Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, In behalf of DreamHigh Travel and Tour, I am Allen Albert Lagura,

and I am your tourguide for the day. Together with me is my co-tourguide, Ms. Donnie Dall Austin, and
our coach captain (van drivers name: _________________________) Today, we are going to have a
tour in the beautiful city of General Santos. Before we officially start our tour, lets have a headcount
first, starting from the back (1, 2, 3 . ) okay, we are all ___ including me, my co-tourguide, and our
coach captain. Now, lets have a brief safety precaution: Please stay together with the group, and since
we are in the city of General santos SMOKING IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED according to Ordinance No. 6,
Series of 2015 Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of
General Santos City

And always remember to .

Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints

kill nothing but time, and bring nothing but memories.

I know, we are all very excited for the city tour, but first lets ask for guidance and protection from our
Almighty God, let us pray. (short prayer) AMEN.

One of the best places to spend an early morning or afternoon stroll in General Santos is at the newly
developed Plaza Heneral Santos (Filipino) or General Santos Plaza (English). It is strategically located along
Pendatun Avenue, near the City Hall and other different establishments including Schools, Church and Hotels.

Developed by Dellosa Design Builders, Inc, Plaza Heneral Santos is placed on a 4.8 hectare land owned by
the government. People from different walks of life can enjoy the park day and night as long as they
follow the basic park rules such as no littering, no vandalizing, etc.

The General Paulino Santos Shrine can be found inside the Plaza
Heneral Santos. The City got its name from this brave and talented
General born on June 22, 1890 in Camiling, Tarlac and died on August
29, 1945 in Kiangan, Mt. Province. General Santos (the person) is the
son of Remigio Santos and Rosa Torres. He graduated as a Valedictorian
in the Military Academy of the Philippines in 1914. As a Governor, he
improved the education, agriculture and communication in Lanao. He
became a Jail Director and developed the Davao Penal Colony and
responsively moved the New Bilibid Prison to Muntinlupa. He became
the First Commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and made
six conferences in South Cotabato. For all of his achievements in the
Mindanao Area, Buayan (formerly Dadiangas) changed its name to
General Santos and later on it became a City. The remains of General
Paulino Santos and his wife Elisa Santos, who died in October 25, 1975,
were placed inside the monument.
After a year of renovation and improvement work, Plaza Heneral Santos was finally unveiled to the public
on the night of September 4, 2009. GenSan City Mayor Jun Acharon, Congresswoman Darlene
Antonino-Custodio and First Lady Rose Acharon together switched on the ceremonial button to signal the
simultaneous lighting up of all the city parks lamp posts.
It was a sight to behold.

"Plaza Heneral Santos in a photo shot by Chattee from Sydney Hotel Rooftop Grill (September 4, 2009)"
People from all walks of life immediately descended upon the 4.8 hectare park. Since it was the eve of
the Tuna Festival culmination, there was hardly any vacant bench left and it was shoulder-to-shoulder for
people walking along the paved paths. [quote1]
The same thing was repeated the following day, September 5th, with whole families enjoying the features
of the new park until late after midnight. The generals clearly missed their park and now that it was given
back to them, all new and dressed up, it was all for them to enjoy!
Kudos to the local government of GenSan, most especially Mayor Jun Acharon and the Sangguniang
Panlungsod members for giving this project the go-ahead, believing that city plazas are the hearts and
souls of any major city, municipality or poblacion.

At a cost of P34 million, this endeavor which was ably undertaken by Dellosa Design Builders, Inc. is just
the first phase of the total improvement of the park. Hopefully, they could add a fountain, an ampitheater,
portable toilets, and maybe, just maybe, a Park Administrator to oversee its maintenance, security and
upkeep.

"The marker of Plaza Heneral Santos with the 'magandang gensan" LOGO."
Bariles has been there more than a couple of times already, in the afternoon, at night, early morning. or
just passing by. Every moment that he was there seems to lift high his spirits with the comforting sight of
parents with their kids lounging around, students studying under the trees, teenagers just strolling, lovers
admiring the mini-fountains at the lagoon, and old folks doing some stretching exercises.
Let these pictures taken by Marz tell the rest of Bariles story

Kids in formation hopping on the concrete steps.

"A couple relaxes at one of the cobbled clearings of Plaza Heneral Santos with the Sydney Hotel in the background."

"A white-washed trellis dominates this area near the Dadiangas Parish Church."

"Teeners enjoy each other's company on top of one of the bridges over the LAGOON."
 "One of the umbrellas for the creeping vines scattered all over the plaza."

"One of the rock gardens dotting the plaza, the brainchild of First Lady Dra. Rose Acharon."

"Bariles trying out the new hiking/jogging tracks surrounding the peripheral of Plaza Heneral Santos."
 "A LED lamp post formed as a dancing figure of a man."

"Green, green, green and more greens everywhere...."

"Big Sister and Little Sisters with Big Brother strolling happily in the GenSan Park."
 "Another Rock Garden here. The GenSan City Hall at the background."

