Things to Do in General Santos City, the Home of Manny Pacquiao
Aside from our pound-for-pound champ, Gensan is also known as the Tuna Capital of the Philippines. As I am a sucker for Maguro sashimi, I grew even more curious about this city. To my luck, we were invited to attend a surprise birthday party at Gensan.
Sarangani Island (seen right Plaza Henaral Santos )
General Santos City – A Tourist Destination
August 15, 2019
General Santos City is proud to be the “Tuna Capital of the Philippines”. Aside from tunas, the city has also other things to be proud of. The tourist spots and festivals of General Santos City make it a great destination for tourists.
A tourist attraction in General Santos City is a social gathering festival called Kalilangan sa Heneral Santos. Kalilangan is from the word “Kalilang” meaning commemoration or celebration according to the Maguindanaon dialect.
The people of General Santos City gather socially for this festival where they exchange amenities among native leaders, ally, elders, and subordinates. The festival is a pageantry of various colorful ethnic rites, traditions, and rituals such as religious ceremonies, marriage celebrations, anniversaries, enthronement of royal dignitaries, funerals, thanksgiving, and other social activities.
The Kalaja Karsts Area is a wonderful destination for tourists in General Santos City. The area is about 15 kilometers from General Santos City’s northeast side at Barangay Conel. The name Kalaha Karsts Area is derived from the word Kalaha, which means frying pot due to the formation of the karsts made millions of years ago. Waterfalls and caves are abundant in this area.
Tourists can explore the Kalaja Cave in General Santos City. The cave has a pool inside that is about three meters deep and 22 meters wide.
Bunga Spring is found in the center of the Kalaha Karsts Area in General Santos City. The place has a campsite for tourists and stargazing is a great night activity.
Another tourist destination in General Santos City is the Malakong Gorge just about three-and-a-half kilometers away from Kalaja Cave. This is an excellent place for boulder and rock climbing for novices and beginners. Camping for tourists are also allowed.
Just a 30-minute drive from the Kalaha Karsts Area is the Nopol Hills. It is General Santos City’s highest camping ground and gives a good panoramic view of Sarangani Bay and the neighboring towns. Hiking in Nopol Hills in the afternoon will give you a good view of the sunset at the bay.
Since tuna fishing is a major industry, General Santos City has its Tuna Festival every September as part of the city’s charter celebration. The festival is a three-day celebration in General Santos City. It is a thanksgiving festival for the bounty of the sea especially the tuna and tuna-like species. Various tuna cuisine and other culinary competitions can be witnessed. Street dancing and fluvial parades are the main attractions of the festival.
General Santos City is outside the typhoon belt of the Philippines. You can expect good weather condition throughout the year.
Tourists will really enjoy their visit to General Santos City. The sites and celebrations bring local and foreign tourists closer to nature.
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General Santos Festivals and Events General Santos festivals are spectacular and colorful events that continue to draw tourists to this city that has so much to brag about. The Kalilangan Festival is a day filled with merry making that provides an educational and enriching experience...
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General Santos Government Sites General Santos City is one of the best exemplary progressive cities in the Philippines. The city's economic drive has been its tuna industry and for the same reason, General Santos City is considered to be the Tuna Capital of the Philippines.
General Santos City: All about Tuna
The Tuna Capital of the Philippines had been cited as the ‘Most Competitive City’ because of its economic competency and stability. Agro-industry has been the strong commercial enterprise that enhanced the city of General Santos’ financial system. This feat would never be realized without a clear cut vision and mission declaration guiding them to live with.
Mission and Vission of General Santos City
The city’s mission: ‘To provide opportunities to all sectors of society to be productive and responsible stakeholders, through execution of sound and beneficial programs, projects and initiatives anchored on the principles of justice and equity.’ The main commerce of the place is agro-industrial and for this reason, the local government provided leverage on the promotion of the local products of the city. This has proved to be very effective and it really encouraged local and small entrepreneurs to improve on their crafts.
The local government as well provides alluring incentive that keeps the enthusiasm to keep improving. The city’s vision: ‘By 2015, General Santos City, the Tuna Capital of the Philippines and the wellspring of winners will be a globally competitive and livable city whose healthy, friendly, well-educated and responsible citizens actively participate in effective governance.’ With a clear objective or goal in mind, being globally competitive would be a reality in the near future. Eco-Tourism is also a boost in the city’s economic stability and progress. The Kalaja Eco-Tourism Destination has been a favorite spot for visitors and tourists alike.
The Progress of Tuna Fishing Industry in General Santos City
The tuna fishing business had never been this thriving and prosperous since its conception from the past years to the present. The new technology, strategic location and the needed facilities for fishing had been the factor why General Santos City’s tuna industry is flourishing and for this the city is now is ‘Boom Town City of the South’. In order to make this industry progressive they need to attract local and international investors. The city’s official website (http://www.gensantos.gov.ph/) gives an overview for tourists, visitors or business financiers of what General Santos City is all about. It is loaded with a lot of information and related facts suitable for possible tourists and commercial entrepreneurs. After browsing through the official website, one can never get enough of just a glimpse of the place. An individual needs to be at General Santos City to enjoy its wonders.
