In a statement issued April 13, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations warned that disruptions in one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints could ripple across global markets and destabilize economies, particularly in Asia.

“We call for the restoration of the safe, unimpeded, and continuous transit passage of vessels and aircraft in the Strait of Hormuz… as well as for all parties to ensure the safety of seafarers and ships,” the ministers said.

The 11-nation grouping also pushed for strict compliance with the ceasefire agreed on April 8 between the United States and Iran, stressing the need to prevent further escalation.

“We call for the full and effective implementation of the ceasefire… minimizing disruption to the flow of energy and essential goods, and mitigating its adverse impact on global economic stability,” the statement read.

ASEAN urged all parties to return to negotiations despite the breakdown in talks as of Sunday, warning that continued hostilities threaten both regional and global stability.

“We urge the United States… and the Islamic Republic of Iran to continue negotiations that will lead to the permanent end of the conflict and lasting peace and stability in the region,” it said.

The bloc also called on all sides to “exercise utmost restraint, cease all hostilities, [and] avoid any acts that may aggravate the situation.”

ASEAN is a regional bloc working together on economic, political, and security issues. With a combined population of over 670 million and a roughly $3.6 trillion economy, it is among the world’s largest economic groupings.

The region is highly sensitive to disruptions in global energy supply chains. The Strait of Hormuz—located between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman—is a critical chokepoint through which about 20% of the world’s oil and LNG passes.

A large share of that energy is bound for Asia. Estimates suggest nearly 90% of oil shipments through Hormuz head to Asian markets, with Southeast Asian economies heavily reliant on Middle Eastern crude and gas imports.

Any disruption to this route can quickly translate into higher fuel costs, rising food prices, and broader inflation pressures, particularly for energy-importing countries.

The ASEAN statement comes amid a rapidly evolving situation in the Middle East following a two-week ceasefire agreement announced on April 8 involving the United States and Iran, with mediation by Pakistan and indirect involvement of Israel.

While the deal included commitments to pause major attacks and reopen the Strait of Hormuz for safe energy shipments, the truce has proven fragile.

News reports indicate that violations have already occurred on multiple fronts; fighting continues in areas such as Lebanon, where the ceasefire terms remain unclear; and peace negotiations have stalled as of Sunday, raising the risk of renewed escalation.

Analysts describe the situation as a “dangerous pause,” a temporary de-escalation rather than a durable peace.

Against this backdrop, ASEAN underscored the need for diplomacy and adherence to international law.

“We underscore the importance of maintaining regional peace, stability and prosperity… and promoting earnest dialogue and diplomacy as the primary means of addressing conflicts,” the ministers said.

The bloc also reiterated that all states must “resolve their differences through peaceful means,” protect civilians, and respect sovereignty — principles it warned are critical to preventing a wider global crisis.

The ceremony was held at the historic Saint Sophia Cathedral, coinciding with the 34th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Ukraine. The venue underscored Ukraine’s centuries-old diplomatic tradition, tracing its roots to Kyivan Rus.

Following the presentation, Ambassador Deniega held a tête-à-tête with President Zelenskyy, where both sides discussed current Philippines-Ukraine relations and explored areas of mutual interest.

Days later, on April 10, Deniega continued his diplomatic engagements in Poland, meeting officials from the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Policy to advance the welfare of Filipino workers.

The Polish side, represented by Deputy State Minister Sebastian Gajewski, acknowledged the significant contributions of Filipinos to Poland’s labor market and economy.

Discussions covered migration policy, labor market dynamics, and key concerns affecting foreign workers, alongside measures being implemented by the Polish government to address these issues. Gajewski expressed openness to further cooperation with the Philippines.

As part of its integration efforts, Poland is also developing an interactive digital portal to help foreign workers navigate legal and administrative systems while adapting to local culture.

The engagements reflect Manila’s continued push to deepen diplomatic ties while strengthening protections for overseas Filipino workers across Europe.

In his remarks for the Commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of Philippines-Holy See Diplomatic relations, held at Ayuntamiento de Manila in Intramuros, President Marcos said the Philippines is mindful of the hardships endured by the diaspora, including the seafarers, in their pursuit of a better life for themselves and their families.

