The Spirit of the Tuna Festival at GenSan’s Malls
I have been shuttling back and forth between GenSan’s two malls for the past few days owing to the different events being held there.
Last Saturday and Sunday, Gaisano Mall of GenSan played host to the elimination round of the Fishdance Mindanao Showdown and the Talent Night of Ms. GenSan 2008.
On the other side of the street at KCC Mall, the Karagatan Awards Gabi ng Parangal unfolded on Sunday.
Today, Monday, September 1, KCC started ahead at 10am with the MINI-SKILLS OLYMPICS at its ground floor. At 3pm, it was Gaisano’s turn to formally open the week-long CULINARY FESTIVAL at the Atrium again.
Through all those times, I couldn’t help but notice how both malls were doing in terms of MERCHANDISING or in DRESSING-UP their turfs since the week-long Tuna Festival in commemoration of GenSan’s 40th Charterhood Day has just begun.
If you go around the compound of Gaisano, you will see a lot of vertical tarpauline banners attached to its outdoor lamp posts announcing its mall shows- from Fishdance to the Bodyfest Modelling Competition, from Ms. Gensan Finals to the Culinary Fest, down to its very own Little Ms. Gensan.
And when you enter the mall, what will greet you at their large atrium are tuna mock-ups hanging from the ceiling, accentuated by yards and yards of sea-blue cloth producing a “hanging aquarium” feel to it.
The picture above was taken at the atrium of Gaisano, their main activity area where a huge stage was built in the center for the Tuna Fest events. Take note of the hanging tuna on top. (Please click on the picture for a larger view.)
Now, below is the shot I took of KCC Mall Sunday afternoon yesterday when the Karagatan Awards was ongoing at their Convention and Events Center at the 3rd level. Tell me, what is wrong with this picture? (Click on it for a large view.)
Nothing, except that It is too bare that one would think that it is just another ordinary regular day inside the mall. There is no sign of festivity, no decoration, or no tuna mock-up indicating that KCC Mall is joining the city in celebrating its 10th Tuna Festival.
And to think that tomorrow, September 2nd, KCC will again play host to the Tuna Congress and the Tuna Congress Exhibit which will be participated in by people from all over the world!?!
Well oh well…. I just hope the Mall Management would do something soon about what appears to be this seemingly lack of affinity with the community to where they belong. I hope that they act fast before people would start thinking that this is a blatant disregard for the city’s well-loved festivals.
It’s not yet too late for them to catch up, or is it? Tsk…. tsk….tsk….
Related posts:
- 1st Nokia Store in South Central Mindanao opens in GenSan
- GenSan is 3rd Mindanao city to host National Book Store
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Bariles is a Filipino word for “Tuna”, the primary source of income of the people of General Santos City which hosts 6 of the Philippines’ 8 tuna canneries and more than 80% of its tuna processing plants.
Nate Marx Says:
At least its safer to conduct these events sa mga malls and at the same time free from rain. . . And prolly more people will be able to see the displays and exhibits. I was able to go home when Gaisano almost closed kanina… Its a great venue for a street magician, nonetheless I was able to meet amateur street magicians there too.
Sir Avel, can you give me more details on the Tuna exhibit in KCC tomorrow? San xa banda i held sa may Convention Center or just along the halls of KCC? Thanks!!!
Nate Marx
natemarx.wordpress.com
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Posted on September 2nd, 2008 at 1:06 AM
Toinks Says:
ang ganda ng props ng Gaisano mall!! indeed para kang nasa lood ng isang higanteng acquarium na may maraming tuna!:-) Congrats sa artist/s nito & to the mgt. of Gaisano Mall of Gensan! Good Job! Keep it up!
Posted on September 2nd, 2008 at 9:59 AM
jm_21052000 Says:
uhmmmm, baka naman nagtitipid po Mr. Avel… nagiipon kc paating na robinsons mall, hehehe
tst, tsk, tsk… kelangan na talaga ng mga additional malls like SM and Robinsons… anyway, kamusta na po SM?
Posted on September 2nd, 2008 at 7:10 PM
jermain Says:
hahaha for KCC what happen for them…Pikon ba sila na parating na ang Robinssion & SM….
Posted on September 2nd, 2008 at 9:36 PM
Jinky Says:
ha ha ha, I’ll e-mail this article to Mr. Rey Chiang for their reference ba. . .
I hope they’ll gonna do somethin’ ’bout this. . .
Posted on September 3rd, 2008 at 10:43 AM
J a M Says:
wow looks like the tune festival this year is really fun and exciting!
sana next year gawing contest na sa mga malls yan, kahit fitmart sali din, hehehe =)
ja ne!
Posted on September 3rd, 2008 at 11:50 AM
Toinks Says:
@J a M – Nakup huwag kang paka-IMPAKTO ha!…it is TUNA FESTIVAL! (you say thy name!) at hindi tune festival…’sagad ka lang…tuli-on taka karon. lol
Posted on September 3rd, 2008 at 7:47 PM
Toinks Says:
indeed! super fantastic ang visual decors ng Gaisano Mall of Gensan!
Posted on September 3rd, 2008 at 7:48 PM
Carlo V. Says:
I agree, the kcc mall is somewhat bare during this 10th tuna congress. well, they have their own reasons for doin’ so and we are privy to that. andami pa namang bisita….who knows next year they might pull it off with extravagance!
Posted on September 4th, 2008 at 8:56 AM
therese86 Says:
can’t wait for Robinson’s na
hope it has a bowling center… hehehe! just for the sake of having something new 
Posted on September 6th, 2008 at 10:10 AM
orman Says:
in fairness to kcc management, their support to the city has never been wanting since day 1. when they decided to build that 12million convention hall, their main motive was to provide a venue for big events and activities which have been a problem for so long. for this alone, kcc ranks up high in the pedestal of supportive enterprises. as to dressing up of the malls, i look at this piece as a constructive criticism which aims to challenge the visual artists of the two malls on how to make their respective areas festive and attractive.
Posted on September 6th, 2008 at 12:19 PM
Newbie ekek Says:
lets not put a huge weight on the shoulders of KCC. busy kasi talaga sila for their SUPERMARKET ek ek.
i think Gaisano Mall really step up for this Fiestival. they hosted alot of event including “FLOWER HORN SHOW” (tropical fish show), and the CAR SHOW which is open till midnight of FRIDAY and SATURDAY.
Oh! and most of all the CUTie MUNTING MUTYA ng Gensan… (funny show)
And lest also give thanks to all the sponsor and event organizer for these wonderful events
Posted on September 12th, 2008 at 8:16 AM