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Blessings from Kiwanis International Gensan

Tuesday, August 6, 2024




In a heartwarming ceremony held early this morning July 29, 2024, Kiwanis International extended a warm welcome to our new transferees from various schools. The event was marked by a spirit of camaraderie and generosity, as the organization presented each learner with a set of essential school supplies, ensuring they have the tools they need to thrive in their new educational environment.

Kiwanis International generously donated a total of 200 sets of school supplies, which included notebooks, pens, pencils, and other vital materials that will aid in our learners’ academic journeys. This thoughtful initiative not only alleviates some of the financial burdens on families but also fosters a sense of belonging and support for learners transitioning to a new school.




As the pupils received their supplies, the atmosphere was filled with excitement and gratitude. Many expressed their appreciation for this kind gesture, which symbolizes the community’s commitment to supporting education and promoting inclusivity.

This generous donation from Kiwanis International is a testament to the power of community support and the positive impact it can have on our pupils’ lives. We are immensely grateful for their partnership and look forward to continuing our collaboration in fostering a nurturing and encouraging environment for all our learners.



Today’s event was not just about providing school supplies; it was a celebration of new beginnings, community spirit, and the shared commitment to education. We are excited to see how these early morning blessings will empower our students as they embark on their educational journeys in our school.

Source: Maam Erlyn Garay

Historical Japanese Bunker 1943

Thursday, June 27, 2024




On the last day of our family reunion here in Bula, Gensan. It was a fine morning and my sister took us to a historical Japanese Bunker located at Zone 5 Bula, General Santos City. I thought we would just go swimming at the beach, but NO 😂Like What?

Did you know that they have coral reef tour here? 
Did you know that you can rent a boat here and go boating at the beach?
Did you know that you can rent a floating cottage here?


So yes, it was my first time here and all of these are part of the fun and exciting activities that will soon be offered to the public here at the Japanese Bunker historical site. We really had fun here and Chairwoman Marilou Remegio is there to accommodate us. She told us that the LGU Bula has already laid some projects here to promote tourism in Barangay Bula, Gensan. Thank you so much, chairwoman and I promise that I will always promote and support tourism in Bula. 

The Japanese Bunker that was built on 1943 during the World War II is located at Zone 5 Bula, General Santos City. This was preserved and protected as the historical sites and open to visitors. Exploring this bunker provides a somber reminder of the intense battles fought and serves as a testament to the resilience of the Filipino people during the war.

Attractions:

Historical Japanese Bunker 1943

Swimming 🏖️

Boating 🛶

Coral Reef Tour 

Floating Cottage 


Address: Zone 5 Bula, Genera Santos City 

The Most Beautiful Public School in Gensan

Wednesday, June 26, 2024



Jose Divinagracia Sr. Elementary School is probably the most beautiful public elementary school in Gensan. Located at Zone 8 Bula, General Santos City. Every time I come to visit this place, I always want to do a vlog to show the world how the school admin enhances its aesthetics and functionality to create a more pleasant and conducive environment for learning.

As the government in the Philippines implemented the “No Collection Policy” in all public schools, it's amazing how they managed to beautify the school up to this extent. We know that relying on government funds won’t be enough because the number of students is increasing every year. So as the school principal, you must be resourceful.

As they added lawns, trees, and flower beds to beautify the school grounds, they also managed to create a function hall from the dilapidated room for the venue to different school activities and reading areas. So aside from government funds, the LGU Bula, LGU Gensan, parents, stakeholders, teachers, etc. supported the school improvement. They repainted the buildings, fences, and structures to freshen up their appearance and prevent deterioration. Incorporating murals, sculptures, or other artistic elements to inspire creativity and visual interest. 

Creating outdoor seating areas, playgrounds, and sports facilities to encourage outdoor activities and social interaction. Ensuring cleanliness and proper maintenance of facilities, promoting a safe and welcoming environment for students and staff alike. Beautification not only enhances the physical appearance of the school but also contributes to a positive atmosphere that supports learning and community engagement. With Maam Erlyn Garay as the school principal, expect exemplary leadership. Kudos Jose Divinagracia Sr. Elementary School school principal, admin staff & teachers 👏🏽👏🏽


Google Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/bJS5S5R5YuR5ZZTZ6?g_st=ic

My First Blood Donation Experience

Tuesday, June 25, 2024

Have you ever wondered how a simple act of donating blood can make a profound impact on someone’s life? Today June 25, 2024, in celebration of the 50th Birthday of former Congresswoman Shirlyn Bañas Nograles, she sponsored a Blood Donation Drive held at Robinsons Place Gensan from 8 am to 3 in the afternoon. I had the opportunity to experience it today firsthand, and it turned out to be one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

The decision to donate blood didn’t come overnight. It was something I wanted to do for a long time. Knowing that every unit of blood can save up to three lives was a compelling enough reason for me to take that step. I really wanted to make my contribution.

