The city government of General Santos has lined up a series of activities in celebration of this year’s Kalilangan Festival, the city’s cultural interpretive event to commemorate its 85th founding anniversary.

The name Kalilangan is derived from the Maguindanaoan word "kalilang," which means celebration or commemoration that embodies the spirit of festivity, bringing together people from various backgrounds to revel in shared traditions and values.

At a press conference held on February 15 at the SM City General Santos Activity Center, Maria Cora Tito, the city tourism officer, reiterated the festival's significance for the city's residents.

“We need to emphasize that Kalilangan is actually our celebration, being a city that was founded 85 years ago by General Paulino Santos. And our Kalilangan, we started only 35 years ago, so this is our 35th Kalilangan celebration,” she said.

The Kalilangan Festival aims to celebrate the significant contributions of pioneers and their descendants in helping carve a name for General Santos, which is now known as a city that is “home of the champions.”  

Tito also acknowledged the role of The Pioneers-Descendants of General Santos City, Inc., and the tri-people inhabitants composed of Blaan, Muslim, and Christian who welcomed General Santos upon his arrival on the shores of Sarangani Bay on February 27, 1939.

Executive Assistant to the City Mayor Joey John Concepcion, the 2024 Kalilangan festival director, disclosed that this year's festivities will focus predominantly on the tri-people, who have been harmoniously co-existing with one another based on shared values, respect for culture, and heritage.

“To be exact, 70 percent of our Kalilangan celebration is all about our tri-people; 30 percent lang po ang ating other side events [only 30 percent of the celebration are side events],” he said.

“So basically, most of our performances and locals are performing during the opening and closing, even the side events of our Kalilangan celebration,” Concepcion added.

The festivities will commence on Friday, Feb. 23, with the opening of the Tribal Village and Agricultural Fair at Plaza Heneral and the Kalilangan Trade Fair and Exhibit at Veranza Activity Center.

The event’s grand opening, however, will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Friday at the juncture of Pioneer Avenue and Magsaysay Avenue in this city.

Meanwhile, the City Mayor's Office-Integrated Cultural Communities Affairs Division (CMO-ICCAD) will manage the Kalilangan Tribal Village, which will feature the different arts, delicacies, and other cultural artifacts of the Muslims and the indigenous peoples (IP).

CMO-ICCAD Chief Jocelyn Lambac-Kanda, in a recent interview with the Philippine Information Agency’s Rated PIA program via dxGS 765 AM, explained that the village will showcase various sumptuous food treats from the IPs and the Muslim community.

“Every day mayroong Tausug food, Maranao food, Maguindanaon food, mayroong Sangil food na isho-showcase natin at marami pang iba,” Kanda said.

[Every day there is Tausug food, Maranao food, Maguindanaon food, and Sangil food that we will showcase, along with many others.]

She noted that “in General Santos City, ito yung kailangan natin na hindi pa nagagawa [this is what we need that has not been done yet]. Inshallah [God willing], it will be established soon with the support of the current administration led by Mayor Lorelie Geronimo Pacquiao.” 

Among the partnership initiatives, Concepcion acknowledged the vital support of Mindanao State University (MSU) General Santos for providing guidance for the celebration.

The MSU had managed and led the previous celebrations of the Kalilangan Festivals over the years. 

"We embraced the legacy that Mindanao State University gave us. Wala nato sila gitalikdan [We did not turn our backs on them]. Actually, they even supported us; the chancellor of the state university supported us and guided us [in this endeavor]," he told the media, event organizers, and other stakeholders attending the press conference.

The highlights of the Kalilangan Festival include traditional dances from the Blaan and competitions showcasing the melodious tunes of the Kulintangan. Also, adding to the event’s cultural richness is the presence of the Koryo Heneral Dance Congress, which will grace the occasion for the second time, according to festival director Allan Remedios, a professor at Holy Trinity College.

He added that the Mr. and Ms. Teen Gensan 2024 pageant will gather the city’s most talented and good-looking youth, while the Hibla Fashion Show promises to give spectators a glimpse of the local couture.

On February 26, cinemas at KCC Mall in Gensan will screen the independent historical film shot in General Santos City, titled "The Restless Heron," which narrates the experiences of the Sultanate of Talik during the American occupation of the Philippines in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Capping the Kalilangan Festival are the Parada ng Lahi, a wreath-laying ceremony at General Santos’s monument, followed by a simple treat to a breakfast dubbed Kapehan sa Kalilangan, including the colorful Kadsagayan street dancing competition of six contingents from neighboring provinces of Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and South Cotabato, and the festival host, General Santos City, who will vie for the P450,000 most coveted grand prize. (HJPF - PIA SarGen)