The Philippine Eagle, the country’s national bird and a critically endangered species, took center stage at an exhibit in Oslo, showcasing both its majesty and its vulnerability.
AGILAkbay: An Exhibition of Philippine Eagle Paintings, ran Nov. 6 to 9 and featured 15 works depicting the eagle’s life stages from fledgling to adult.
Organized by the Philippine Embassy in Norway, the exhibit was mounted in collaboration with artist and conservation advocate Bing Famoso, founder of the Philippine Botanical Art Society (PhilBAS) and Philippine Fauna Art Society (PhilFAS).
Famoso, known for her paintings of the Philippine flora and fauna, said she plans to donate her Philippine eagle artworks to all embassies and consulates before she turns 60. To date, she has donated to 15, including one to the mission in Norway.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Enrico Fos said “the art exhibition is more than just a cultural diplomacy activity,” noting that “it raises awareness for the conservation of the Philippine Eagle, an endangered species endemic to the Philippines.”
The exhibit drew diplomats and art enthusiasts.
In a social media post, Famoso said her paintings’ next stops will be Denmark, Sweden, and Finland, and that all are self-funded initiatives “I believe in finishing this mission strongly,” she wrote.
“These paintings are not just artworks. They speak on behalf of our Haring Agila, which was formally launched as Goodwill Ambassador of Biodiversity by our Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong in June 2025,” she added.
“When our national bird is seen in foreign land, it reminds the world that this species exists only in the Philippines and that protecting it matters,” Famoso said. “This is bigger than me. This is representing our biodiversity, our country, our identity.”
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