History of General Santos
General Santos is considered the gateway to Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat, and Cotabato provinces. On February 27, 1939, the Christian settlers landed on the shores of Sarangani Bay led by Gen. Paulino Santos with 62 other people. In January 1948, Buayan District became a municipality as provided by Republic Act 82 with Ireneo Santiago as its first mayor. The municipality was renamed to General Santos in honor of its pioneer.
The Kalilangan Festival is celebrated annually in General Santos.
Photo taken from official city website
Tourist attractions in General Santos
Amsikong Falls is a perfect nature escape.
Photo taken from SouthCotabatoNews.com
General Santos City is known for its tuna and for producing one of the world's most famous boxers, Manny Pacquiao. His home, dubbed as Mansion II, is a famous tourist spot. Tricycles or modified motor bikes are easily available to get around the city.
The General Santos Fish Port Complex provides visitors with first-hand experience of the tuna trade. Fish from this port are weighed, graded, sold and shipped directly to fish markets in Japan and delis in the United States.
Export quality fresh fish are sold daily at the General Santos Fish Port Complex.
Photo taken from PBase.com
Tiongson Arcade offers fine native cuisine. Fresh seafood is cooked and grilled on the spot. Sarangani Highlands also serves delicious meals with an excellent view of Sarangani Bay.
Outdoor lovers must visit the Kaljala Karsts Eco-Tourism Park. It boasts of nine thousand acres of pure nature. Rock climb and zipline at Malakong Gorge with a breathtaking landscape.
Sanchez Peak or Nopol Hills separately offer overnight camping. Locals can teach visitors how to cook with just a piece of bamboo.
Seafood lovers can dine on fresh seafood in
General Santos and enjoy true Filipino hospitality.
Photo taken from gensan.wordpress.com
Hiking is available at Amsikong Falls and enjoying pure spring water is offered at Bunga Springs. Shopping centers abound in the city with large malls and rows of souvenir shops cater to everyone.
History of the Church in General Santos
The territorial Prelature of Marbel was erected in 1960. It was elevated to a full diocese in 1982. The diocese is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Cotabato. It is currently headed by His Excellency Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez, appointed in 1981.
The Cathedral of Christ the King in Koronadal (formerly Marbel) is the seat of the Bishop of Marbel. Photo taken from http://www.world66.com/asia/southeastasia/
History of the SSPX Mission in General Santos
His Excellency Bishop Bernard Fellay, FSSPX, visited the St. James Chapel in General Santos
for the 3rd time for Confirmations in 2011.
Photo from http://stjameschapelgensan.blogspot.com/
It was in May 1993 when Fr. Paul Morgan, SSPX, visited General Santos City and offered the first Latin Tridentine Mass. A house of one faithful, Ms. Magdalena Yumang, at Dadiangas East, served as the first Mass Center. However, it was later moved to Tiongson Street in Lagao in 1997 in the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Nostriano Babate. It is called St. James Chapel having a 150 seating capacity.
The St. James Chapel in General Santos was the predecessor of the Our Lady of Rosa Mystica and St. Joseph Church.
This photo was taken in 2011 and is from http://stjameschapelgensan.blogspot.com/
Today, Our Lady of Rosa Mystica and St. Joseph Church is located about a kilometer away from the Babate's residence in Lagao. It is presently under construction in Andrade Subdivision, San Isidro having a setting capacity of 500 faithful. It has regular Sunday Mass at 10.30 AM (except in rare cases) and is handled by the St. Joseph's Priory in Davao. You may contact them at 0905.9217032 and 0915.1862442.
Our Lady of Rosa Mystica and St. Joseph Church is located at Rosary Street, Andrade Subdivision, Barangay Isidro, 9500 General Santos.
Presently, this is the interior of the almost finished Our Lady of Rosa Mystica and
St. Joseph Church in General Santos.
Photo taken from http://stjameschapelgensan.blogspot.com/
His Excellency Bishop Alfonso de Galaretta, FSSPX, visited the Our Lady of Rosa Mystica and St. Joseph Church in General Santos last year for Confirmations.
Photo taken from
http://stjameschapelgensan.blogspot.com/