30 January 2010-The Philippine Consulate General in New York reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that Ocean City, New Jersey and San Jose, Occidental Mindoro have forged sister city relations through an exchange of City Council Resolutions.
For its part the City Council of Ocean City, led by Council President Susan Sheppard, has reciprocated San Jose's gesture by passing Resolution No. 10-46-260 on 14 January 2010. In the resolution, Ocean City has stated that "this relationship will be mutually beneficial to both municipalities" and that it "gratefully acknowledges and welcomes San Jose, Occidental Mindoro as its official Sister City."
Ocean City expects to benefit from the sister-city by expanding its network and contacts with Filipinos residing in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Delaware. The city wants to position itself as an attractive destination for Filipino-American families, especially during summer and vacation seasons to enjoy its beaches, boardwalk, and other amusement and entertainment places.
Ocean City will honor the Philippines in a two-day tribute entitled "Ocean City Salutes the Philippines" to be held on 26-27 June 2010 at the Music Pier of Ocean City Boardwalk.
The Tribute to be highlighted by a Philippine trade fair, tourism exhibit and musical performance of Filipino-American entertainers, will expose the Philippines to Ocean City's regular tourists.
Sister-City relations was made possible through the help of Mr. Rene Sese, a Filipino-American resident of Ocean City who was born in San Jose, and recently designated as Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce's Ambassador for Tourism.