Philippine Embassy in Norway Holds Reception for Independence Day, Anniversary of Bilateral Relations

Embassy officers and staff led by Ambassador Enrico T. Fos (fifth from right) pose in front of the Oslo Rådhus before the start of the diplomatic reception. (Oslo PE photo)

OSLO, 21 June 2023--The storied Oslo Rådhus (City Hall) was the venue of diplomatic reception on 12 June 2023 hosted by the Philippine Embassy in Oslo to celebrate the two milestone events, the 125th anniversary of the declaration of Philippine independence and the 75th Anniversary of Philippines-Norway bilateral relations.

Present during the event were members of the diplomatic corps, the Philippines and Norwegian business leaders and members of the Filipino community.

Oslo Mayor Marianne Borgen, Ministry of Foreign Affairs State Secretary and event guest of honor Erling Rimestad, and Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Secretary Isidro Purisima were also present during the reception.

In her welcome remarks, Mayor Borgen drew comparisons between the two countries’ struggle for independence.

“On this day, 125 years ago, independence was proclaimed in Kawit. This event marked the birth, or maybe more accurately, the rebirth of the Philippine nation. The parallel date in Norwegian history is 17 May 1814, when the Norwegian Constitution of 1814 declared Norway to be a sovereign and free country. However, the great powers of that time would not recognize our independence, and we had to wait until 1905 for Norway and 1946 for the Philippines to be fully independent,” she said.

“Still, these events led to the foundation of the nations as we know it today. The events of 1814 and 1898 failed to obtain a lasting independence for our nations, but these changed our nations forever,” the Oslo Mayor added.

In his toast remarks, Ambassador to Norway Enrico T. Fos noted the importance of the twin celebrations, and how it impacts bilateral relations.

“For my kababayans, the theme for the National Day celebration this year, ‘Kalayaan. Kinabukasan. Kasaysayan.’, or ‘Freedom. Future. History.’, calls on us to use the lessons of history to chart a future that is free from fear and want and to prepare ourselves to better confront the challenges and demands of the future,”Ambassador Fos said.

“We move forward confident of the strength of the relationship between our two countries - the Philippines and Norway. This relationship is anchored on people, partnership and prosperity. Aside from our strong maritime traditions which by the way commenced even before the formal start of our bilateral relations 75 years ago, we have been working together on renewable energy, green transition, human rights, women, security and development, and peace and reconciliation. This is not surprising as the peoples of our two countries have this deeply entrenched tradition of dugnad, or in the Philippine language, bayanihan, that is coming together as a community helping one another, he added.

For his part, State Secretary Rimestad also highlighted that despite the distance between the Philippines, strong cooperation between the two countries exists.

“Norway and the Philippines may be on opposite sides of the world, but our close friendship and ties go back a long way.  Over the years, we have developed strong cooperation in a wide range of areas – such as trade and business, development and human rights, and peace and reconciliation. But maritime affairs have formed the foundation for our collaboration, from the time we appointed our first consul in 1906, and as we established diplomatic relations in 1948, opened our first embassy in Manila in 1967, launched the Norwegian Training Center for seafarers in 1990, up to today, with some 25 000 Filipino seafarers aboard Norwegian vessels,” he said.

The guests were serenaded with a collection of Philippine, English and Norwegian classical and popular tunes by two Filipino musicians who are both products of Norwegian education: soprano Cloi Sugano and tenor Edrian Esmeña.

Ms. Sugano’s soprano voice soared in her rendition of “Bituing Marikit” and “Ano Kaya ang Kapalaran?”, while Mr. Esmeña’s strong performance of “Jeg elsker Dig (I Love Thee) and En drøm (A Dream)” and “Usahay” drew chills from those present. Their duets, “All I Ask of You” and “Gaano Ko Ikaw Kamahal?” captivated the audience.

Their performance drew cheers and admiration from the guests as they stayed on until the end of the show, and even called for an encore, which the two singers obliged with their rousing rendition of “O Sole Mio”.

The featured musicians were accompanied by bandurria player Eloisa Fe Balagat and pianist Jovana Jovanović.

Guests were also treated to a Filipino-Norwegian food fusion as the Embassy and Rådhus’ caterers worked together to put together a menu composed of chicken adobo, kilawin, and chicken lumpia, among others.

The Oslo Rådhus houses both the City Council, Oslo’s highest decision-making body, and the administrative offices of Oslo kommune. It is the yearly venue of the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony. It also houses a majestic display of murals and paintings created by Norwegian artists such as Edvard Munch and Henrik Sørensen.

The Philippine Embassy in Oslo is one of the first foreign missions who have hosted its diplomatic reception in Oslo Radhus. END

Ambassador Fos and Madame Myla Fos flank Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation

and Unity Secretary Isidro Purisima in this photo during the reception. (Oslo PE photo)

(from left) Oslo Mayor Marianne Borgen, Ministry of Foreign Affairs State Secretary and event guest of honor Erling Rimestad and Ambassador Fos deliver their remarks. (Oslo PE photo)

(from left) Filipino talents in action during the reception: soprano Cloi Sugano, tenor Edrian Esmeña and

bandurria player Eloisa Fe Balagat serenades the guests in a performance of Filipino, English and Norwegian classical and popular tunes. (Oslo PE photo)

For more information, visit https://www.oslope.dfa.gov.ph,  https://www.facebook.com/PHinNorway/  or https://www.instagram.com/phinnorway/ .