General Santos City: From quaint corners to travel hub

First-time visitors marvel at General Santos City's hotels, golf course,

and shopping centers. A few years ago this place was the grazing

ground of carabaos.

Located at the northeastern tip of Mindanao, General Santos is an hour and

30 minutes from Manila by air, 40 minutes from Cebu and 10 minutes from

Davao City.

Congresswoman Lualhati R. Antonino, the witty and maverick representative of

the city, said she remembers when Dadiangas was still a web of dusty roads

and quaint corners, a city only by name and political scheme. Today, her

mind blurs with so many things to see and do.

Here's a listing:

* Eat lunch at Kalsangi Golf Course Restaurant which is not only a

golfer's Eden, but considered Mindanao's culinary universe.

* Tour the Dole plantation, a panorama of pineapple to see and smell.

Best time to visit is sunrise.

* Go malling in Gaisano mall, the biggest in the City and visit the

campuses of MSU and Notre Dame.

* Stay at the Anchor Hotel whose business and homey atmosphere

and congenial staff make you feel right at home. Its restaurant, the

Garden Grill, offers tuna in smorgasbord servings. From the restaurant,

there are majestic views of Mt. Matutum.

* Stay longer at the Tropicana Resort Hotel located at Cabu, Tambler. It

has 34 spacious airconditioned rooms for business travelers and

tourists. Famous for being a few steps from the beach, it's

bamboo-lined ceiling, and the views of Saranggani Bay. There's a

business center for the busy executives and a mini-park for kids. For

reservations call (083) 5524660, (083) 555-0854 or fax (083) 552-4575.

* For the sports enthusiasts, there's the General Santos Gymnasium (a

pet project of Congresswoman Lu Antonino) which is fully

air-conditioned and the biggest in the South.