Salt Lake City and Quezon City first became Sister Cities in 1968. Their mayors wanted to build friendship, share cultures, and strengthen international goodwill. The partnership also honors the long history of Filipino people in Utah. The first known Filipino in the state, Fulgencio Romero, arrived in 1900 and lived at Fort Douglas during the Spanish‑American War.
The Pilipino American Association of Utah (PAAU), founded in 1976, was an early supporter of the partnership. Over time, the relationship changed as both cities grew and politics shifted. Eventually, the Sister City bond became inactive.
Reconnecting in 2025
In 2025, Quezon City Mayor Josefina Belmonte reached out to Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall to renew the Sister City relationship.
Today, Quezon City is a major city in Metro Manila with nearly three million residents. It is known as the “City of Stars,” home to the QCinema Film Festival, and earned the title of UNESCO City of Film in 2025. Cities with this title work together to use arts and culture to address global challenges. Salt Lake City is excited to partner with such a strong leader in the arts.
Strengthening Community Connections
Filipinos are the fastest‑growing Asian group in Utah and the second‑largest Asian community in the state, according to the 2020 Census.
With support from the PAAU and the Community Alliance of Filipino Americans of Utah, Salt Lake City is working to build even stronger ties between the two communities. The renewed partnership will focus on:
- Arts and Culture
- Tourism
- Economic Development Planning
- Small Business Growth
Salt Lake City is proud to celebrate its connection to Quezon City and looks forward to creating new opportunities for both communities.