06/07/2026
Public Statement Regarding The Philippines' Day 2026
Over the past few days, we have seen questions about how The Philippines' Day 2026 was organized and we would like to provide some clarification.
The Philippines' Day was first introduced in 2025 through the collaboration of the Philippine Business Club Finland (PBC) and Pagtitipon to celebrate Philippine Independence Day. The event brought together Filipino organizations, businesses, volunteers, and the wider community, attracting an estimated 18,000 visitors and demonstrating the strong interest in celebrating Filipino culture in Finland.
For the 2026 edition, the event was organized and fully produced by Mabuhay Events Oy, with the Philippine Business Club serving as the event's main community partner.
As a nonprofit association, PBC has limited financial and operational resources. Organizing a large public event in Helsinki requires substantial funding, planning and professional event management. Mabuhay Events Oy therefore assumed responsibility for the full production and financial risk of the event to ensure that this celebration could continue to grow.
Many people may not realize what is required to organize an event of this scale. Costs include venue rental, permits, production infrastructure, decorations, technical equipment, electricity, water connections, security, insurance, waste management, logistics, furniture, construction, marketing, communications, staffing, and many other operational requirements. These are significant expenses, regardless of whether the organizer is a nonprofit association or a private company.
This year, we also made the decision to limit the number of vendors. While this meant that not every interested business could participate, it allowed us to improve visitor flow, reduce overcrowding, improve queue management and create a more enjoyable experience for both visitors and vendors.
Our partnership with the Philippine Business Club remained an important part of the event. PBC members received member benefits and discounts, and many PBC officers generously volunteered their time to support the event. Mabuhay Events Oy operated the event independently and did not use PBC's nonprofit status for commercial or financial advantage.
We understand that every large event will generate different opinions. We appreciate constructive feedback, and we are already reviewing suggestions to improve future editions of The Philippines' Day.
However, we also encourage everyone to verify information before sharing it publicly. If you have questions, concerns, or suggestions, we invite you to contact Mabuhay Events Oy directly. We are committed to listening, responding respectfully, and continuously improving the event for the benefit of the Filipino community in Finland.
Finally, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to our sponsors, partners, vendors, performers, volunteers, and the thousands of visitors who supported The Philippines' Day 2026. Your encouragement, participation, and trust made this event possible, and we look forward to building an even stronger celebration together in the years ahead.
Mabuhay Events Oy
