Trappistine Monastery of Our Lady of Mt Matutum..a Place of Solace and Peace

Deep in the highlands of Landan in Polomolok, South Cotabato lies a quaint monastery run by the Trappistine nuns. These nuns are under the Cistercian order which started in France around the year 1098. The Trappistine Monastery of the Our Lady of Mt. Matutum is a place of prayer, meditation and reflection. They open their doors to the public once a week during the offering of the Sunday mass.

Its refreshing to note that such a place exists in the middle of pineapple fields and rolling hills in faraway Landan. The steep drive up the monastery leads to their guest house (not one where you can book your vacations mind you). The guest house as it is aptly called houses the monasteries’ visitors who are on retreat or recollection. They find solace in prayer at the Trappistine Monastery since the place is so close to nature. The breathtaking view of the towering Mt. Matutum and the huge trees and foliage around it brings an atmosphere of peace and perfect commune with our Creator.

Since the Trappistine nuns live a life of solitude and prayer, they only ask their visitors to observe utmost silence within their grounds. Small children are not encouraged to be brought along especially inside the chapel during the offering of the Holy Mass. The nuns of the order follow a disciplined life of prayer and work. They support themselves by selling pastries, prayer books, posters and other religious artifacts. Their rum balls and mango tarts are personal favorites and they are a very good “pasalubongs”.

I personally love the simple but fine lined architecture of the monastery. Its red tiled roofings and modern feel of its edifice. It never fails to surprise our bakasyunistas whenever we have the chance to take them there. They are often astonished that such a place exists in remote but very accessible town of Landan. But oftentimes I have to remind them that it is a place of “worship” not a tourist spot so we have to be discreet in snapping photos and maintain the atmosphere of silence within its grounds.

To go to there, one can ride a motorcycle from Poblacion Polomolok or from Bgy. Cannery, Polomolok. A taxi from GenSan or a rented van would also work out fine since Landan is roughly about 13kms from Poblacion Polomolok. The Trappistine Monastery schedules its masses at 10AM every Sunday. For retreats or recollections or for orders of their yummy treats and souvenir items, you can reach them at this number: 63 920 4377367

view on the way to landan..

GTX 1st Lawihan Street dancing and Fish Fest sa Fishport

It has been a successful Tuna Fest so far with the advent of exciting activities such as the Fish Fest sa Fishport and the 1st Lawihan street dancing competition. Unfortunately I wasn't present during these events so I can only give you a general view of what went on during the activity so you have something really wonderful to look forward to for other upcoming events of this year's Tuna Fest.

The 1st Lawihan Street dancing competition was participated by the local fishing and tuna canneries in the area. They paraded early on in their colorful costumes all brandishing the mighty tuna.

1st Lawihan Street dancing showdown with a crowd of onlookers, bloggers and photographers.

One of the contingents giving reverence to the Tuna in a dance showcase

The fish port area served as stage for this year's Lawihan street dancing

Gensan Camera Club Photo Exhibit.... their own GenSan TunaFest Experience

I really love the guys and gals of the Gensan Camera Club or GCC if you may. They're a band of photo enthusiasts cum hobbyists cum professionals who share their love for the art of the captured image. Photos for me has always been "frozen memories" a living diary of what transpired, a record of moments..but being around these photo hobbyists in the GCC made me see the real art that they see in each of their camera frames. At this day and age, a photograph is not merely a recording of events or "photo journalism" but it is a work of art. It takes not only the ability to frame your subject but the expertise on knowing how to maximize the use of your DSLR camera or post processing to come up with an artistic photo.

Ribbon cutting at the GCC Photo Exhibit at KCC, with GCC president, Omar S. Gallinero are sponsors from KCC and Fuji Perfect Image and members of the GCC (photo courtesy of Mr. Ronald Rivera)

So it comes not as a surprise that the GCC was invited to have a photo exhibit at one of the leading malls here in GenSan, the KCC Mall of Gensan. They showcased their works of art centering on photos taken during previous year's Tuna Fests.