Today, I felt a mix of excitement and a touch of nervousness. I arrived at the donation center and went through a brief medical screening to ensure I was eligible to donate. The staff were incredibly supportive, which helped calm my nerves.

Once I was cleared to donate, I was led to a comfortable bed where a nurse explained each step of the process. The actual donation itself was surprisingly quick and painless. Within minutes, I had donated a unit of blood that would go on to potentially save lives. Then, they gave me vitamins and free insurance for 1 year paid for by Former Congresswoman Shirlyn Bañas Nograles.

As I sat there, sipping a cup of coffee and eating the meals provided to replenish my energy, I couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of satisfaction. Knowing that my donation could make a difference for someone in need was incredibly fulfilling. It made me realize the power each one of us holds to positively impact our community.

The impact of donating blood extends far beyond the donation itself. It’s about giving hope and a chance for someone to recover, to heal, and to continue living. I felt humbled by the thought that my small act could potentially change someone’s life.

If you’re considering donating blood but have reservations, I encourage you to take that leap. The process is safe, the staff are professional and caring, and the rewards of knowing you’ve helped someone in need are immeasurable. Whether it’s your first time or you’re a regular donor, every donation counts and makes a significant difference.

In conclusion, my first blood donation experience was not just about giving blood; it was about giving hope and life. It’s a simple act that anyone can do, yet its impact is profound. I look forward to donating again and continuing to be a part of this life-saving mission.

Remember, donating blood is a gift of life that costs nothing but means everything. I urge you to consider donating if you can—it’s an experience that will stay with you long after you leave the donation center.

Thank you for reading about my journey. Together, we can make a difference—one donation at a time.

In this blog, I wanted to capture the essence of the emotional and practical aspects of donating blood, hoping to inspire others to consider doing the same. It’s a personal journey that leaves a lasting impact not only on the recipients but also on the donors themselves.

Food Village Park Lagao General Santos CIty

Thursday, September 8, 2022

 




If you are looking for a place to dine in with you family, friends or your partner, you can consider this place. The Food Village Park is located at Tiongson Street, General Santos City just in front of Lagao Baranggay Hall for google map click here . To get here, if you are in the city, you can just ride a tricycle for 10 to 15 pesos. Upon entering, health protocols are strickly observe. 

This place has a live band very night and the music is sweet and not so laud so you have a good conversation with your family or friend while having a cozy dinner. You can even request the singer to play your favorite song.

This place is clean and the staff are accommodating. I love how the colourful hanging umbrellas on its hallway. It makes this place instagrammable. 




What I love in this place is that you can have a lot of food to choose. It has a lot of shops the sells different kind of menu. Murakami is a shop where you can have your unlimited grill for only 195 pesos (prices are subject to change withour prior notice). They offer meat, fish & seafood for you to grill. This kind of shop is famous in Thailand too but Thailand has a unique cooking pot for you to grill your food. They call it "mookata" you can visit this page for more information. 

They have also pizza, salads shops and milk tea shop. We have tried different kids of food from different shops. As you can see on our photo below. We got pizza, fried chicken, fries, vegetable salads grilled fish, kinilaw (malasugi) and tinolang isda (malasugi). I have more photos on my fb page HelloWifey. The food wasn't really expensive and the taste  is average. At some point the Malasugi soup is a little bit salty for me. 



We have a nice chitchat here with my highschool barkadas until past 11 in the evening. Before we say good bye to each other we took a lot of photos. 

Olaer Swimming Resort General Santos City

Friday, May 20, 2022

 


Probably one of the oldest and the most famous swimming resort in General Santos City is the Olaer Swimming Resort. I am so happy to come back here because now the road was concrete. Before it used to be rocky, dusty, and muddy, especially on rainy days. Now, it is more accessible to the public. 

Olaer Swimming Resort is located at Purok Olaer, Apopong General Santos City. If you don't have your motorcycle or car, from the city you can get here via jeepney for 20 pesos only (pink multicab route Apopong, Lanton) or tricycle for 30 pesos only. Tell the driver that you will go to Olaer Swimming Resort. They will drop you along the highway in front of Forest lake. Then from the highway, you can ride another tricycle again going to Olaer for only 10 pesos. (prices are subject to subject to change without prior notice)



The entrance is just 50 pesos for adults and 25 for children. The cottages fee ranges from 300 to 600 and its a compulsory with minimum numbers of people per cottages. For the moment overnight is not allowed but I have seen some newly unfinished rooms at the end of the resort. So I think, they will offer an overnight stay soon.

