ADVERTISEMENT
Manila Bulletin devider Embassies at Work devider Finland celebrates 108th Independence Day and 70 years of diplomatic relations

Finland celebrates 108th Independence Day and 70 years of diplomatic relations

Published Dec 15, 2025 03:52 pm
Ambassador Saija Nurminen, DFA Undersecretary Maria Theresa Dizon-De Vega, and Ambassador Ricardo Luis Bocalandro of the Embassy of Argentina raise a toast to friendship and cooperation.
Ambassador Saija Nurminen, DFA Undersecretary Maria Theresa Dizon-De Vega, and Ambassador Ricardo Luis Bocalandro of the Embassy of Argentina raise a toast to friendship and cooperation.
The Embassy of Finland in the Philippines hosted a diplomatic gathering on Dec. 4 at Fairmont Makati to commemorate the 108th anniversary of Finland’s independence, bringing together government officials, diplomats, and partners to honor the enduring ties between Finland and the Philippines.
Ambassador Saija Nurminen of Finland to the Philippines delivered a message reflecting on Finland’s journey as an independent nation. She emphasized the importance of safeguarding freedom, recalling Finland’s wartime struggles, and highlighted the country’s commitment to supporting Ukraine in defense of the rules-based international order.
Ambassador Saija Nurminen of the Embassy of Finland delivers an inspiring message highlighting the enduring friendship and cooperation between Finland and the Philippines.
Ambassador Saija Nurminen of the Embassy of Finland delivers an inspiring message highlighting the enduring friendship and cooperation between Finland and the Philippines.
Ambassador Nurminen also underscored the value of continued cooperation with the Philippines, noting the breadth of their shared agenda — from security and sustainability to cultural exchange and innovation. Celebrating the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations this year, pointing to the strong people-to-people ties, including more than 16,000 Filipinos living in Finland.
Representing the Philippine government, Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Administration Maria Theresa Dizon-De Vega reaffirmed the importance of Finland as a partner in areas of mutual interest. She emphasized the Philippines’ appreciation for Finland’s role in advancing cooperation, sustainability, and inclusive growth, while looking forward to deeper collaboration as the Philippines assumes the ASEAN chairmanship.
Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Administration Maria Theresa Dizon-De Vega reaffirms Finland’s vital role as a trusted partner in advancing areas of mutual interest.
Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Administration Maria Theresa Dizon-De Vega reaffirms Finland’s vital role as a trusted partner in advancing areas of mutual interest.
The evening culminated in a ceremonial toast, honoring the long and enduring friendship between Finland and the Philippines. The toast celebrated a relationship strengthened through shared values, people-to-people connections, and on-going collaboration, symbolizing the commitment of both nations to peace and prosperity.
The celebration brought together members of the diplomatic community, including: Argentina Ambassador Ricardo Luis Bocalandro; Palestine Ambassador Mounir Anastas; Malaysian Ambassador Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino; German Ambassador Andreas Michael Pfaffernoschke with spouse Mme. Marina Puhan Pfaffernoschke; Egyptian Ambassador Nader Nabil Zaki with Mme. Nancy Ramzy; Brazilian Ambassador Gilberto Fonseca Guimarães de Moura; Turkiye Ambassador Niyazi Evren Akyol, and Swedish Ambassador Anna Ferry. Their presence underscored the event’s significance as a moment of diplomatic solidarity and celebration of shared values.
Ambassador Saija Nurminen, DFA Undersecretary Maria Theresa Dizon-De Vega, and Ambassador Ricardo Luis Bocalandro of the Embassy of Argentina
Ambassador Saija Nurminen, DFA Undersecretary Maria Theresa Dizon-De Vega, and Ambassador Ricardo Luis Bocalandro of the Embassy of Argentina
Ambassador Nurminen closed her message by highlighting Finland’s role as one of NATO’s newest allies and an active EU member, committed to working alongside the Philippines and ASEAN in advancing dialogue, cooperation, and sustainable development.
The evening was not only a commemoration of Finland’s independence but also a celebration of seven decades of friendship and collaboration, setting the stage for many more years of fruitful partnership between the two nations.
Ambassador Gilberto Fonseca Guimarães de Moura of the Embassy of Brazil with Ambassador Anna Ferry of the Embassy of Sweden
Ambassador Gilberto Fonseca Guimarães de Moura of the Embassy of Brazil with Ambassador Anna Ferry of the Embassy of Sweden
Mme. Marina Puhan Pfaffernoschke and Ambassador Andreas Michael Pfaffernoschke of the Embassy of Germany
Mme. Marina Puhan Pfaffernoschke and Ambassador Andreas Michael Pfaffernoschke of the Embassy of Germany
Mme. Nancy Ramzy with spouse Ambassador Nader Nabil Zaki of the Embassy of Egypt
Mme. Nancy Ramzy with spouse Ambassador Nader Nabil Zaki of the Embassy of Egypt
ADVERTISEMENT
.most-popular .layout-ratio{ padding-bottom: 79.13%; } @media (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1024px) { .widget-title { font-size: 15px !important; } }

