06 February 2014 – Deputy Consul General Imelda Panolong and Cultural Officer Wilma Bautista from the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles attended on January 29 a reception celebrating the National and International Winners of the Sister Cities International’s Young Authors and Artists Showcase 2013 and the launching of the exhibit which is touring various cities in the United States US) for a year.

This exhibit comes from Sister Cities International (SCI) in Washington, D.C., in conjunction with its Young Authors and Artists Showcase, which is part of SCI’s annual youth programming.  It features the 2013 winners and finalists from around the globe, submitted by Sister City organizations from all over the US and their international sister cities.  Grand prize winners received US$1,000-prize money and were recognized at SCI’s Annual Conference.

This is the first time Santa Clarita is hosting this exhibit, highlighting the artwork of Charmaine Agawin from Santa Clarita’s Sister City in Sariaya, Quezon, which was chosen as one of five international finalists in the artwork category and the City’s very own Ashley Choi, the 2013 Young Authors Showcase Grand Prize Winner in the essay category.

In her remarks, Deputy Consul General Panolong said that the works of the participants captured the essence of the Showcase’s theme which is “The Power of Exchange”. 

“People-to-people exchange, when done with the best of intentions, eventually results in enlightenment and a better understanding of the plight of our fellowmen,” she noted. END