From Binalonan to Brussels: Guico strengthens ties with Belgian sister municipality

Mayor Ramon V. Guico III together with other delegates traveled to Brussels, Belgium on official business from Oct. 2-7 to strengthen the relationship between Binalonan and the Municipality of Saint Josse-Ten-Noode.

Celebrating its 6th Place Puor Tous, San Jose Deputy Mayor Eric Jassin welcomed Binalonan delegates as guest of honor.

Delegation

With the mayor were his wife Maan, mother of the mayor-Arlene, Vice Mayor Melicio Patague II and his wife Joyce, Municipal Councilors Josephine Caburnay and her husband Engineer Frederick Caburnay, Carl Joseph Patawaran, Noel Apolinario Bautista, Municipal Local Government Operations Officer Norman Ramos, Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator Elizabeth Aquino and her husband DepEd Curriculum Implementation Division Chief Cornelio Aquino, Sangguniang Bayan Secretary Janet Flores, University of Eastern Pangasinan President Evelyn Abalos, and Municipal Tourism Coordinator Angelica Peregrino.

Also in the 21-man delegation were sculptors and painters Victor Secuya and Celia Echavarria, an educator, singer, musician and a video artist.

Activities

The Binalonan team had a meeting with Belgian officials focusing on financial support, proposed projects and activities to be done during the visit of the Belgians to Binalonan in 2019.

Furthermore, Belgian leaders had a glimpse of Binalonan culture and arts thru an exhibit featuring pictures depicting the locality in various aspects.

Filipino artists Aris Bagtas and Dale Bagtas as well as Victor Scuya and Celia Echavarria were invited and displayed their artworks showing Filipino culture.

A film showing of the 2017 MMFF Best Picture “Ang Larawan” was held with the presence of the movie’s lead star, singer Celeste Legaspi. Fortunata Tenioso and Anne Marie Tuvera also rendered performances during the cocktails in the exhibit.

A literary encounter led by Angelica Peregrino and Veronica Sison highlighted the life and times of Pangasinan’s literary hero, Carlos Sampayan Bulosan.

To the delight of the Filipino immigrants, the Binalonan delegates joined a bazaar and sold Filipino products. Selected members of the delegation also danced a couple of Pangasinan folk dances.

A cooking demo featuring fresh lumpia and chicken adobo was conducted for 20 Moroccan women by Filipino chef Vic Yutuc assisted by UEP president Evelyn Abalos, Engineer Elizabeth Aquino and Paul dela Paz.

Fundraising activities were also held and attended in by Belgian delegates for the benefit of Binalonan.

Side Trip

Taking advantage of the chance, the group visited some of the famous places such as the Interactive Museum with its extensive data, that enables visitors to know more about Brussels. The group also visited Notre Dame of the Sabion, a Catholic church built in the 15th century with its Gothic interior and exterior decorations and high baroque sculpture and architecture. The delegates also had a great time at the Train World, a railway museum in Belgium.

After their official trip to Brussels, Belgium, the delegates had side trips to some parts of Europe like Italy, Spain, Netherlands, and Prague.

As a sister municipality of Binalonan, Saint Josse-Ten-Noode continues to be a strong partner of Binalonan towards progress with its best practices in resource management.