To pave way for the delegations coming to the U.S.A., John Ryan Largo HDI Chairperson and Ian Jon Mendoza, Youth Ambassador of the Call to Save the Mountains of the World departed for the U.S. on May 6, 2005. The delegation comprising of representatives from the City of Kidapawan headed by Mayor Rodolfo Gantuangco and his wife Shiela , and Councilor Joseph Evangelista; the Mount Apo Foundation, Inc., represented by Ermelo Libre, its Executive Director and Datu Eduardo Banda of the Cotabato Tribal Consultative Council arrived on May 11, 2006 where they were welcomed by Thelma Boac, HDI Country Executive Director and the Principal of the Villa Independence High School, and Ben Menor, CEO and President of the Filipino-American Development Council Tony Siguig Northside Community Center at San Jose, California.
The group was brought to the Community Center at San Jose for the welcome reception tendered by the Filipino-American Development Council Board of Directors and Ben Menor. In the days that followed, Ben and some of its senior citizens toured the group at Stanford University, the Silicon Valley, downtown San Jose and other places of interest. The group visited Mayor Joe Esteves of the City of Milpitas who handed the key of the City to Mayor Rodolfo Gantuangco in behalf of the delegates. Mendoza presented his report on the Call to Save the Mountains of the World that was followed by talks on partnership and sisterhood agreement between the City of Milpitas and Kidapawan. Likewise, Menor and Thelma brought the delegates to Sacramento on a three hours drive from San Jose where they talk and re-echoed the Call to Save the Mountains of the World at the League of United Latin Americans Citizens Annual Convention that received a standing ovation. The visit was culminated by a film presentation at the Center, the Call in the Wilderness made by the HDI Vanguard Corps. This was followed by a cultural presentation led by Datu Eduardo Banda comprising of ethnic dances and music. An agong set and souvenirs were presented to the Center led by Mayor Rodolfo Gantuangco. Menor acknowledged the gift and the visit. Largo expressed thanks for the hospitality and partnership.
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