His sentiments were echoed by the province's representative in Manila, Congressman Mauricio Domogan. "It's time to promote the Philippines' relationship and friendship with Taiwan," he said. "We hope to develop ties with Taiwan and would welcome an invitation to establish a sister-city relationship with some municipality there."
But the establishment of such ties may be a long way off. Domogan made a trip to Taiwan years ago during his tenure as mayor of Baguio. Among his top priorities during the few days he spent in the southern part of the island was to search for an appropriate city with which to establish ties.
"I didn't know who to contact," Domogan said, "and I didn't spend enough time there." When asked, neither Domogan nor Vergara could recall having been contacted by officials in Taiwan regarding establishing sister-city ties.
"When I was mayor of Baguio, I hosted three businessmen from Taiwan who came here in search of trade and investment opportunities," Domogan recalled. "I asked them about developing more formal relations ... but they never got back to me."
Lack of focus
The lack of ties is Taiwan's loss. A city like Taipei, where the Spring Flower Tour is now in full swing, would benefit immeasurably from copying some of Baguio City government's preparations. The Taipei City Government is
currently promoting a number of destinations where visitors can tour Taipei's botanical bounty; Ta-an Forest Park, the Shilin Official Residence, the Botanical Gardens and Chungshan Fine Arts Park adjacent Taipei Fine Arts Museum are all on the city's map of must-sees this month. Separately, the Yangmingshan Flower Festival is expected to draw crowds into the hundred-thousands and the Calla Lily Flower Festival will likewise have hordes of weekenders
picking lilies near Bamboo Lake.
But compared with the Panagbenga Festival, the activities in Taipei seem more a matter of happenstance than a comprehensively planned package. Where Baguio has placed the efforts of several organizations, government offices and academic institutions under a central organizing body, Taipei's festivities remain tenuously connected to one another; the Calla Lily Flower Festival is overseen by the Peitou Farmer's Association, and the Taipei Spring Flower Tour is organized by the city government's Bureau of Public Works, Division of Parks and Street Lights. What's more, while the festivals on Yangmingshan and by Bamboo Lake both offer a roster of activities -- such as a bingo game and a children's sketch contest -- there is no overriding event to tie the hodgepodge of festivals together on the same scale as Baguio's weekend of parades and floral floats.
"I don't think anyone has ever thought about organizing one big event and promoting it in other parts of Taiwan, let alone other countries," said one official with the Tourism Bureau under the Ministry of Transportation and Communication. "I imagine they could make a big thing of it if they did."
For his part, Alhambra is willing to offer his expertise. "Send me an official invitation and I can put the trip on my official expense account!" he said.
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