Bariles was very fortunate to have been able to attend the blessing of Robinsons Place General Santos City yesterday, September 29, 2009, Tuesday.

Robinsons Place GenSans Main Entrance ready for todays soft opening.
"Photo of Robinsons Place GenSan's Main Entrance ready for today's soft opening."

The mall which is Robinsons’ biggest in Mindanao, occupying almost 4 hectares of its 8-hectare property along Jose Catolico Avenue, Barangay Lagao at the Tuna Capital was still closed to the public when a Catholic mass was celebrated at its cavernous atrium at 3:00pm, prior to its blessing.

GenSan News Online Resident Photographer at the center of Robinsons Place GenSan Atrium
"GenSan News Online Resident Photographer Marz at the center of Robinsons Place GenSan Atrium. Photo by Romarie."

Only a few tenants, some mall personnel and invited guests were invited to the spiritual service officiated by no less than the Bishop of the Diocese of Marbel, His Excellency Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez, DD and six other priests who were later dispersed to bless the different areas of the mall.

Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez, DD concelebrating a mass with 7 other priests at the Atrium of Robinsons Place- GenSan on September 29, 2009.
"Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez, DD concelebrating a mass with 7 other priests at the Atrium of Robinsons Place- GenSan on September 29, 2009."

Although carpentry work has stopped on most of the leased spaces inside Robinsons, Bariles discovered that some workers were still doing finishing touches on a good number of establishments scheduled to open today, September 30, the “SOFT-OPENING DAY”.

Councilor Meg Santos, representing Mayor Jun Acharon cuts the ribbon at Jollibee Robinsons with franchisees, Philip and Doming Teng. Behind them is Cherry, Domings ageless beauteous wife.
"Councilor Meg Santos, representing Mayor Jun Acharon cuts the ribbon at Jollibee Robinsons with franchisees, Philip and Doming Teng. Behind them is Cherry, Philip's ageless beauteous wife.""

Those ready to serve its customers when the mall opens its doors at 9am, like the Jollibee Franchise of the Teng Family, Giacomino’s Restaurant of Rombar and Aymie Bartolome, and Sunset Bistro of Tony and Petite Veneracion with Mandarin Oriental Garden had their own individual and separate inaugural parties after the mass.

"Giacominos Robinsons and its all new hot fastfoods concept."
"Giacominos Robinsons and its all new hot fastfoods concept."

BluGre Coffee Shop the Team Pacquiao Shop of Manny and Jinky Pacquiao followed suit in the evening and graced by the lovelier and sexier Jinky herself.

The reinvented Sunset Bistro also had a private opening last night.
"The reinvented Sunset Bistro also had a private opening last night."

Today, other locally-owned stores like Havaiianas supplier Sun Lab of Tisha Ang, Big Ben Steaks of Ben Tupas, Ice Crops of Rey Billena, among others, will likewise be serving their first customers.

Jinky Pacquiao smiles for the cameras at her husband Mannys Team Pacquiao Novelty Store, behind her 2nd BluGre Coffee shop Franchise.
"Jinky Pacquiao smiles for the cameras at her husband Manny's Team Pacquiao Novelty Store, behind her 2nd BluGre Coffee shop Franchise."

Bariles was able to visit most of these establishments and had a grand time hobnobbing with a lot of GenSan’s movers and shakers.

Most of them were visibly ecstatic with what will be a major change in GenSan’s shopping habits and night life.  All the mentioned restaurants also have alfresco dining spaces outside the mall, fronting the National Highway.  This also includes FIESTA RESTO KTV BAR of Donna Mae Congson, opening on October 2, Friday.

It is good to note that all of the owners and franchisees of these establishments are GenSan residents and so with most of the tenants of Robinsons.  This plus the fact that 80% of the staff and workers of the mall owners themselves have all been certified to be genuine “generals”.

Robinsons Place General Santos will have its Grand Opening on October 5, 2009, Monday.  This is when its flagship stores, the Robinsons Department Store, the Robinsons Supermarket, the HandyMan finally open wide its doors to the people of Soccsksargen.  Its four Robinsons Cinema follow suit on October 15, 2009.

Bariles FAN Ernan at the entrance of the soon-to-open-on-October-15th Movieworld leading to its four cinemas.
"Bariles' FAN Ernan at the entrance of the soon-to-open-on-October-15th Movieworld leading to its four cinemas."

From us here at GenSan News Online, congratulations to the Gokongwei Family and the people behind this mammoth project.

Special shout-outs of gratitude and commendation also go to the local entrepreneurs of General Santos City who joined them in this endeavor.

And to Group Property Manager for Mindanao Danilo Camat, who’s overseeing the whole thing, Bariles would like to say, “Mabuhay kayo!”

Watch out for a series of blog posts on the different stores of Robinsons Place GenSan, only here at GenSan News Online Mag!  Check back regularly or SUBSCRIBE WITH YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS.

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