Norway’s national day was celebrated in style in the Philippines as maritime leaders, diplomats and business executives gathered at Museo del Galeon in Pasay City for a festive Constitution Day reception hosted by the Royal Norwegian Embassy, Manila Times reports.
The event featured a symbolic indoor parade inspired by Norway’s traditional May 17 celebrations, complete with brass bands and flag-waving participants. At the center stood the Galeon Espiritu Santo, a full-scale replica of a 17th-century ship built by Filipinos.
The celebration also highlighted the strong maritime ties between Norway and the Philippines.
According to Norwegian Ambassador Christian Halaas Lyster, more than 60 percent of seafarers serving on Norwegian vessels are Filipinos.
“For decades, Norway has supported the development and upskilling of Filipino seafarers,” the ambassador said, pointing to long-standing cooperation through the Norwegian Training Center in Manila.
This year also marks 78 years of diplomatic relations between Norway and the Philippines, with cooperation expanding into trade, renewable energy, sustainability and peace-building initiatives in Mindanao.