{{ articles_filter_1561_widget.title }}

{{ item.title }}
.most-popular .layout-ratio{ padding-bottom: 79.13%; } @media (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1024px) { .widget-title { font-size: 15px !important; } }

{{ articles_filter_1562_widget.title }}

{{ item.title }}
.most-popular .layout-ratio{ padding-bottom: 79.13%; } @media (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1024px) { .widget-title { font-size: 15px !important; } }

{{ articles_filter_1563_widget.title }}

{{ item.title }}

{{ articles_filter_1564_widget.title }}

{{ item.title }}
.mb-article-details { position: relative; } .mb-article-details .article-body-preview, .mb-article-details .article-body-summary{ font-size: 17px; line-height: 30px; font-family: "Libre Caslon Text", serif; color: #000; } .mb-article-details .article-body-preview iframe , .mb-article-details .article-body-summary iframe{ width: 100%; margin: auto; } .read-more-background { background: linear-gradient(180deg, color(display-p3 1.000 1.000 1.000 / 0) 13.75%, color(display-p3 1.000 1.000 1.000 / 0.8) 30.79%, color(display-p3 1.000 1.000 1.000) 72.5%); position: absolute; height: 200px; width: 100%; bottom: 0; display: flex; justify-content: center; align-items: center; padding: 0; } .read-more-background a{ color: #000; } .read-more-btn { padding: 17px 45px; font-family: Inter; font-weight: 700; font-size: 18px; line-height: 16px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; border: 1px solid black; background-color: white; } .hidden { display: none; }
function initializeAllSwipers() { // Get all hidden inputs with cms_article_id document.querySelectorAll('[id^="cms_article_id_"]').forEach(function (input) { const cmsArticleId = input.value; const articleSelector = '#article-' + cmsArticleId + ' .body_images'; const swiperElement = document.querySelector(articleSelector); if (swiperElement && !swiperElement.classList.contains('swiper-initialized')) { new Swiper(articleSelector, { loop: true, pagination: false, navigation: { nextEl: '#article-' + cmsArticleId + ' .swiper-button-next', prevEl: '#article-' + cmsArticleId + ' .swiper-button-prev', }, }); } }); } setTimeout(initializeAllSwipers, 3000); const intersectionObserver = new IntersectionObserver( (entries) => { entries.forEach((entry) => { if (entry.isIntersecting) { const newUrl = entry.target.getAttribute("data-url"); if (newUrl) { history.pushState(null, null, newUrl); let article = entry.target; // Extract metadata const author = article.querySelector('.author-section').textContent.replace('By', '').trim(); const section = article.querySelector('.section-info ').textContent.replace(' ', ' '); const title = article.querySelector('.article-title h1').textContent; // Parse URL for Chartbeat path format const parsedUrl = new URL(newUrl, window.location.origin); const cleanUrl = parsedUrl.host + parsedUrl.pathname; // Update Chartbeat configuration if (typeof window._sf_async_config !== 'undefined') { window._sf_async_config.path = cleanUrl; window._sf_async_config.sections = section; window._sf_async_config.authors = author; } // Track virtual page view with Chartbeat if (typeof pSUPERFLY !== 'undefined' && typeof pSUPERFLY.virtualPage === 'function') { try { pSUPERFLY.virtualPage({ path: cleanUrl, title: title, sections: section, authors: author }); } catch (error) { console.error('ping error', error); } } // Optional: Update document title if (title && title !== document.title) { document.title = title; } } } }); }, { threshold: 0.1 } ); function showArticleBody(button) { const article = button.closest("article"); const summary = article.querySelector(".article-body-summary"); const body = article.querySelector(".article-body-preview"); const readMoreSection = article.querySelector(".read-more-background"); // Hide summary and read-more section summary.style.display = "none"; readMoreSection.style.display = "none"; // Show the full article body body.classList.remove("hidden"); } document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", () => { let loadCount = 0; // Track how many times articles are loaded const offset = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]; // Offset values const currentUrl = window.location.pathname.substring(1); let isLoading = false; // Prevent multiple calls if (!currentUrl) { console.log("Current URL is invalid."); return; } const sentinel = document.getElementById("load-more-sentinel"); if (!sentinel) { console.log("Sentinel element not found."); return; } function isSentinelVisible() { const rect = sentinel.getBoundingClientRect(); return ( rect.top < window.innerHeight && rect.bottom >= 0 ); } function onScroll() { if (isLoading) return; if (isSentinelVisible()) { if (loadCount >= offset.length) { console.log("Maximum load attempts reached."); window.removeEventListener("scroll", onScroll); return; } isLoading = true; const currentOffset = offset[loadCount]; window.loadMoreItems().then(() => { let article = document.querySelector('#widget_1690 > div:nth-last-of-type(2) article'); intersectionObserver.observe(article) loadCount++; }).catch(error => { console.error("Error loading more items:", error); }).finally(() => { isLoading = false; }); } } window.addEventListener("scroll", onScroll); });
Join Our Newsletters

Sign up by email to receive news.

© 2025 Manila Bulletin The Nation's Leading Newspaper. All Rights Reserved.