Filipino workers in Japan gained free access to legal advice on 24 October 2026 as Dulog Legal held a legal clinic at Karaoke Kan Roppongi Honten in Minato City, Tokyo. In partnership with the Filipino Community (FilCom) in Japan, the Tokyo leg was led by DivinaLaw Senior Partner Atty. Gregorio Y. Larrazabal and was among the activities marking the Firm’s year-long 20th anniversary celebration.
Over 50 attendees joined the afternoon session, which opened with remarks from Atty. Larrazabal and FilCom head Ms. Abby Agwas Watabe before moving into private consultations with DivinaLaw lawyers. Concerns raised ranged from visas, residency, and employment to property transactions, online scams, marriage, the recognition of divorces obtained abroad, and the documentation of children born in Japan.
In his message to attendees, DivinaLaw Managing Partner and Dulog Legal founder Atty. Nilo T. Divina honored the Filipinos who continue to work hard for their loved ones back home. “No one can match the love, affection, dedication, and hard work of Filipinos. That is why we are so proud to be doing this,” he said. “Remember this: your dignity does not end when you leave the airport. Your dignity goes with you everywhere you go. We are here for you.”
The Philippine Embassy in Tokyo, through Acting Consul General Robert D. Quintin on behalf of Ambassador Mylene Garcia-Albano, welcomed the initiative.
The clinic was hosted by Ms. Watabe, co-owner of Karaoke Kan, a karaoke chain with 311 branches. Regarded as one of the Filipino community’s success stories in Japan, she offered the venue as a way of giving back to fellow Filipinos and commended the Firm for extending accessible legal assistance to OFWs.
Joining Atty. Divina and Atty. Larrazabal on the Tokyo mission were Senior Partners Atty. Jose M. Layug, Jr., Atty. Richie Avigale A. Ramos-Pilares, and Atty. Eloisa D.V. Sy; Partners Atty. Floro C. Balato, Jr., and Atty. Jaqueline Lopez-Kaw; Senior Associates Atty. Vaupetroanji Peña, Atty. Patricia Lacuesta, Atty. Alfonso Vargas, Atty. Bianca D. Soriano, and Atty. Joshy Aguilar; and Associates Atty. Winona Castelo, Atty. Janessa Kudera, Atty. Aziel Narah Manantan, Atty. Ferdinand Jian A. Pulmones, and Atty. Gianne Coleen D. Co, together with Atty. Joseph Michael A. Rosuello.
Atty. Divina’s personal attendance made the Tokyo clinic a highlight of the Firm’s 20th anniversary year. He conceived Dulog Legal in 2022 as DivinaLaw’s flagship pro bono initiative and has since guided its growth from a single community clinic into a legal aid caravan serving Filipinos across the country and overseas.
The Tokyo clinic is Dulog Legal’s 18th leg overall and its third overseas.
Dulog Legal’s team of lawyers, led by DivinaLaw Partner and Pro Bono Lead Atty. Mary Jude C. Marvel, first went abroad in October 2025 with a clinic in Chongqing, China, followed by Hong Kong in March 2026. At home, the team has served communities, schools, and jails in Malabon, Caloocan, Taguig, Makati, Quezon City, Bulacan, Cavite, Muntinlupa, Pampanga, Cebu, Batangas, and Davao.
With upcoming legs in Dumaguete and Roxas City, Dulog Legal continues to carry forward Atty. Divina’s vision of bringing practical legal guidance within reach of Filipinos, at home and abroad.