“As such, the Philippines looks forward to deepening its collaboration with the Holy See on the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration — the world’s first comprehensive intergovernmental plan to protect the rights of migrants,” said President Marcos.

“In a world that has become increasingly volatile, uncertain, and complex, the Philippines cannot face today’s challenges alone,” the President said.

“We rely on steadfast partners — like the Holy See — who share our commitment to building more just, humane, and inclusive communities,” President Marcos added.

According to a report from the United Nations Network on Migration, the Philippines has been a staunch advocate of the protection of the rights and promotion of the welfare of migrants, through the implementation of the GCM since its adoption by the UN General Assembly in December 2018.

The UN Network on Migration said that, in 2021, a new Chapter on international migration and development was added to the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022.

This new Chapter is primarily based on the GCM, developed through an inclusive, whole-of-government, whole-of-society approach, and aims to ensure the safety and protection of both Filipino migrants overseas and foreign nationals in the Philippines as they contribute to sustainable development.

This new Chapter plays a key part in the national development plan to ensure the National Implementation Plan of the GCM, the report said. 

The shift marks a transition from the “brain drain” anxieties of the 1970s to a “brain gain” framework. This modern strategy focuses on dual-citizenship mobilization, technology transfer, and philanthropic investment, aiming to integrate the global Filipino community into the nation’s long-term development goals.

For decades, the metric of success for the Filipino diaspora was strictly fiscal: the billions of dollars in annual remittances that anchor the Philippine peso.

However, the CFO’s new direction under Secretary Dante “Klink” Ang II aligns with a growing body of academic research suggesting that social remittances — the transfer of ideas, skills, and global norms — are more transformative for developing nations than cash alone.

A landmark study “Engaging the Asian Diaspora” (IOM-MPI Issue in Brief 7) published in November 2012 by the Migration Policy Institute (MPI) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), highlights that effective diaspora engagement requires moving past “ATM-style” relationships.

Research indicates that when governments create formal pathways for professional diasporas to consult on domestic policy or mentor local startups, the resulting “circular migration” of knowledge accelerates industrial innovation more rapidly than foreign direct aid.

The CFO’s pivot is supported by behavioral studies on migrant loyalty.

According to the Journal of International Economics, the “diaspora effect” significantly lowers the barriers to international trade.

Migrants act as “information bridges,” reducing the risks for foreign investors who might otherwise find the Philippine regulatory landscape opaque.

Furthermore, research published in World Development suggests that high-skilled migrants are more likely to invest in their home countries when the government provides structured, transparent platforms for engagement.

By formalizing programs like the Lingkod sa Kapwa Pilipino (Linkapil), the CFO is leveraging the “altruistic investment” model identified by economists as a more stable capital source than volatile venture capital.

As the Philippines navigates a post-pandemic economy, the CFO’s direction is clear: the country’s greatest resource isn’t just the hands that work abroad, but the minds that stay connected to home. 

The CFO, established under Batas Pambansa Blg. 79, is dedicated to the welfare and empowerment of Filipinos permanently residing abroad. It is distinct from the Department of Migrant Workers, which primarily addresses the needs of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and other temporary migrants.

The funding is part of the government’s reintegration push, particularly for workers affected by the Middle East crisis, enabling them to start or expand small businesses upon returning home. The assistance was awarded during the “Bayanihan para sa Balikbayang Manggagawa: A Reintegration Network Fair,” which gathered various support services for repatriated Filipinos.

Facilitated by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the initiative highlights a growing policy direction: transforming OFWs into enterprise owners as a pathway to long-term financial resilience.

Early beneficiaries represent a diverse mix of micro and small enterprises—from a water refilling station and pharmacy to food kiosks, printing services, construction supplies, and specialty food production. The range of businesses reflects how returning workers are tapping familiar community needs while leveraging skills gained abroad.

DTI Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque emphasized that reintegration efforts go beyond financing, stressing a “whole-of-government” approach to ensure OFWs have access to opportunities, training, and continued support upon their return.

