Tourists Haven

Thursday, October 11, 2012

General Santos

The City of General Santos (known as Dadiangás, and abbreviated G.S.C. or GenSan.; Cebuano: Dakbayan sa General Santos) is the southernmost port city of the Philippines. Being a highly urbanized first class city, GenSan is one of the most populous urban centers in the country with a population of 538,086 as per census data of 2010. The city is bounded by municipalities of Sarangani Province namely Alabel in the East of the city, and Maasim in the South. The city is likewise bounded by South Cotabato municipality of Polomolok and Sarangani Provincemunicipality of Malungon in the north, and the municipality of T'boli in the west of the city. General Santos City is the center of commerce, trade, and logistics of Region XII and the South Cotabato, Cotabato City, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani Province and General Santos City (SOCCSKSARGEN) growth area.

Tourism
Down the southern tip of Mindanao, expanding from the basin of Sarangani Bay, lies the City of General Santos. The bustling metropolis is a fortress of modern amenitie that is endowed with the gift of nature's beauty and diverse cultures abound. It is a gateway in discovering the boundless beauty of SOCCSKSARGEN Growth Region.

Food
The Tuna City pampers its guests with wide array of tuna dishes and other fish delights. A wide range of dining establishments have popped up elsewhere in the city offering local and continental cuisines to fill your cravings and appetites with satisfaction. Fresh-from-the-catch seafood and right-from-the-harvest agricultural produce are perfectly matched to make a savoury and sumptuous array of dishes in its various food outlets and restaurants.

Festivities
General Santos City celebrates the Kalilangan every month of February. "Kalilangan" means festival, festivity or jubilation. It is a social gathering marked by exchanging of amenities among traditional leaders, elders, allies and subordinates in varying tones. In a broader perspective, Kalilangan 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 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.
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.
General Santos City is known as the Tuna Capital of the Philippines. Thanksgiving and festivities are being celebrated annually through its "Tuna Festival". Focusing on its main industry. Tuna Float is an event to taste sumptuous tuna treats during the Tuna Culinary Contest.