LONG BEACH, California -- Mayor Beverly O'Neill of this city yesterday welcomed the bid of Bacolod City to reinstate its relationship as a sister city of Long Beach that was relayed to her by Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia.

Leonardia, who met with O'Neill at her office at City Hall, recalled that it had also been during her term in 1992 that the sister city relationship was first established. As vice mayor then, he represented the city at the ceremonies also held in Long Beach, he said.

The sister cityhood, however, became inactive during the last two administrations. Leonardia said the revival was one of his priorities when he returned to office in June 2004.

With Leonardia at the meeting were Paul Blanco, acting chairman of the Bacolod Sister City Committee, Pat McMaster, chairperson of the Long Beach Sister Cities Inc., past chairman Larry Uyeda, executive vice chairman Leo Pandac, Vice chairman Van India, Al Denila and Lemy Gonzaga.

O'Neill, later had a photo session with the Bacolod delegation consisting of U.S. residents and civic leaders as well as Filipino World War II veterans.

The two mayors also exchanged gifts with Leonardia presenting O'Neill a framed mask of a MassKara dancer, which she appeared to appreciate very much. Miniatures were also given to her staff.

O'Neill is considered one of the most outstanding mayors of the U.S. The only three-term citywide elected mayor of Long Beach, she won in 1980 with almost 80 percent of the vote. For her third term she was elected as a "write-in" candidate, which means she did actually run but her name was written on the ballot by her constituents as their choice.

She was also formerly president of the League of California Cities, the state counterpart of the League of Cities in the Philippines.*

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