By PNA
GENERAL SANTOS CITY — It’s all systems go for the city’s annual Christmas festival dubbed Paskuhan sa GenSan 2018 which will open on Saturday (December 8).
Mario Bermudez, the festival focal person, said Monday they have lined up more colorful and grander activities for this year’s “Fantasyland-themed” festivity. Slated until Dec. 22, the festival is anchored on the theme “Paskong May Pantasya: May Aliw at Tuwa, Paskong GenSan Talaga!”
“We’re projecting a fantastic Christmas celebration here in GenSan — that we are a happy people in a happy place,” said Bermudez, the assistant city schools’ division superintendent.
The city government allotted some PHP4.5 million for the festival and picked the Department of Education (DepEd) city division as its main organizer.
In a press conference, Bermudez said the festival will have a soft opening on Friday, Dec. 7, which will be highlighted by the opening of the flea market and carnival at the city oval plaza and the start of the city’s annual grand pyrotechnics competition.
He said at least seven entries coming from the city, Bulacan, Metro Manila, and North Cotabato will join the event, which features at least five nights of pyrotechnic showdown.
The other performances are scheduled on Dec. 8, 13, 21 and 22 at the oval plaza grounds, he said.
Prizes at stake are PHP100,000 for first place, PHP80,000 for second place and PHP60,000 for third place. Non-winning teams will receive a consolation prize of PHP30,000 each.
The other major events are the Light-a-Tree Contest, Barangay Belen Competition, Christmas Carol for Senior Citizens, Drum and Lyre Competition, Tunog sa Pasko sa GenSan-Christmas Carol, Battle of the Bands, Talentadong Heneral and Sayawitan Competition.
Bermudez said the flea market and carnival will open until January 6.
In line with the festival, the city police placed the entire city under heightened security alert.
Senior Insp. Davis Dulawan, city police office spokesperson, said they already have a comprehensive security plan to properly secure the lined-up events.
Dulawan said all police units and personnel will be on full deployment during the two-week festival and will be augmented by teams from the Army-led Joint Task Force GenSan civilian volunteers and barangay peacekeeping teams.
