Philippine Ambassador, DLSU Dean of Liberal Arts Commit To Partner On “Masayang Pinoy” Project To Address Isolation and Loneliness Among Filipinos in Japan
Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene J. Garcia-Albano welcomed Dr. Ador R. Torneo, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts of the De La Salle University-Manila to the Philippine Embassy during the latter’s courtesy call on 20 January 2026.
TOKYO, 26 January 2026 – Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene J. Garcia-Albano discussed the Philippine Embassy’s “Masayang Pinoy” (Happy Filipino) Project with Dr. Ador R. Torneo, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts of the De La Salle University in Manila, Philippines during the latter’s courtesy call on the Ambassador on 20 January 2026.
Ambassador Garcia-Albano underscored the importance of proactive interventions for Filipinos in Japan to address isolation and loneliness, so that they can further thrive in the host country. She further took note of the “Meeting with Ambassadors on the Issue on Loneliness and Isolation” hosted by the Government of Japan on 26 June 2025, where she and other ambassadors, and representatives from various countries and regions shared their respective national experiences and strategies to address the pressing issue.
Dr. Torneo expressed his commitment to partnering with the Philippine Embassy on the project, which is among the Ambassador’s priority initiatives for 2026 in commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of the Normalization of Philippines-Japan Diplomatic Relations. In particular, he shared the possibility of contributing to the training of “first responders” who can provide psychosocial support to Filipinos experiencing isolation and loneliness, as well as sharing DLSU-Manila’s research on the issue.
The initiative was named “Masayang Pinoy” by Dr. Ariane Borlongan, Associate Professor of Sociolinguistics, Institute of Global Studies, and Founder and Head, The Migration Linguistics Initiative, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies. He accompanied Dr. Torneo during the courtesy call. The Embassy is partnering with Dr. Borlongan and other collaborators in the implementation of said project.
