IN CELEBRATION of the Philippine-American Friendship Day, a talk on Influences of the Americans in the Art and Architecture of Baguio City was given by Michael Klecheski, Deputy Chief of Missions of the United States Embassy.

Klecheski recognized military relations of the Philippines and America, adding joint military exercises was conducted by both countries over the decades on July 20 at the Baguio Museum.

“We share our experiences. We learn from your mistakes, you learn from our mistakes. It is the exchange from partners that is extremely important,” Klecheski said.

“In many, many rounds, we do a lot together and the relationship continues to be strong as ever,” Klecheski said, adding the Embassy is willing to provide support to the preservation of the culture and history of the Philippines.

Baguio City Mayor Maurico Domogan recalled the significant historical events of Baguio with the United States, further emphasizing the City was founded by the Americans which makes it important to celebrate and maintain the relations of these two countries.

“We should not get tired of celebrating the friendship of our two countries,” he said. “They have been our teachers in human rights and democracy.”

“Let us treasure these contributions and more importantly do what we can to sustain the coordination with them because for sure this can be a great help in making a relationship to the global village,” Domogan encouraged.

The US had led programs for youth development like the Fulbright scholarship, an exchange student program, influences on culture, architecture, its history and economic ties strengthen the two counties’ relations. (Emma Guillermo, MMSU intern)