"We Shall Return" - The 2025 Delegation to Palo, Leyte

By Lydia Kou

I. Arrival, Cultural Warmth, and Historical Context

The 2025 visit to Palo, Leyte began with an immediate sense of excitement, marked by a warm welcome from our non-profit partners, the GIANTS President Bernie and Children’s Librarian Shelaine, and the scholars. Cultural immersion began quickly with the local custom of addressing women as “Ma’am” and men as “Sir.” The delegation was honored with handmade medallions to signify our affiliation with GIANTS.
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While traveling through the community, the delegation observed the deep historical appreciation for U.S. General MacArthur, evidenced by beautifully erected monuments, juxtaposed with the challenging sight of corrugated metal street-side shops and homes. Our hotel is located along the infamous Red Beach, named after the blood of soldiers and civilians, spilled during World War II. The locals embrace General MacArthur’s promise, “I shall return,” celebrating his landing annually as the liberation day of the Philippines.

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II. Official Engagements and Patron Saint Festivities

Our host, Palo, Leyte Mayor Matin

The delegation, including my husband John, felt truly honored by our hosts, Mayor Matin and Council Member Boycie (Aaron) Roca. Our arrival coincided with the start of Palo’s 10-day celebration honoring the town's Patron Saint (Senor San Salvador). We participated in the kick-off event at the municipal courtyard. The festivities continued with a dinner hosted by Mayor Matin, followed by a public talent competition featuring candidates from various provinces. While the celebrations continued, our delegation headed out on our eco-tour.

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Our host, Council Member Boycie (Aaron) Roca

III. The Eco-Tour and GDFI's Vision

A highlight of the trip was the eco-tour led by the esteemed Professor Margarita (Marge) De La Cruz, founder of the Guiuan Development Foundation, Inc. (GDFI). Prof. Marge is a humble leader and has an uncanny emotional and intellectual ability to foster self-reliance and dignity within communities. She is also known to participate in the work clearing debris, pulling weeds, diving or snorkeling to inspect or seed marine life, wading in sticky mud to climb into the mangroves, etc.
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GDFI’s formal mission is: Empowering Communities, Protecting the Environment and Conserving Natural Resources. This mission is crucial in an area constantly threatened by powerful tropical storms and typhoons, like Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in 2013. The foundation’s work focuses on:

• Educating locals about high-value natural resources.
• Disaster preparedness and self-reliance.
• Building resilient homes in solid areas for those displaced by Yolanda.

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IV. Conservation Successes and Rebuilding Efforts

Our eco-tour with Prof. Marge included visits to a mangrove island, marine sanctuaries, a rainforest rejuvenation sites and natural resources cultivating and preservation at Visaya State University, clean-up efforts at an island sanctuary (cut short due to a tsunami warning), recycling stations, and visiting natural waterways and falls.

Prof. Marge’s forward strategic thinking is evident in several key conservation efforts:

• Sea Cucumber Revival: Educating locals to nurture the sea cucumbers until they reproduce and grow larger, reversing near-eradication caused by early harvesting.
• Marine Ecosystem Rehabilitation: GDFI addressed destructive fishing methods (blast, cyanide, and heavy gleaning) that ruined reefs. With donor support, they rehabilitated Bagonbanwa Island’s marine life. An expert once described the area as "sterile," but in five years, it became teaming with life, benefiting nearby coastal fishing communities.
• Mangrove and Fruit Bat Protection: Mangrove islands are protected for their crucial role as natural barriers against typhoons, holding the soil and providing sanctuary. Fruit bats are also protected for their vital role in spreading seeds and maintaining biodiversity.
  
  

Tragically, Super Typhoon Yolanda utterly destroyed Bagonbanwa Island’s infrastructure (buildings, water system, wharf). While the island previously served as a venue for scientific research, eco-tourism, and training for up to 50 people, limited funding has meant that rebuilding efforts have focused primarily on the GDFI's mainland office.
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As I am writing this blog, Guiuan Island and mainland is again being pummeled by Typhoon Tino. 

V. Call to Action

The extensive work of GDFI—Empowering Communities, Protecting the Environment and Conserving Natural Resources—is vital. To continue inspiring the next generation and serving coastal communities, donations are urgently needed to finish rebuilding a better Field Station for Bagonbanwa Island and other conservation and educational efforts which in the long run will benefit many other places in the world. To donate, please click here. ​

Part II of our journey to Palo, Leyte will be in Spring 2026.

Monuments in honor of General MacArthur