General Santos Travel Agents General Santos City's booming industry is mainly because of the tuna industry that is thriving in the place. Visitors, tourists and investors come to General Santos City to enjoy its mouthwatering delicacies, venture into tuna-related business or to simply do...
General Santos Sightseeing Guide General Santos is a progressive city which is earning more revenues every year. There are many things you can do in General Santos city. Most of the activities are things you can do with nature....
General Santos Restaurants General Santos restaurants provide n amazing array of choices from steaks to seafood to burgers and even pastries. You will love every food adventure you will have in the biggest supplier of tuna in the Philippines....
GenSan or General Santos City should not be minimized as merely the hometown of Philippine’s internationally-acclaimed boxing champ Manny Pacquiao because it is a lot more than that. For one, there are the General Santos restaurants to talk about.
General Santos restaurant can be considered as fresh as the tunas that the city provides people from all over the world from its catch. There are just too many surprises in store for those scouting General Santos restaurants. You will realize, for example, that General Santos restaurants are not just about tuna and seafood. Some eating hubs here have more than that to offer.
Tatay Pepe’s Restobar – In this chic and cool night spot, you will get good vibes and a simple setting along with the aura of home-cooked meal. Dining in here is casual nd laid back amid rock bands banging the stage for some live music. [http://tataypepes.com/; tataypepes@gmail.com.
Sarangani Highlands Garden and Restaurant – If you are more into a diverse array of cuisines, this is one restaurant you must never forget to visit whenever you happen to be in General Santos City. A fusion of different flavors put gainst a setting of warm ambience makes you feel dining in luxury. [http://saranganihighlands.multiply.com; saranganihighlands@gmail.com; Purok Wal, Tambler, General Santos City; (6383) 304 0752, (639)22 859 0043]
Rolands Steak House – If you are looking for the best steak in all of General Santos, there is no other place to go than Roland’s. It’s not as hyped up as the other restaurants and does not charge much like the others, but serve great-tasting steak meals nevertheless. Aside from the steaks, there are a variety of burger recipes that deserve to be tasted as well. [Jose Catolico Ave., Lagao, General Santos City]
Fagioli – Tea and coffee time is never good if it is not at Fagioli. This humble coffee shop gives its diners a wonderful opportunity to relax while their teeth sank onto mouthwatering pastries and downing it with a sip of good coffee. It lso helps that this food hub is WiFi enabled. This means that you can update yourself on what’s happening in the wired world while eating sinfully delicious servings of cakes and pastries. [Petron Gasoline Station, Jose Catolico Ave., Lagao, General Santos City]
Grab-A-Crab – Seafood is quite very popular in all of General Santos City. It is not a surprise, therefore, that you get restaurants like this one that serves an endless array of seafood dishes. But wait, there’s something more to check out when you drop by, the flavors of the East. [Laurel East Ave., General Santos City]
Ranchero Grill Steak and Seafood Restaurant – This is one of the more popular eating hotspots in the city. It serves grilled steaks at their finest and seafood at their freshest. Their seafood platter, sizzling tuna jaw, and baby back ribs are among the best sellers. [National Highway, General Santos City]
General Santos Travel Guide A fast developing city in southern Philippines, General Santos City features attractive tourist spots and destinations that travelers should visit. For those who have interest in visiting the city, it is important that they refer to General Santos travel guides...
General Santos Transportation The kinds of General Santos transportation options that you will see once in this progressive city are pretty much the same as the ones in Manila but with lower rates of fares. If you’re planning a trip to this beautiful...
Overview
Fondly known to its inhabitants as Gensan, this city in Mindanao is frequented by tourists because of the many natural wonders that can be seen here. The strength of Gensan lies in its thriving agricultural land and although this is the primary source of livelihood here, General Santos is a progressive city. In fact, when in Gensan, one will be amazed at how accessible General Santos transportation is.
Getting to General Santos City
If one is planning a trip to General Santos, it’s a good idea to consider the different means of General Santos transportation that would get one to this thriving city. The quickest way is of course by plane and a direct flight originating from the nation’s capital lasts for about an hour and forty five minutes. There are many airlines that offer promotional packages when it comes to airfares going to General Santos and during off peak season, one might just chance upon promotional offers that will bring ticket rates down to less that Php2000. If however one is not able to book a direct flight, there is another mode of General Santos transportation that can get one there quickly and that is to fly from Manila to Cebu. Once in Cebu, it’s much easier to book a flight that’s headed straight for General Santos City.
Believe it or not, another mode of General Santos transportation is to take the bus although this is a 3 day journey. This passes several provinces on the way to General Santos and the scenery varies from scenic to endless stretches of national road. This costs about Php2000 per person.
If one is considering of getting to this part of Mindanao via sea, a multitude of General Santos transportation options are available. One can take a ferry directly to General Santos or make stopovers in Iloilo for a total travel time of three days. Depending on the type of accommodation options that one chooses, fare can range from Php2000 to Php6000.
