Consul General Arnel G. Talisayon (2nd from right) with the Vallejo Sister City Association on the occasion of its 20th Annual Sister Cities International Dinner, Dance & Auction (San Francisco PCG photo)
Vallejo, California – The Vallejo Sister City Association celebrated its 20th Annual Sister Cities International Dinner, Dance & Auction at the Filipino Community Center in Vallejo on 12 September 2026.
Hosted by Ms. Nairobi Kenya and Mr. Pelton Stewart, chair of the Annual International Dinner, Dance & Auction of the Vallejo Sister City Commission, the celebration also marked the 33rd anniversary of the sister-city relationship between Vallejo, California and Bagamoyo, Tanzania.
The City of Vallejo currently has seven (7) sister cities:
- Trondheim, Norway — established in 1961
- Akashi, Japan — established in 1968
- La Spezia, Italy — established in 1986
- Baguio City, Philippines — established in 1993
- Bagamoyo, Tanzania — established in 1993
- Jincheon, South Korea — established in 2001
- Ensenada, Mexico — established in 2024
Vallejo also maintains friendship-city relationships with Muju, South Korea; Rota Island in the Mariana Islands; and Parun, Afghanistan.
The annual celebration featured regional cuisines representing Vallejo’s sister cities, highlighting the diversity and cultural traditions shared through the international relationships.
The program also included cultural performances associated with Bagamoyo, Tanzania, performed by Fuji and Imee Barbadillo.
An auction featuring cultural items was held during the celebration. Proceeds will help support efforts to strengthen Vallejo’s relationships with its sister cities and promote cultural and educational exchanges, as well as humanitarian projects.
Through its sister-city relationships, Vallejo continues to foster international friendship and people-to-people connections while creating opportunities for cultural understanding, educational cooperation, and community engagement.END
Fuji and Imee Barbadillo performing a Tanzanian traditional dance during the program (San Francisco PCG photo)
Members of the Filipino American community in Solano County showcase their talents on the dance floor during the Vallejo Sister City Association’s 20th Annual Sister Cities International Dinner, Dance & Auction (San Francisco PCG photo)