By Veronica Uy
Denmark is about 10,000 kilometers away from the Philippines. The time difference between the two countries is seven hours (during standard time, and six during daylight saving time). These make for incredible geographical and cultural gaps.
With a population about the size of Quezon City (5.9 million), Denmark has an economy that—while roughly nominally the same as the Philippines’ (past the $400 billion mark in 2023)—is so much wealthier. On the average, a Danish citizen earns over $68,000 every year, while a Filipino just a small fraction of that, at $3,720.
But despite these huge differences, several things connect the two countries.
Based on Ambassador Franz-Michael Mellbin’s speech on the occasion of Denmark Day, celebrated on Monday (Sept. 23) at the Ayala Museum, THEPHILBIZNEWS listed down these five ties that have bound and will bind Denmark and the Philippines:
- Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tales and the Philippines’ founding fathers
The Philippines’ national hero Jose Rizal was among those enamored by Andersen’s fairy tales. Our physician-novelist and overall Renaissance man translated Andersen’s “The Ugly Duckling” and “The Little Match Girl.”
“We celebrate a curious conflation of cultural links between our two countries. ‘The Little Match Girl’ and ‘The Ugly Duckling’ are tales of hardship. One ending in tragedy the other in triumph. Fortunately, we are joined today in writing our own ending,” the ambassador said.
Also, Jacobo Ayala-Zobel, a forefather of the prominent Zobel-Ayala family, had personal correspondence with Andersen after meeting him in Madrid.
- A shared seafaring tradition
Denmark and the Philippines share a deep seafaring history. Denmark, home to global shipping giants like Maersk, has long been a maritime powerhouse. The Philippines, as one of the world’s top suppliers of seafarers, is a key contributor to this global industry.
“We can reshape and reimagine the shipping industry,” the ambassador said, looking at potential initiatives.
This shared seafaring tradition underscores the critical role that both countries play in international shipping and trade, particularly as the conflict in the West Philippine Sea escalates.
“It is 8 years ago that…the UNCLOS tribunal decided in favor of the Philippines. However, not everyone seems committed to upholding the convention. This year, several Filipino officers and men and their ships were harmed through reckless actions, threatening the peace and stability of the entire region,” Ambassador Mellbin said.
“Denmark calls on all nations—and especially all signatories of the convention—to respect and support the tribunal’s decision,” he added.
- Philippines’ role in Danish global supply chains
Philippine-made semiconductors power Denmark’s cutting-edge technology, from industrial machines to robots and energy technology. These cross-border supply chains are proof of how closely intertwined the economies of Denmark and the Philippines are, with Denmark contributing to sectors like agriculture, logistics, and healthcare in the Philippines.
- Renewable energy jobs for Filipinos
Denmark is leading the charge in renewable energy, and it’s opening up global opportunities for Filipinos. Through initiatives like JOBS4RE, Filipino workers can now take on green jobs both locally and internationally, contributing to the global energy transition while boosting their skills in sustainable industries.
“We can make this country a leader in the energy transition by paving the way for green fuel production and introducing sustainable mining,” the ambassador said.
- Tech and business intelligence jobs for Filipinos
Thousands of Filipinos are employed in high-quality jobs supporting Danish companies in IT-support and business intelligence services. This tech-driven partnership between Denmark and the Philippines highlights how Filipino talent plays a pivotal role in keeping Danish productivity among the highest in the world.
“Together we can digitalize public services,” the ambassador said, noting the various future shared endeavors the two countries may endeavor to finish.