The water is crystal clear and it's natural spring water so it's clean. It's so cold, especially in the small pond where the water resource flows. The children can enjoy the shallow part while an adult can enjoy the deeper part of the spring. 

The resort was closed during the pandemic and during those time, they develop it to make it more beautiful. The newly renovated Olaer Swimming Resort is now ready to compete with other world-class swimming resorts. it's truly the pride of Apopong and Gensan. 


They don't have a contact number for inquiries. They are always open from Sunday to Saturday from 6 am to 6 pm. It's big so no need for reservations. They have a lot of cottages around the spring. They have also a wide parking lot. Stores and souvenir shops are available on the site. They have a place where you can cook and grill some food. You can bring your food and drinks without corkage. 

For Google map click here and if your interested to watch my vlog about this place you can watch it on my official FB Page https://www.facebook.com/HelloWifey 

Rospea Cove Resort Glan Sarangani



Glan Sarangani Province is famous for its white sand beach and pristine crystal clear water. It was a sunny day when we visit here. When we arrive at the resort, only a few people were there because of the pandemic. People from the neighboring city like General Santos City can't enter Sarangani Province without a valid reason at that time. We visited Glan because of work and drop by this place.


If you are looking for a place where you can enjoy the view of the vitamin sea, choose this Rospea Cove. The place is really clean with a fantastic view of mangroves and mountains on both sides. The pristine crystal clear water in the middle is just picturesque scenery. 


Rospea Cove is just an hour away from the City of General Santos. It is located on Lago, Glan Sarangani Province. This is actually my husband's childhood playground. He is very proud of this place and always talks about his happy childhood memories. He still has a lot of relatives who live in this barangay. He talks about how this place used to be their toilet. 😂😂😂😂😂 where they used to bury their poop here. 😂😂😂😂.  





What I love about this place are the trees that make it a shady and breezy place to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature. Even if the sun shines so bright, the area surrounding the cottages were shaded by these big trees. That's one thing that I love in Rospea Cove. You won't get directly hit by the sun unless you go to the beach. 


What to bring here is your sunblock for skin protection, your fashionable hat with sunglasses, and your swimwear. 


The entrance is 50 pesos for adults and children. This pandemic helps our ocean clean itself. The water is vividly clear and clean. They have cottages that cost around 500 to 1500. They have air-conditioned Kubo rooms if you want to stay overnight. The tent is also available for rent. The parking space is wide so you don't have to worry if you have a car. 




For more inquiries, you can visit their official Facebook Page click here, and contact this number #0922 859 4237. Please be patient on calling or texting them, replies might take time due to the network coverage. For Google, Maps click here


I am looking forward to visiting this place again. For my vlog watch it on my official Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/HelloWifey

Alta Vista De Gonzaga Alabel Sarangani

Monday, August 30, 2021



Probably the most famous tourist destination in Alabel, Sarangani Province is just an hour away from the city of General Santos. Alta Vista De Gonzaga is also known to many as Alta Vista. It is located at Barangay Bagakay Alabel, Sarangani Province. For Google Maps click here. It’s open as early as 4 a.m. until 9 p.m.


If you are planning to come here, it’s best to wake up early in the morning before sunrise. You can have early breakfast here and wait for the sun to rise. Don’t forget to bring your jacket because the temperature is quite cold. Then, if you are lucky enough, the beautiful view of a foggy mountain range will leave you in awe.

Originally, we planned to come here at past 4 a.m., but when we woke up. It’s already bright outside and the sun is high. I took my phone to looked at the time and it’s already past 6 in the morning, hahaha. But since it was already planned, we have to go, heh hehe. We reached the place at 7 in the morning but still, I can see the fogs in the mountain. I was disappointed but it’s OK, I still find this place nice and breathtaking.


It has a restaurant and the food is passable. They offered famous Filipino dishes at a very affordable price. They offered Silog meals (porksilog, cornsilog, shanghaisilog, etc.) that are ideal for breakfast and sandwiches for snacks. We bought a shanghaisilog and hotdogsilog for only 75 pesos. For hot drinks, they only have instant coffee, milo, and milk in a pack. It’s a self-serving restaurant. The place is very clean and I love how they line up the concrete tables and chairs near the cliff where you can take your food slowly while watching the breathtaking view of Alabel Mountain Range.

