The University of Baguio (UB) celebrated twenty-seven (27) years of friendship alongside the City of Baguio at the historic twinning celebration commemorating the strong friendship and collaboration between the City of Vaughan and the university’s hometown.
Organized by the Filipino Canadian Association of Vaughan (FCAV), the event is a commemoration of the Friendship Agreement between both cities, celebrating almost three decades of partnership that has nurtured countless opportunities for social, cultural, and educational exchange between the two cities.
First established in 1997, the partnership between the two cities served as a means to facilitate cultural exchange and mutual support between the two communities. Since then, it has fostered a strong bond between the two cities, strengthening the ties between the Filipino-Canadians of Vaughan City and their roots in the Philippines.
The event saw dignitaries from both cities in attendance, including a delegation headed by Honorable Mayor Benjamin Magalong and members of the Cordillera community. The University of Baguio was also represented by Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) Dr. Janice Kaylyn Lonogan and Linkages Office Director Ms. Melanie Rulla-Saro, signifying the university’s role in promoting friendship and camaraderie among the members of both communities.
In February of 2023, the university established a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the University of Niagara in Ontario geared towards supporting faculty and educational exchanges. The MOU solidified UB’s role as a partner to the City of Vaughan, reinforcing its position as an exceptional educational center that can bolster learning opportunities for both local and international students alike.
The night was filled with joyous festivities and even featured a special presentation from the Ontario-based BIBAK Performing Arts Group. Composed of members of the Indigenous peoples groups of the Cordillera Region (Benguet, Ifugao, Bontok, Apayao, and Kalinga), their presentation was a celebration of Cordilleran culture and promoted a greater awareness and appreciation for Indigenous Filipino culture in Canada.
The University of Baguio is honored to have had the opportunity to participate in such a momentous event. May there be more years of collaboration to come!
