General Santos

General Santos City or “GenSan” is in Mindanao, It is a highly urbanized city located at the southern portion of South Cotabato, but perhaps its biggest claim to fame is that boxer Manny Pacquiao is a native. It is known as “The Tuna Capital of the Philippines”.

The main attraction for most visitors in the beach and the water where many people rent a cottage for the day and enjoy themselves swimming, eating drinking and swimming, the sleeping is a big part of a visit to the beach for most Philippino’s. There used to be too many Karaoke machines a couple of years ago but I think that there is now only one left which makes it much better for many beach and tranquility loving people.

General Santos Fish Port Complex and experience the tuna trade first-hand. The celebrated yellow fin tuna can be as heavy as any healthy human at 150 pounds!  Weighed, graded, sold and shipped directly from the fishport, they can be found in fish markets in Japan and delis in Seattle. Other species of tuna such as Bigeye, Billfish, and Skipjack are also available.

Must see Festivals.

Kalilangan Festival
General Santos City celebrates the Kalilangan every month of February. “Kalilangan” means festival, festivity or jubilation. It is a social gathering marked by exchanging of amenities among traditional leaders, elders, allies and subordinates in varying tones. In a broader perspective, Kalilangan projects a positive and dynamic meaning for it engulfs the artistic, humane and altruistic aspects of social interaction that takes place in any occasion or celebration. Kalilangan is a noble tradition. It is a complete work of art nourished and nurtured by rich cultural heritage that has withstand the test of time from generation to generation.

Tuna Festival
Thanksgiving and festivities are being celebrated annually through its Tuna Festival during the Last week of August and the first week of September highlighting on its main industry which is the Tuna fishing. This is also in line with the celebration of the city’s charter anniversary which falls every 5th of September and is also being set as the culmination day for the Tuna Festival. Aside from parades and showcases, numerous culinary competitions are being held to promote sumptuous tuna based cuisines and other delectable meals made from fresh sea foods.

Other Attractions.

Kalaja Karst Area
The area is surrounded with limestone’s cliffs. It has Kalaja river which irrigates the low land farm area of the city. During dry season, the river main source of water comes from a subterranean river named Kalaja Cave (a 207m cave that offers 20m of swimming and a smooth walk in knee to waist deep running water). The area has an established rock climbing route at Malakong Wall. The Wall offers beginners and Novice route to would be rock climbers. It also has many of unexplored routes waiting to be climbed. The place has also many tunnels left by the retreating Japanese forces during the WWII.

Nopol Hills
The only land area in the City with 200 hectares or more of tropical forest and animals especially warty pigs. It is a good place for camping and viewing the city at night time. The place also offers scenic view of the City. South Cotabato, Sarangani Province and Sarangani Bay.

Sansapan Cave Falls
The Falls is very unique as it enters on a vertical hole and drops 12 meters down to a 20-meter cave. Water from the cave-falls comes from a river gorge, good for canyoneering adventures.

Japanese Bunkers
These dome shaped cement structures half embedded underground in a 6 X 8W size are the defense structure of the retreating Japanese during WW II.

MSU Museum
Collection of artifacts and relics of the rich cultural heritage of the place.

RAHAJ Beach
Black-sandy beach ideal for swimming, boating, fishing, a two-hectares area
planted with coconut and thee mango trees. Picnic huts, shower rooms, paddled boats, life-saving equipment.

London Beach Resort
18 cottages equivalent to 18 rooms, swimming pool, canteen, picnic huts,
Watersports Facilities, sandy volleyball courts.

South Sea Tropical Resort
Swimming, boating, picnic huts, canteen, various water sports facilities.

Dupalco Beach
Picnic huts, swimming, boating, fishing

Maharlika Beach
Natural Spring Pool, water sports, facilities, picnic huts, cottages, and
wide parking space.