Through its financing arm, Small Business Corporation (SBCorp), DTI has earmarked ₱2 billion for the OFW Negosyo Fund. The facility offers loans ranging from ₱30,000 to as much as ₱20 million, depending on the borrower’s business track record and funding requirements.

Designed to encourage enterprise growth, the program features flexible terms, including optional grace periods of up to 12 months, zero collateral for loans within set thresholds, and repayment terms of up to five years—helping ease the financial burden on startup entrepreneurs.

Access to financing has also been digitized, with applications available through the SBCorp Money App and its web platform, streamlining the process for OFWs wherever they may be.

For hands-on assistance, more than 1,400 Negosyo Centers nationwide provide business advisory services, from planning and registration to market linkage.

As more returning OFWs turn to entrepreneurship, the fund signals a broader shift—positioning them not just as returning workers, but as key drivers of grassroots economic growth.

Mekeni is Capampangan for “come here.”

As the war in the Middle East drags on, it might benefit the Philippine government to go to Porac, Pampanga and check out how this family-owned meat processing business has survived and thrived through various crises:

The EDSA People Power 1986, when the company was founded; the 1991 Pinatubo eruption that covered most of Central Luzon in volcanic dust, lahar, and floods for about a decade; the 1996-1997 Asian financial crisis; the sporadic but systemic foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and African swine fever (ASF) that wiped out the key ingredients in most of their finished products; the Covid-19 pandemic; and personal bereavements in its leadership.

“We were founded and have thrived in discomfort, not comfort,” said Mekeni president and CEO Prudencio “Pruds” Garcia.

Here, he offers three concrete lessons not just for businesses, but for policymakers searching for a roadmap in this age of BANI (brittle, anxious, non-linear, and incomprehensible):

1. Keep calm – and institutionalize calm leadership.

“Be calm, that’s my first obligation as leader of the company. Because of uncertainties, normal lang mag‑panic. Normal lang mag‑alala. But if your people see you as medyo na-sh‑shake, the panic spreads and multiplies,” Garcia said.

“In uncertainties, you have to pause, relax, and talk to the Lord, and listen to His message. You may not have the answer right away, but at least it will give you the peace of mind, the calmness, not just to think about yourself, but also the community and the country.”

“Besides, you cannot think clearly when you are panicking,” he added.

So he has instructed his executive committee to think up of ways to “tighten the belt” and “delay the impact” of the war on their workers, community, customers, and suppliers.

Policy lesson number 1: Model calm leadership.

And that means the country’s leaders must:

• Speak frankly about the risks from the Middle East war — on fuel, inflation, and remittances — through empowering messaging. For instance, massively get everyone’s participation in conserving energy, water, and other precious resources to help “delay the impact” of the war, extend the supply of these resources, and eventually shift to a green, circular economy, where reuse-reduce-recycle is a national mantra and an everyday habit.
• Lay out, in advance, trigger‑based responses. For instance, if oil breaches a certain level, or if a major shipping lane is disrupted, the government will start rationing fuel with a clear, logical, easy-to-understand, and easy-to-execute rationing plan.
• Communicate regularly and consistently so that everyone understands the plan and do not fill the information vacuum with rumors.

Mekeni’s experience shows that calm is the enabling condition for rational, humane crisis decisions.

2. Helping others is the best way to help yourself.

Mekeni’s most powerful lesson is deceptively simple and rooted in the Filipino concept of kapwa.

“The best time to help is not when you’re comfortable; the best time to help is kung nagsasa-suffer ka rin,” Garcia said.

This ethic, deeply ingrained by Garcia’s parents who founded the company, has shaped their response to all the crises they’ve faced and overcome. After the 1991 Pinatubo eruption, their Tatang asked three of the five Garcia sons who were working abroad to come home and rebuild their ash-covered community.

“All of us worked day and night to rebuild from the devastation of Pinatubo. Ang slogan namin: We have to survive. And for us to survive, we have to help others to survive,” Garcia said.

After an ASF attack on their brand and just as they were preparing a US launch, Covid‑19 arrived. Early on, management realized that the pandemic would last “years, not weeks,” and that their instinct to protect only the balance sheet would have devastating domino effects.