The location is along the highway and the road is concrete. The parking lot is big and they have a designated parking space for bicycles. This is also the cyclist’s favorite resting place. To those who can’t leave without WIFI, you don’t have to worry because Peso WIFI is available. If I’m not mistaken the 5 pesos will take an hour of internet usage.

They have also a view deck and the entrance is 30 pesos for adults and children. At the top of the hill is the spectacular view of Alabel Sarangani Province and General Santos City. I can even see the proudest Mt. Matutum and Sarangani Bay. They built some structures here for you to take photos to be posted on Facebook and social media. Don’t miss out on the upper view deck, from here is the 360 degrees view.

If you come here in a broad daylight, don’t forget to bring your hats and sunglasses. It’s still best to take photos when the sun is high. I love to see the blue sky in pictures. The pictures look colorful in a broad daylight.

If you can’t come here early in the morning, well come at sunset. This place is also ideal place to spend sunset and wait until evening for star gazing. The city lights of General Santos City look like a bunch of stars in the evening. Many tourist come here late afternoon till evening to witness that fantastic scenery.

As for accommodation, it is not yet available but maybe in the future, hehehe. I make a short video for this place. I hope you can also take the time to watch it. If you still have a question or want to say something. Please comment down below. I will love to read them. I already uploaded some of my photos taken here on my FB Page “Happy Wife Diary”. Please don’t forget to like and follow my page to get updated of my blogs.


Saint Catherine Falls Tboli Philippines

Sunday, June 6, 2021



Saint Catherine Waterfall is formerly know as Basag Falls. It is located at Barangay Basag, Tboli South Cotabato, Philippines. To get there you can just follow google map https://goo.gl/maps/sn77oAmMyECzVspn8 . Its only an hour to travel from the city of General Santos. The road going there is not concrete but rough roads and long journey is part of the adventure. I highly recommended to ride a motorcycle when planning to come here. During the rainy days, these dirt roads might be impassable. 


The entrance is 35 pesos for adult and 20 pesos for children. There is a shop near the entrance. If you want to buy something, then you have to buy it on this shop. For there is no shop on the site. From the parking lot, you just have to walk 130 meters trail with a bamboo wooden pathways along the cliff. The view of the mountains and river from here is also great. 



You can rent a bamboo cottage that is big enough for a group of 10 people for only 250 to 300. The pool is still under construction and in the future the tourist can also enjoy the natural spring pool divided for children and adult. Seeing the St. Catherine Waterfall across the river make my jaw drop. I thought it's small when I look at it in the picture that was taken by someone and posted it on social media. But standing in front of the waterfall. It's truly dazzling and magnificent. I can't help myself but grasp my heart, and thank God for this beautiful creation. 

The waterfall has a rock on both side which you can climb up, its not slippery but you have to make a careful steps. You need to take a bamboo bridge or cross the river to get closer to the waterfall. There is a warning that running is not allowed on the bridge. 



The sound of the water drizzling onto the rocks is like a healing music to my ear. It makes me body relax. Indeed the best way to relax is to spend it with nature. On this place, you can rest your eyes from your phone for there is no signal on this place. It's a good thing that you can only  enjoy the nature and take beautiful photos to post it on social media later on. 

The waterfall has a little shallow pond where you can enjoy swimming. When the sunlight hits the water droplets, a beautiful rainbow is formed which is pleasing to my eyes. Leaving only good memories on me. It's a kind of happiness that only nature can give. So, don't just stare on St. Catherine Waterfall photos on social media. Go and see it for yourself. 


I would like to thank Saint Catherine Waterfall management for letting me in for free without paying "hhahhaha". This time I came here only to take photos and videos of Saint Catherine Waterfall. It so happen that St. Catherine Waterfall is temporary close which is a good opportunity for me to execute my plan. Next time, I will surely come again to enjoy the waterfall. Honestly I have regrets not having a waterfall bath. The water from the waterfalls is said to have medical qualities that is good for our body since it brushes through forest of herbs. Standing under the waterfall is a natural head massage. 

I hope the local government will support tourism industries by making the roads concrete, so our tourist destinations are more accessible for cars and other vehicles. Although I hope that tourism industry will boom on this area, I also wanted to remind them that they should take safety measures to ensure that our natural resources are well protected. 

I took a video of Saint Catherine Waterfalls and posted it on my social media account. Please kindly subscribe on my You Tube Channel "happy wife diary" and Like my FB Page "happy wife diary". 



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