Pioneer settlers acknowledged in Kalilangan 2015

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (28 February 2015) - History in Gensan, unlike any other city in the Philippines, has been formed through the courage of its pioneers.

Kalilangan 2015, with its theme “Kalilangan: Ano Ang K Mo?”, reached back to the origins of the city through the help of the scions of Gensan’s pioneers.

These pioneers were headed by General Paulino Santos who arrived in these shores on February 27, 1939 through the boat M.V. Basilan. The National Land Settlement Administration was the mandate that made these pioneers from the northern region of the archipelago to settle in Mindanao.

These forerunners are long gone by now. However, their descendants are still alive and are very active in every activity the city has—especially those who are akin to culture and history.

Collectively known as the “Sons and Daughters of General Santos Pioneers”, they are the remnants—mostly grandchildren—of the first to settle here in Gensan.

This Kalilangan 2015, City Mayor Ronnel Rivera put them into the spotlight as well as let them organize a couple of activities that would help weave and piece back the past and its connection to the present.

Among these are the painting exhibit inside the City Hall by Amado Munda (grandson of Gen. Paulino Santos), the photo exhibit in the ground floor of KCC Veranza, and the Parada ng Lahi on February 27.

“We have to pay our respects to our forefathers and those who came before us. They gave birth to Gensan and cultivated it soils and we are really thankful for that,” Mayor Rivera said.

He also recognized the importance of these pioneers through inducting the set of officers of the Sons and Daughters of General Santos Pioneers at KCC Veranza on Febrary 24.

The chosen president is William Benigno Aquino.

In their ingenuity and care for the history of the city, members of the group have consolidated their resources and wrote a book entitled “General Paulino Santos: His Journey To History”.

Copies of the book have already been handed to Department of Education General Santos City and to be distributed to the different schools of the city.

As for the mayor, this initiative is already a big help for educating the children of the city.

“We need to teach our children our history so that they won’t lose track on the history of our city,” the mayor explained. (Gensan CPIO/ Ian John M. Lagare)

Gensan marks Pakaradyan

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (28 February 2015) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera is with the entire Muslim community in celebrating "Pakaradyan" Moro Day celebration Thursday, February 26, in Oval Plaza. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

General Paulino Santos honored

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (28 February 2015) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera pays tribute to General Paulino Santos--the founder of the city--and all of the pioneers of Gensan during the wreath-laying ceremony Friday, February 27, in front of General Paulino Santos Statue. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Carry on Gensan pioneers’ legacy – Mayor Rivera

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (28 February 2015) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera, during the commemorative event of the 76th Foundation Anniversary of General Santos City called "Parada ng Lahi" Friday, February 27, emphasizes that the new generation should carry on the legacy of the pioneers of making the city a clean and livable enclave, with sustainable and progressive economy. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Kalilangan 2015 highlights Gensan icons

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (27 February 2015) – After four years of dazzling themes of amazing success, Kalilangan is now going back to the roots where it all began - culture.

Kalilangan 2015, during its opening day on Monday (February 23) was a throwback of time linking memories and culture that helped shaped what General Santos City is now.

With the theme “Kalilangan: Ano Ang K Mo?”, every resident of the city is encouraged to dig deep and search for who or what they represent today.

Some have said kapayapaan (peace) owing to the peaceful co-existence of different tribes and cultures in the city, while others said kasaganaan (affluence) because of the teeming bounties of nature both in land and in sea; and some even said kagandahan (beauty) a testament to the city’s natural beauty.

But for City Mayor Ronnel Rivera, K for him—as a fellow General or Gensan resident —is definitely kampeon (champion).

For Mayor Rivera, Kalilangan is all about how Gensan overcame adversities and travails before getting to where it is right now.

“Everything good must start from somewhere; it should be refined first and go under the heat of the crucible,” the mayor said.

Of course, the wealth of Gensan is not solely tuna. For Mayor Rivera it is people and the culture present in it.

Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, before serving the province of Sarangani, grew up in Gensan, specifically in barangay Labangal.

Other stars in the showbiz today were born here in Gensan such as Gerald Anderson and Melisa Cantiveros. XB Gensan is a renowned dance group that learned how to dance grew up here in the city.

New sports champs are also flourishing now in Gensan such as Jean Pierre Sabido, a Taekwondo player who bagged six gold medals in the 9th World Tae Kwon Do Poomsae Championship last 2014.

“Although we are far from perfect, we have already proven that General Santos City has a culture that can shape champions,” Mayor Rivera said.

“Basta galing Gensan, panalo,” the mayor added.

Before Gensan took the moniker “Tuna Capital of the Philippines”, the city was formerly an idle land settled by migrants from Luzon and Visayas headed by General Paulino Santos through the National Land Settlement Administration (NLSA).

The celebration of Kalilangan is meant for that historic event that led to the inception of the city.

