SEOUL, 7 April 2026 - The research team behind the Filipino Women’s Diet and Health (FiLWHEL) Study paid a courtesy call on Ambassador Bernadette Therese C. Fernandez at the Philippine Embassy in Seoul to present updates on its ongoing research and explore avenues for continued collaboration in support of the Filipino community in Korea.

The FiLWHEL Study, led by researchers from Seoul National University, examines the dietary patterns and health status of Filipino women married to Korean nationals and residing in the Republic of Korea. Since its inception in 2014, the study has maintained close coordination with the Philippine Embassy, contributing valuable insights into the health and well-being of Filipino women in the country.

During the meeting, the research team, headed by Professor Jung Eun Lee, Director of the Global Social Service Center, Seoul National University Social Responsibility (SNUSR); Professor Sung Hoon Yu, MD, PhD, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism; and Mr. Troi Reyes, master’s researcher in the Department of Food and Nutrition at Seoul National University highlighted key accomplishments of the project. To date, the study has successfully conducted health assessments on approximately 860 Filipino women, with a target of reaching 1,000 participants.

The team also announced its upcoming medical mission scheduled on Sunday, 26 April 2026, in Daegu City, which aims to further expand its outreach and provide essential health services to members of the Filipino community. FiLWHEL has conducted medical research studies in Seoul, Gyeonggi, Daejeon, Chungnam, Busan, Jeonju, and Jeju regions. 

Ambassador Fernandez underscored the importance of accessible healthcare services for foreign spouses, stating that “apart from legal and education services, medical services for foreign women living in Korea is a necessity, especially for the newly-arrived spouses.” She further welcomed FiLWHEL’s holistic approach, noting that the program also provides health education, family support, educational, and music lectures for foreign spouses in Korea.

She also welcomed the continued engagement with the FiLWHEL Study and underscored the importance of evidence-based initiatives that support the welfare of Filipinos overseas, particularly Filipino women in multicultural families.

The Embassy expressed its appreciation for the contributions of the FiLWHEL research team and reaffirmed its openness to future collaboration in advancing community health programs and services for Filipinos in the Republic of Korea.

Present during the courtesy call was First Secretary and Consul Flaureen D. Dacanay, MWO Administrative Officer Manuel Barotilla, ATN Officer Fatima C. Tabio, Cultural Officer Anthony Z. Cornista, and Alternate Cultural Officer & Attache Chariz A. Ballaran. END.