kalilangan festival gensan

as the travel guide Lonely Planet says "The Philippines just isn't the Philippines without the colorful festivals and fiestas...". it simply symbolizes the celebration of being Filipinos, being cheerful and hospitable.i've witnessed many festivals in Luzon and the Visayas and was not surprised to learn that there's much to see when one visits the southern islands of the Philippines like the Kalilangan Festival of General Santos city.lots of dancing, cheering and a week-long of festivities of Kalilangan commemorates the city's foundation. we arrived in the city just in time for the street dancing and it was one hot sunny day.yet i observed that everyone's excited to be at the festival route, the long and wide Pioneer avenue, which is also the city's central district. with less shaded area, the sun's heat didn't stop the people from flocking in the area.shouts and beat of the drums signified the beginning of the festival. the participants were all around Pioneer avenue dancing and cheering "Kalilangan" which translates to jubilation or celebration.like the many festivals in the country, the rhythmic hit of the drum sets the beat of the dancing. the use of many props symbolizes the culture and the costumes our heritage. one unique aspect of Kalilangan would be the use of the patterned cloths that resembles the Tnalak cloth from the Tiboli tribe of the nearby Lake Sebu.Kalilangan festival is celebrated every last week of the month of February and the city being known as the Tuna capital of the country also celebrates the Tuna Festival during the first weekend of September. we were so privileged that we had with us as guide some of Gensan's most influential bloggers Bariles, Sheng, Kyaw and the president of Gensan Tourism Association and Kalilangan Festival director Orman. thank you Gensan for inviting us. thank you Gensan bloggers for hosting us.