With the new partner organizers, the Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges, the city government is again to relive these tales.

During the opening rites of Kalilangan, Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno came to experience what kind of festival Kalilangan is. (Gensan CPIO/ Ian John M. Lagare)

Mayor Rivera swears in Sons and Daughters of General Santos Pioneers officers

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (27 February 2015) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera inducts the officers of the Sons and Daughters of General Santos Pioneers--with William Benigno Aquino as its president--on Tuesday, February 24 at KCC Veranza Mall. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Mayor Rivera honors IP

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (27 February 2015) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera is one with the indigenous community of Gensan in their celebration of "Klehew Di Amgangeh" or "Tribal Day" on Wednesday, February 25 inside the Agri-Trade Fair at the Oval Plaza. The mayor said in his speech that Gensan would not reach its place right now without the unity and cooperation of the indigenous people (IP) living the city. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Gensan pioneers photo exhibit at Veranza

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (27 February 2015) - The Sons and Daughters of General Santos Pioneers with City Mayor Ronnel Rivera open a photo exhibit at the ground floor of KCC Veranza Mall Tuesday, February 24. Captured in these photos are the events that took place during the arrival of General Paulino Santos and the pioneers here in Gensan, starting February 27, 1939. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

iKons:Grand Opening Ceremony

Video courtesy of Allan Jay Resane

More about Kalilangan 2015 in this advocacy website, http://kalilangan2015.weebly.com/

Mini Zoo opens at Oval Plaza

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (24 February 2015) - Vice Mayor Shirlyn Banas-Nograles and Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno open the Mini Zoo inside the Oval Plaza Monday, February 23. Also with them is the first couple, Mayor Ronnel Rivera and Jane Gollon Rivera. Moreno congratulated the Gensan officials for a successful Kalilangan 2015. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Kalilangan 2015 showcases mini forest

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (24 February 2015) - Gensan First Lady Jane Gollon Rivera (2nd from right) and Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno (4th from left) open the Mini Forest inside the Oval Plaza on Monday, February 23. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Isko Moreno opens Agri-Trade Fair of Kalilangan Festival

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (24 February 2015) - Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno (3rd from left) joins Gensan City Mayor Ronnel Rivera (4th from right) and Vice Mayor Shirlyn Banas-Nograles (2nd from right) at the Agri-Trade Fair and Fiestahan sa Barangay Booth inside the Oval Plaza Monday, February 23. Moreno, a former showbiz celebrity, came here to Gensan to experience Kalilangan 2015. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Historical paintings at City Hall

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (24 February 2015) - (From left) City Mayor Ronnel Rivera, General Paulino Santos' grandson Amado Munda, and General Santos City Sons and Daughters president William Boy Aquino open the historical paintings exhibit inside the City Hall Tuesday, February 24, as part of the Kalilangan 2015 celebration. These artworks that mostly depict important events in the past were made by Amado Munda himself. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Caratela ride now available at Oval Plaza

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (24 February 2015) - Indigenous People (IP) Representative Mario Empal (3rd from right) accompanies Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno (4th from right) in the opening rites of the Caratela - a Carabao leisure ride held every Kalilangan - inside the Oval Plaza Monday, February 23. Together with them are Gensan City Mayor Ronnel Rivera (4th from left) and Vice Mayor Shirlyn-Banas Nograles (2nd from left). (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

iKons exhibit opens at SM Gensan

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (22 February 2015) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera and wife Jane Gollon-Rivera are with the management of Kalilangan 2015 organizer Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges (RMMC) in unveiling the "iKons" cultural exhibit on February 20 inside SM Gensan. This cultural exhibit features photos, ethnic items and relics that trace the rich history of the city since the arrival of General Paulino Santos. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Kalilangan 2015: Ano ang K Mo?

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (19 February 2015) – General Santos City is all set to celebrate its 76th Foundation Anniversary and its 26th Kalilangan Festival.

The Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges (RMMC) is the new partner organizer of the city government after the Mindanao State University – General Santos City (MSU-GSC) has passed the task  to RMMC.

When MSU-GSC held Kalilangan, it made the festival garner the Hall of Fame award in the “Best Festival, Culture and Arts Category” by the Department of Tourism.

Now, the RMMC will launch Kalilangan with the theme “Ano Ang K Mo?” This tagline traces again the cultural roots and historical identity of every “General” or Gensan resident  since and before the arrival of General Paulino Santos here on February 27, 1939.

Aside from the identity of Gensan as the “Tuna Capital of the Philippines”, the celebration of Kalilangan has always been special as it signifies the founding anniversary of this fast-growing enclave in the SOCCSKSARGEN Region.

Kalilangan was not yet celebrated in General Santos City until it reached its 50th Founding Anniversary in 1989. Bai Janena Tito, now an executive assistant in the Muslim Affairs Division of the City Mayor’s Office, was the one who named the festival.

