Philippine Independence Day Celebrations Continue in Oslo
The Embassy team led by Amb. Enrico Fos and Madam Myla Fos (6th-7th from left) with Norway’s Minister of International Development, Honorable Åsmund Aukurst at the center.
OSLO 05 June 2025 – An estimated crowd of around 10,000 Filipinos, Norwegians and other nationalities joined in the continuation of the 127th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence activities, this time at the heart of Oslo, with the Culture and Family Day (CFD) spearheaded by Kalayaan Norge - Oslo (KNO), in cooperation with the Philippine Embassy, held on 31 May 2025 at Spikersuppa, in front of the Nationaltheatret.
Norway’s Minister of International Development, Honorable Åsmund Aukurst, the event's guest of honor, in his remarks said that Norway and the Philippines hold dear similar values - love for freedom, upholding human rights, and consistent application of the rule of law. Minister Aukurst highlighted that Norway also practice "dugnad," the Norwegian term for community or voluntary collective work similar to the Philippine concept of bayanihan.
For his part, Philippine Ambassador to Norway Enrico T. Fos thanked the organizers and volunteers led by KNO for the successful event. He emphasized that Filipinos do what they do, contribute their time, effort and even money, without expecting anything in return, because of their love for the country or “para sa bayan.”
He also paid tribute to the efforts and sacrifices of Filipinos in providing a better future for themselves and their families and ultimately for the Philippines, our motherland.
The Ambassador also highlighted that this year, there are more Philippine Independence Day celebrations being organized around Norway, indicating how organized and integrated the Filipinos are in the country under the “once celebration, many events” concept.
Filipinos and foreigners alike were entertained with Filipino songs and cultural performances while also feasting on various Filipino food sold in food booths.
The Embassy again mounted its Barriolympics: Laro ng Lahi, teaching Filipino games such as sungka, jackstone, sack race, bugtungan and Philippine historical and cultural trivia games to foreigners and Filipino-Norwegian children.
A delegation from the Department of Tourism office in London also joined the festivities with their own booth promoting tourism slogan “Love the Philippines.”
More events are lined up in various areas around Norway and in Iceland during the month to commemorate the country’s independence and nationhood. END
From left: Amb. Enrico Fos, Minister Åsmund Grøver Aukurst and Tourism Attaché Dakila Gonzales.
An estimated crowd of 8,000 to 10,000 joined in the celebration of the Cultural and Family Day for the 127th Anniversary of the Commemoration of Philippine Independence on 31 May 2025 at Spikersuppa, at the center of Oslo.
Winners of the Best in National Costume for male and female categories.
Cultural presentations by some of the active members of the community.
Young and old alike enjoying the Barriolympics: Laro ng Lahi games at Post´s booth.
The organizers, Kalayaan Norge-Oslo officials and volunteers, with Amb. Enrico Fos and Madam Myla Fos (standing 7th and 8th from left).
For more information, visit https://www.oslope.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.facebook.com/PHinNorway/ or https://www.instagram.com/phinnorway/.