Sun.Star: Security up as GenSan tuna fest opens

General Santos City's major tourism and business event -- the week-long tuna festival -- kicked off on Wednesday amid tight security measures. Now on its ninth year, the festival's theme is "Layag GenSan-One Pulse, One Force, One Cruise." Layag means sail on. Festivities are slated to end on September 5 as the city celebrates its 40th charter anniversary. Police visibility was conspicuous in crowded places as terrorist threats continue to linger. This city was hit by a spate of deadly bomb attacks in the past few years. At the oval plaza, makeshift stalls of small businesses are located, a carnival, ukay-ukay and secondhand shoes are in display. Fully armed police personnel inspect bags and body-checked those entering the vicinity. Central Mindanao Police Director Felizardo Serapio urged the public to be extra-vigilant for possible bomb attacks. "We have stepped up security around the city to avoid untoward incidents," he said. "Sikatuna! Sikatunay!," the new festival song, filled the air as various activities await residents and visitors in the days ahead. Bebot Haw, festival director for the second consecutive year, said organizers want to show the greatness of the people and the city. "We want to show that our people have the heart," he said. General Santos, considered the economic hub of Central Mindanao region, is the undisputed "Tuna Capital of the Philippines." An estimated 1,000 metric tons of tuna are unloaded at the city's fish port daily, with annual export receipts pegged at $250 million. Six of the country's eight tuna canneries are based in this city, employing tens of thousands of people. Organizers said this year's celebration will be grand with the coming of celebrities. TV stars Angelica Panganiban, Derek Ramsay and Pokwang graced the rites at Oval Plaza on September 1, while rock performers make an appearance, among them Bamboo on September 4 at the Lagao Gym and Imago and Rocksteady on September 5 at the Oval Plaza. The first-ever Gensan Eco Karera Race and 5th LBM (Langoy, Bugsay and Marathon) and the race were held Thursday; a grand float parade during the culmination day on Sept. 5. To celebrate the bounty of tuna, there will be a week-long Sashimi night, a kite fest called "Sea Creatures in the Sky," Fish Fest at the Fishport, and a banca race. Eighteen private firms and government agencies are sponsoring the eight-day event, among them Smart Communications, Coke, San Miguel Brewery, Dole Philippines, Philamlife, Confederation of Grains Retailers Association (Sargen chapter), Tropical Motorama and Tropical Fishing, Gas Petronas, Xoom Autogaz, AirPhil, Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Metrobank, Toyota GenSan, Powercycle, and the Hog Raisers Association of GenSan. - Sun.Star