tuna festival

Tuna Festival Tuna Float Festival Street Dancing

GENERAL SANTOS CITY The Philippines Tuna Capital  Sept. 3 - 5 / General Santos City (1 hour 45 minutes from Manila by air) TUNA FESTIVAL General Santos City is a three time awardee for the "Most Competitive City" in the Philippines for the years 1999-2000 (all cities), 2000-2001 (mid-sized city) and 2001-2002, an honor bestowed by the Asian Institute of Management SGV policy forum and the Department of Trade and Industry. Perhaps, unlike more prominent Philippine festivals which started out as an output of a planned concept, Tuna Festival sprung from a spontaneous idea. In 1998, during the 30th City Charter Anniversary, the General Santos City Tourism Association (GSCTA) - a consortium of hotels, resorts, restaurants, travel agencies, and other tourism-related establishments, then chaired by Mrs. Liwanag Ferrer - staged a one of a kind affair at the then Halieus Mall (now RD Plaza), that showcased gastronomical tuna cuisine through culinary competitions, exhibits, and such other visual and taste delights anchoring on the bounty of the sea with emphasis on tuna as the central thematic relishment.