Last October 28-30, 2010, Mayor Annabelle C. Tangson attended the Regional Conference on Sisterhood and Town Twining in Casa de Illustrados, Daet Heritage Center, Daet, Camarines Norte. As National President of PHISTA (Philippine International Sisterhood and Twinning Association) Hon. Annabelle C. Tangson was one of the resource speaker in the said conference who talked about “Sisterhood and Town Twinning: Its History and Importance to Governance”. PHISTA was organized to take the lead in the advocacy and establishment of sister-city or town-twinning relationships. Among her co-speakers were Hon. Jesse M. Robredo (DILG Secretary) keynote speaker, Mr. Willy E. Arcilla (President of Business Mentors, Inc.) who tackled about “Marketing your Town” and Dr. Ruth Uy Asmundson (Mayor of Davis CA) discussed the “International Cities Cooperation”. This conference was organized by the Local Government of Daet headed by Mayor Tito Sarte Sarlon and Daet Sister City Council in cooperation with PHISTA, Department of Interior & Local Government, Department of Trade & Industry, Technology & Livelihood Development Center and North link Events & Travel Services.

Hon. Annabelle C. Tangson with all the participating Municipal Mayors in the Conference.

Mayor Annabelle C. Tangson during her speech on “Sisterhood and Town Twinning: It’s History and Importance to Governance”. From left (front): Mayor Ruth Asmundson, Director Blandino Maceda, Sec. Jesse Robredo, Gov. Egay Tallado and Mayor Tito Sarion.

Resource speakers including our Hon. Annabelle C. Tangson with Sec. Jesse Robredo and Gov. Tallado receiving their Certificate of Recognition and Pili seedlings.

Mayor Annabelle C. Tangson with Mayor Tito Sarion and the male members of the Sangguniang Bayan of Daet, Camarines Norte.

The First Asia Pacific Business Partnership Conference was held last November 12 to 14, 2009 at the Fiesta Resort Guam, Tumon, Guam with the theme “Linking the Possibilities…”

The Conference was participated in by the Philippines International Sisterhood and Twinning Association (PHISTA), Association of Pacific Island Local Governments (APILG) members, as well as potential partners, who wish to promote international exchange and cooperation in the areas of trade and investment. Members of partner organizations such as, the Korea Local Authorities Foundation for International Relations (KLAFIR) and the Japan Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR) also present in the said conference.

Shown on the picture above, Mayor Abel is with Mayor Paul M. McDonald (APILG President and Agana Heights, Guam Mayor), Mayor Carol Takayama (President of Mayors Council of Guam) and Mr. Shin, Jeong-Owan (KLAFIR President and Guest Speaker of the Conference).

The conference objective is to promote and sustain friendship, goodwill and understanding among participating local authorities, including non-governmental and business organizations, with interest to have sister city or twinning projects, towards exploring possible partnerships in the area of trade and investment. It is also to provide a venue for showcasing existing initiatives, projects, achievements and experiences on international exchange and cooperation, particularly in the area of trade and investment.

During the 3 day conference, there were opening of trade fair and exhibits, welcome reception with cultural presentations as well as sessions on exploring opportunities for business partnerships. The Dimalangat Art Group from the Province of Aurora represented by Noli Guererro participated in the said exhibit. Topics include during the conference were The Guam Military Build-Up as the Main Engine for Economic Growth, Presented by Honorable Eddie B. Calvo; Senator, 30th Guam Legislature, Minority Leader, The Construction Industry as a Major Contributor to Guam’s Economic Expansion, discussed by Mr. John Roberson; Board Member, Guam Contractor’s Association Chairman, Guam Contractor’s Trades Academy, President- Am Orient Contracting, Best Practices Showcase on Trade and Investments (Experiences Sharing by Local Government of Guam and the Philippines), by Honorable Tina Muna-Barnes; Senator, 30th Guam Legislature (Committee on Municipal Affairs, Aviation, Housing & Recreation),Atty. Adolfo Nabor; California Licensed Immigration Attorney and Mary Carmen R. Madrid-Crost; Attorney-At-Law, discussed about the US Immigration And Citizenship and Mr. Jackie Perez; Realtor, REMAX lead the Matching Business Partners Session.

During her address, Mayor Abel recognizes the fact that through PHISTA and APILG, Guam and Philippines made a pact to merge both strengths and resources with the end in view of improving the lives of our people. And though there are strengths and weaknesses, she also said that the real potentials and opportunities beyond border unless we take advantage of this rare opportunity to discover each other and know more about each other better.

The First Asia Pacific Business Partnership Conference was organized by the Philippines International Sisterhood and Twinning Association (PHISTA) headed by Mayor Annabelle C. Tangson (PHISTA President and APILG Secretary) in partnership with the Association of Pacific Island Local Government (APILG) led by Mayor Paul M. McDonald- APILG President.

Mayor Abel together with the APILG and KLAFIR officials

Participants of the First Asia Pacific Business Partnership Conference

Signing of Sisterhood Agreement between the Municipality of Sta. Maria, Laguna
and Agana Heights, Guam

Atty. Adolfo Nabor during his lecture on US Immigration and Citizenship

Mayor Tangson together with the President of Provincial Board Members League of the Philippines and Guam Senator Tina Muna-Barnes .

President Gloria-Macapagal-Arroyo witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Philippines International Sisterhood and Twinning Association (PHISTA) and Korea Local Authorities Foundationheld at the Emerald Room, Lotte Hotel Seoul, South Korea on May 31, 2009. PHISTA was represented by its President, San Luis, Aurora Mayor Annabelle C. Tangson while the Korea Local Authorities Foundation was represented by its President, Mr. Shin Jung-Wan. The youtube video above features highlights of the MOU signing. The signing of the MOU starts at 0:24 of the video.