UNION CITY – Philippine Consul General to San Francisco Neil Frank Ferrer joined Union City’s 18th Annual Sister City Festival with the theme “Peace through Friendship” on August 20, 2023 at the Mark Green Sports Center in Union City.
In his remarks, Consul General Ferrer highlighted the two sister cities of Union City in the Philippines, namely Pasay City and Baybay City, Leyte, and invited the more than 200 attendees to visit these two cities. He thanked the officials from both cities who traveled all the way from the Philippines to join the festival. The 20-member delegation from Pasay City was led by Mayor Imelda “Emi” Calixto-Rubiano while Baybay City was represented by Councilors Atty. Rommel Peñaranda, Ramon Ronald Veloso, and Filemon Avila.
The Consul General also highlighted the huge Filipino American community in Union City and their notable contributions. He noted the Itliong Vera Cruz Middle School (formerly Alvarado School) in Union City, renamed in 2015 to honor the activism, labor, and lives of farm workers Larry Itliong and Philip Vera Cruz, who are important figures in Filipino American history. Furthermore, he expressed pride for the Filipino Americans in Union City who previously served in the City Council and New Haven Unified School District, including Jim Navarro, Pat Gacoscos, and Linda Canlas.
Mabuhay Folkloric Society, Kalikasan Dance Troupe and ABSU Dancers performed Philippine dances during the program.
(PCGSF Release)
