Shining, Shimmering: General Santos on its diamond journey

By Michelle Ann Gonzales

Photos by Russel Delvo

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (14 March 2014) - “It is with the clearest knowledge and memory of our identity that we can forge unity among us. That we will know where we will embark our efforts to build a stronger community.”

These were the words of General Santos City Mayor Ronnel Rivera as he led the triumphant celebration of the multi-awarded Kalilangan Festival as part of its diamond (75th) founding anniversary.

This year’s festival theme, GenSan@75: Living the Culture, focused around the tri-people’s cultural heritage. It also honored the pioneers’ triumphs to form what would become a shining example of a city by the bay.

 The Grand Opening

The grand opening was headlined by a musical and dance extravaganza entitled “Kinang.”

The two hour non-stop cavalcade of songs and dances reflected the city’s journey from its humble beginnings towards its present standing as a highly urbanized city.

Spectacular play of lights and a tastefully done mix of indigenous and modern day music enticed residents and tourists. From shimmering rendition of diamond and silver visual effects, to nostalgic vignettes of historical video panorama and metaphoric dance drama, the production as a whole became a feast of sensory indulgence.

Directed by Edgar Cadiente, City Economic Management and Cooperative Development Office (CEMCDO) assistant department head, five acts reliving the seven decades of the city’s journey were showcased.

Authentic Filipino practices of pagsalubong or “welcoming” was staged including the indigenous people’s highland dances “lupang sagana” and Christian’s culture of piyesta and kundiman at harana.

The jovial cultural presentation that depicts pagsalubong segued to a re-enactment of the landing of General Paulino Santos to an upbeat marching transition.

General Santos was ordered by President Manuel Quezon to lead the first group of 200 migrants from Luzon and the Visayas to the primeval Lagao area of Mindanao in February 27, 1939.

Nostalgia filled the atmosphere after and further intensified by the reminiscing of people and the city’s history through a recorded video interview with the first settler’s kin shown on two panoramic screens, alternately played with a live serenade of classical ballads.

Among those interviewed was Leonie Natividad, 91 years old, who recounted how his father Don Paco told General Paulino Santos to dock at Buayan (now one of the barangays of GenSan) rather than in the shores of Davao because Buayan was still widely uninhabited then. The peaceful Muslim and Christian relationship was also mentioned by 91 year old Spanish-B’laan Mariana Olarte Lozano.

The dance and musical extravaganza moved from the more traditional and standard set of music into segmental jingles of 1940’s hit swing fever, Jailhouse Rock of Elvis Presley in 50s, the Beatles’ Love Me do in 60s, Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean in 70s and so on. This pace mirrored how the people of Dadiangas adapted and evolved through the course of time as indomitable people now continually bringing honor to the city.

The Leader's Plea 

Shortly after the presentation of city’s victories, 74 torches were lit and paraded on stage.

At this dramatic moment, Mayor Rivera began his message: “Revisiting the past would tell us that life had already flourished even before the arrival of General Santos in February 27, 1939. And we continue to thrive even after the establishment of the first settlement. Now, we become the product of a magnificent history that eventually gave us the name of General Santos City.”

With the inspiration and motivation brought by the city’s forefathers and ancestors and with the lessons learned from their history Mayor Rivera encouraged everyone through a challenge:

“To all resident of the city, be the eyes and ears of the government because you are the heart and soul of it.

To the local government unit and all public service, let us roll up our sleeves and get our hands dirty as we work on the things that need to be fixed.

To the business sector, continue becoming our ally in accelerating economic growth in the city.

To the peace and order units operating in the city, give me peace and order solutions.”

The crowd was silent, attentive to the leader’s plea for a vibrant, peaceful and progressive General Santos. And with that, he declared the 25thKalilangan festivities open and lit the 75th torch signifying the 75th year of the city’s journey.

Living the Culture

To achieve the convergence amid cultural divergence, inclusive participation and synchronization were the strategies of Mindanao State University (MSU) in co-managing the Kalilangan for the fourth time.

It featured an assortment of sports tournaments, cultural shows and gatherings, historical photo exhibits, agricultural fairs and special interest events.

 The three day series of tri-people day was a major highlight among others. Tri-people communities (Moro, Christians and indigenous people) were given a day each to showcase their customs and traditions.

The Moro communities on February 24 organized an activity called Pakaradjan, a Maguindanaon term which means Moro gathering. They showcased their cultural games, dances and practices such as the kadsipa sa manguis, Kambuyang (fan dance), Kanduli Kadadatuan, Kulintangan, Sagayan Unta-Unta.