Getting Around General Santos City
Once in Gensan, one will notice that almost all types of public utility vehicles that can be seen in Manila can be found here. Among the General Santos transportation options to help one get around the city are jeepneys, tricycles, taxis and buses. The most affordable would of course be the jeepney with fare less than Php10 per head but these make several stops and drive on designated routes. For a more comfortable trip, there are air conditioned taxis and the initial flag down rate is Php30.
General Santos Beach Guide General Santos offers some of the most beautiful beaches in Mindanao and the Philippines today. Relax in the pristine sands of the beaches in General Santos. ...
There are a lot of activities that you can do when in this beautiful city, but definitely one of the most exciting would be to go visit the beaches in and around the area. This General Santos beach guide can give you an idea of where to go.
One of the destinations that would definitely be worth checking out is Gumasa Beach, which is only a couple of hours away. This General Santos beach guide can inform you that there are several valid reasons why it is so popular among tourists. The waters are very clear and unspoiled, with none of the problems that afflict other beaches that are frequented by too many people. Moreover, the sands around the beach are exceedingly fine, perfect for daily strolls.
Another site that should be in any General Santos beach guide is London Beach off Siguel. Siguel is only a few minutes away by motor vehicle from General Santos, and once you get there, you will be able to savor the pure air and water around the area. There are also resorts nearby so finding a place to stay in will not be a problem.
Nearby is Tropicana Beach. Compared with other beaches, it is quiet and serene, which would be welcomed by tourists and travelers who just want to spend some quiet time by the ocean shore. The cool breeze that emanates from the sea can be felt night and day, so you can visit it at any time and still savor the breeze.
Tuka Beach is also a place worthy of inclusion in this General Santos beach guide. It is situated off Kiamba in Sarangani, which is not that far off from General Santos. The beach is divided into Tuka Beach 1, 2, 3 and 4. Each one is filled with interesting sights, not the least of which are the hills and mountains covering the surrounding landscape.
All of the beaches in Tuka have their own distinct features, and there are several things that you can enjoy. You can go on a boating trip, or as most people now do, go to the nearby theme park, for which the entire place is named. This General Santos beach guide can point out that you will see a wide array of exotic animals in the area, several of which are located only in the local seas.
This General Santos beach guide only gives you an overview of the features of these sites. Once there, you will find other hidden treasures and thrills that will make your stay even more exciting.
General Santos Sightseeing and Activities General Santos City in Mindanao has many destinations for tourists. Natural landmarks, beaches, dive sites afford tourists to engage in either sightseeing, hiking, swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving.
General Santos Hotels and Resorts The beautiful city of General Santos has everything to brag about when it comes to their booming tourist industry. There are several world class General Santos hotels that offer luxurious rooms and pampering for their guests. Phela Grande Hotel is...
Overview
If convenience and pampering is what is after in a General Santos hotel, the good news is that this ‘Boom Town City’ has many options when it comes to lodging and accommodation. Aside from the interesting attractions in General Santos City, it also has several good hotels that can offer one a totally relaxing holiday.
Dolores Tropicana Resort
The Dolores Hotels and Resorts have long since established a name for its properties in terms of world class service and excellent facilities. For those who want a break from the everyday noise and stress in the big cities, Dolores Tropicana Resort is a good place to go to because of its beautiful well kept gardens and it is away from everyday hassles but with modern amenities within the guest’s reach. Dolores Tropicana Resort also has several conference rooms so if one is planning where the next corporate team building shld be, this General Santos hotel can accommodate up to 200 people comfortably.
The rooms at the Dolores Tropicana Resort are spacious, each one with a queen sized bed except for the Taub Room which has a king sized one. Every room at this General Santos hotel has its own private bathroom with hot and cold shower, cable television and an IDD phone as well as a mini-bar. Room rates at Dolores Tropicana Resort start at Php 1,200 per room per night and this includes complimentary breakfast. Considered the premier resort in General Santos, this 34 roomed General Santos hotel looks out to the beach with palm trees in the background. The Dolores Tropicana Resort also offers spa and massage so one can expect total pampering when at this General Santos hotel.
Phela Grande Hotel
Since we’re talking about grandeur and luxury, another good choice for a General Santos hotel is the Phela Grande Hotel which is on Magsaysay Street. This General Santos hotel has a restaurant that specializes in Filipino and International cuisine and aside from the great food, the waiters and waitresses are very accommodating. Phela Grande Hotel also has its own souvenir shop so just before one boards the plane, there’s no need to look for a store to buy giveaways for friends and families back home. All the rooms at the Phela Grande Hotel are cozy, elegantly furnished, fully air conditioned and there are 9 different types depending on how many people are staying for the night. Each room at Phela Grande Hotel has complete amenities and for those who rented a car during their stay, this General Santos hotel has a big parking lot with 24 hour security. Phela Grande Hotel’s rates start at Php 1,000 per night.
First in the list is of course a visit at the General Santos City Fish Port Complex. The fish port is composed of 11 hectare land located at Brgy. Tambler, General Santos City. It recently gained another 3 years ISO 9001:2008 certification given by the TUV Rheinland Philippines, Inc.—the international certification body in the country. The quality stamp specifically covers the port’s core business processes in entrance formalities, assessment and collection of vessel charges, and departure clearance.
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