VERANZA Mall...the newest pride of Generals

June 29,2013... the Opening.
Everyone was so excited when one of the newest mall in General Santos finally open its gate to the Generals. The VERANZA MALL! It is the first "GREEN" shopping mall in the South that will bring you to a new level in shopping, highlighting the General five elements of nature that will feature verdant landscapes, a roof garden and an elegant waterfall.

VERANZA Mall connects the existing KCC Mall of GenSan to the new structures via a skybridge. What Amazes me is the Waterfall that captured the attention of every shoppers and can't take the action of not taking pictures in front of it imagining that your in Niagara falls, just a thought, not bad at all.

What about the stores newest in town? Let me mention some of them ESPRIT, BAMBU (store for flip flops like iPanema, Grendha), VANS, 158.DESIGNER's BLVd (high end fashion boutique carrying world class brands like Burberry,Prada, Ralph Lauren, Banana Republic and others), CINDERELLA, AEROSOLES,CACHE CACHE (apparel brand based in France), PABDER (an Italian apparel for men and women), TERRA and AGUA, OFFICINE (shoes and bags specialty), SAMSONITE, KEVIN'S TOYS AND LIBRARY (playroom for kids mostly with branches in Metro Manila), ABENSON, DIY SHOP and there are so many to mention aside from this.

Now let's talk about the foods and restaurants. I know this is your favorite part, you will not end your shopping without eating your favorite food or trying a new and exciting restaurants newest in town. Let me mention some of them. The J. CO DONUTS, well at least they are finally found it here. The GERRY'S GRILL, one of Bitoy's fave hangout every night. THE COFFEE BEAN and TEA LEAF Born and brewed in Southern California since 1963, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® delivers the taste and aroma of the world's best coffees and teas. 

The YAKIMIX, Manila-based eat-all-you-can buffet restaurant, with 699 all in buffet per person. My favorite Korean food is here in town as well, I'm so excited... the CHICKEN BONCHON, Korean-based restaurant they have the tastiest chicken ever! And of course I miss this as well during my college days the CHIKA-AN from Cebu serving the best Pinakbet with chicharon and Crispy Pata!

 

 

There also the CAFE LAGUNA, authentic Filipino Cuisine, one of my favorite as well is the GILIGAN's Restaurant how I loved their Sisig! Surprisingly, the owner of Mix and Magic wants to put up a cake store with different name... the SIS CAKE AVENUE. And I almost forgot one of my fave pizza, the YELLOW CAB PIZZA CO., A New Yorker's favorite pizza concept. They have also the MOOON CAFE this is really chicken mozarella and its the best!  Actually there are lots of them like Pancake House, Teriyaki Boy, BreadTalk and Arpochi Seafoods and Resto.

So what would a General could ask for? The moment I saw VERANZA, I feel that I am one in the malls in Manila. VERANZA MALL is indeed to change the General's Lifestyle. Magandang GenSan!!!

My Dream Vacation...JEJU ISLAND!

Annyeong Haseyo!!! I have wanted to go for a vacation for very long. The country for my dream vacation is South Korea specifically in  JEJU ISLAND, one of the nine provinces of South Korea. They call this as Volcanic Island full of allure. The island contains the natural World Heritage Site Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes. Jeju Island has a temperate climate and even in winter, the temperature rarely falls below freezing point. 

What made me longed for this place? Simple. The scenarios are all breathtaking because the place is all about nature, wherein it is a best escape from a city life. The mountains and beaches provide a great place to relax for a vacation. Commonly usual vacation are spent in a big city with different architectural designs to tour around. But with this beautiful JEJU Island you can say that your dream vacation would be a different one. 
What are the main attraction of this place? First is the Hallasan Mountain is perhaps Jeju’s most prominent geographical feature, rising out of the very center of the island. Second is Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak has been recognized for its sedimentological characteristics and is one of the best places in the world to study Surtseyan-type volcanic eruptions. And the third one is the Geomun lava cave Geomunoreum Lava Tube System, one of the most extensive series of lava tube caves in the world.

GEOMUN LAVA CAVE

 HYEOPJAE BEACH

Located on the west coast of Jejudo Island (hallim-eup), Hyeopjae Beach is a white stretch of sand running alongside blue waters. The shallow waters and gently-sloping shoreline makes it the ideal place for beginner swimmers and the beach is often crowded with families during the peak season. The beach is located right near Hallim Park and is surrounded by a variety of bars and restaurants. There’s even a wide swath of grass and a pine forest that is often used by campers. 

The FOOD? I have loved Korean Cuisine after college because one work experience I got during that time is giving tutorial to Korean students. My grandma's house in Diliman, Quezon City is adjacent to a Korean school at the same time there are some Korean students boarding at her house. It was during that time that I enjoy trying their food. I sometimes saw them cooking a simple Nissin Ramen noodle mixed with their well known KIMCHI, then they will topped it up with a well cooked sunny side up egg. Mostly all their foods are spicy and that is one reason why I have loved their food. 

At JEJU, As an island with a long history of fishing, Jejudo Island is known for dishes made with fresh and savory seafood. Various seafood dishes use mackerel, hairtail fish, abalone, and tilefish caught right from the waters surrounding Jejudo Island. The chewy taste of the famed black pork is also a known trademark of island. One of their specialty in the island is the Jeonbokjuk (Abalone Porridge), sliced abalone is lightly fried with sesame oil and combined with rice soaked in water to create delicious Jeonbokjuk. This porridge is known for its high nutritional value and is wildly popular among visitors to Jejudo Island. They have also Seonggeguk (Sea Urchin Soup) The yellow flesh of the urchin is boiled with seaweed in a soup. Known for its distinct taste, Seonggeguk can only be enjoyed on Jejudo Island. It is high in protein and iron, and is rich in vitamins. And their Haemul-ttukbaegi (Seafood Hot Pot), is a delicious seafood soup made using shrimp, clams, and other kinds of shellfish. Weird right? but it brings us curiosity how these foods taste and delicious they are once you'll get the chance to try them. Do they look simple and familiar, yet they taste differently? 

Having a dream vacation in any place or any part of the globe is not that bad, we never know...that dream might come true one day. Kamsahamnida! Saranghae!