This whole day activity was attended by various Moro communities especially the Maguindanaons and other prominent Moro families. Moro delicacies were also shared to the Christians and Lumads bringing in a spirit of convergence. 

Meanwhile, on February 25 everyone joined the cheerful Piyestahan arranged by Christians. Various barangays and schools competed in lutong piyesta, laro ng lahi, gabi ng rondalya, katutubong sayawan, haranahan and baylehan.

Watching the haranahan with its folk strums Matud Nila (an old Visayan song) would indeed bring one back to the old days where villagers would gather at night and pamper their self in a splendid acoustic, sentimental evening.

On the next day, the indigenous people (IP) communities especially the Blaan tribe also exhibited their customs and traditions through an IP gathering called Kastifun which aimed to depict the significant contribution of the Blaan people, as one of the original and native settlers of the city.

Catching chicken or the damluanok, traditional eating (memu k’naan) and IP traditional attire parade (kalyak dad libonnalage) were the highlights of their activity.

Along with these, an agricultural fair was also held where it exhibited various bahay kubo or nipa huts.

It housed prime products of GenSan such as (bulad) dried fish, (bagoong) shrimp paste, and wide varieties of farm harvests.

Hopping around bahay kubo with the indigenous songs on the background would definitely give one a good Kalilangan experience. The carabao-drawn cart (karitela) was also an attraction as it was displayed and available for use.

The revival of karitela, bahay kubo, piyestahan, kastifun and pakaradjan brought colorful and cheerful precision of identity among Henerals.

Splendid Culmination

However, Kalilangan celebration would not be complete without the commemoration of the arrival of General Paulino Santos in 1939 along with the 67 settlers and his administrative staff via S.S. Basilan ship.

This historical event which happened 75 years ago was remembered through the traditional Parada ng lahi: Kadena de amor on an early Thursday morning of February 27. Sons and daughters of city pioneers led by City Mayor Ronnel Rivera and his wife Jane Rivera paraded from General Paulino Santo’s landing site down to the city’s oldest streets, Acharon Boulevard and Pioneer Avenue.

Dressed in cultural and ethnic attires, employees from department of education and General Santos local government unit portrayed the hospitality of the tri-people. A 21 gun salute was then executed to give honor to General Santos and his wife Elisa Angeles Santos.

“I really put high value on this event because it helps me cherish my origin and past,” says Zenaida Cabiguin Naguio, president of the Senior Citizens Association of General Santos City.

The tribute to Geneneral Paulino Santos’ arrival intensified before sundown as meaningful colors and beats dashed off the city’s urban roads with the (Kasadyagan sa Buyang) street-dancing competition. Participating contingents showcased a depiction of tri-people’s warm salubong or welcome to General Santos and a creative integration of Kambuyang or the iconic fan of Kalilangan that represents friendship and camaraderie. 

The sun rested with the loud ethnic beat in the air and people’s eyes consistently struck in awe of the majestic street dancing performances, all the urban bustles suddenly froze attending on this grandiose revelry.

Many realized that witnessing the 75th anniversary of their hometown was a privilege. Hence, numbers of people continuously troop down the Oval Grounds to join in the town’s merriment.

At the count of ten, a spectacular 20 minute dazzling fireworks punctuated the February 17 to 27 diamond founding anniversary festivities, leaving everyone a sense of completion of their identity as Henerals.

Seventy Five Years and On

Looking at seventy-five years of journey, General Santos City has truly come far. One could not help but simply be amazed at how this southern city evolved as indomitable, competitive home of the champions. 

Behind the success of many famous personalities, rapid rise of buildings, influx of people is perhaps the city’s modest, simplistic and flamboyant vibe.

In the challenges it overcame, resiliency and solidarity shined as innate strengths of Henerals.

Mayor Rivera said he wants to embark together with all the residents of the city towards creating a livable environment for all towards nation building.

 Rivera saw that General Paulino Santos’ vision successfully passed on from generation to generation, leaders to leaders. As it gears forward to another year, the mayor believes that the city must continuously press towards a direction that is clear to all.

A direction where everyone has a part in creating a prosperous city that will endure.

A direction where all those behind them would find and see that this decade made remarkable breakthroughs

Breakthroughs that are meaningful, fruitful, a shining and shimmering reminder to the future generation as to who we are, where we came from and how far we have gone together as a city. (GENSAN INFO OFFICE/Michelle Ann Gonzales)