VAUGHN, Ontario, Canada- It was cloud nine at the gala celebration of Baguio and Vaughan, Canada?s tenth year as Sister Cities.

At Vaughan's Premier Banquet Hall on October 26, the "City above Toronto"- as Vaughan is described in its promotional campaigns - warmly welcomed the Team from the Philippine City "Above the Clouds," as Baguio was named for the occasion.

Organized by the Filipino-Canadian Association of Vaughan (FCAV), the 10th anniversary was ?a tremendous milestone and a suitable time for rededication,? said FCAV president Linda Insigne.

Despite obstructions and distractions along the way, much has been accomplished since the Friendship Agreement was signed in October, 1997 through FCAV initiative and perseverance. Many original signatories have moved on, but neither passion nor enthusiasm has waned, instead heightening in those that took over, Insigne said.

For one, Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr., head of the Baguio delegation who flew to Canada for the event, was vice mayor when the agreement was signed. He said that many cultural, economic development and educational exchanges in the past decade have greatly benefited both cities. Now mayor, he pledged more projects and continued support for the program, "Through our tireless efforts we can turn this dream into an even greater reality," he declared.

In turn, the mayor who signed the Agreement is now congressman for the Baguio Legislative District. Congressman Mauricio Domogan could not be with the visiting team, but was equally supportive. In a message read by his wife Rebecca, he expressed pride that ?efforts on both sides have blossomed into a lasting friendship that conquers geographical distance and differences in culture."

Citing the FCAV for its zeal and leadership, Domogan urged everyone to "remain active in ensuring that the friendship between the two communities will continue to flourish."

Meanwhile, the councilor who authored the agreement for Baguio has been retired for years but is still very much a part of the activities. Even when he moved on to become city secretary then city administrator, Virgilio Bautista occasionally made the trip to Canada to be in the celebrations.

This year?s milestone celebration was not to be missed, so he came again and saw how the dream he helped put together has been so successful. "The Vaughan-Baguio Twinning was the best example there is for twinning cities. There?s sustained interest, and also a committed catalyst group (FCAV) that keeps it going," he said.

Baguio has other active sister cities? Hangzhou in China, Hanyu in Japan, Kizlovotz in Russia, Vallejo and Oxnaro in California, Chicago, Honolulu and Yellowknife in Canada. "But there is nothing that comes close to what we have in Vaughan," Virgilio Bautista added.

The original signatories for Vaughan, who traveled to Baguio for the inauguration of the Twinning Agreement, have also moved on. Mayor Lorna Jackson has since passed to the great beyond. Michael Di Biase, who was Regional Councilor then, later taking over as Mayor, has since been out of politics.

New faces have taken over. Attending the gala with their spouses were Regional Councilors Mario Ferri and Gino Rosati (also both representing the current Mayor Linda Jackson who is on medical leave), Councilors Alan Shepman and Member of Provincial Parliament Mario Racco.Sandra Racco, area Member of Parliament Susan Kadis and former.

Also well represented was the York Catholic District School Board, a strong supporter of the city in promoting the agreement. Present with their spouses were Vaughan Trustees Teresa Ciaravella and Victor Schiralli, Markham Trustee Marlene Mogado, Superintendent Mary Cosentino (as principal, she chaperoned a student exchange team to Baguio and Naga Cities in the Philippines in 2000), Principal Cathy Rosenberger (who hosted the Baguio team?s tour of her St. Elizabeth Catholic High School) and retired Principal Lita Bruneau.

Accompanying Mayor Bautista on this trip was his wife Joy, his personal secretary and wife, Congressman Domogan?s wife Becky and daughter Jillian, and Councilor Tony Tabora Jr.

The Baguio team?s four-day visit was hectic but fun-filled for young Jillian Domogan. They have been to the best schools, businesses, shopping and points of interest in Vaughan, Niagara and Toronto ? meeting many local groups from the Cordilleras. When asked what she liked best about the experience, Jillian, a well-trained politician?s daughter, said it was "the friendly people."

The Baguio mayor's secretary Jay Co is already musing on how the new name "Philippine City above the Clouds" will fit into the forthcoming year long Centennial celebrations on September 2009.

Baguio has other honorifics - "City of Pines," "Summer Capital of the Philippines," "Garden City", "Educational Center of the North," "Regional Administrative Center of the Cordilleras," "The President's Home North of Manila" and lately, the recipients of the Presidential "2007 Best City Police Office Award." There will be another one soon, the acronym BLISS, when surrounding communities are amalgamated into Metro Baguio for its centennial celebrations.

"But my personal favorite is still 'Cool City,' the name by which Baguio is known by everybody," said Mr. Co.

As compliments were heaped on the FCAV for the milestone celebration, Linda Insigne admitted that the twinning has been a blessing. The first of its kind in Ontario, signed by both the national governments of Canada and the Philippines, it has given visibility to the Filipino community in Vaughan and earned them respect from fellow Canadians.

The friendship has also translated into many good projects, says Insigne. For one, Filipinos are now able to celebrate Philippine Independence and Filipino Day, raising the Philippine Flag at the Vaughan Civic Center. There too are community center facilities for FCAV at the Patricia Kemp building with a grant of $62 thousand; a charity number granted by the Canada Revenue Agency; educational exchanges in 2000 and 2001; a permanent display of Baguio products in a display case at the Civic Center; a roadside sign installed at the intersection of Dufferin and Steeles proclaiming the sisterhood of Vaughan and Baguio; and a 25th Anniversary Award from the Ontario Trillium Foundation for all the hard work.

Other officers of FCAV are Vice President Gloria Pasildo, Secretary Lily Miranda, Asst. Secretary Leony Mercurio, Treasurer Mina Benesa, Asst. Treasurer Calixta Oreal, Auditor Ramon Canave, PROs Bernie Florendo and Hector Valentin, Sgt. At Arms Jessie Fernandez and Danny Dapapa, Board Chair Ricky Amor, Directors Evelyn Martin, Rosalinda Florendo, Joshue Coniega, Elie Canido, Nancy Martin, Mila Colis, Johnson Aben, and Frances Jose. Advisers are Roy Sumabat, Chris Insigne, Vicky Ramos, Isauro Gonzales, Simon Simangan, Imre Kosanji and Linda Downer.

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