29 Apr 2025
From tropical warmth to sub-zero chill – Filipino resilience knows no borders. Moving from the Philippines’ tropical climate to Finland’s icy winters is no small feat, but Filipino expats continue to prove how cultural pride, adaptability, and creativity can help them thrive. This article explores how Filipinos in Finland have preserved their beloved traditions despite the harsh cold — from food to festivals, and even to community spirit.
Here are traditional Filipino practices that go along with Finland’s cold.
Food is one of the strongest ties to home, and for Filipino expats in Finland, adapting traditional cuisine to the climate and available ingredients has been a delightful journey. In the Philippines, many dishes use fresh vegetables, tropical fruits, and seafood. In Finland, however, fresh produce is often seasonal and expensive, especially during long winters.
Resourceful Filipinos tweak classic recipes like adobo, sinigang, and champorado by incorporating preserved meats, root vegetables like potatoes and carrots, and local Finnish fish varieties. Slow-cooked stews that bring warmth have become even more popular, offering comfort during freezing days. While the flavors stay close to home, the ingredients reflect the practicality and creativity required for daily survival in a drastically different environment. Whether it's homemade ensaymada using Finnish flour or sinigang made with local cabbage instead of kangkong, the essence of Filipino cuisine remains intact, making every meal a nostalgic embrace.
In the Philippines, traditional clothing is light and breathable, designed to combat humidity. In Finland, where temperatures can drop to minus 30 degrees Celsius, layering becomes a survival skill. Filipino expats cleverly combine Filipino fashion with the demands of Nordic weather.
Traditional techniques like layering, inspired by the barong and kimona worn over inner garments, are modernized with thermal technology. Wool, fleece, and synthetic heat-retaining fabrics have replaced lighter materials, but style remains important. Colorful scarves, embroidered mittens, and even hints of traditional Filipino patterns often find their way into winter outfits, proudly expressing heritage without sacrificing warmth. This blend of function and fashion ensures that Filipino expats stay warm while carrying a piece of home with them every day.
Festivals like Simbang Gabi, Christmas, and Barrio Fiestas are the soul of Filipino community life. In Finland, however, celebrating these lively traditions requires significant adjustments due to the freezing temperatures and shorter daylight hours.
Instead of open-air festivities, Filipinos organize indoor gatherings, often transforming community halls and even private homes into lively spaces filled with parols, Filipino music, and festive food. Simbang Gabi masses are scheduled indoors with additional heating, while community events frequently use online platforms to bring together Filipinos from different parts of Finland when travel becomes risky during snowstorms. Despite the changes, the warmth of Filipino spirit shines through, proving that traditions can thrive even in an Arctic setting.
Bayanihan, the spirit of communal unity and cooperation, remains strong among Filipinos in Finland but has taken on new forms. During heavy snowfalls, it's common for Filipino neighbors to carpool, share winter gear, or even shovel each other's driveways.
Support networks have blossomed, with newcomers often receiving help finding jobs, apartments, and tips for surviving the Finnish winter. This modern version of bayanihan strengthens bonds and ensures that no Filipino in Finland feels alone, echoing the same collective strength that built rural communities back home.
According to the Philippine Embassy in Finland, the number of Filipino nationals living in Finland has steadily grown, creating vibrant communities that continue to thrive despite the harsh climate. Here are the reasons why filipinos are great at coping with Finland's extreme cold.
Faith has always been a cornerstone of Filipino life. In Finland, where long winters can lead to feelings of isolation, faith-based communities offer crucial emotional support. Churches have become hubs not just for worship but for socialization and mutual aid.
Religious activities such as Bible studies, prayer groups, and Sunday services are often moved online during extreme weather, allowing people to stay connected. Maintaining these faith traditions provides emotional warmth and a sense of belonging, helping Filipino expats stay mentally and spiritually strong through the toughest months.
Hospitality is deeply ingrained in Filipino culture. In Finland, however, social norms around privacy and personal space are different. Filipino expats have adapted by hosting smaller, more intimate gatherings.
Rather than large barangay-style parties, cozy dinners featuring Filipino food, karaoke sessions, and casual storytelling bring the community together. These gatherings are not just social events but lifelines during the long, dark Finnish winter. Maintaining this spirit of hospitality helps to build deeper, more meaningful connections while respecting the local culture.
The Filipino value of "kapwa," or shared identity, plays a critical role in mental health resilience abroad. Building local Filipino organizations, student associations, and online support groups has helped expats preserve their cultural identity.
Community activities such as cultural shows, Filipino language classes for kids, and collaborative projects like winter festivals allow expats to celebrate and reinforce their shared heritage. These initiatives combat homesickness, creating a collective sense of pride and mutual support among Filipinos navigating a very different cultural landscape.
Saunas are a deeply rooted part of Finnish culture, and Filipino expats have warmly embraced this tradition. Regular sauna visits not only help fight off the winter chill but also offer relaxation, socializing opportunities, and even health benefits similar to the traditional “hilot” massage practices back home.
Some Filipinos have creatively combined sauna sessions with massage therapy, herbal teas, and Filipino-style pampering to create a holistic wellness experience. This blend of Finnish and Filipino traditions exemplifies how cultures can intertwine beautifully, providing comfort and community even far from home.
Filipino expats in Finland embody resilience, creativity, and the ability to beautifully blend their rich heritage with the demands of a new environment. From tweaking recipes and fashion to reinventing community spirit and faith practices, they continue to thrive while keeping their identity alive. As they adapt to extreme winters and a new way of life, they still prioritize staying connected with loved ones back home. For every hardworking Filipino abroad, it’s now easier to send money to Philippines online from Finland with reliable and secure services like ACE Money Transfer — keeping families united, no matter the distance.
Filipinos adapt by holding indoor celebrations and using online platforms to gather communities when weather conditions are extreme.
They substitute tropical ingredients with local Finnish produce, using root vegetables, preserved meats, and cold-weather crops.
By sharing transportation, winter gear, and offering help during emergencies, they maintain a strong support network.
Faith offers emotional resilience, with many religious gatherings moved online to maintain strong community bonds during isolation.
Filipinos incorporate sauna sessions into their routines, often combining them with traditional relaxation practices like hilot for warmth and well-being.
