There is a truism that says a person can be taken away from the country, but not the country from the person.
Filipinos are no exception as attested by their excitement at cultural shows. They consider cultural presentations as a reminder of their roots, their identity, an occasion to bond with each other and an opportunity to get acquainted with new friends or re-acquainted with old ones.
In 1985 after the successful production of Kasiyahan ’85 at Gateway Theatre in Richmond directed by Annie Jalac Miles, Tomas Pagalilauan, an engineer from the Philippines fondly called Manong Tom approached Annie J Miles. He asked her what she thought about having a sister city, particularly as a sisterhood between Quezon City and New Westminster. One of the strong resemblances for the choice was they were both first capital city in their respective country. Opinions of selected community leaders were also asked. The responses were similar – a great idea but would require an enormous amount of work.
The following year at Expo ’86 in Vancouver, Mayor Betty Toporoski of New Westminster and Tom Pagalilauan watched the “Ubusan Dance Troupe” perform at the Asean Pavillion.
Impressed by the dancing skills and grace of the group, she expressed her interest in visiting the Philippines where the dancers originated. The idea of establishing a sisterhood was reborn. This interest inspired Tom Pagalilauan to pursue with renewed vigor his dream to establish a sisterhood. Tirelessly he met with the New Westminster and Quezon City councils and community leaders discussing the merits and of advantages of having a sister city.
After five years of shuttling between city councils and meeting with community leaders in New Westminster and Metro Vancouver, his handwork paid off.
On June 17, 1991 the Memorandum of Agreement confirming the sister cities relationship was signed by Mayor Betty Toporoski of New Westminster and Mayor Brigido Simon Jr of Quezon City. Witnesses to the signing were councilors Wilhelmina Sarino and Jorge Banal of Quezon City and Tom Pagalilauan, President, Pilipino-Canadian Grandparents and Rizalina Achanzar, President, Circlo Cagayano of New Westminster.
The objectives of the Sisterhood are:
- to help and cooperate in advancing the cause to propagate world peace and understanding;
- to redound to the advancement of the cause of international goodwill and friendship;
- to bring into fruition the immense benefits of people to people activities by way of friendly exchanges in diverse governmental, educational, scientific, civic as well as commercial endeavors;
- affixing the 2 cities’ mayors’ signature firmly binds their respective cities as sister-cities with its inner commitments, duties and obligations.
Since the signing of the sisterhood, the following events had transpired:
- Exchange visit of City Street Kids in 1993.
- Visit of Mayor Helen Sparkes to Quezon City with her delegation in 1998 to attend Quezon City’s Foundation Day.
- A visit by Dr. Endrega, Quezon City treasurer to New Westminster to attend the Hyack Festival.
- Councilor Lorrie Williams of New Westminster City visit to Quezon City in 2003 after attending the International Boy Scout Jamboree held in the Philippines.
- Visit of 25 member delegation headed by Wayne Wright as special guests to the 65th Anniversary of Quezon City’s Foundation.
- Three Quezon City councilors visit to New Westminster as special guests to the 150th anniversary celebration of its foundation.
- Mayor Herbert Bautista and 5 Department heads visit to New Westminster in 2013. During this visit Mayor Bautista and Mayor Wright also signed the re-affirmation of the two cities’ sister relationship on February 2013.
Next year, on June 17, 2016, this sisterhood relationship will be 25 years old. It is a milestone. Members of councils of both cities are excited to make this celebration something special.
