The San Francisco-Manila Sister City Committee (SFMSCC) came over to Bohol as part of its six-day visit to the country.

Being here for just two days, that is, March 4 and 5, was more than enough to personally see how Bohol is doing after the calamities that hit the province; but not enough to enjoy its natural beauty and the innate hospitality of its people.

They promised to come again soonest  to frolic in Bohol’s heavenly beauty and mingle with their new-found and fun-loving Boholano friends.

Gov. Chatto personally saw to their comfort and mingled with them Friday and  discussed possible sisterhood agreement for mutual support.

For the bigger picture, the delegation, led by SFMSCC Chair Carmen Colet and San Francisco’s very own First Lady, Anita Lee, representing Mayor Eddie Lee, is here in the Philippines for its six-day 2016 Cultural and Trade Mission to Manila entitled, “Mabuhay Manila: Cultural and Trade Mission to Manila, Cebu and Bohol.”

The SFMSCC is a non-profit organization founded in April 1961.

The Committee’s mandate is to serve as the pre-eminent cultural and economic link between San Francisco and Manila – presenting the best of the San Francisco Bay Area to the Philippines.

To this purpose, it develops and executes  projects that foster closer ties between the two cities.

The SFMSCC carries out many year-round cultural, educational, humanitarian and economic development exchanges.

The committee hopes to continue to offer programs that are mutually beneficial and address issues that are most relevant for both Manila and San Francisco.

Highlighted in the Committee’s tour program included Bohol’s heritage and cultural attractions like the world-renowned Chocolate Hills, the province’s old churches and the Tarsier Sanctuary.

A fiesta island buffet dinner at the Bellevue Resort beach area with Gov. Chatto was the highlight of SFMSCC visit. (JLV/PGBh/EDCom)