LA UNION - Masa Shimmori, a Japanese volunteer from Ishikawa Prefecture in Japan, proved that anyone can show love for the Philippines.

Masa, who holds a degree in Sociology, met a volunteer of Bauang Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council in Manila last February. Since then, the volunteer was able to convince Masa to come with him in Bauang, La Union. He now lives in Purok 7, Barangay Pugo of the same town.

"Iyung pagvo-volunteer niya sa Bauang – MDRRMC ay malaking tulong dahil una, naging role model siya sa pilot area namin sa Barangay Pugo," Mike Zarate, officer of Bauang MDRRMC, said.

Masa has an ultimate goal– to pass on the Japanese’s practice on cleanliness. He wants to provide a solution to the culture of incessant throwing of garbage.

He shares how he could not hide his disappointment at the sight of children who follow the practices of the elderly.

"Kids throw away, their grandma also throws away. How to change that? It’s not hard work. You only pick up the trash, throw them in a trash box," he said.

Language and culture might get in the way, but neighbors tell how Masa shares everything he has.

Remedios Madayag recalls how Masa fixed their roof.

"'Pag walang klase 'yong mga bata, shine-share niya 'yong mga niluluto niyang pagkain. Naglalaro sila ng badminton," Randy De Guzman, one of Masa's neighbors, said.

According to Masa, he originally planned on staying in the country for a week. A week extended to four months.

Zarate says he is in awe with Masa.

"It takes other nationality pa ba na magmalasakit sa ating environment. Samantalang, ito, ay dapat tayo po ang nagpapasimula nito."

Masa will be in the Philippines until August. He is 35 and still learning. He may not eloquently express himself in the language that his neighbors could fairly understand, but he never fails to get his message of concern across.