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.
The Kalilangan as the carrier event of the foundation anniversary of General Santos City in essence, is the celebration of the arrival of the first batchers led by then Gen. Paulino Santos and the welcome accorded by the local native residents-the Maguindanaons and B’laan that created a harmonious relationship between them, where we termed as the ‘Salubungan’-the iconic event that would herald the foundation of a place molded with sweat and labor, tempered with dedication and determination to succeed, and sweetened by the good relationship among its Tri-people.
