By IAN JOHN M. LAGARE
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (5 December 2014) - This year’s Christmas celebration will be certainly jovial, thanks to the series of activities the local government unit of General Santos City has prepared for its constituents.
On top of the list is the annual Paskuhan sa Gensan, one of the four celebrated festivities in the city aside from the Kalilangan (February), Tuna Festival (September), and Yaman Gensan (July).
This year’s Paskuhan sa Gensan, themed as “Pasko ng Pamilyang Heneral, Pasko ng Pasasalamat”, is a festivity that features the traditional celebration of Christmas here in the city, as well in the entire country.
Some of the events to highlight Paskuhan sa Gensan are the Lantern Parade, Movies at the Park, and the much-anticipated Pyrotechnic Competition.
The Pyrotechnic Competition is open to any participant; contenders from different areas in the country were invited to join. During the Paskuhan sa Gensan press conference on December 1 at Sun City Suites, Philip Pabelic, assistant chair of the Gensan Tourism Council (GTC), disclosed that Bulacan has already signified its interest to participate in the contest.
The prizes are P80,000 (1st), P60,000 (2nd), and P30,000 (3rd). Consolation prizes will also be given.
The 2nd Manny Pacquiao Cup International Open Billiard Competition will also take place during the Paskuhan sa Gensan, on December 8-17 at SM City Gensan.
Some activities will start before December 12, such as the opening of Light-a-Tree at DepEd Christmas Alley, Krismas Karnabal and the Movies at the Park.
City Mayor Ronnel Rivera has already approved the P2.5 million budget for the entire Paskuhan sa Gensan which will officially start on December 12 and will end on December 24.
The festivity is organized by the Gensan Tourism Council headed by Jane Gollon-Rivera and in partnership with the Department of Education.
“We may not make it grand but I can assure the people of the city that the Paskuhan sa Gensan will be as meaningful as possible. I hope that through this, we can be much closer to our families and have a thankful heart for all the blessings we received this year,” Mayor Rivera said.
On the other hand, the Joint Task Force Gensan and the local Philippine National Police have already their security plans laid out during the duration of the festivity.
Heightened security, installation of checkpoints, and deployment of more security personnel in the activity areas are to be expected.
The “No backpack policy” in event areas will be implemented.
Meanwhile, City Hall has also set its own activities for this Christmas as ordered by Mayor Rivera. Some of the activities are the Magic Table, Christmas caroling, gift giving, and the Charity sa City Hall.
The Magic Table is a table located in the City Hall lobby where free food and drinks are being served to the LGU's clients. (Gensan CPIO/ Ian John M. Lagare)
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