Ms. Anne Alvarez representing the Manila-San Francisco Sister City Committee accepted the Certificate of Honor from the City and County of San Francisco, represented by its Director for International Trade and Commerce, Mark Chandler, and Ms. Meron Foster from its Office of Protocol. (PCG San Francisco photo)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – The San Francisco Sister City Program celebrated its 70th Anniversary on 28 October 2026 at the popular restaurant and events place, Curio. Mr. Mark Chandler, the City’s Director for International Trade and Commerce, was the main speaker of the program and started his message by recalling that it was former President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who initiated the creation of people to people relationships between cities, initially calling it “twin cities”. He stated that San Francisco has remained true to President Eisenhower’s vision to maintain these connections through the community members, emphasizing that while people may have different cultures and languages, our core values are the same. He likewise thanked all those involved in the committees for all the resources, time, and energy that they devote to keep the sister city relationships strong and robust.
Director Chandler, accompanied by Ms. Meron Foster of the City’s Office of Protocol, led the handing of Certificates of Honor to representatives of the sister city committees, including the Manila-San Francisco Sister City Committee. Ms. Anne Alvarez, the secretary of the committee, accepted the recognition on behalf of committee chair, Ms. Carmen Colet.
Members of the San Francisco Consular Corps, as well as other government officials including State Assemblymember Matt Haney and San Francisco Sheriff Paul Miyamoto also grace the occasion.
The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco congratulates the Sister City Program on its 70th year anniversary, and is proud to support the continuing efforts to strengthen people to people ties, particularly between San Francisco and the City of Manila.END
(Left photo) Deputy Consul General Maria Paz Cortes with Director Mark Chandler and Ms. Anne Alvarez of the Manila-San Francisco Sister City Committee (PCG San Francisco photo). (Right photo) DCG Cortes with Sheriff Paul Miyamoto, Consul General Yophy Ichsan Wardana and Consul Monica Sonya Maria Purba of the Consulate of Indonesia, and Ms. Kathleen Kimura. (Photo courtesy of Consul Monica Purba)
Representatives of San Francisco’s Sister City Committees with Mr. Chandler and other officials of the City’s Office of Protocol.