GenSan's Tuna Festival

The Tuna Festival in General Santos City is an annual week-long festival celebrated during the first week of September highlighting the significant role of the tuna industry in the province as its primary source of income.

The Tuna Festival started as a spontaneous event organized by the city’s tourism association back in 1998. The tourism association staged an event that showcased gastronomical tuna cuisine through culinary competitions and exhibits. From this spontaneous idea came the annual celebration of the Tuna Festival.

street dance competition: one of the activities in the week-long tuna festival

The week-long celebration features different events and activities focusing on the tuna industry of the province. Among these are the annual Tuna Congress, the Tuna Fiesta Carnival, the Tuna Culinary Skills Competition, the Sashimi Night, the Fish Dance Competition, Miss GenSan Pageant, the Bodyfest Modeling Competition and the Float Light Parade.

Aside from food exhibitors and several other competitions, the festival also highlights the annual Karagatan Awards. This event, organized by the Tuna Festival Council and local government honors the “unsung heroes of the fishing industry” through recognition and awards.

Sashimi Making Competition