San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora, who also serves as the national president of the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP), recently concluded a significant four-day visit to Cebu, marked by a profound cultural immersion and important diplomatic milestones. The highlight of his trip was experiencing the world-renowned Sinulog Festival for the very first time.
A First-Time Festival Experience
In an exclusive interview with SunStar Cebu on January 19, 2026, just before his return to Manila, Mayor Zamora shared his deep impressions. He expressed awe at the massive scale of the festivities and the powerful devotion displayed by millions to the Sto. Niño. Zamora particularly noted how the event remained peaceful and orderly despite the enormous crowds.
His immersion was complete, as he participated in the major events of the celebration. He joined the vibrant seaborne procession, the solemn foot procession—where he was seen alongside Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival—and the colorful Sinulog Grand Parade. Zamora described the experience as unique, emphasizing that Cebu's historical identity as the birthplace of Christianity in the Philippines added a profound layer of meaning absent from other festivals.
Forging Stronger Local Government Ties
Beyond the cultural and religious spectacle, Mayor Zamora's visit carried substantial institutional weight. On January 16, 2026, at the Cebu Provincial Capitol, he led the formal signing of sister city agreements between San Juan City and two major Cebu localities: Lapu-Lapu City and Mandaue City.
This move signals a commitment to mutual development and cooperation. Furthermore, the City of San Juan has passed resolutions expressing its intent to establish similar sister city partnerships with Cebu Province, Cebu City, and Talisay City. Plans are already in motion for Mayor Zamora to return in the coming months to finalize these additional agreements.
A History of Support and Solidarity
This visit marked Mayor Zamora's second official trip to Cebu, underscoring a growing relationship. His first was a mission of solidarity and support following a recent natural disaster. After the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that affected the region, Zamora extended a P1 million aid each to the Province of Cebu and Bogo City. The League of Cities of the Philippines, under his leadership, also provided an additional P1 million donation specifically to Bogo City for its recovery efforts.
This combination of disaster response and proactive partnership building paints a picture of a national league president actively fostering unity and collaboration among Philippine cities, with Cebu playing a central role in this expanding network.
