Patrick Murray, of Blagdon Road, New Malden, was invited to meet Damian Wallace, Lord Mayor of Cork.
He praised Mr Murray's work for the poor of the Philippines and, in particular, its destitute children.
Mr Murray, who set out with his Filipino wife, Tarci, for the Philippines in December, has been making the trip annually.
He plans to emigrate from his New Malden home of 11 years this year.
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