Philippine Consulate in San Francisco Joins the Celebration of the 115th Founding Anniversary of Daly City
(L-R) Daly City Police Department Chief Cameron Christensen, Pilipino Bayanihan Resource Center Board Member Ms. Perla Ibarrientos, Ms. Nida Soriben Sylvester, Mayor Glenn R. Sylvester, Deputy Consul General and Acting Head of Post Maria Paz G. Cortes, and Consul Marc Theodore P. Benigno
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, led by Deputy Consul General and Acting Head of Post Maria Paz G. Cortes, joined the celebration of the 115th Founding Anniversary of Daly City on 18 March 2026 at Daly City Hall.
The event honored Daly City’s rich history and ongoing progress as one of the Bay Area’s most diverse and dynamic communities. It featured a historical showcase tracing the city’s evolution—from its early beginnings, to its incorporation in 1911, and through the many milestones that have shaped its identity. These include the significant Filipino presence in the city, the service of Filipino-American mayors and councilmembers, and the opening of the first Jollibee in the United States in 1998.
Daly City Mayor Glenn R. Sylvester in his State of the City Address underscored that the City is defined by its diversity, multicultural character, and inclusivity. As home to more than 32,000 Filipino-Americans, the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco reaffirms its commitment to working with the Daly City government in fostering a strong and inclusive community.
Daly City has been led by notable Filipino-American leaders. Former Daly City Mayor Mike Guingona stands as a pioneering figure of Fil-Am leaders in the city’s history. Elected to the Daly City Council in 1993, he became the first Filipino-American to serve in the Council. In 1995, at just 33 years old, he made history again as the youngest mayor ever elected in the city’s history. Former Mayor Guingona served multiple terms as mayor during his tenure on the city council from 1993 to 2018, leaving a lasting impact on the city’s governance.
Another prominent Fil-Am official in the Daly City Council is former mayor and current councilmember, Juslyn Manalo. First elected to the city council in November 2016, she became the first Filipino-American woman to hold that position. Since then, she has served the community in several leadership capacities, including serving three (3) times as vice mayor and mayor. She last served as mayor from December 2023 to December 2024.
Incumbent Mayor Glenn Sylvester is also of Filipino heritage, with his mother’s roots from Pangasinan. He is also married to a Filipina, Ms. Nida Soriben Sylvester, who is also from Pangasinan. The Philippine Consulate extends its warmest congratulations to Daly City on its 115th Founding Anniversary. May the city continue to serve as a beacon of diversity and inclusivity in the Bay Area as it pursues sustained economic growth and sustainable development. END
(R-L)Deputy Consul General Maria Paz G. Cortes, Daly City Councilmember and former Mayor Juslyn C. Manalo, and Consul Marc Theodore P. Benigno (SFPCG Photo)
(R-L) Pilipino Bayanihan Resource Center Board Member Ms. Perla Ibarrientos, Deputy Consul General Maria Paz G. Cortes, Daly City Colma Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer Felicia M. Leong, and Consul Marc Theodore P. Benigno
