Monday, August 15, 2005
Manansala: Make it Gensan
By Orman O. Manansala
My Two-Centavo Worth
GTX: Gensan's Tuna Festival experience
"General Santos City welcomes you to the TUNA CAPITAL OF THE PHILIPPINES. Experience the grandest fiesta in the SOCSKSARGEN area. Come and join us as we celebrate the Charter Anniversary of our city thru the TUNA FESTIVAL. From a backwater area, Gensan has evolved into one of the premier cities of the Philippines. Through the years, we have proven that through sheer hard work and determination, we can succeed. So come and celebrate with us. Make it Gensan!" -- Pedro B. Acharon Jr., Gen. Santos City Mayor
Make it Gensan.
Keep it short. Keep it simple.
Strong name recall.
Catchy. Hip. Trendy. Appealing.
Truly Gensan.
With this in mind, the Organizing Committee of this year's Tuna Festival came up with the idea on how to sell this year's Charter Anniversary festivities. The mayor, as Chairman of the Tuna Festival Council, was very clear about his objectives:
1) Push our newest battle cry: Make it Gensan, and
2) Reach out to more visitors and tourists
Thus this year's theme: GTX, an acronym for Gensan's Tuna Festival eXperience. It's short, simple and has strong name recall. It's catchy, hip, trendy and appeals to all ages. And the focus of our efforts is not only to sell this specific festival but also what Gensan has to offer as a city. We wanted people to experience FUN, FROLIC and FOOD that are truly Gensan. And with this, we invite you to...
eXperience FUN
Fun with the capital "F!" Feel the city throb with merriment and exuberance as it hosts the biggest events this side of Mindanao Island. Presented in a carousel route, watch out for the Fanta-Sea Float Parade Competition; Higante ng Dagat Competition, Parada sa Dagat Street Dancing Competition and the LGU Mini-Float & Street Dancing Competition. And there's the GTX Street Party Strip Experience featuring Live Band Shindigs and Disco-Dancing-All-Night-Long. Be witness to each activity as it pulsates with the beat of a City celebrating its city hood and its people basking in its glory and triumphs!
eXperience FROLIC
Frolic around the city, day or night-kick up your heels and let your hair down. Romp and cavort among these happenings meant to provide a delightful experience of pageantry, pomp and pleasure for every visitor: Search for Miss Gensan Pageant, GTX Best Bodies Competition, Gensan Pop Idol Competition, Fishdance Showdown. A wide spectrum of unique sports activities also ensures each one a vibrant weeklong celebration with activities to fill your every second: Lumba Langoy Swimfest, Fishfest sa Fishport Extra Challenge, Bancarera, Mountain Bike Challenge and Bakbakan-Boxing sa Gensan.
eXperience FOOD
Gastronomic pleasures await you with the spectacular variety of cuisine offered from continental to local. The succulent taste of tuna takes center stage as it is prepared in a hundred and different ways to locals and visitors alike by chefs in competition from all over the archipelago and made available as pasalubong (fresh and frozen) in the festival's day and night markets: Sashimi Night, Wealth of the Sea Culinary Art Competition, Tuna Products Palengke and Sutukil sa Baybayon, where you will discover three ways to prepare tuna: SUGBA (Grill), TU-WA (Broth), KILAW (Raw Tuna on vinegar) - that's SUTUKIL for short.
eXperience GENSAN
And as we celebrate our 37th Charter Anniversary, here are at least 37 reasons to experience Gensan: (1)Manny Pacquiao, (2)Sarangani Bay Cruise, (3)Tropicana-Maharlika-Rajah-Family-London Beach strip, (4)Osmena Boulevard Food & Entertainment Strip, (5)Olaer & Lagare Spring Resorts, (6)Sta. Cruz Hito Farm, (7)Tambler Hills Fossil Farm, (8)Gen. Paulino Santos Museum, (9)Fish Port Complex, (10)Ranchero Grill, (11)South Park Noodle House, (12) KCC Mall, (13)Gaisano, (14)East Asia Royale Hotel & Arcade, (15)Buayan Mangrove Reserve, (16)Mirabueno Orchid Farm, (17)Lagao Barbekyuhan, (18)Lion's Beach, (19)Orange Cafe, (20) Sydney Hotel Rooftop Grill, (21)Notre Dame of Dadiangas College, (22)Our Lady of Peace & Good Voyage Church, (23)Jam's Garden, (24)Espina Estate Forest Reserve, (25)Citra Mina Tuna Outlet, (26)Badjao Village, (27)Nopol Hills, (28)Maranao Tiangge, (29)Marasa Grill, (30)Oval Plaza Flea Market, (31)San Jose Bicycle Trail, (32)Tuna Canneries tour, (33)International Airport, (34)Hoy Bar, (35)Gen. Paulino Santos Shrine, (36)Big Shot Badminton Court, (37)Lidwina's Driving Range....and more!
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(August 15, 2005 issue)
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