Part 15 of a series.
DAY 3.
After enjoying a very sumptuous dinner at Sarangani Highlands, we thought that the night was over but then we were treated to even more surprises!
From the hilltop, Kuya Avel brought us back to the city proper, to the very center of General Santos City, Plaza Heneral Santos.
One of the several unique lighting fixtures at Plaza Heneral Santos
When viewed from above (see map below), the area where the plaza sits actually resembles a wine glass wherein the park itself is the bowl of the wine glass bound by President Roxas Avenue while Pioneer Avenue, the city’s pioneering business district serves as the wine glass’s stem. Finally, P. Acharon Blvd. is the wine glass’s foot. Amazing, eh?
Courtesy of Gensan’s former mayor Acharon, the park was actually redeveloped just a year ago. The price tag: P34 million!
Paved walkways, landscaped gardens, water features and decorative lampposts, are among the improvements that were seen in the park after the redevelopment project
Upon stepping into the park, I actually recalled Davao’s People’s Park. They’re in the same league in terms of cleanliness and maintenance. Gensan’s Plaza feels more open and natural though since I felt that People’s Park was too orchestrated, but I’m not saying that there’s anything wrong with that. Having said that, I hope all the other public parks and plazas in the country are of the same quality as Gensan’s Plaza and People’s Park as we all need a clean, green and safe respite from the stresses of urban living!
Plaza Heneral Santos
Pioneer Avenue, as seen from the park
At the northern end of the park is the General Santos City Hall.
General Paulino Santos
Who is General Paulino Santos anyway?
Inscribed on his monument are the following:
“Hen. Paulino Santos
(1890-1945)
Isinilang sa Camiling, Tarlac, noong Hunyo 22, 1890 kina Remigio Santos at Rosa Torres. Nagtapos bilang balidiktoryan sa Akademya Militar ng Pilipinas noon 1914. Itinalaga bilang pangatlong tenyente ng konstabularya ng Pilipinas.
Bilang komandanteng panlalawigan at gobernador, napaunlad niya ang edukasyon, agrikultura at komunikasyon sa Lanao.
Naging direktor ng mga bilangguan; nagtatag ng Davao Penal Colony at nagsagawa ng madaliang paglilipat ng New Bilibid Prison sa Muntinlupa.
Naging unang puno ng Estado Mayor ng Hukbong Pilipino, patnugog ng National Land Settlement Administration. Sa kanyang masigasig at mabisang panunungkulan, anim na pamayanan ang itinatag sa South Cotabato.
Namatay sa Kiangan, Mt. Province noong Agosto 29, 1945. Bilang parangal sa kanya, ang bayan ng Buayan (Dati’y Dadiangas) ay pinangalanang Heneral Santos na pagkaraan ay ginawang lungsod.”
What’s in a name? We all had a short History lesson from the inscription, that General Santos City was originally named Dadiangas and then renamed to Buayan before it got its current name.
And what is DADIANGAS?
Dadiangas is actually a bushy, erect and spiny perennial plant whose English name is “Turkey Berry”. It is sad to note though that there is only ONE Dadiangas Tree left in the city proper and it sits right at the center of the General Santos Park.
It’s amazing how a lot of places in the Philippines were named after plants. Mandaue and Talisay in Cebu were named after trees, Mantawi and Talisay, respectively.
(…to be continued)
From bariles:
Whoa GenSan!
Made me realize how much I should be thankful for this park after reading this post from a well-travelled blogger.
it made me more proud of Plaza Heneral Santos.
Daghang salamat sinjin!
HOpe to see you back here soon!
Magandang GenSan!
From Shermaine:
I’m Proud to be one of the General’s
From arnold romero:
Good eyes you have for seeing the wine glass. Curious. The park is also good for morning and evening jog, street food ‘party’ and for taking a breath of fresh air after a full day’s work.
From Jermaine:
NDDU has 1 Dadiangas tree. In honor to its name and landmark, Notre Dame of Dadiangas. It is found at the right side of the Jubilee Cross,Marist Avenue.
From jenrozz:
wow! gensan…
i miss this place…
From chevrolet:
Wow!!!
Proud to be a resident of GenSan…
I love this site..thank you so much for the updates..
Hope to read more updates and informations about the city..
God bless everyone..I Love You GenSan!!!
From kiyoshi:
MAGANDANG GENSAN!!!
I MISSED MY HOMETOWN!!!
I WANNA GO HOME!!!
IT’S NICE TO KNOW THAT THE TUNA CAPITAL OF THE PHILIPPNES IS IN GENSAN AND NOW THE GENERALS CELEBRATE IT EVERY YEAR!!!
PADAYUN SA PAG-USWAG GENSAN!!!
From dako:
putang ina ganda!
From dako:
ang mahal ng taxi sa GenSan tingin nila sa mga pumupunta dyan ang yayaman na? Punyeta ayoko na pumunta dyan sa lugar na yan!
From Sinjin:
Hello Dako. If you’re looking for a more affordable alternative, there are multicabs that can take you from the airport to downtown Gensan =)
From Fritz:
Great! I love this place!
From cindy gwafz:
i miss my hometown..i’m proud 2 be a generals..what a beautiful places <3<3<3<3<3