GenSan all set for 'bigger, grander' 2019 tuna fest

GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- Locals and tourists alike are expected to "experience new flavors" of the famed tuna from the thriving multimillion industry here as the city government unveils this week a "bigger and grander" Tuna Festival 2019, an official said.

Rofil Mae Rillo, festival director, said Tuesday that this year's weeklong festival has been reinvigorated to bring a more authentic feel and taste of what the city offers as the country's "tuna capital."

Now on its 21st year, the festival is set to open on Friday (August 30) and will run until September 5, the city's 51st inaugural anniversary. It is co-presented by the city government, Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (Philexport)-Region 12 and the South Cotabato Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce Inc.

Rillo said this year's festival has a budget of P4 million and is being celebrated as the city hosts the annual National Tuna Congress as one of the highlights.

"We are aiming to introduce the tuna festival as the biggest industry development-based festival in the Philippines," she said in a briefing.

She said they have lined up various "high-impact" events to bring the level of "excitement, fun and grandeur" of the festivity to another level. As part of the festival's "new flavors," organizers introduced a new logo depicting the focus of the celebration and "reimagined" theme music.

They also adopted the "Atlantis" theme for the setup of the main festival venue at the city's sprawling oval plaza grounds. It features the Aqua Cave carnival, Oval Atlantis food park, Coral Reef durian and fruits galore, Poseidonis party zone and the Philexport's sashimi street.

Another highlight is the sashimi street that promises to give residents and visitors a chance to taste various top tuna products.

The other main events and activities are the Sagwan: Tuna Festival 2019 grand opening and fireworks display, Layag Tuna float parade, Lumba Bugsay, Sugbahan sa Dalan, Fish Fest sa Fishport, Mr. and Ms. Tourism pageant, Gabi ng Mandaragat, Tuna Culinary Exchange, and the Tunaman Triathlon.

Rillo said they are also working to establish the festival as a "sustainable tourism initiative" through various environmental activities, including distribution of fabricated fish bins at the oval plaza and other strategic areas in the city.

"We will segregate and gather the recyclable trash and turn these over to our partner agencies," she said. (PNA)