Instead, they made three counter‑intuitive moves:

• Pay suppliers “at least a week earlier than terms so suppliers could also provide for their own people.”
• Ensure that “ang sweldo, the latest is always on time, not one day after.”
• Rebuild their product mix “to avoid layoffs because we have to take care of our people.” Born as an employment buffer, their new “bayani lines” that include fish ball, kikiam, and siopao later became their first exports to the US. In other words, their people‑first approach opened new markets and revenue streams.

Now, with the war in the Middle East, the question for Mekeni management is how to shield “our people, the community, our customers, of course the suppliers” from the energy and logistics shock, even if the macro environment is beyond their control.

Policy lesson number 2: The country’s crisis architecture must reward and reinforce people‑first decisions.

That may mean government helps and fast-tracks the:

• Design of subsidy or support schemes that kick in quickly for firms that commit to no‑layoff or minimal‑layoff policies during defined shock periods.
• Short‑term financing and tax relief to firms that maintain on‑time payments to small suppliers, recognizing that this keeps entire local supply chains alive.
• Support of product diversification efforts — through technical assistance, export promotion, and regulatory flexibility — when firms pivot to protect jobs, as Mekeni did in its “bayani lines.”

The precept that “when you help others, you help yourself” is a description of how resilience is built from the bottom up.

3. Think global, act local.

From a small rural town in the Philippines, Mekeni has had to think like a global company. Its customers include overseas Filipinos, its inputs are exposed to volatile world prices, and its market is shaped by foreign outbreaks (FMD and ASF), pandemics, and now war.

When the Middle East conflict escalated, Garcia did not treat it as someone else’s problem. He immediately traced ripple effects on energy, logistics, and the orders of customers in the region.

At the same time, his concrete actions are disarmingly local: strengthen support for workers and nearby communities, recalibrate the company’s 40‑year plan because “the environment has changed,” and insist that while plans must change, “the goal cannot change: We have to be stronger for our people, for the community.”

Policy lesson number 3: Read the war globally, but respond locally.

For the Philippine government, that could mean:

• Granular mapping of barangays and sectors most exposed to Middle East risks: agri‑food chains heavily reliant on fuel and imported inputs, ports or logistics hubs vulnerable to route disruptions, and communities with high concentrations of OFW families.
• Targeting assistance — fuel discounts, logistics subsidies, credit guarantees, and social protection — into hotspots instead of spreading support too thinly.
• Working with LGUs, co‑ops, and business groups to co‑design local contingency plans. For example, transport sharing, community‑level energy conservation, and emergency income support tied to local public works (similar to TUPAD).

By thinking globally but acting locally, protections are concrete and felt where they are needed most.

‘Hindi ka dapat sumuko’

To the Garcias, crises are tests of leadership, integrity, and community. To them, the Mekeni story is about enduring crises with calm, compassion, and local action.

Come here, the Mekeni founder once told his sons in 1991. Help rebuild the community that allowed you to finish school and opened opportunities for the family.  

Through every crisis, Mekeni applied these three lessons together as a family, as a business, as a community — as one team.

“We have to work as a team. Hindi pwede ang kanya-kanyang kayod. We have to work toward one direction,” Pruds said.

Through all these crises, Mekeni has grown from about 20 employees in 1991 to 1,400 today. The 1,400 families who now depend on the company are the main reason Tatang ultimately pulled back his own fatherly advice for Pruds to sell, given after two brothers passed away during the pandemic and Pruds had resolved to sleep only four hours a night for two years to cover the work his brothers left behind.

“Hindi ka dapat sumuko.” You cannot give up because of them, his father told him.

The same inclination can sometimes run in public leadership, as there are limits to what one state can control in a global war. But within those limits, there is enormous room to choose calm over panic, people over short‑term profit, and grounded local action over abstract rhetoric — altogether and all together, working as one.

In the story of the Philippines, this war may be the one in which the country and its people emerge not unscathed, but still standing — because we never gave up on each other.

Speaking during a recent meeting with the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), Lyster praised the Filipino diaspora as a highly skilled and trusted workforce that has become an integral part of Norwegian society.

He described Filipinos as “high-quality, skilled professionals” who continue to strengthen Norway’s maritime industry — an area where ties between the two countries run deep, with Norwegian shipping firms recruiting Filipino seafarers for decades.