Even before the ribbon cutting, people in the mall were already viewing their photos. I even saw some taking photos of the exhibit in their own cellphone cameras (I guess that includes me! :). "It's fine" as one member said, "just as long as they recognize copyright and not use the photos they took of our photos on display for public viewing" hahaha! yeah right. I saw one onlooker taking a photo of the only portrait in the exhibit resizing it in his cellphone..probably a fan. :)  Nonetheless, it was nice to see the Generals admiring the works of their fellow General.

If you are within the area and you have time this weekend, come visit their exhibit at the upper ground level of the KCC Mall of Gensan. And see for yourself how talented the contingent of the Gensan Camera Club really are. You don't have to take my word for it, come see their works of art on display. Words afterall won't give them justice. See you all there and have a GenSan Tuna fest eXperience with us!

Thank you to KCC Mall of Gensan and Fuji Perfect Image for sponsoring this event!

GenSan Tuna Festival Experience 2010 .. The Tuna Fest Fever is on!

Last year's Tuna Festival Float Parade

GenSan TunaFestival eXperience 2010 is on! Festival Month of September jampacked with events!

The 2010 Tuna Festival Month of September handled by the General Santos City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (GSCCCII) as Festival Organizer with City Mayor Darlene Magnolia Antonino-Custodio as Chairperson started on a high note last week.

Guided by the theme "Go Global GenSan: We Are Ready for the World", the jam packed month-long GTx (GenSan Tunafest experience) kicked off on September 2-4, 2010 with the conduct of the 12th National Tuna Congress which broke records in terms of the # of attendees and exhibitors at its Tuna Congress Exhibit held at Family Country Convention Center.

On September 3, 2010, former Senator Mar Roxas came in behalf of Keynote Speaker President Noynoy Aquino to inspire the participants consisting of local and international tuna and fishing industry leaders and stakeholders.

The annual Karagatan Awards that honored the year’s outstanding handline fishmermen were given to the awardees at the Appreciation Dinner that same night at the Isla Parilla Resort in Alabel, Sarangani.

Then on Sunday, the whole city commemorated the 42nd Charter Day Anniversary with a mass at the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Parish Church and an Ecumenical Prayer Service and short program at the Gen. Paulino Santos Shrine inside the Plaza Heneral Santos.

This was attended by the city’s business and socio-civic leaders, government workers and officials led by Congressman Jun Acharon, Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio, Sarangani Vice-Governor Steve Chiongbian-Solon, the city councilors, among other personages.

Vice-Governor Solon's attendance made the affair more meaningful as it was his grandfather, the former Congressman James Chiongbian who authored the Bill that created General Santos City.

An "Almusal Alay sa Kapwa" spearheaded by the CSWDO followed afterwards which offered free breakfast to the city's less fortunate families.

For the 2nd weekend of the month, on September 10, 2010, the much-awaited concert of the ASAP Sessionistas will happen at Mindanao's largest indoor air-conditioned gymnasium, the GenSan Gym in Barangay Lagao. This is one of the city's biggest gathering of famous performers from Manila and tickets are selling briskly especially now that the concert date is getting near.

The major highlights of the GTx will occur during the week of September 18-26, 2010.

Expect these crowd-drawing beauty and talent search events to dazzle the generals and visitors alike:
• Search for Ginang Bariles on Sept 22
• Search for Ms. GenSan 2010 on Sept 25
• Search for Mr. GenSan 2010 (new event!) on Sept 25
• Gaisano Mall's Search for Munting Mutya ng GenSan 2010 on Sept 26

Then there are these youth-powered dance and singing competitions:
• Pasiklaban Cheer Dance Competition on Sept 18
• Campus Radio's Sayaw Sa Baybay-Kids Edition on Sept 21
• Search for GenSan Pop Idol Year 6 on Sept 22
• GenSan Pop Star Kids Competiion on Sept 23
• Fishdance Hip-Hop Dance Competition on Sept 24
• Search for GenSan Band Idol on Sept 24

