Text by Luz Bergersen, photos by Kiko Bustamante and Rhyan Elivera Olivo
Atty. Leni Robredo, former Vice-President of the Philippines, visited Oslo, Norway from 26th to 27th January. She was the special guest speaker at the ‘Seminar on Integrity in International Collaborations in an Open Science Environment’, held at the University in Oslo (UiO), on the 27th.
Dr. Rosemarie Bernabe, «Ethics in Global Health Communities» theme leader, convened the distinguished panel of speakers to the seminar held at Professorboligen, a venue within the UiO Law Faculty complex in Karl Johan gate, Oslo.
The day before the seminar, on the 26th, Filipino community supporters gathered at the University of Oslo’s Domus Bibliotheca, upon arrival of the FVP. The group of enthusiastic supporters gathered for a very warm welcome, ‘Meet and Greet’ with the former VP.
The program started with an introduction to the Filipino community in Norway, by ‘oldtimer’ community leader, Ruben Gerardo. Rally videos before the last elections were shown. The much-awaited speech by the former VP was followed by Q&A from the audience. To close the meeting, the group sang ’Rosas’, while the former VP handed out pink roses to everyone.
MASS and DINNER. FVP Leni Robredo, joined Filipinos in a Mass at St Joseph Church in Oslo in the evening of the 27th. After the mass, a special dinner in honour of the former VP was arranged in the church hall. In lieu of gifts, donations were made to ‘Angat Buhay’, the non-profit, non- governmental organization founded by FVP Leni Robredo, to help the poor and especially those in remote areas.
The visit and program of FVP Atty. Leni Robredo in Oslo were arranged by the University in Oslo, upon initiative of UiO Professor Dr. Rosemarie Bernabe, PhD, with invaluable support of Judy Malundo Gonzales, Dr. Aibee Rodriguez, PhD, Macel Ingles, Jun Solas, Niel Christopher Baquiran, and other community leaders.