Where is Norwegia: An Investigative Inquiry Into Our Newest Diplomatic Partner
You might have missed last night's big news, which was that Malacañang was paid a courtesy call by the ambassador of our newest diplomatic partner, Norwegia.
In a post from the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Facebook page, the government posted photos of Norwegian Ambassador to the Philippines Erik Forner, noting that "The president conferred the Order of Sikatuna with the rank of Datu to outgoing Norwegian Ambassador to the Philippines Erik Forner for his service as the representative of Norwegia."
It took a few hours for the good people on social media to catch on, but when they did, they spread the news far and wide:
WRONG WRONG WRONG!
— ALT_AsecMargauxUson (@AsecMargauxUson) June 14, 2018
The people of Norwegia are called NORANIANS! pic.twitter.com/it9lIijjtE
Ooh I've been to Georgia and California, oh, anywhere I could run
Took the hand of a preacher man and we made love in the sun
But I ran out of places and friendly faces because I had to be free
I've been to paradise, but I've never been to Norwegia.— Stewart ???? (@Stewart___O) June 14, 2018ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW
Hahahahahahaha THE BEST AND THE BRIGHTEST JUST SAID NORWEGIA HAHAHAHAHA WHAT'S NEXT, CANADIA??!!
— Chai Fonacier (@rrrabidcat) June 14, 2018
THE BUHAKHAK OF MY SOUL, MUMSHIEEEEE!!!! pic.twitter.com/M9iY1WeAh7
Covered ba ng Schengen visa ang Norwegia? Asking for a friend.
— ???????????? ???????????????????? (@lakwatsarah) June 14, 2018
Norwegia is the sister kingdom of Genovia pic.twitter.com/4Tk1s1JZ0v
— Leonard Pascual (@drbrainhacker) June 14, 2018
Norwegia, Ghanaia
— Jonathan E. Sy (@easy_jonathan) June 14, 2018
Peruvia, Canadia
We moonwalk the foxtrot
Then polka the salsa
Slam it to the left (if you're havin' a good time)
Shake it to the right (if you know that you feel fine)
Chicas to the front (huh huh)
Hi-cee-ya! Hold tight!
Spice Up Your Life
Spice Girls, 1997
Aruba, Jamaica, ooh I wanna take ya
— GenCam (@gencam) June 14, 2018
Bermuda, Bahama, come on pretty mama
Key Largo, Montego,
baby why don't we go,
NORWEGIA. https://t.co/bPJCl6NDQf
Experience the exact cold temperature like in Baguio. Join us in celebrating a new milestone in Philippine-Norwegian relations with Trip to Norwegia. pic.twitter.com/lORsfE4VM1
— Malacañang Events and Catering Services (@MalacananEvents) June 14, 2018CONTINUE READING BELOWwatch now
After welcoming the guest from NORWEGIA, they sang our national anthem Bayang Magiliw. They also talked about beautiful places in the country. Such as Mt. Mayon in Naga.
— Miguel Lizada (@mlizada) June 14, 2018
Bilib ako sa DDS! Talagang hindi magpapatinag ???? Nice try Grace Asis. You may now go to the glaciers of Norwegia to cool your burn. pic.twitter.com/sAkj4lQVxG
— MyRizal (@MyRizalPH) June 14, 2018
All sarcasm aside (well, most sarcasm aside, anyway), what is up with "Norwegia"? Is it, as suggested above, the Nordic name for the land the rest of the world calls Norway?
Well, in a word: No. The official name for the Kingdom of Norway in their own language is Kongeriket Norge (sometimes spelled Kongeriket Noreg) and Norgga gonagasriika. "Norway" itself is derived from the old Norse words nordr and vegr, which mean "northern way," referring to the country's long western coastline.
But, let's not forget, Norwegia does exist in that Hillary Duff classic A Cinderella Story, which should count for something:
In the meantime, it seems like the PCOO's officers have come out to defend what they call a "typo," and which the rest of us would generously call a "gaffe." Check out the comments section on the revised post (this is advice we never thought we'd give).
