BAGUIO CITY – Delegations representing the sister cities of Baguio both in the international and local scenes were impressed on the city’s rich history, heritage and culture through the annual staging of the highlights of the Panagbenga as reflected on the dances that were displayed by the participants of the grand streetdancing parade.
Delegates from Gongju and Taebaek cities in South Korea, Vallejo in California and San Antonio in Texas, both in the United States, Hanyu in Japan; Narvacan in Ilocos Sur and San Jose City in Nueva Ecija joined the Pangbenga’s grand streetdancing parade and witnessed the diverse culture and traditions in the city that were performed by the participating streetdancers both in the elementary and festival dance categories.
In-gyu Park, Director of Education and Welfare of Gongju City, said that it was his first time to join the Panagbenga and that he was impressed on the city’s rich heritage and culture through the dances shown by the performers as Baguio and Gongju have similar characteristics having rich history and culture.
He added that Gongju City has its own culture festival being conducted every October and hosts three United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) heritage sites being frequented by foreign tourists annually.
Jinhyug Kang, Director of Construction Department of Taebaek City, South Korea, was also grateful to the local government for inviting the Taebek delegation to attend the Panagbenga festival which he described as a beautiful crowd drawing event featuring the rich culture and history of Baguio and the Cordillera.
He claimed that Taebaek and Baguio have something in common which is good nature and cool climate aside from both having mountainous terrain.
Further, Kang hopes for the expansion of the exchanges between the two cities, prioritizing seasonal workers which had been done in the past to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the sister city relationship between Taebaek and Baguio.
Dinah Villanueva-Ryan, resident emeritus of the Baguio-Vallejo Sister City Committee, wished the local government and the entire Baguio community for the successful staging of the annual Panagbenga and that their visit to the city was in time for the celebration of the 32nd anniversary of the sister city relationship between the two cities.
She noted that the sister city relationship between the two cities has been stronger and vibrant through the years because of the exchanges in various fields that had been done over the past three decades of the relationship and assured that there will be more exchanges that will be done with the new administration of Vallejo.
For his part, former Senator Bill Dadds commended the streetdancing performances of the participating schools during the Panagbenga grand streetdancing parade that reflects the true spirit of being a community that has a bright future because of the unity and cooperation of the people in all their endeavors. Dodds was in the company of the Vallejo delegation that visited the city earlier.
Hanyu, Japan Mayor Komei Kawata recognized the fruitful exchanges that had transpired between the two cities over the past five decades of their sister city relationship that saw numerous individuals to become successful in their respective endeavors.
He expressed hope that there will be more exchanges in terms of education and other professions between Hanyu and Baguio as their sister city relationship gets stronger and better.
Kawata also commended the local government for inviting them in time for the staging of the 29th edition of the Panagbenga that paved the way for them to witness first hand the city’s rich culture and tradition.
San Antonio, Texas Mayor Ron Nirenberg said that the time given to him to visit the city for the second time allowed him to reflect on his Filipino heritage and culture and expressed hope that having found new friends through the other international and local sister cities of Baguio will flourish through the years and will help in addressing the problems of uncertainty in the global arena.
He and the delegation for the Communities Aligning Baguio and San Antonio Texas (CABSAT) conducted various medical missions while in the city as part of enhancing their sister city relationship.
On the other hand, Vice Mayor Alexis Salvador of San Jose City, Nueva Ecija also shared the view of the foreign delegates where the sister city relationship between Baguio and the involved cities will elevate their respective status to a higher level in terms of progress and the shared vision of quality life for their respective constituents.
Narvacan. Ilocos Sur Mayor Pablito Sanidad, Sr. underscored that the sister city relationship between the highly urbanized city and first-class town will definitely mean a lot for both of the involved local governments and that they will continue to nurture the said relationship for thee benefit of their respective constituents.
Narvacan joined the Panagbenga through a float that was part of the grant floral float parade last Sunday.
The participation of the different international and local sister cities to the 29th edition of the Panagbenga was spearheaded by the City Tourism Office under the leadership of Engr. Aloysius C. Mapalo and his able assistant Jose Marie Rivera. By Dexter A. See