The Filipino community in Norway, estimated at 20,000 to 25,000, may be relatively small but plays an outsized role in key industries, particularly shipping and healthcare, where many work as seafarers and nurses.

Beyond economic contributions, Lyster underscored the importance of recognizing overseas Filipino excellence through initiatives such as the Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas (PAFIOO), noting their role in highlighting the community’s achievements.

The meeting also reflected Manila’s evolving approach to migration, as CFO Secretary Dante “Klink” Ang II outlined a shift from administrative oversight to active diaspora engagement for national development.

Ang said the agency is strengthening programs that allow Filipinos abroad to contribute meaningfully to the Philippines while ensuring their welfare and protection.

Under its mandate, the CFO works with Philippine embassies and host governments to monitor migrant welfare, review program guidelines, and prepare departing Filipinos with knowledge of their destination countries’ laws and culture.

The discussions also tackled emerging migration challenges, including human trafficking, domestic violence, and changing global labor conditions.

To improve coordination, both sides emphasized the need for stronger bilateral data sharing. Lyster reaffirmed Norway’s openness to deeper collaboration and institutional support for Filipino migrants.

The CFO, an agency under the Office of the President, focuses on permanent migrants and diaspora communities, complementing the work of the Department of Migrant Workers, which serves overseas Filipino workers and temporary migrants.

As the Philippines deepens engagement with its global diaspora, the experience of Filipinos in Norway stands out as a model of successful integration, where professional excellence, cultural adaptability, and long-standing bilateral ties converge.

The assurance was conveyed during a phone call between Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, according to the DFA.

The development is seen as critical for the Philippines, which relies heavily on Middle East imports for its energy needs.

“Given that the Philippines imports the majority of its energy requirements from the Middle East, these assurances from Iran will greatly facilitate the steady delivery of critical oil and fertilizer supplies to the Philippines,” the DFA said.

It added that the guarantee would help protect Filipino seafarers operating in the area and “also help ensure energy security for the country.”

DFA spokesperson Analyn Ratonel also clarified that no transit fees would be imposed, dismissing reports that Iran planned to charge at least $1 per barrel—estimated at around $2 million per vessel.

“On question regarding the reported toll fee, there is no toll fee,” she said in a text message to reporters.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to “maintaining excellent relations and achieving lasting peace through continued dialogue and diplomacy,” the DFA said.

The talks were initiated after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. directed the DFA to engage Tehran to secure safe passage for Philippine-bound vessels.

Tensions around the Strait of Hormuz have escalated following joint military operations by Israel and the United States on Feb. 28 targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, which reportedly resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Iran has since maintained a de facto blockade of the key maritime chokepoint, triggering volatility in global energy markets and pushing oil prices higher.

The disruption prompted Manila to act swiftly. Last week, President Marcos declared a state of national energy emergency to cushion the impact of potential fuel supply shocks and stabilize the domestic energy sector.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Tess Lazaro and Energy Secretary Sharon Garin raised the request during a meeting with Iranian Ambassador Yousef Esmaeilzadeh, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro told reporters in a text message Wednesday.

The move comes as fuel prices surge and shipping routes face disruption following strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran, which led to the partial closure of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

Castro said Tehran signaled openness to Manila’s request: “Amb. Esmaeilzadeh noted that they have been awaiting our outreach and reaffirmed their strong willingness to assist the Philippines with our specific requests.”

Both sides agreed to streamline coordination through formal channels.

“We agreed to course all detailed requests through official diplomatic channels to expedite processing,” the Palace spokesperson said.

At the center of the talks is the Philippines’ push to secure energy supply lines and protect Filipino seafarers deployed across global shipping routes.

“Sec Lazaro requested that Iran formally designate PH as a ‘non-hostile country’ and ensure safe passage for PH-flagged vessels and oil shipments. This is vital for the protection of our seafarers and our energy supply. DOE is finalizing the necessary details for immediate transmission,” Castro said.

Lazaro is expected to elevate the discussions to the highest level.

“Sec Lazaro expects to speak with the Iranian Foreign Minister tomorrow to personally secure these commitments at the highest level,” the Palace spokesperson said.

