BAGUIO CITY – The San Antonio, Texas and Baguio City Friendship Garden was officially inaugurated at Baguio Botanical Garden recently marking a milestone in their nearly two-year partnership.
The unveiling of a giant pair of cowboy boots, a replica of the “World’s Largest Cowboy Boots,” in San Antonio demonstrates Baguio’s commitment to building cultural and economic ties with international partners.
Congressman Mark Go, Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong, and San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg led the unveiling, joined by Communities Aligning Baguio and San Antonio Texas (CABSAT) President Melinda Rodriguez, San Antonio Parks and Recreation Director Homer Garcia III, and Baguio Tourism Officer Alec Mapalo.
Homer Garcia III emphasized the importance of parks and green spaces, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. “When you reflect on the sister city relationship, we have common ground in that. Regardless of where you lived during the pandemic, people were seeking parks, green space, natural area settings. So, that was one space to be outside, and be physically distant.”
He added that aside from its recreational benefits, the garden also paves the way for international connections. “If it were not for the sister city [partnership] and San Antonio, Texas, garden, I would not be here. So, it enables communities to connect with each other and there’s certainly tourism benefits from that as well.”
Baguio and San Antonio officially became sister cities after a formal signing on July 13, 2023, at Camp John Hay. Since then, joint initiatives in education, medicine, and cultural exchange have been launched.
“We have chefs from here go to San Antonio and then we also have nursing students from San Antonio UT health science center nurses come here,” Melinda Rodriguez said. “The goal is really an exchange and just to make sure that the cities are flourishing together.”
With this new attraction, locals and tourists can now get a glimpse of San Antonio in the City of Pines, reminding us that distance is no barrier to fostering international relationships. By Julianna Mallari