Kalilangan is derived from the root word “kalilang” of the Maguindanaon dialect which literally means “festivity”.

Perhaps this is the reason why Kalilangan can rightfully be called as the “festival of festivals” here in Gensan.

The Tuna Festival, Yaman Gensan, and Paskuhan sa Gensan are the other fetes Gensan celebrates annually.

Kalilangan 2015 will be a week-long celebration from February 23 to 27. RMMC has already finalized the list of activities during the festivity.

City Mayor Ronnel Rivera, with the approval of the Sangguniang Panglungsod, has allocated a P4 million budget for this year’s Kalilangan

At the same time, the administration of RMMC headed by Marthin Anthony Millado also raised a P1 Million fund to make the activities be grander and meaningful.

Here are some of the events that everybody should look forward to this Kalilangan 2015:

IKONS (Grand Opening Day) – February 23, Oval Stage

PARADA NG LAHI (76^th Foundation Anniversary) – February 27, Bantayog Plaza

KADSAGAYAN SA KALILABGAB (Grand Street Dancing Competition) – February 27, Santiago-Roxas Boulevard

KLEHEW DI AMGANGEH (Tribal Day) – February 25, Oval Plaza Grounds

ANG PARANGAL (Honoring the Pioneers and Descendants of the Pioneers) – February 24, Veranza Mall

PAKARAJAN SA GENSAN (Moro Day) – February 26, Oval Plaza Grounds

KARIKTAN (Closing Ceremony) – February 27, Oval Stage

The night market and the carnival will still be lively especially every night to provide recreation for families and friends.

Mayor Rivera said these activities are to ensure that Kalilangan will always be the mirror of the city’s culture and tradition.

“We have Kalilangan because of the past that made us. We owe everything to the history and culture that shaped us,” the mayor said. He invites everyone to join this year’s Kalilangan. (Gensan CPIO/ Ian John M. Lagare)

World 10 Ball Championship in Gensan

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (19 February 2015)  - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera welcomes some 100 billiard players of the Manny Pacquiao's Cup World 10 Ball Championship on February 17 at SM Mall Gensan. Participants are coming from 30 countries including the United States, Canada, China, Korea, Italy and the Philippines. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Kalilangan Festival gears up

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (13 February 2015) - The new organizers of Kalilangan 2015, the Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges, and City Mayor Ronnel Rivera unveil Thursday, February 12, a rectangular board printed with the official Kalilangan Festival logo as well as other logos of major activities during the February 23-27 festival.  (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Kalilangan Festival preparations underway

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (13 February 2015) - A Kalilangan Festival press conference is held at SM Atrium Thursday, February 12, where Dave Arreglado (center), City Mayor's Office executive assistant, City Councilor  Shandee Llido Pestaño (2nd from right), City Councilor Mario Empal (3rd from right) and the management of Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges answer queries regarding the preparations for the upcoming festival. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

LGU-Gensan, new partner gear for Kalilangan 2015

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (14 January 2015) – After being recently crowned as “Hall of Famer” in the Best Festival, Culture and Arts Category of the Department of Tourism, the local government of General Santos City is getting ready for Kalilangan 2015.

One of the major changes that Kalilangan will undergo this year is the transition of the festivity’s organizers—from Mindanao State University – General Santos City (MSU-GSC) to Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges (RMMC).

MSU-GSC, which has held Kalilangan for four straight years, has waived its role as one of the lead organizers of the event, citing the institution’s academic pursuits as the main reason.

The management of RMMC, headed by France Chris Millado, bared on Monday (January 12) during the flag ceremony at City Hall that they are happy for the opportunity of hosting Kalilangan 2015.

“We in the RMMC are in gratitude to Mayor Ronnel C. Rivera as well as to the tourism personnel of the city like Councilor Shandee Llido-Pestaño for trusting us Kalilangan this year,” Millado said.

A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) will be signed this January to formalize the partnership of RMMC and LGU-GSC.

“Kultura Ko, Identity Ko” is the theme of Kalilangan 2015 as divulged by the RMMC.

This theme will highlight once again the very inception of the culture of the city and its significance to the current generation.

“We will add new flavors to Kalilangan 2015 while following the regular course of activities,” Martin Millado, one of the organizers, said.

RMMC also promised that they will tap other key institutions in running the festivity “to maximize the potentials of the Generals.”

Academes like the Holy Trinity College and Notre Dame of Dadiangas University are among the institutions.

Kalilangan 2015 will be celebrated for one week starting February 23 up to February 27.

The soft launching is tentatively scheduled on February 9 while the Flea Market will open as early February 2.

Kalilangan 2015 also marks the 76th Foundation Anniversary of General Santos City. (Gensan CPIO/ Ian John M. Lagare)