“In nature, light creates the color. In the picture, color creates the light” - Hans Hofmann

This year’s Tuna Festival centered on the Mardi Gras backdrop aimed to create light and color.  Like the Mardi Gras, the Festival was celebrated with lively and colorful decors as well as breathtaking parade of costumes in float and streetdancing.

The vibrant colors and textures of Mardi Gras illustrated the vivid colors of the ocean and its marine life as the theme of this year’s Tuna Festival pays tribute to the diversity of ocean and the richness of its fauna and flora.

This year’s Tuna Festival was symbolic as it celebrated the 50th cityhood year of Gensan;  it was a grand and glorious celebration of the city emerging victorious despite the many challenges it faced.  The city is envisioned to be Metro Gensan  with the focused development of its emerging urban centers and the exponential growth of its commercial and industrial estates.

Also, this year’s Tuna Festival likewise celebrated the economic milestones of the city and its industries.  It showcased the solidarity of the Generals towards a common goal, their festiveness in celebrating shared victories and their hospitality in embracing tourists, migrants and investors to the city.

            The highlight of the Festival was from September 1-5 with the much anticipated Parade of Floats kicking off the official opening.  The city was filled with colors, lights and the energetic vibe of the spectators was heartfelt; the Generals gathered along the streets to witness the parade.

           The Opening Ceremony was graced with the local officials, other important guests including Taiwanese Ambassador  Michael Hsu.  The keynote speaker, USEC Art Boncato, Jr.  represented DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat cited the tourism potentials of the Region and outline the Department’s tourism agenda and ongoing initiatives.

Other main events are the FishFest sa Fish Port which is on its 17^th Year,  the 3^rd Sugbahan sa Dalan, Tunafest Bancarera,  Mr. & Ms. Tourism and the Festival closer,  the TunaFest Mardi Gras Streetdancing Competition. 

The Tunafest Bancarera  jumped start the final day of the highlight activities with the Strteetdancing Competion in the afternoon followed by the Closing Ceremony.  Mayor Ronnel Rivera delivered his message of thanks to the organizers and the men and women behind the Tuna Festival for supporting the Festival amid security challenges.  He especially thanked the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority who have been the LGU’s partner in organizing the Tuna Festival since 2012.

The Closing, like the Opening Ceremony, lit up the skies of Gensan with pyrotechnic show of multi colored fireworks: a final salvo of breathtaking aerial display of lights and colors!

BY:  Fritzie V. LevisteGSFPC, PID Correspondent