VALLEJO FETES SISTER CITY RELATIONS WITH BAGUIO, OTHER WORLD CITIES IN ANNUAL DINNER AND AUCTION
The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco showed its support to the Vallejo Sister City Association as the latter hosted its 16th Annual Dinner and Auction in Vallejo, California on 24 September 2022. Vallejo Mayor Robert McConnell and Filipino American Vallejo Vice Mayor Rozzana Verder-Aliga also graced the event.
Vallejo currently has sister city relations with Baguio City, which will mark its 30th anniversary in 2023. In his remarks, Vallejo Sister City Association President William Kim announced that his group will undertake a visit to Baguio City in February 2023 in time for the annual Panagbenga Festival.
In his speech, Vice Consul Adrian Baccay turned a spotlight on the history of the Filipino American Community in Vallejo, which dates back to the early 20th century with the opening of well-paying jobs at Vallejo’s Mare Island Naval Shipyard. He also highlighted the history of Baguio City as America’s lone hill station in Asia, and the fact that Vallejo is the only active sister city of Baguio City in the U.S. despite the latter’s American heritage. (Dinah Villanueva-Ryan photos)
