24 October 2023 - H.E. Ambassador Maria Lumen B. Isleta met Hon. Mr. Tomas Häyry, Mayor of Vaasa in the Ostrobothnia region of Finland on 23 October 2023.
During the meeting, Ambassador Isleta provided a brief overview of the activities of the Embassy of the Philippines in Finland, including its visit to Vamia School in Vaasa. Both sides agreed to explore greater cooperation in various areas including education, green and smart solutions, energy and sustainable development.
Vaasa is a city on the west coast of Finland. The city is bilingual with 66.2% of the population speaking Finnish as their first language and 23.4% speaking Swedish. The surrounding Ostrobothnian municipalities (such as Korsholm and Malax) have a clear Swedish-speaking majority, which is why the Swedish language maintains a strong position in the city, making it the most significant cultural center for Swedish-Finns.
Also present during the meeting were Deputy Chief of Mission and Consul General Gines Jaime Ricardo D. Gallaga and Labour Attaché Amuerfina Reyes. END.
23 October 2023, Finland - H.E. Ambassador of the Philippines Maria Lumen B. Isleta, met with members of the Filipino community in Vaasa in the Ostrobothnia region of Finland during a dinner hosted by Ms. Nenita Lassas, FiCom leader in Vaasa.
During the meeting, Ambassador Isleta shared the Embassy initiatives in Finland as well as updates on consular services. For their part, the members of the Filipino community shared their experiences in living and working in Finland. According to their estimate, there are around 1,000 Filipinos living and working in the Ostrobothnia region and their numbers have steadily been increasing over the years.
The FilCom members present during the dinner-meeting included Ms. Kimberly Eria, Mr. MakiEria, Ms. Glaiza Marie Tabuco, Mr. Paul Ian Soriano, Ms. Reisie Granholm, Ms. MarigoldGeonzon, Mr. Warren T. Barredo, Mr. Donn Camillo Tabuco, Ms. Arlyn Gonzales, Ms. KharenApostol, Ms. Cecilia Manigque Aranoa, and Ms. Fe Manigque Aranoa Forsman.
Also present were Deputy Chief of Mission and Consul General Gines Jaime Ricardo D. Gallaga and Labour Attaché Ms. Amuerfina Reyes. END.
23 October 2023, Finland - H.E. Ambassador of the Philippines Maria Lumen B. Isleta met with Dermosil CEO and Founder Mr. Henry Backlund during her visit to Vamia. Dermosil is one of Finland’s largest online stores selling skin and hair care products and makeup.
Mr. Backlund provided a brief backgrounder on the company and hosted a tour of the warehouse. Dermosil, a Finnish company is located in Ostrobothnia in the town of Korsnäs. All the products are developed in Korsnäs, from the idea to the packaging and design, with carefully selected subcontractors in Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Spain and Poland.
Ambassador Isleta was accompanied by Deputy Chief of Mission and Consul General Gines Jaime Ricardo D. Gallaga, Labour Attaché Ms. Amuerfina Reyes, and Ms. Nenita Lassas, FilCom leader in Vaasa. END.
