Mayor Rivera leads GenSan pioneers’ tribute

By Ian John M. Lagare

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (28 February 2014) – City Mayor Ronnel Rivera led the traditional tribute to the pioneers of General Santos City during the culmination day of Kalilangan Festival.

Early Thursday (February 27), Mayor Rivera with city First Lady Jane Gollon - Rivera along with the Sons and Daughters of General Santos president Virginia Llido gathered at Pioneer Park, Barangay West in front of Dadiangas beach to do the "Salubong."

"Salubong" or "Welcome" is a yearly practice organized by the Sons and Daughters of General Santos which is held every Kalilangan to re-enact the landing of General Paulino Santos together with the 82 pioneers aboard the M/V Basilan at Dadiangas on February 27, 1939.

During the “Salubong,” ground fireworks were lit as if paving way for the arrival of General Santos. 

Afterwards, Mayor Rivera and the rest of the pioneers offered flowers at the Pioneers’ Park as homage to the pioneers of GenSan.

After the “Salubong,” the group joined the executives of Mindanao State University-General Santos City and the city government as they walked the length of Acharon Boulevard to witness the "Cadena de Amor” or “Parada ng Lahi".

The parade started at the Queen Tuna Park which passed through Pioneer Avenue then proceeded in front of the General Santos City Park.

In coordination with the Department of Education-GenSan headed by the new Schools Division Superintendent Gildo Mosqueda, all public school teachers including principals, district supervisors and barangay officials from different clusters paraded wearing their designated customary attires.

The traditional march ended in front of the monument of General Paulino Santos in front of City Hall which was punctuated by a 21-gun salute.

According to Llido, the Sons and Daughters of General Santo are so overwhelmed with the emphasis that Mayor Rivera has given to the pioneers of the city in this year's Kalilangan. (GENSAN INFO OFFICE/Ian John M. Lagare)