Everything but the opening ceremony has started. Sunday's opening ceremonies are only formalities for this year's celebration of the 5th Tuna Festival.
Conceived in 1998 under then Mayor Adelbert Antonino, the festival is an activity that showcases the city's prized premier product, the annual Tuna Festival, which is also the main sidelight of the city's Charter Day anniversary.
The city is commemorating its 35th Charter anniversary on September 5.
Early this year, Tourism Sec. Richard Gordon vowed to make the Tuna Festival a showcase of the country's famous world-class quality tuna products.
And to show proof of this development, Gordon will grace this year's culmination activities on September 5.
Apart from the tuna festival, the city is also hosting the 5th annual Tuna Congress where the country's captains of the industry are again meeting to face the ever-increasing challenges of Philippine tuna products in the international market.
President has been invited to the two-day affair that opens on September 4.
Although the formal opening of the Tuna Festival is slated for Sunday, sports and other events have already kicked off with the Talent Night of this year's search for Miss Gensan 2003 scheduled Friday night at the Notre Dame of Dadiangas College Auditorium.
Eight lovely ladies will vie for this year's three major prizes, the Miss Gensan Tourism, Miss Tourism Mindanao and Miss Tourism Philippines.
The contestants will be presented early Friday at Rosewood's. Pageant night is set for Monday at the Lagao Gymnasium.
Apart from the Miss Gensan Tourism pageant, the culinary arts competition will also open at Gaisano Mall at 8 a.m. Friday.
It will be held simultaneously with the cheer dance competition to be held at the Parish Center and the swimming competition at the P. Acharon Sports Complex.
Later in the night, a reggae festival will also be held at the Oval Plaza.
Events Coordinator Orman Manansala also announced that the flea market already opened at the Oval Plaza.
Manansala said this year's edition will be bigger than the previous celebration with more artists being featured during the weeklong festival.
Meanwhile, everything is set as far as security at the festival week is concerned.
Last Friday, Mayor Pedro Acharon Jr. held a peace and order conference with the city's top police and military officials to ensure the safety of residents and visitors during the festivities.
General Santos City Police Office (GSCPO) Director Jeorge Aquisap said the city's police force was augmented by the Police Regional Office (PRO) 12.