Story Outline

Kalilangan Festival

        Every year, General Santos City always celebrate a week long Kalilangan Festival as a Foundation Day during February 27 that commemorates the landing founder of this city, Gen. Paulino Santos together with the first settlers from Luzon at Saranggani Bay.

         As the "Generals" (as General Santos City residents proudly call themselves) mark Gensan's 69th Foundation Anniversary , they are expected to flock the city's major thoroughfares to witness anew the Kadsagayan, one of the highlights of the colorful 13th Kalilangan Festival.

 

This are the pictures of some events happened on Kalilangan Festival.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/gen/2008/02/09/feat/kalilangan/festival.2008

 

Do you Know what Kalilangan Festival is?

        Kalilangan really was derived from the word "Kalilang" which means Commemoration based on the Maguindanaon dialect.

        It is not just simply an economic activity but a week-long merriment and enjoyment with the sharing of gifts and any form of entertaining activities such as sports activities, dancing, singing, and amusement.

        It is a noble tradition because it is a work that completes the art nourished and nurtured by rich cultural heritage that is tested from generation to generation.

Humble Beginnings

      Twelve years ago, the city government had been inspired by the achievement of Davao's Kadayawan, Cebu's Sinulog and Iloilo's Dinagyang Festival, and so established the foundation celebration by introducing the Kalilangan Festival. The city then appointed the Kalilangan Foundation Inc., an aproved non-governmental organization, to supervise the management of the festival.

      From its humble beginnings, the city was able to vault over the obstacles that go with a youthful festival.

     "Year in, year out, we were able to generate an enthusiastic response not only from the local constituents but also people from other places,"

 -City Mayor Pedro "Jun" Acharon -

Grand Opening

      At the festival's grand opening on February 16, thousands of Generals continued to watch, to be entertained by grade school and secondary school dancers in colorful costumes performed favorite folk dances even there is a not-so-good weather..

      A colorful fireworks display later amaze the crowd with children cheering and shouting with joy and excitement.

Dedication of Kadsayagan

     Kadsayagan is a street dance competition starting from the historical Lion's Beach to the Oval Plaza where the final showdown is held, Performers, representing each of the city's barangays, contend each other in this cultural competition, showcasing marvelous performances to the delight of the crowd.

      The dramatization was the energetic display in a reconstructed dance steps and costumes was for welcoming Bilaans and Maguindanaons, with colorful backdrop.

     Group of people portrayed the arrival of 64 Christian settlers and 17 employees of National Land Settlement Administration led by General Paulino Santos on February 27, 1939.