GenSan Kalilangan Festival in Aliwan Fiesta 2009

by:Jeigh-em Decenilla

Aliwan Fiesta 2009 is an annual gathering of the biggest, loudest and most colourful festivals in the Philippines. It features competitions in Festival Streetdance, Float Design, and Festival Queen or Reyna ng Aliwan. This year’s Aliwan was held last April 23-25, 2009, which culminated in a grand parade that kicked off in front of the Aliw Theater, CCP Complex and winds up at Quirino Grandstand.

The MSU-CETD (Mindanao State University-College of Education Training Department) Performing Arts Guild represented General Santos City’s Kalilangan Festival in the streetdancing competition of this year’s Aliwan Fiesta. The group was led by all-time choreography champion, Mr. George Kimboy. The streetdance featured the B’laans which inhabits the southern part of Sarangani, South Cotabato and General Santos City. The storyline of the dance depicts the natives who celebrate with a Kalilang, using unique traditions that have withstood time. In this showcase, the B’laans portray the Almugan bird’s cry as a good omen for the planting and harvest seasons. They depict the men’s bamboo pakupak, in rhythmic synergy with the women’s sloong and bukag. Offerings called Butne are given to the Adwata for help against pestilence. At harvest time, the natives gather for the Mimodoman in thanksgiving. The dance also depicts a B’laan wedding which uses t’nalak décor and the traditional S’long Kinibang hat among others. The whole presentation focused on B’laan merrymaking called Mimo-Kaflahaw.

Eventhough it rained during the competition, the MSU-CETD Performing Arts Guild still did their best and made it to the finalist wherein they won Php50,000. The group also got the perks of two nights “free-all-rides” at Star City and a trip sponsored by Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay at Tagaytay. The group really enjoyed the whole time in Aiwan Fiesta and indeed they’re proud to say “Basta galing GenSan, galing GenSan!”

Kalilangan Festival

Kalilangan is derived from the root word "kalilang" which typically means celebration or commemoration in the Maguindanaon dialect.

In a broader perspective, Kalilang projects a positive and dynamic meaning for it engulfs the artistic, humane and altruistic aspects of social interaction that takes place in any occasion or celebration.

Kalilangan means festival, festivity or jubilee. It is a social gathering marked by exchanging of amenities among traditional leaders, elders, allies and subordinates in varying tones.

It is also a pageantry of unique and colorful ethnic rites, rituals and traditions like marriage celebrations, religious ceremonies, anniversaries, funerals, enthronement of royal dignitaries, thanksgiving and other forms of social, political and economic activities.


It is not just an economic activity, but a continuous season of merriment, gaiety and merrymaking accentuated by sharing of gifts, traditional sports competition, dancing, singing and instrumental rendition and other forms of exhibition games, entertainment and amusement.

Kalilangan is a noble tradition. It is a complete work of art nourished and nurtured by rich cultural heritage that has withstand the test of time from generation to generation.

General Santos is a part of this tradition. Let us enshrine the "Kalilangan sa Heneral Santos" in the golden pages of its history.

Kalilangan Festival is usually celebrated during the month of February

GenSan Tuna Festival

One of the more interesting fiestas in the Philippines is the Tuna Festival in General Santos City. Most probably, this celebration was inspired by the fact that this particular city is referred to as the country’s Tuna Capital. The city’s contribution to the overall revenues of the government deserves to be honored as it operates a prosperous tuna industry.

The tuna trade is responsible for generating at least 100,000 employment opportunities, either direct or indirect for its local populace including the nearby vicinities.

Usually celebrated during the month of September, parade normally opens the festivity to begin this fiesta. The students in General Santos, from elementary to high school levels, energetically perform dancing to upbeat music. The floats displayed during the parade are giant replicas of tuna together with its fellow creatures from the sea.

After enjoying the visual delights, you should then try to satisfy your taste buds with the various tuna delicacies prepared by the people there.The Tuna Festival is something you would find pleasure participating as there are many activities designed to make sure that everyone has a memorable time. You can attend the parties, join in the contests and watch the free shows that the committee in charge of this fiesta has planned for its numerous visitors.

General Santos City

The City of General Santos (abbreviated G.S.C. or Gensan.; Filipino: Lungsod ng Heneral Santos, Cebuano: Dakbayan sa Heneral Santos) is a city in the Philippines. Situated in the southern part of the country, in the province of South Cotabato. The city has a population of 411,822 as of the 2000 census, making it as one of the populous cities in the Philippines.

General Santos City is bounded by three municipalities of Sarangani Province and two municipalities of South Cotabato, namely Alabel, Malungon, Maasim, Polomolok and T'boli. The city's economy is primarily agro-industrial. As a component of the SOCCSKSARGEN growth area, it has contributed much to the area's emergence as the country's leading producer of major commodities. Due to its rich soil, good rainfall and typhoon-free climate, the area is the largest producer of corn, coconuts, copra, pineapples, asparagus and rice. The area also produces other high value crops such as exotic fruits, potatoes, vegetables, cut flowers and okra. It accounts for the largest total daily fish landings in the country and is the leading producer of sashimi grade tuna. Residents boast that fish and seafood do not come fresher than in their city.



Geographical Location. General Santos City lies at the southern part of the Philippines. It is located between 125°1' and 125°17' east longitude and between 5°58' and 6°20' north latitude. The city is southeast of Manila, southeast of Cebu and southwest of Davao. The municipalities of Alabel, Malungon and Maasim of Sarangani Province and the municipalities of Polomolok and T'boli of South Cotabato surround the city.

Comparative Advantages and Potentials. General Santos City is strategically located within the trading and economic center of SOCSKSARGEN Growth Area (South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos). It provides good trade access to major foreign markets - Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia, Pacific Islands, Japan, Hongkong, Middle East, Continental Europe and the United States.

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