GenSan returns to its roots through feast

DURING last year’s Kalilangan, the weaving skills of B’laan women were featured. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

GENERAL SANTOS CITY—The city is returning to its roots during the celebration of its Kalilangan Festival.

The festival is paying tribute to two tribes that helped shape the city and define its culture—B’laan and Maguindanaoan.

“Everything good must start from somewhere,” Mayor Ronnel Rivera said.

He said while the city is made famous by its tuna trade, which had also been credited with its growth, its real wealth lies in the city’s original inhabitants and their culture.

Rivera said migrants from Luzon and the Visayas, headed by General Paulino Santos, came to this city in the late 1940s taking advantage of the National Land Settlement Administration that gave lands to settlers.

They were welcomed by the B’laan and Maguindanaoan tribes.

“We are paying homage to our forefathers and also the first group of people who made General Santos what is it today,” said the mayor.

Derived from the Maguindanaon term kalilang, which means celebration, the weeklong festival (Feb. 23 to 27) coincided with the 76th founding anniversary of the city, which was first known as Rajah Buayan town.

Event highlights included Indigenous People Day, Kalingawan sa Kalilangan, Lakbay Kultura and Kadsagayan sa Kalilangan.

“There is so much to celebrate and be thankful for,” Rivera said.

One of the city’s homegrown fashion designer and businessman, Albert Lim Balisbis, agreed.

“The festival shows what can be achieved if a city is peaceful,” said Balisbis.

“If you look around, you would easily be convinced that General Santos City is a very progressive city,” he said. Allan Nawal, Inquirer Mindanao