The GTx Month is also filled with exciting sports competitions:
• Tuna Motorbike Competition
• Beach Volleyball Competition
• Robinsons' 1st TunaBodis Body-Building Competition
• National Skim Boarding Competition
• HRM Mini-Skills Competition
• Robinsons' Inter-Tribe Tuna Cookfest
• Bombo Radyo's Bancarera

On its own, the FishFest sa Fishport will also have its own set of events for the fishermen on September 22nd:
• Langoy-Bugsay Marathon Challenge
• 1st Lawihan Street Dancing Competition

To enliven the GTx more, there are the parties and concerts!
• Kapamilya Caravan featuring ABS-CBN stars @ KCC on Sept 18 (new!)
• Kapuso Night featuring GMA stars @ KCC on Sept 24 (new!)
• Robinsons' Praize Xtreme Concert on Sept 19
• Foam Parties @ East Asia Royale Hotel with Eli Buendia & PUPIL on Sept 24-25
• Robinsons' Al Fresco Sashimi Night featuring the Best of GenSan Bands on Sept 25
• SMART Communications Concert @ Oval Plaza Stage on Sept 25
• GLOBE Telecoms Concert @ Oval Plaza Stage on Sept 26
• San Miguel Beer Concert @ the Junction on Sept 26

And not to forget the must-see Major Highlights on Culmination Day (Sept 26, 2010):
• Tuna Float Parade Competition @ 9am
• GTX Mardi-Gras Competition (Street Dancing) @ 9m
• Splash in the Sky Fireworks Display @ 7pm

And for three weeks, these attractions will be featured at the City Oval Plaza, the main activity center:
• Tinda-Tinda sa GTx (Flea Market)
• Tuna Food Plaza
• Tuna Fiesta Carnival
• Plantuna Garden Show
• Coca-Cola's Everyday Kainan Happiness Zone
• San Miguel Beer Barkada Zone

For this year's Tuna Festival Month celebration, a new Tuna Festival Theme song will be launched. Entitled "WHOA GENSAN!", this catchy and lively festival theme song commissioned by TunaFest Director and GSCCCII VP Orman O. Manansala, is composed by GenSan's very own "Centerpoint Band" who will first perform it LIVE to the public during the "ASAP Sessionistas Live in Concert" on September 10, 2001 where they will serve as the front act.

With all these events, activities and new attractions in store for GTX festival revelers, expect the Tuna Festival Celebration to upgrade its reputation as the 2nd Best Festival in the Philippines, an award given to the Tuna Capital by the the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) in 2009.

Because for sure, this will be the best GenSan's Tuna Festival Experience for the generals and their visitors ever making the city truly MAGANDANG GENSAN!
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For more information on this year's Tuna Festival, please click on Bariles's link here and/or His Royal Gandaness link here. Thank you Mr. Avel Manansala for the info about GenSan Tuna Fest above! :)

At last year's Tuna Fest... you can challenge him this year! :)

3rd Pinyahan Festival - A Synopsis...

I enjoyed the 3rd Pinyahan Festival so much I realized, i haven't blogged about it! For my new readers, the Pinyahan Festival is Barangay Cannery, Polomolok's festival of sorts, a brainchild of Bgy. Capt. Mariano Superioridad. It has been 3 years in the running and I'm happy to note that every year, it never fails to haul in crowds of spectators both from near and far. This year's organizing/technical working committee headed by Mr. Benjor Dapanas, with Mr. Monsit Jovenes, Ms. Cherry Alday and Ms. Luz Superioridad along with Festival Director Eunice Canda all did a wonderful job! Kudos to you sirs and madams for doing a spectacular job for this year's festival. So let me recap some of my favorite events in the festival for you...

