Knocking Out General Santos City

"Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch."

Lk.5:4

General Santos City - known for as Tuna Capital of the Philippines. Well used to be. Now when somebaody hear GenSan first thing that will come to mind is our "Pambansang Kamao" Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao (say it in a Michael Buffer way).

This is the beginning of my down south journey. My first stop is GenSan. I know there is nothing much to look around in GenSan. But hey, I was able to know more about the place and Pareng Manny as well.

 What's a fish? What's a chicken? Wondering why a chicken is included on this post instead of a Tuna. To make a long story short. I was not able to go inside the fish port. So why what's up with the chicken? Go figure Jessica Simpsons.

When planning to go in the fish port, one must plan ahead. There are rules to follow and time to abide with. I'll give you a check list: 1. Wake up early to make it in the fish port before 6AM (x); 2. Do not wear shorts (x); 3. Do not wear slippers even if it is Havaianas (x) finally, 4. Secure a permit for your cameras even if it is just a small point and shoot camera (x). Notice the (x) in each reminder, those are the things I didn't do. Now you know the story of why ME = NO ENTRY.

Our Lady of Peace & Good Voyage. This church just turned 50 last 2009. According to the locals who thankfully talked to me, this is the same church that Aling Dionisia hear mass and pray during Pacman's bout.

Outside the OLPGV church stands a towering cross. The photos were taken on a separate day and time.

The Tabernacle at night

The stained glass of Conception and of a Cross. Another fixation.

Lights! Night! Shoot! Need I say more?

No camera tricks. No photo editing. Nothing at all. I just pointed my camera then...Voila! This photo by the way is taken on board a moving tricycle while cruising around GenSan.

Goats beside the main highway as well as sometimes ON the highway. Interesting.

Herbies. If in Manila we have Toyotas and Hondas running on Edsa, here in GenSan Herbie rules - My Way on the Highway!

Pacman's mansion. Locals told me that they this is not really the where Pacman grew up. They just bought this lot and had thier house built on this spot. If you stand looking in front of Pacman's haouse, on your left you will see a beautiful pink house. That's where Aling Dionisia lives. As I was standing on the sari-sari store in front of Pacman's house, the gate opened. I thought Alleluia! Luck is definitely on my side. Two cars pulled out the driveway. Nah. It was not Pacman. I don't know who that was but hey, I got a quick glimpse of the inside!

Ranchero. One of Pacman's favorites in GenSan.

Staff here at Ranchero told me that Pacman frequents this branch in National Highway.

Staff told me that Pacman would always request to have them every occassion on his mansion.

Why wouldn't he request this? Pochero. Mango shake. Tagalog Salad. Grilled Liempo. All Pacman's favorite. I passed on the Baby Back Ribs. A reason to come back.

This one used to be a super fresh grilled Tuna Head. It was gone the minute it was laid down in front of me.

Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Grab A Crab it said. That's what I did. But boy oh boy. It made me swear never to Grab A Crab again. Not because of how it tasted (I tell you it was great), but because it was very expensive! So if you have some cash to burn then yes please, Grab A Crab. But I'd rather Grab A Glove!

By the end of my journey at GenSan. My idea of GenSan changed. It was really a small city with nothing much to see, but because of their IDOL Manny (that's how the local refers to him btw), GenSan became a very special city. The city itself is known not just as a Capital city of Tuna but as the Home Town of Manny Pacquiao. In my experience, it wasn't tuna that knocked me out but it was the crab. I was K.O.-ed by the crab.