Gensan’s 24th Tuna Festival goes full speed ahead

The Local Government Unit of General Santos City, in partnership with the General Santos City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (GSCCCII) brings back the most-awaited and largest industry-based festival in the Philippines, the 24^th GENERAL SANTOS CITY TUNA FESTIVAL on September 1-30, 2022.
With the theme of “Pista ng Karagatan (Feast of the Sea)”, the LGU-Gensan and GSCCCII will stage this year’s festival together, reviving and reinvigorating the festival every General missed during the pandemic, in line with the tagline “Ibalik ang Saya at Sigla!”.

This year’s month-long Tuna Festival shall feature the following highlights where all Generals are welcome to witness:

1. FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS (September 1-5, 2022)

The 22nd National Tuna Congress kicks off the Festival on September 1-2, 2022, at the SM City General Santos. This is sponsored by the Socsksargen Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries, Inc with the theme, “Braving the Rough Seas for a Better Tomorrow”. Around 600 delegates have already signed up for this 2-day event and more than 50 exhibitors are joining the Trade Exhibit at the same venue. No less than President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. will be keynoting the congress.

This coincides with on the same day with the Float Parade alongside with the motorcade to be participated by civic organizations, members of the private sector, sponsors, and candidates for the Street Dancing Competition- Cheer Dance Edition. This will begin at KCC Mall of Gensan at 1:00 PM with the Oval Plaza as the end point.

Following the parade, the showcase of the Street Dancing Competition- Cheer Dance Edition shall immediately follow, with contingents coming from all over Mindanao.

The Opening Salvo, which will succeed the culmination of the Float Parade and Cheer Dancing Competition, shall be attended by VIPs and dignitaries invited by the LGU. The Opening Salvo is sponsored by the General Santos City League of Events Organizers (GLEO) and will be heavily covered by a national network, featuring the events of the 24^th Tuna Festival, sponsors, organizers, and festival stories. The opening salvo will also have a star-studded show with celebrities coming from the GMA Network.

The Closing Ceremonies on September 5, 2022 will begin with a Civic and Military Parade beginning 4:30 PM and will be followed by a closing program. The GSCCCII will also hold a celebrity concert, the BGYO, sponsored by Smart Communications, followed by Fireworks Display and local live band show.

2. OTHER EVENTS

The 24^th Tuna Festival will have many other events, which includes the following:

1. Tuna Fest Skills Competition- organized by the Goldenstate College on September 1-2, 2022 at Veranza Mall, which will be participated by Elementary, High School and College Students.
2. Zumba Marathon-  a traditional three-hour marathon organized by the GSCCCII projecting to hold at least 500 participants. This three-day marathon shall be at Oval Plaza, with Mr. Wowie De Guzman as the celebrity guest during the opening at September 2, 2022, and at Robinsons Mall and KCC Mall of Gensan. 
3. Sugbahan sa Dalan- an institutional event for this year’s Tuna Festival which will be participated and open for everyone on September 3, 2022, 5:00 PM at Pioneer Avenue. Participating groups will be from the LGU, civic organizations, business companies, private sector representatives, and volunteers.
4. GLEO WEEK: Feast of the Sea Creative Expo- The General Santos City League of Events Organizers, will sponsor and launch their organization as the official partner of the LGU for events. Make-up artists, photographers, videographers, and designers in General Santos and those from nearby cities and municipalities will be invited to grace the occasion and will participate in the expo.
5. Tuna Siglakasan- Tuna Siglakasan are the activities that will highlight the sports and physical activities where all Generals may participate. This year’s siglakasan is composed of Lumba Bugsay, Laban Gabay sa Pangarap: Amateur Boxing Tournament, Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, Red Cross Fun Run, Darts Tournament, Tunaman, Muay Thai Super 4 National Invitational, National Open Table Tennis Tournament, and Mobile Legends and Call of Duty Tournament.
6. Tuna Kasayahan- Tuna Kasayahan involves the socio-cultural and entertainment activities of the festival and shall include the Ronda Pasikat sa RPN on September 4, Battle of the Bands on September 17, 2022, and Gabi ng Awitin at Sayawan on September 25, 2022.
7. Miss General Santos 2022-  The Miss General Santos 2022 is organized by the GSCCCII and GLEO. There will be fifteen (15) official candidates and this event will be covered by a national network. The 1^st Miss General Santos Pageant shall be graced by no other than the Miss Universe Philippines National Director Ms. Shamcey Supsup and many other big celebrities. The pageant is in the direction for the city to provide the official candidate for the Miss Universe Philippines next year.
8. Tuna Festival Business Fair– The Business Fair will highlight the SMEs of the city. This will be on September 21-23 at Veranza Mall.

9. National Tourism Week- The GSCCCII and Tuna Festival will join the LGU-CEMCDO in celebrating the National Tourism Week on September 26-30, 2022.

10. Tuna Festival Jobs Fair- The Tuna Festival Jobs Fair shall be organized by the GSCCCII, Goldenstate College and CMO-PESO. The activity will invite employers from General Santos City and nearby regions to provide employment to all Generals.

Here is more of the Gensan Tuna Festival 2022 Schedule of Activities.