TUNA FESTIVAL IN GENERAL SANTOS CITY

TUNA

Tuna is and one of the most eaten fish in the world. It belongs to a subgroup of the mackerel family and consists of 8 species that vary in colour and size. Tuna is a nomadic species and is found throughout the world's oceans. It can be eaten fresh or canned. Tuna loin is commonly eaten raw or seared and lightly seasoned, while canned tuna is precooked for a long time and often served heavily dressed.

TUNA FESTIVAL

The Tuna Festival is an annual festival celebrated on the first week of September. Held in the tuna capital of the Philippines, the festival reflects what abundance means.

At the heart of General Santos lies the majestic celebration called the Tuna Festival. During the event, you can see all things tuna-inspired. You’ll find something tuna-related, from food to costumes that suit your taste. 

With the plentiful bounty of yellow-fin tuna fish (shout out to the hardworking fishermen out there) in its rich waters, Gensan serves as the leading producer of tuna in the country. The city serves as a front-runner tuna producer in the world, too. No wonder why the locals celebrate the fish.

TUNA FESTIVAL EVENTS

The Gensan Tuna Festival includes other activities like the sports fest. The local’s favorite segment should be the Bancarera sports competition. You can watch a parade of attractive motorized banca, dragon boat race, skimboards, and jet skis during the contest.

TUNA FESTIVAL

In the heart of the fondly called Gen San City lies the grand celebration of the Tuna Festival where all things in tuna inspired are visible within the colorful streets of the city. Bringing within the title as the Tuna Capital of the country, General Santos City commemorates this one of a kind festivity every first week of September. With the plentiful bounty of yellow-fin tuna fish abounding in its rich waters, it is well-recognized to be the leading producers in the tuna industry not only to the Philippines but also globally. No wonder why the locals of the area organized this grand event.

One thing that makes this commemoration distinctive from all other festivities in the country is that it is a celebration of everything tuna. With all the delightful activities emphasizing on tuna as the central theme, it sure is praiseworthy to take a visit during this event. It would be a pleasure for me to apprise you the major highlights that you should watch out for in this yummy feast.

The Tuna Festival is normally opened by the colorful Tuna Float parade and Parada sa Dagat with festive and ocean-themed floats that depict the richness of the city’s culture. The locals dance with lively and vibrant music showcasing the province’s bountiful catch and their energetic performances. After enjoying the delightful street dances, the Sugbahan Sa Dalan is done as a long line of grilled tuna is displayed within the streets. Guess what? This line of grilled tuna is fascinatingly free for everyone who wishes to taste the sumptuous cuisine. You get to enjoy both the parade and the food trip.

If you are lucky enough, you might be able to see a glimpse of the Philippines’ pride and GenSan’s beloved son in the field of international boxing, the legendary boxer -Manny Pacquiao. If you want to explore more about the inspiring life of Manny, then you can also take the Pacman Adventure where you get to see his family’s mansions, sports stadiums, gyms, and beach resorts.

The local’s favorite segment in the Tuna Festival is the Bancarera competition where a race of beautifully-designed dragon boats, skimboards, motorized banca, and jet ski is held. Through these spectacular competitions, the solid camaraderie of the townspeople is fostered within their hearts and minds. On the final day of the celebration, the Pamahaw ug Pasalamat is commemorated in the city hall where a fantastic seafood breakfast treats happen.

Participating in the Tuna Festival will surely remind you of the bountiful richness and high biodiversity of the Philippines’ sea. It is also an excellent moment to socialize and learn more about the culture of the local fishermen in their daily experiences of the sea-coast. Above all these activities, make sure not to miss out to buy the first-grade tuna that can exquisitely be prepared to a local’s tuna dish and cuisine. Bring home that frozen tuna can be a great pasalubong from this grand festival adventure. Lastly, it is essential to enjoy and relax as this festivity will bring out the inner sea spirit of you.