BAGUIO CITY – Baguio City will host the 25th anniversary celebration of its sisterhood ties with Vallejo, California on July 21-26.
Mayor Mauricio Domogan said various activities topbilled by atwo-day friendly basketball and taekwondo games are being prepared for the 46-man delegation from Vallejo to be led by Vallejo Council Member Rozzana Verdar Aliga and officers of the Vallejo Sister City Association.
The group composed of 26 guests and 20 athletes will be welcomed with a traditional dinner, cultural show and bonfire upon arrival to the City on July 21.
The friendly matches are scheduled on July 23, 1 p.m. at the University of Baguio gym and on July 24, 2:30 pm at the University of the Cordilleras.
The guests will be presented during the flag-raising rites at City hall on July 23 and will undertake a tree-planting activity at Mt. St. Tomas on July 24.
Part of the itinerary will be a swim date at the Asin Hot Spring and tour of the City’s different tourist destinations like the Sister Cities Park at the Botanical Garden, Wright Park, The Mansion, Mines View Park, Camp John Hay, BenCab Museum, Tam-awan Village and Easter Weaving Room.
Vallejo is one of Baguio’s most active sister cities abroad.
The twinning forged in 1993 resulted to various exchange programs and visits from both parties.
The sisterhood idea was broached by members of Vallejo’s active Philippine-American community in 1989 and was presented to the Sister City Commission by Dinah Villanueva who also in 1993 convinced the Baguio City Council to reaffirm their interest by formal vote on February 10, 1993 (Resolution No. 096, Series of 1993).
On May 25, 1993, the matter came before Mayor Tony Intintoli and the City Council where, after presentations by Association President David Lindquest, Commission Chair Robert Sather, Lori Mabolo, Remi Aquitania, and Felino Ayson the Council formally entered a sister city relationship with Baguio (Resolution No. 93-250 N.C.). **Aileen P. Refuerzo
