PH Ambassador Lauds Filipino Nursing College on Initiatives To Further Elevate Quality of Medical Care in PH
Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene J. Garcia-Albano (standing, center left) with the delegation from the College of Nursing of Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan led by Fr. Mars P. Tan, President of Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan (center right) and Dr. Mary Grace M. Paayas, PhD, Dean of the school’s College of Nursing (beside Fr. Tan) during the latter’s courtesy call on 02 February 2026.
TOKYO, 10 February 2026 – Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene J. Garcia-Albano expressed her appreciation for the initiatives led by the College of Nursing of Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan during the latter’s courtesy call at the Embassy on 02 February 2026.
The delegation, composed of nursing students, faculty members, and school administrators, was led by Fr. Mars P. Tan, President of Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan, and Dr. Mary Grace M. Paayas, PhD, Dean of the school’s College of Nursing.
During the call, Ambassador Garcia-Albano noted Japan’s growing demand for nurses in view of its aging population, and the challenges in meeting this demand through the acceptance of foreign care workers, including requirements for Japanese language proficiency. She also highlighted the Filipino value of malasakit (profound compassion), which makes Filipino healthcare workers especially valued and highly sought after.
Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene J. Garcia-Albano (2nd from right) discusses healthcare opportunities and challenges with the nursing students, faculty and school administration officials of the College of Nursing of Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan during the latter’s courtesy call on 02 February 2026. Also in the photo are Fr. Mars P. Tan, President of Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan President (2nd from left), Dr. Mary Grace M. Paayas, PhD, Dean of the school’s College of Nursing (leftmost), and First Secretary and Consul Fatima G. Quintin (rightmost).
Ambassador Garcia-Albano further underscored that while there are opportunities for Filipino nurses to work in Japan and in other countries, it is equally important to address the Philippines’ own healthcare needs, including those of its senior population. In this regard, Ambassador Garcia-Albano encouraged the delegation to study Japan’s best practices in healthcare, especially in the field of gerontologic care.
For his part, Fr. Tan shared that the educational visit of the College of Nursing of Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan is part of the school’s internationalization program to provide students with the opportunity to obtain global perspectives on the nursing profession, and participate in cultural exchange. As part of the program, the delegation visited St. Mary’s College of Nursing in Fukuoka and Sophia University in Tokyo.
Dr. Paayas also presented the school’s initiatives to strengthen its research program, community work and goal to improve the healthcare system in Asia.
With more than 1,000 nursing students, the College of Nursing of Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan holds the distinction of achieving a 100% passing rate in nursing licensure exams in the Philippines for 18 consecutive years as of November 2025.
