The Tuna Festival is an annual festival that takes place every September 5th in General Santos City, also known as GenSan, in the province of South Cotabato. The festival celebrates the abundant harvest of tuna fish, which is considered to be the national fish of the country. The festival also features various activities and events that highlight the culture and heritage of GenSan, such as street dances, cooking contests, trade fairs, beauty pageants, and musical performances.

The word “tuna” comes from the scientific name of the fish, Thunnus, which belongs to the family Scombridae. The fish is also known as yellowfin tuna or ahi in other parts of the world, where it is highly valued for its sashimi-grade quality. The fish is large, silver, and torpedo-shaped, with a yellow stripe along its side. It can be found in tropical and subtropical waters and can grow up to 2 meters long and weigh up to 200 kilograms. It is usually prepared in various ways, such as grilled, fried, filleted, or dried.

GenSan is famous for producing the best quality of tuna in the country, which is said to be due to its strategic location near the Celebes Sea and Sarangani Bay. The city produces over 70% of the country’s supply annually and exports it to other countries such as Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore. The city is also home to several tuna processing plants and canneries that employ thousands of workers. The city’s economy relies heavily on the tuna industry, which contributes to its development and progress.

The origin of the festival can be traced back to 1998 when then mayor Adelbert Antonino initiated it as a way of promoting GenSan as a tourist destination and showcasing its tuna industry. It was also established as a tribute to the hard work and dedication of the fishermen, workers, and entrepreneurs who are involved in the tuna business. The festival was later supported by succeeding mayors and local government officials who saw its potential and benefits.

The festival today is a week-long celebration that culminates on September 5th, which is also declared as a special non-working holiday in GenSan. It features various events and activities that showcase the culture and heritage of GenSan, such as art exhibits, musical performances, cultural shows, food fairs, and other contests. The highlight of the festival is the grand street parade or Sadsad Tuna Festival Street Dancing Competition , where thousands of participants from different barangays or districts compete for prizes and honors. The participants wear colorful costumes and masks that are inspired by various themes related to tuna or GenSan. They carry images or replicas of tuna or other related products. They dance to the beat of drums and music, while chanting “Hala Bira! Pwera Pasma!” (Go on! No pain!), which expresses their enthusiasm and energy.

The festival is not only a feast for the eyes, but also for the taste buds. Visitors can enjoy various delicacies that are unique to GenSan or South Cotabato province, such as tuna sisig (chopped tuna seasoned with calamansi juice and chili peppers), tuna kinilaw (raw tuna marinated in vinegar and spices), tuna lumpia (spring rolls with tuna filling), tuna lechon (roasted whole tuna), tuna pizza (pizza with tuna toppings), tuna pie (pie with tuna filling), tuna ice cream (ice cream with tuna flavor), durian (a spiky fruit with a strong smell but a sweet taste), kakanin (rice cakes), pansit habhab (noodles eaten without utensils), Lucban longganisa (Filipino-style sausages), hardinera (meatloaf), broas (ladyfingers), tikoy (sticky rice cake), espasol (rice cake rolled in coconut flakes), bagoong (fermented fish paste), alaminos longganisa (garlic-flavored sausages), calasiao puto (steamed rice cake), tupig (grilled rice cake wrapped in banana leaves), pigar-pigar (stir-fried beef with cabbage), binungey (sticky rice cooked in bamboo tubes), and bangus sisig (chopped milkfish seasoned with calamansi juice and chili peppers). They can also buy souvenirs made from wood, silver, beads, or kiping (leaf-shaped wafer).

The Tuna Festival is not only a celebration of the national fish and its related products, but also a celebration of life and culture. It is a way of preserving and promoting the traditions and values of GenSan and its people. It is also a way of showcasing the beauty and diversity of South Cotabato province and the Philippines.