"The winding pathway flagstones of Plaza Heneral Santos."

"An old promenador rests on a bench with the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Church on the background."
 "The repainted statue of General Paulino Santos. More improvements will be made soon."

United Church of Christ in the Phil.

Church of God Inc. Pentecost
Iglesia Ni Cristo
Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Parish

Festivals and Celebration of Gensan

KALILANGAN FESTIVAL

February 22 27. Kalilangan is a Maguidanaon term meaning celebration, commemoration or festivities. Coinciding with
the Citys founding in 1939, it brings back memory an epic story of the citys metamorphosis from the doldrums of long
ago, into a bustling agro-industrial center that it is now. The week long affair highlights the citys dynamic cultural life,
showcases songs, dance, the citys diverse culture and heritage, whose beauty and richness are at par with other parts of
the world.
 YAMAN GENSAN CELEBRATION

June 23 July 2. This is devoted for the celebration of the business month in General Santos City . The undertaking is
known as the YAMAN_GENSAN Celebration. At center stage during this period are business conferences and meetings,
trade fairs and exhibits. This is not only intended to showcase the different products of Gnesan and Mindanao, as a whole;
to give support to SMEs but also, and most importantly, to develop and enhance the culture of entrepreneurship among
the people. In line with this, the celebration is culminated by honoring the citys most outstanding entrepreneurs throught
the annual Yaman Awards.
 TUNA FESTIVAL

September 1-5. The first week of September breaths life to the tuna industry In General Santos City. The holding of the
tuna festival is the peoples way of commemorating the citys Charter Anniversary. The fishing industry is the main engine
of the citys economy. Its steadily ascendingeconomic spiral is attributable to the industrys continuing bullishness; the
reason why the city has been able to create a prominent mark in the global economic landscape. The Tuna Parade and the
various activities featuring different processed Tuna products and food menus are the main highlights of the festival.
 PASKO NG BAYAN ATIN ITO

December 1-31. This is a month-long Christmas festival featuring multifarious activities, such as caroling, singing contest,
lantern-making competitions, bazaars, fireworks displays and many more. During this season, the city is like a bursting
flames, majestically radiating colorful sparkels, to the delight of old and young alike. The main highlight of the celebration
is the building of a Christmas landmark, using local materials and embodying the character of the city and the people. The
main objective of the festivity is to free the people from the drabness of their daily struggles and toils that ushered Gensan
to its current prosperous state; to prepare them physically and mentally for the year ahead; and to enable them to face the
future with much vigor and enthusiasm.
From Queen Tuna Park, we are now heading to Plaza Heneral Santos, we will reach the place for about
approximately 7 minutes.

This is Pioneer Avenue. The main street of General Santos City. On the right is one of its better hotels, the
Sydney Hotel. Almost all kind of bank are located along Pioneer Avenue. This is among the very few busiest
streets. At daytime, this is flooded with Tricycles, GenSans primary mode of transportation- in all colors and
make.

Going further is an intersection where there is one of the only 3 traffic lights installed in all of GenSan.

1.6km from acharon to plaza

The clock tower along Pioneer Avenue is one of the oldest standing structures in downtown Gensan.
Strategically located at the center island right across the Ramon Magsaysay Memorial College, it was
built and donated ages ago

Heneral Santos
 Highly Urbanized City

City of General Santos

Aerial view of urban GenSan

Seal

Nickname(s): GenSan, Dadiangas

"The Tuna Capital of the Philippines"

Motto: Magandang GenSan: Beyond The Bay

Map of South Cotabato with General Santos City highlighted

General Santos

Location within the Philippines

Coordinates: 607N 12510E

Country Philippines

Region Soccsksargen (Region XII)

Province South Cotabato(geographically only)

Districts 1st District of South Cotabato

Incorporated August 18, 1947

Cityhood 1968

Barangays 26

Government

Mayor Ronnel Chua-Rivera (UNA)

Vice Mayor Shirlyn Baas-Nograles (UNA)

Area[1]
 Total 492.86 km2 (190.29 sq mi)

Elevation 15.0 m (49.2 ft)

Population (2015 census)[2]

Total 594,446

Density 1,200/km2 (3,100/sq mi)

Demonym(s) Gensanon

Time zone PST (UTC+8)

ZIP code 9500

IDD:area code +63(0)83

Income class 1st city income class

PSGC 126303000

Electorate 247,470 voters (2016)

Languages Cebuano, Hiligaynon, Filipino, English

Ancestral House of Manilay Family

The Manilay Ancestral House, was built decades ago out, made out of authentic materials from
the ruins of the old houses in Laguna and Batangas, was brought to existence here in Gensan.
Piece by piece it was reconstructed, neat huh?
The house if filled with old artifacts and the antique collections of Mr. and Mrs. Warren A.
Manilay, from wood carvings, religious artifacts, furniture, jewellery and vintage appliances and
cars, that were all acquired from the Manilays various trips around the Philippines. The
ancestral house became their museum, that they opened to the public so they could get a
glimpse of the past and have that certain feeling of how life was back then.