lineup: inihaw na tuna egg, tuna sashimi, mixed seafood soup, tuna egg adobo, chopsuey, and mixed fruits in choco-condesada dip for dessert… yub yub!

9.06 – 10.51PM
* We walked back to the hotel.

Day 2
8.46 – 9.10AM
* Attempted to cross Sarangani Bay to go to Balut Island in vain. Ferry sched sucks.

9.25AM
* Breakfast at a local carinderia near KCC Mall.

9.42 – 10.10AM
* Attempted to go to Balut Island from another route… still in vain. We learned that there is no scheduled ride going back to Gensan, meaning we have to stay for the night in Balut if we want to push through.
(Next attempt is to go to Dumasa Beach instead via a huge jeep. But cluelessness on the logistics part of things made us withdraw the idea and go to a nearer dip-spot – Olaer.)

10.25 – 1.45PM
* Olaer Resort
(Isang mahabang batis ito na may relaxing na kubo kubo sa tabi. Nag ihaw kami ng isda. Actually, si Whel lang ang nag-ihaw. Good job. Habang nakahilata kaming lahat hehe. Impromptu lahat ng gamit… kutsilyo, binili lang sa malapit na tindahan worth 20 buckers; plato ay dahon ng saging; kubyertos at baso at softdrinks, bili lang din; pati pang tuhog ni Whel sa isda, hindi ko alam kung saang punong-kahoy niya ninenok.)

2.13 – 2.45PM
* Robinson’s Place – Gen San
(Namili ako ng mga pang pasalubong na polo shirts sa boutique ni Manny… aka Team Pacquiao store. Marami-rami din nabili namin.)

7.32PM
* Nag internet lang ako to pass time. Nanood kasi sila ng ”Step Up 3” at ayoko sumama. May kinainan din kami na masarap sarap na crepes. Panalo.
(Tambay kami afterwards sa isang coffee shop na si Manny din daw ang may-ari – Blugre. “Blugrey” ang bigkas, parang Beyonce. Hindi ko alam kung saang lekat na bagay nakuha ni idol ang pangalang yan. Pero di ko trip yung kape nila, masyadong creamy. Si Arvs gustong gusto. Pero cosy yung lugar. Oks nang tambayan.)

(Dinner at Rob Place food court afterwards. Si Jake sobrang orgasmic sa pagkain ng buntot ng tuna niya. Sulit na daw yung pag lipad niya sa Gensan.)

8.23 – 11.55PM
* Back at Amigotel to call it a DAY.

Day 3
5.26AM
* Off Amigo to go northwards to Davao del Sur!
(Umarkila kami ng pickup.)

5.53AM
* Malandac, Sarangani Province
(Nahihilo ako sa pag drive ni Koya Owen kaya natulog na lang ako. Sila Arvs at Jake lumipat sa likod ng pickup para ma-enjoy ang alikabok ng Sarangani.)

7.12AM
* Sta Cruz, Davao del Sur
(Nag tatanong na ko ke Menchie kung tamang landas pa ba ang tinatahak namin. Spur of the moment etong planong eto na iwan ang Gensan para pumuntang Davao. Ang sandata lang namin for references ay isang 2005 issue ng Mabuhay. Sobrang hightech.)

7.43AM
* Stopover for breakfast.

8.38AM
* Davao City
(First stop, Crocodile Farm! Isa pala siyang zoo at leisure park. Akala ko panay buwaya lang at pulis [gets nyo? Haha.]. Mas extensive pa ang collection nila ng hayop at sobrang mas mabango kesa sa Tagaytay Zoo. Not bad. Napaka-interactive pa dahil hindi masyadong kulong na kulong ang hayop nila. I dunno if it’s a good thing or not but for us, it’s cool to get up close!)

10.15AM
* Brunch… Crocs and Ostrich!
(Break break para kumain… at ang lineup: Crocs and Ostrich barbecue! Ayus. Ang croc meat ay surprisingly white meat. Lasang beef tapa kaso mas matamis at mas malansa. Contrary to common notion, hindi siya “tastes like chicken”. Ang ostrich meat naman ay surprisingly red meat. Masyadong rich fowl-like yung lasa neto. Overall, mas gusto ko pa ang croc meat.)

11.03 – 11.35AM
* After Croc Farm, pumunta kami sa port area para i-Roro yung oto namin papuntang Samal Island!
(While in transit, nag pektyur pektyur kami around the barge. Si Alou got the chance to drive the ship. Astig. Orgasmic din siya sa tuwa. Parang si Jake lang habang kumakain ng Tuna Tail.)

