by Leonardo Micua
Twenty-six delegates from Takezona High School in Tsukuba, Japan — composed of 24 students and two teachers — received a warm welcome from students of the Dagupan City National High School (DCNHS) during a cultural exchange program held Wednesday morning, March 5.
The welcome ceremony was led by DCNHS principal Dr. Willy U. Guieb together with Supreme Secondary Learner Government (SSLG) President Jhaezmine Garcia. Mayor Belen Fernandez also attended the event and delivered a message of support on behalf of the local government.
“Their visit carries a very meaningful purpose. They are here for cultural exchange, learning, and dialogue about education, culture, and systems that shape our young people. Programs like this allow students to see the world beyond their classrooms,” Mayor Fernandez said.
The mayor underscored the strong ties between Dagupan City and Japan. Among the symbols of this relationship are the Japanese Garden located at Bonuan Tondaligan Ferdinand Blue Beach, the courtesy visit of Japanese business executives on February 6, and the 2024 goodwill visit of Mayor Hiroaki Kusachi and his delegation from Iwata, Japan — Dagupan’s sister city.
Dagupan and Iwata are sister cities since 1975. On February 6 tehis year, a delegation of businessmen, industrialists and bankers from Iwata City were in Dagupan and offered to take in qualified workers from the city, but who must first learn and study Nihongo, the Japanese language.
Fernandez also expressed gratitude to partners from the Caring for the Future Foundation, represented by Misa Kimura, for their vital role in organizing the program.
Activities included classroom observations and group discussions, where both sides shared their respective best practices in education.
At the conclusion of the program, the Japanese delegates announced plans to return next year to further strengthen the partnership between Takezona High School and Dagupan City National High School, and to deepen mutual understanding and friendship among their students.