Personal Blog of Lyle R. Santos. Part-time Nurse, Full-time Blogger.
Travel
Ice Castle Experience
Jun 25th
During my last trip to General Santos City, I stayed at the Ice Castle Experience, the tuna capital’s first and only themed hotel. Hotel owner, Mr. Rey Billena, partnered with Avel Manansala and Orman Manansala of the SoCCSKSarGen Bloggers and generously offered to be our official residence for the duration of the SoCCSKSarGen Summer Safari.
What sets Ice Castle Experience apart from the other hotels in General Santos City is that it is built like a fairytale castle. The hotel utilizes the castle theme effectively, making it an ideal hotel for families with young children.
SoCCSKSarGen Summer Safari – Day 2 Highlights
May 31st
Day 2 of the SoCCSKSarGen Summer Safari began with a hearty breakfast at Dolores Farm Resort. Everyone was upbeat and excited in spite of the sun reminding everyone what the word “summer” meant.
Shortly after breakfast, the group toured the farm’s mini zoo. I thought it was going to be just like any other zoo tour but one horny monkey proved me wrong with his public exhibition that is too NSFW to describe.
Breakfast at Dolores Farm Resort in Polomolok
SoCCSKSarGen Summer Safari – Day 1 Highlights
May 30th
SoCCSKSarGen Summer Safari
If you are a regular reader of this blog. You may have noticed that a good number of posts here are about General Santos City. What can I say, I’m in love with GenSan and its people.
Credit goes to the SoCCSKSarGen Bloggers specially the Manansala siblings, Avel and Orman. They really know what hospitality means. I’m even beginning to think that they invented the concept.
Davao Food Appreciation Tour 2010 Photos
May 5th
Around 25 bloggers from Manila, Cagayan de Oro, General Santos City, and Davao participated in this year’s Davao Food Appreciation Tour (DFAT 2010).
I will be posting about the event in a few days. In the meantime, here are some photos from the 3-day event organized by the Avatar Media.
Kalilangan Festival 2010 – Day 4 Highlights
Mar 9th
Our Kalilangan Festival experience in the City of Generals was reaching its climax when Orman and Avel brought us to Marasa Grill, one of GenSan’s gastronomic pride. The place is owned and managed by Orman’s good friend, Ms. Kring Macion.
GenSan bloggers Sheng Dumalay and Ate Jinky Borela were also around along with their respective husbands, Ric and Kuya Arnel. They had in tow, travel bloggers from Manila led by dong ho.
Just like in the previous days… our day started with food, food, and more food. 
Kalilangan Festival 2010 – Day 3 Highlights
Mar 3rd
Day 3 of our Kalilangan 2010 experience began with a magnificent early lunch at Mt. Sabrina in Tambler Hills, GenSan.
Having been told that the place is owned by GenSan’s queen of tuna cuisine, I knew we were in for a delectable treat and boy, was I not mistaken. Of course, it helps that I have tried Mrs. Sol Mananquil’s famous tuna dishes before at JAMS Resto Bar.
When food was served, our group devoured — yes, devoured — the Nilagang Baka, Grilled Tuna Belly, Grilled Panga, and Steamed Pompano that was laid before us. Who wouldn’t? Just check out the yummy photos below.
Kalilangan Festival 2010 – Day 2 Highlights
Mar 1st
Our second day in General Santos City was a free day, we didn’t have any event to attend or tasks to do. Festival director Orman O. Manansala made sure we had a free time to enjoy the city and its surrounding provinces.
Avel‘s friend, Francis Sablon of Zion Travel, hosted our group to lunch at the very popular Nadies Chicken Hauz in Tupi, South Cotabato.
Kalilangan Festival 2010 – Day 1 Highlights
Feb 25th
The festivities for the 71st founding anniversary of General Santos City was already in full swing when our select group of Davao Bloggers arrived in GenSan before noon yesterday.
Angel, Brendel, Chattee, Dulce, Ria, and I were invited by festival director, Orman O. Manansala, to serve as judges for Lakan and Lakambini and the Search for Mindanao Queen of Festivals.
GenSan Weekend Highlights
Jan 30th
The opening of Isla Jardin del Mar wasn’t the only highlight of my trip down south last weekend.
Shortly after attending the opening of Sarangani’s newest white sand beach resort, we went to Piyesta KTV and Resto Bar at Robinsons Place GenSan for dinner. There, we enjoyed good music while feasting on Piyesta’s amazing menu selection which included the must-try kurastick, freshly-prepared sashimi, spicy-hot gambas, and the mouthwatering native tinolang manok.
Tuna Sashimi at Piyesta
Isla Jardin del Mar
Jan 26th
Sarangani has a new gem and it’s called Isla Jardin del Mar.
Brendel and I were there over the weekend with SOCCKSARGEN bloggers Orman Manansala, Avel Manansala, Ric Dumalay, Sheng Dumalay, Jinky Borela, Arnel Borela, Gilbert Tan, Donna Mae Congson, Mandi Nicolas, and Michelle Solon.
The bloggers with Ms. Michelle Solon and Ms. Wanchin Tan. Photo by Orman Manansala.
The bloggers with resort owner, Mr. Marfin Tan.