Lumba Kalabaw.  It was a hilarious carabao race which was participated by hardworking carabaos from near and far. Some had to hike a day before the race so their carabaos are in tip-top shape for the race, I even heard about some who had to train their carabaos two months in advance just for the race. For more on this, click here.

Body Fest. First time pageantry featuring well buffed men and women who showcased their fit and sexy bodies. This event merited a lot of hoots and catcalls from both male and female audience. And of all the events, I saw a lot of pictures from this event from the contingents of the Gensan Camera Club photo hobbyists..for sure a lot will look forward to next year's Body Fest since this year's event was definitely a major success.

Pinyahan Festival Queen 2010. It was a parade of beauties as finalists for this year's Pinyahan Festival Queen pageant strutted their stuff in the coronation night. It exuded class and artistry that impressed most visitors from other cities as the organizers made the pageant exude elegance. I even heard that Mr. John Castino a notable instructor at the Notre Dame - Sienna College Polomolok gave the ladies a "Personality Development Seminar" before the pageant..wow parang Ms. Universe?? hehe. For more on this click here

Street-dancing and Showdown Competiton. To give a Mardi Gras atmosphere, the organizers had a common song playing in the background so all the participants had to dance to same beat. They had a Pinyahan Festival theme song made for this event. It made a lot of sense since everybody was dancing to the same tune, it was not confusing for the spectators compared to different drum beats which is quite the norm you see in other street dancing competitions. One thing I missed this year is the green body paint which was supposedly used on the participants like previous years..oh well.. maybe the green body paint will have to make an appearance next year. But then, it still proved to be loads of fun.

In all, the festival was a success, makes me proud to be here and experiencing this first hand. Will definitely look forward to next year's festival and invite more people to witness. Thank you to all the people who came and experience this event with us. Your presence surely made it tons more fun! Hats off to the organizers! 

Enjoy the pictures of Mr. OSG below..

Streetdancing participants in their Dole field worker attire :)

Dance to the beat!

Who says that the young ones cant strut their moves on the streets?

Pinyahan Fest Showdown

Best Body Fest Winners

This year's Pinyahan Festival Queen in her pineapple inspired costume

Pinyahan Festival Queen..love their costumes!

The Lumba Kalabaw race is on!

Pinyahan Festival Queen 2010

The recently concluded Pinyahan Queen pageant at Polomolok's Bgy. Cannery's Pinyahan Festival earned a lot of praises not only by the local community but by visitors of the event near and far. sigh.. so glad! They started off with a showcase of the beauties in a facebook account which you could checkout here. I wouldn't be surprised that at a short time, they were able to have a number of traffic in the site only for the Miss Surfer's Choice award wherein voting was cast by the number of "likes" in the posted photo of the surfer's candidate of choice. These are modern times indeed. =) Enjoy the photos of the candidates in their pineapple inspired costumes below from the lens of Mr. Omar S Gallinero  for Montage Digital Photography, a sponsor of this event.

Truly creative and one of a kind costumes these ladies had in presenting the pineapple. Love, love their costumes!

Another thing I like about this pageant is the way it presented its candidates and the coronation night with class. The organizers definitely did a very good job. It makes me proud that we could do this kind of event that is at par with big pageants in big cities. =) The candidates all came out not only with impressive pineapple costumes but with the same sports wear and gowns.
 
Hats off to the choreographers: Red Carpet Events (made up of Eunezel Marfito, Rogen Eulatec, Rodgiel Delgado, Reynel Calmerin). They did a very good job. Enjoy some of the photos of the event below.

Intermission number from the SLRAP dance troupe

Mr OSG representing Montage Digital Photography presenting the Miss Photogenic Award to candidate 11 (photo courtesy of Mr. Dong Pading)

This year's Ms. Pinyahan Festival Queen (Nikki Jane Francisco)

have to convince her that she won!

The lovely Pinyahan Festival Queens