Capitol Strengthens “Sister City” Ties With SF Delegates

The Cebu Provincial Government hosted a farewell dinner reception in honor of San Francisco City Mayor Edwin Lee and the delegation from the San Francisco-Manila Sister City Committee (SFMSCC) on March 4, 2016.

A delegation of 28 Chinese-American businessmen from San Francisco, California visited Cebu and Bohol for a six-day tour (March 1 to 6) on economic and cultural exchange between civic and business leaders under the auspices of SFMSCC.

The committee serves as a cultural and economic people-to-people bridge between the two cities.

San Francisco City Mayor Ed Lee wasn’t able to come due to the upcoming US presidential elections. His wife Mrs. Anita Lee, was the guest of honor at the event held at the historicMuseoSugbo.

During the ceremony, the governor’s wife JobelAngan-Davide presented a key to Mrs. Lee, as a fine symbolic gesture of “Sister Cities” connection and friendship between Cebu and San Francisco.

Mrs. Lee thanked the Sister City Committee for its continued engagement in fostering deeper ties between the cities of San Francisco and Cebu.

“My last visit to Cebu was 20 years ago. I’m shocked how Cebu has changed. I love the Philippines, I want to see more, I want to see the islands and that’s what brings us here to Cebu.”

Sister City Chair Carmen Colet spoke in behalf of the delegates. Colet said they were very pleased with the tour and the warm hospitality of the Cebuanos.

“We regret that we were not able to tour around some towns in Cebu because some of the delegates were already exhausted. But we really enjoyed Cebu,” Colet added.

“We didn’t expect this one; we thought it’s just a simple dinner with Mrs. Davide. But the performances were spectacular,” she added.

The evening culminated in colorful and festive performances by popular local talents presenting Cebu’s diverse cultural heritage.

Notable guests who attended the event included Department of Tourism (DOT) Regional Director Rowena Montecillo; Tourism Promotions Board Division Chief Susan del Mundo; President of Rajah Tour PhilippinesAlejandra Clemente; Cebu City Tourism Commission Executive Director CinbethOrellano; and Lapulapu Tourism Chief Hembler Mendoza.

By Hearty Marie Rizarri

www.ebu.gov.ph