GenSan calling: More than just the tuna capital 

I have already been to General Santos City several times, but this time I returned just to join a tour, an invitation from two friends. 

 

People from the province like to call it the “City of Generals” but it's more popularly known by the shorthand of GenSan. This is the tuna capital of the country and the gateway to Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat, and South Cotabato. 

 

It's home to historical sites, ecotourism destinations, beguiling festivals, captivating beaches, and mouth-watering foods. Of course, personalities like boxing great Manny Pacquiao and Miss Universe-Philippines 2011 Shamcey Supsup are born and bred GenSan natives, too. Name it, the city has it.

 

A history of pioneers

 

GenSan has no doubt come a long way since General Paulino Santos led the first and largest batch of settlers organized under the National Land Settlement Administration to the shores of Sarangani Bay in 1939.   

Back then there were just 60 or so pioneers. They mostly came from Luzon, and industriously tilled Cotabato’s fertile expanse of land. After this first influx of pioneers, thousands more from Luzon and Visayas migrated into the area.

 

The territory eventually became a municipality in 1948 and was named Buayan.  In 1954, it was renamed General Santos as a tribute to its great pioneer -- a park near the city hall is built in his honor.  It gained its status as a city in 1968.

 

With the city's history in mind, our first stopover was an ancestral house located in barangay San Isidro, some four kilometers  from the city proper.  It functions as sort of a museum with priceless collections inside like typewriters, telephone, radio, bottles, cabinets, paintings, necklaces, and various memorabilia, among others.

 

The house is also home to some vintage vehicles.  Also, you will find three units of Lambretta Scooters Series I to III.  

 

“The series II Lambretta scooter has charcoal sketches of Manny Pacquiao’s fights and friends,” says Warren A. Manilay, the owner of the ancient house.  “The Pacman, as a great fighter, can be immortalized in such a work of art using the body of the scooter as the canvass, the scooter being an immortal brand itself.”

 

Like the old American South

 

As I entered the area, I was reminded of Savannah, Georgia, one of America’s most beautiful cities I have visited.  No wonder, the city government is promoting it as one of its tourist attractions.

 

From there, we went to Sarangani Highlands, which has an awesome view of Sarangani Bay and downtown Gensan.  On a clear day, you can see the majestic Mt. Parker and Mt. Matutum. The place has a romantic and intimate ambiance filled with beautiful driftwood, bonsai and other selections of garden flora.

It has a restaurant that offers crispy hito with mango salsa; watsai soup, nice Asian stew made of dried seaweed with quail eggs and various seafood; crispy pata, the best deep-fried pork knuckles; and Dadiangas salad, a good dessert which mixes tropical fruits (pineapple, guava, mango, pomelo, turnip) with honey and mustard sauce.

 

The following day, we went to the city’s eco-tourism destination: the Kalaja Karsts Land, which is derived from the word “kalaha,” which means “a frying pot.” This is due to the surrounding towers of karsts formation made millions of years ago. It's since produced waterfalls and caves.   

Opposite to this area is the camping ground of Nopol Hills, which offers wide view of GenSan, Sarangani Bay and some parts of South Cotabato and Sarangani Province.

 

What's left of Japanese bunkers

 

According to our tour guide, the Japanese colonies made the area their ground defenses during World War II, which is why there were pieces of artifacts from the Japanese found there. Tunnels did exist during the early years but they are now unavailable due to some developments in the place.

 

The trip going to the area was very interesting.  First, we drove 11 kilometers from the city proper to barangay Conel.  From there, we rode a truck following not a road but rather the dry parts of a river. 

 

“During the rainy season, this river is flooded,” our guide said. 

 

After 45 minutes, we arrived at our destination.  Since it was still 10 in the morning, we decided to start our hiking going to the place where the 12 waterfalls of Amsicong are located.  The trek was about 30 minutes.  Then, we started rock climbing from one waterfall to another waterfall.  It was fun, but risky.  The longest fall is measured 30 feet while the shortest is three feet.

 

After the hiking, swimming, and rappelling, we returned to the camp where a Bilaan chieftain, his wife and children welcomed us.  He showed us the indigenous way of cooking rice and pork using freshly-cut bamboos. 

  

It's easy to get there from the metro, too. There are regular flights from Manila and Cebu while, from Davao City, it is three hours of moderate and leisurely driving.  The Gensan’s Makar Wharf connects the city to destinations within and outside the country.  – KDM, GMA News