2025 Delegation Reviews Progress of Neighbors Abroad Initiatives in Palo and Celebrates our Sister City's Culture, Environment, and Beauty |
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In August, 2025, a delegation traveled to Palo, Leyte, Philippines for an “experience of a lifetime,” as described by one delegate. Neighbors Abroad board members, Palo Alto civic leaders—including two former Palo Alto mayors—and engaged local citizens were welcomed with warm hospitality and had the opportunity to strengthen important collaborations with the long-running Palo Children’s Library and our partner non-profit, GIANTS.
The visit included visits to various ecosystems and served as the launch of our collaboration with the environmental non-profit Guiuan Development Foundation ( (GDFI), which empowers locals to promote sustainability and environmental protection in and around Palo, Leyte and neighboring provinces.
The delegates visited General Douglas MacArthur’s historic residence and learned about WWII’s Battle of Leyte Gulf which occurred in Palo in 1944. They also joined the lively annual Palo Town Fiesta, with music and dance competitions, and cheered on contestants at the Miss Enchanting pageant. They connected with young learners at the library and participated in community outreach at the childcare centers. One of the highlights of the trip was meeting Palo’s Mayor Matin, Councilman Boycie Roca, and the Governor of Leyte, Jericho Petilla and his wife, Ann, former Mayor of Palo. Nodelyn presented the Governor of Leyte with a carbon offset certificate.
With the guidance of GDFI’s founder and former Professor at the University of the Philippines, Marge de la Cruz, the delegation explored the region’s natural beauty, from lush rainforests, to sandbar islands and beaches, to the mangrove forests. These mangroves are natural habitats to many animals including fruit bats that can reach 5.5’ wingspan. The delegation witnessed these beautiful bats soar above the mangroves in a spectacular display. One of GDFI’s many projects is to restore and rehabilitate mangrove forests which are essential to buffering the effects of storms, nurture fish and crabs, and can store vast amounts of carbon.
Neighbors Abroad delegates were: Palo VP Nodelyn Smith and her husband Doug, Bloomington VP Wayne Thompson and his wife Marilee, and board member Ellen Valentine. Not one, but two former Palo Alto mayors made the trip: Lydia Kou (who has since joined the Neighbors Abroad board!) and former Palo Alto Mayor Nancy Shepherd.
Neighbors Abroad’s Palo Committee is fundraising to improve broadband digital access at the Palo Children’s Library, to develop a Palo Education Fund for future Scholars, and to support mangrove restoration and rehabilitation.
The photos below help tell the story:
The visit included visits to various ecosystems and served as the launch of our collaboration with the environmental non-profit Guiuan Development Foundation ( (GDFI), which empowers locals to promote sustainability and environmental protection in and around Palo, Leyte and neighboring provinces.
The delegates visited General Douglas MacArthur’s historic residence and learned about WWII’s Battle of Leyte Gulf which occurred in Palo in 1944. They also joined the lively annual Palo Town Fiesta, with music and dance competitions, and cheered on contestants at the Miss Enchanting pageant. They connected with young learners at the library and participated in community outreach at the childcare centers. One of the highlights of the trip was meeting Palo’s Mayor Matin, Councilman Boycie Roca, and the Governor of Leyte, Jericho Petilla and his wife, Ann, former Mayor of Palo. Nodelyn presented the Governor of Leyte with a carbon offset certificate.
With the guidance of GDFI’s founder and former Professor at the University of the Philippines, Marge de la Cruz, the delegation explored the region’s natural beauty, from lush rainforests, to sandbar islands and beaches, to the mangrove forests. These mangroves are natural habitats to many animals including fruit bats that can reach 5.5’ wingspan. The delegation witnessed these beautiful bats soar above the mangroves in a spectacular display. One of GDFI’s many projects is to restore and rehabilitate mangrove forests which are essential to buffering the effects of storms, nurture fish and crabs, and can store vast amounts of carbon.
Neighbors Abroad delegates were: Palo VP Nodelyn Smith and her husband Doug, Bloomington VP Wayne Thompson and his wife Marilee, and board member Ellen Valentine. Not one, but two former Palo Alto mayors made the trip: Lydia Kou (who has since joined the Neighbors Abroad board!) and former Palo Alto Mayor Nancy Shepherd.
Neighbors Abroad’s Palo Committee is fundraising to improve broadband digital access at the Palo Children’s Library, to develop a Palo Education Fund for future Scholars, and to support mangrove restoration and rehabilitation.
The photos below help tell the story:
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Left to right: Doug Smith, Ellen Valentine, Wayne Thompson, Nodelyn Smith, Marilee Moy, May Chevalier, Lydia Kou, Kayla Shepherd, John St. Claire III, Tyler Shepherd, Nancy Shepherd
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Mayor Matin
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Nodelyn Smith presents the Governor of Leyte with a carbon offset certificate.
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