The Cerritos City Council unanimously approved a sister-city relationship with the City of San Carlos in the Province of Pangasinan, Republic of the Philippines, on Sept. 25, a measure council members said recognizes long-standing community ties and opens the door to cultural and educational exchanges.

The request came from local nonprofit groups — Pangasinan Brotherhood USA Inc. and the San Carolinian Organization of Southern California — and included a reciprocal letter of intent signed by San Carlos Mayor Julia Rosuelo. During a public presentation, Sue Ann Estrada Tumake, president of Pangasinan Brotherhood USA, described San Carlos’ cultural and economic profile and said a formal partnership would “promote cross-cultural understanding and collaboration between The United States and the Philippines.” Deputy Consul General Maria Almi Gamble of the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles also attended and spoke in support.

City staff said the groups that initiated the request will take primary responsibility for organizing exchanges and events; the sister-city policy specifies that city staff and funds are not committed unless the council specifically authorizes expenses. Community and Cultural Services Director Annie Hilton told the council that the organizations have offered to assist with planning and coordination and that any incidental dignitary-event expenses would be covered by existing program funds.

Council members praised the Filipino-American organizations and the consulate for their work. Councilmember Mark Pulido said he could “personally attest to the involvement” of the Pangasinan Brotherhood and San Carolinian Organization in Cerritos and the region. Mayor Pro Tem Linda Johnson, who led an exploratory visit to the Philippines earlier this year, said she looks forward to cultural and economic programs that could benefit both cities.

The council adopted a resolution affirming the sister-city designation; staff noted that the designation does not commit ongoing city funding unless later approved by the council. The groups that requested the sister-city relationship will begin planning exchange activities and ceremonial events under the policy’s terms.

(Reporting from the Sept. 25, 2025 Cerritos City Council meeting.)