PEOPLE DOWN South of Mindanao anticipate every February the Kalilangan Festival, grand celebration of the natural, cultural, and economic wealth of the Philippine?s Tuna Capital?the city of General Santos.

Kalilang is the Maguindanaon term for celebration, thus, February 16-29 is no less a time for fun and festivity.

General Santos City takes pride in its Tuna Industry that supplies the world with 2.4 million metric tons of high quality tuna each year. Because of that, the Philippines ranks 7th among the top tuna producing countries in the world, both in terms of fresh/frozen tuna and canned tuna. (from http://www.GenSantos.gov.ph)

A different celebration, the Tuna Festival, is held every September, showing the impact of the Tuna Industry to the city?s economy.

Gensan is also known worldwide for?its being the place?where our contemporary boxing hero, Manny ?Pacman? Pacquiao, was raised.

GenSan?s location in the Sarangani Bay makes it a convenient gateway to the provinces of South Cotabato, Sarangani, and Sultan Kudarat. It is also strategic to the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Philippines–East Asian Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).

The people of GenSan is a mixture of Christians, Muslims, and Lumads. The predominat languages are Cebuano, Hiligaynon, and Tagalog.

The local government of GenSan has lined up various activities in celebration of the Kalilangan Festival. Here is the schedule of activities. You may also visit Sir Avel’s blog for updates.