GENERAL SANTOS CITY (PIA) -- Joining the General Santos City’s 34th Kalilangan Festival and 84th Founding Anniversary celebration as guest of honor, Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio urged the people here to continue upholding the “culture of peace” through the celebration of Kalilangan Festival, which honors the contributions of tri-people in the development of the city.

She described culture of peace as a “shared goal” among the people of General Santos and is integral in the continuing efforts for local development and nation-building.

VP Sara said that the peaceful co-existence among tri-people—the indigenous people, Muslims, and Christians— has fostered unity and understanding through these years and this is what made General Santos City today.

According to her, General Santos “is a city that promotes, embraces, and respects inclusivity, diversity and sustainable development.”  

Meanwhile, the vice president also donated P200,000 to the city to be added to the prizes of five contingents vying for the top prize in the Kadsagayan street dance competition.

Each group received P40,000 on top of the already cash reward allotted by the organizers. The prizes that were officially earmarked for the street dance were as follows:

1st prize—     P350,000

2nd prize—   P250,000

3rd prize---   P170,000

Consolation prize--P100,000 

VP Sara who stayed until the performance finale said that she was elated to witness the dance prowess shown by all competing teams. Three of the contingents came as far as Balabagan, Lanao del Sur; Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte; and Tulunan, Cotabato Province. 

She also said that General Santos “has always been one of the many cities in Mindanao that many Mindanaons are proud of. It is a city of many titles— the boom city of the south; the home of champions; and the city of charms.”

As a result, the Tulunan’s dance ensemble- Salindaw Performing Arts Guild- was named the champion of the Kadsagayan street dance competition while General Santos City’s Sibol Performing Arts - Bulad Festival and Kulintayaw Performing Artist Collective came in as first and second runners-up.

The vice president was happy to note that with the additional amount she gave, no one in the group of performers was to go home disappointed. (CTA/PIA SarGen)