The Philippine Consulate joins the Neighbors Abroad, Canopy, and community members in Palo Alto in the tree-planting activity at the new Sister City Grove in Palo Alto (San Francisco PCG photos)
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA- The Philippine Consulate General joined the City of Palo Alto, Neighbors Abroad, and Canopy in a tree-planting activity organized on 25 September 2026 in recognition of the City’s existing sister-city/sibling and friendship city relationship. The new Sister City Grove is located between the Junior Museum and Lucie Stern Center, off Middle Road in Palo Alto.
Senator Josh Becker who represents the 13th Senate District comprising most of San Mateo County and the northern part of Santa Clara County graced the event, together with other local officials, representatives from the sister cities and friendship cities of Palo, Leyte (Philippines), Oaxaca (Mexico), Narok (Kenya) and other community groups and environmental supporters. Currently, Palo Alto has established seven (7) sister-city relationships, two (2) friendship-city relationships, and one (1) sibling-city relationship. Its oldest sister-city relationship is with Palo, Leyte, Philippines, which was established in 1963.END
Consul General Arnel G. Talisayon (leftmost) expresses appreciation to former Mayor of Palo Alto Mr. Ed Lauing (3rd from left), Neighbors Abroad President Mr. Ed Fike (2nd from left), and Co-VP Ms. Sarah Burgess (rightmost) for organizing the tree-planting activity in honor of Palo Alto’s Sister City relationships (San Francisco PCG photo)
Canopy officers brief participants on safety measures and procedures for the tree-planting activity (San Francisco PCG photo)
Sarah Burgess (front) of Neighbors Abroad welcomes the city officials, representatives of sister cities, and community partners as they gather for the tree-planting activity (San Francisco PCG photo)