Heritage Month highlights importance of understanding one’s roots

General Santos City cultural and heritage advocates urged both residents and non-residents to “know your roots.”

Eliodoro Alcaya Jr., the tourism officer of the City Economic Management and Cooperative Development Office (CEMCDO), highlighted the significance of understanding one’s roots to truly appreciate the cultural heritage that shapes people’s identity.

He believes that understanding one’s origins fosters deeper ties to the community and promotes sustainable tourism practices.

“We are looking forward to going back to our roots, the legacy of the past, as we move forward to a more progressive Metro Gensan. Knowing your roots is a source of pride, and being called a ‘General’ means something,” he said in a recent press conference for the celebration of the National Heritage Month (NHM) organized by the City Public Information Office at SM City General Santos.

Alcaya explained that the term “General,” a moniker now embraced by all residents of the city, has grown into a brand of unity and identity that stands out among Philippine cities.

He also underscored that heritage programs are not just about remembering the past—they are about grounding the present generation with pride, identity, and connection.

The city, he added, takes pride in being home to settlers and indigenous communities whose contributions form part of Gensan’s living history. These include the Blaans, Moro people, and Christian settlers—collectively referred to as the “Tri-people”—whose harmonious coexistence continues to shape a united and culturally rich General Santos City.

Alcaya also highlighted that the city has been working closely with cultural communities and historical partners to elevate the significance of local heritage.

For Francisco ‘Tito’ Santos, president of The Pioneers–Descendants of General Paulino Santos, remembering is also honoring.

He recalled stories about his grandfather, General Paulino Santos, whose leadership as administrator of the then National Land Settlement Administration (NLSA), humility, and sacrifice left a legacy of community-building in what is now the bustling city of General Santos.

“The settlers named this city after him—not him,” Tito Santos quipped, adding that the general’s devotion to both family and community shaped the pioneering spirit of Gensan.

He also shared that before Santos was recalled to active duty during the war, the general made sure to secure the safety of local settlers and his family, showing how deeply he cared about those he served.

Both Alcaya and Santos emphasized that heritage education is essential to closing the gap between generations.

Through localized historical content, curated exhibits, and school-based activities like quiz bowls, Alcaya and Santos hope to inspire the youth to take pride in their local identity and leadership history.

“Learn more about the life of General Santos, tingnan niyo kung papaano at bakit pinangalan itong lugar na ito sa kanya, anong type of leadership meron siya, papaano niya sinacrifice his love of the country, papaano niya sinacrifice ang buhay niya para sa kapakanan ng mga kasama niya dito, mga settlers na dinala niya rito, at papaano niya inencourage yung mga settlers na mabuhay ng marangal at umasenso sa kanilang sari sariling endeavors,” he expressed.

(Learn more about the life of General Santos. Look into how and why this place was named after him, what kind of leadership he exemplified, how he sacrificed his love of country, and how he gave his life for the welfare of his fellow settlers whom he brought here—and how he encouraged them to live with dignity and thrive in their own endeavors.)

As part of NHM 2025 and General Santos City’s Local History and Heritage Week, the city will host a colorized photo exhibit, a General Paulino Santos Quiz Bowl, and a free heritage tour of Plaza Heneral Santos from May 26–28.

“From pre-NLSA towards the post-NLSA, kung noon po ay purely black and white, this time binuhay po natin. Fully colorized po ‘yung ating mga displays, so that’s really the effort of our pioneers and descendants group. Sa amin naman sa turismo, heritage tour sa Plaza Heneral,” Alcaya said.

(From the pre-NLSA to post-NLSA periods, if before everything was purely in black and white, now we’ve brought them back to life. All our displays are fully colorized—thanks to the effort of our pioneers and descendants. On the part of the tourism office, we’re also holding a heritage tour at Plaza Heneral Santos.)

Alcaya also noted that the city’s local museum is now in its final phase of curation and interior design. Once completed, it will serve as an official space to house and present historical artifacts and curated displays related to General Santos City’s past.

Currently, many pieces of memorabilia belonging to General Paulino Santos are housed at the General Paulino Santos Museum, located at Notre Dame of Dadiangas University. This museum is a regular stop on the city’s cultural and heritage tour circuit.

Aside from the three-day event, both Santos and Alcaya invited the locals to visit the website www.generalpaulinosantos.com and the Facebook page “Alam Mo Na Ngayon” to provide the people with additional information and updates. (HJPF, PIA SarGen)

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