Despite the geopolitical backdrop, Castro described the engagement as constructive: “The meeting was exceptionally warm and open. Given their stated readiness to cooperate, we are highly optimistic about a favorable outcome.”

The diplomatic push follows directives from Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who ordered officials to negotiate safe passage for Philippine-bound oil shipments amid escalating risks in the region.

Castro said the engagement with Iran was proposed during a recent meeting of the government’s Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport committee, convened by the president under a declared national energy emergency.

As the conflict shows no signs of easing, Manila is stepping up diplomatic efforts to secure fuel access and shield its maritime workforce from the ripple effects of a widening crisis in one of the world’s most critical energy corridors.

Speaking at the inaugural Nordic Day celebration on March 23, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Leo Herrera-Lim framed the gathering not as a ceremonial occasion, but as a moment shaped by crisis.

“There are moments in diplomacy when one must set aside the pleasantries and speak plainly about the weight of the world. This is one of those moments,” he said.

Herrera-Lim did not mince words on the situation in the Middle East, particularly the humanitarian devastation unfolding in Gaza.

“The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has produced a humanitarian catastrophe that none of us… can view with indifference,” he said, pointing to images of “children, hospitals, entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble” as a stark indictment of global inaction.

With tens of thousands of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Israel, Lebanon, and nearby areas, the government has been forced into sustained emergency response mode.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs has been working around the clock — and I use that phrase not as a figure of speech — to monitor their safety, facilitate repatriations, and provide consular assistance,” Herrera-Lim said.

“We are proud of that work. We also know it is never enough when people are in danger,” he said.

Against this backdrop, the Nordic countries — Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland — have emerged as key partners aligned with the Philippines’ stance on humanitarian protection and diplomacy.

Herrera-Lim highlighted Norway’s long-standing role in peacebuilding, noting that “diplomacy must be pursued even when — especially when — it is inconvenient.”

He also cited Sweden and Denmark’s humanitarian contributions, as well as Finland’s consistent advocacy for international humanitarian law in multilateral forums.

“The Nordic countries have been among the most principled voices on this crisis,” he said.

This alignment reflects deeper shared values between Manila and the Nordic bloc, particularly a commitment to civilian protection, humanitarian access, and long-term peace.

“The Philippines shares these convictions,” Herrera-Lim stressed. “We have called for an immediate, sustained ceasefire… unimpeded humanitarian access… [and] the protection of civilians, all civilians, as a non-negotiable principle.”

Beyond the humanitarian dimension, the war is also reshaping economic realities for the Philippines — underscoring the interconnectedness that defines modern diplomacy.

Disruptions in Red Sea shipping lanes have driven up costs and delayed exports bound for Europe, a key market. At the same time, uncertainty in Gulf economies has affected remittances from Filipino workers.

“These are not abstractions,” Herrera-Lim said. “They are the monthly budgets of Filipino families.”

The convergence of these pressures — humanitarian, economic, and geopolitical — has elevated the importance of reliable international partnerships, including those with Nordic countries known for stability and adherence to global norms.

At the heart of the Philippines-Nordic connection is a shared belief in the rules-based international order — an increasingly fragile framework in today’s volatile geopolitical landscape.

“On this, the Philippines and the Nordic nations speak with one voice: the rules-based international order is not optional,” Herrera-Lim said.

“It is the architecture that protects the small, the vulnerable, and the far-away,” he added.

His message was clear: when international law is undermined in one region, the consequences are global — and disproportionately borne by those least equipped to absorb them.

“When it is violated anywhere, it is weakened everywhere,” he added. “And when it is weakened, it is always the most vulnerable who pay the price first.”

The Nordic Day celebration, while symbolic, reflects a broader shift in Philippine diplomacy — toward deeper engagement with partners that share its values amid global uncertainty.

As conflict reshapes trade routes, strains labor markets, and tests international institutions, the Philippines is looking to alliances that go beyond transactional ties.

In the words of Herrera-Lim, this is not just about diplomacy, it is about confronting “the weight of the world” together.

And in that weight, the Philippines and the Nordic nations appear increasingly aligned.