11.52AM
* Samal Island landing.
(Isa siyang malaking island near the coastline of Davao City.)

1.33PM
* Lunch at Paradise Island resort + tambay

Grub Lineup: Sinigang na Hipon, Lechon Kawali, Calamares, Pancit Canton, Garlic Brocolli

(Masarap lahat except yung pancit na makunat, parang buhok ni Melai nung nasa loob pa siya ng PBB. Segue way fact: Taga Gensan si Melai.)

3.54PM
* Search for Hagimit Falls
(Na-propaganda na naman kami ng lumang Mabuhay na dala namin. Ang ganda ng Hagimit falls sa picture sa magazine. I was disappointed when I saw the real thing. Ang labo na ng tubig at there’s nothing really especial about the place. Sobrang nature lang talaga ng ambiance.)

4.15 – 4.36PM
* We ferried back to mainland Davao, and drove back to South Cotobato.

5.25PM
* Toril, Davao del Sur

6.12PM
* Digos City, Davao del Sur

7.41PM
* Welcome to South Cotobato (Sarangani)

7.54PM
* Back in General Santos City

8.17PM
* Dinner at Tuna Grille Resto (again!)

Grub Lineup: Seafood Chopsuey, Mixed Seafood Soup, Kinilaw na Blue Marlin, Inihaw na White Marlin, Mixed Fruits in Choco-Condensada Dip

(Nakalibre pa kami ng dalwang order ng Inihaw na Malasuge kasi nagkamali ng bigay na order sa amin. Since wala namang ibang kakain nun AT nailuto na, binigay na lang sa amin. Hehe. Panalo.)

10.03PM
* Back in Amigotel
(Nawalan ng dalawang libo sa loob ng room si Jake, after mag-room service ng hotel staffs. Later on, binalik na lang sa amin ng management yung pera and bahala na sila dun sa staffs nilang huling pumasok ng room namin. Hindi na lang nagpa blotter si Alou para walang gulo.)

Day 4
9.14AM
* Wakey, wakey!
(May kinaadikan kaming masarap na mamon sa bakery sa tapat ng Amigotel. Napakalambot at may toppings na icing and/or leche flan.)

10.19AM
* Breakfast at KCC Mall with Jake and Arvs.
(Si Alou at Whel ay nasa kanya kanyang lakad para bumili ng pasalubong. After breakfast, bumili ako ng Mangosteen at Rambutan para sa bahay… trenta per kilo lang! Sinamahan ko na ng murang Asparagus. Waah… lahat doon mura!)

11.51 – 12:28PM
* Check out from Amigotel.
(Dumaan kami ng isang fish stall para bumili ng sandamakmak na seafoods. Ang muraaaaaa! Potangenayeah talaga! Sinagad namin ang mga baggage limits namin.)

Seafood Shopping: 2 kilo tuna belly, 2 kilo boneless dory, 3 blocks frozen shrimps, 2 parts tuna tails, packs of tuna chicharon

1.47 – 2.07PM
* General Santos Airport check-in.
(Kinain ko ang baon ni Jake na shawarma ni Pacquiao. Binili niya sa KCC earlier.)

2.44PM
* Boarding the airline: Flight 5J996, under the care of Captain Singson.

4.44PM
* Touchdown at NAIA Terminal 3.
Whel: Ano ang dating pangalan ng NAIA?
Obi: MIA (Manila International Airport). Naging NAIA nung binaril diyan si Ninoy. Kaya yung airport sa Subic, dun babarilin si Gloria. Para maging GMAIA.

5.11PM
* Tiwalag nang tropang Shak!

Acknowledgment:
* Thanks kay Karlo para sa pagpapahiram ng pre-funding for the airplane booking.
* Thanks kay Whel and Alou and Jakers and Arvs for the pre-planning and the tour logistics itself.
* Thanks kay Pacman para sa shawarma at sa durian frappe.
* Thanks kay Kuya Owen para sa pag-drive samen sa Davao.
* Thanks kay Tim para sa DSLR.
* Thanks sa SST dahil kung wala sila wala akong perang pang gasta... kahit pinag trabahuhan ko ang pinanggasta ko.
* Thanks sa nanay at kapatid ko sa pag sundo sa akin sa airport. Mabigat ang dala ko.
* Thanks sa Amigotel, sa pagsauli sa pera ni Jakers.
* Thanks sa mamamayan ng Davao at Gensan.
* Thanks the Maker! The Man upstairs! For keeping my life as interesting as it can be and just for giving me life, that is!

*****
Picture at my multiply site.