The Embassy of Italy in the Philippines, under the leadership of His Excellency, Amb. Marco Clemente, in collaboration with the Manila City government led by Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan, spearheaded a press conference on Thursday, November 16 at the Bulwagang Villegas of the Manila City Hall for the upcoming Italian Street Food Festival in Tondo on November 18, 2023, 2:30 PM to 6:30 PM
The initiative, dubbed “Fiesta con Gusto” aims to raise awareness about Italian cuisine and at the same time, help underprivileged kids in Tondo who are suffering from hunger.
Roughly 500 children, including their families, are expected to benefit from the cause, according to Amb. Clemente.
During the press conference, Mayor Lacuna-Pangan underscored the significance of holding the food festival in Tondo.
“If there is one place to hold a festival for our palates, it should be where people have hearty appetites. A place where love for food is not only for nourishing one’s stomach but likewise as nourishment in building and nurturing connections to family and friends,” said Mayor Lacuna-Pangan.
“The City of Manila treats the bond between our two countries as a substantial one that we will always have our arms wide open to further our cultural and economic ties,” she added.
Mayor Lacuna-Pangan likewise added that the event is a significant initiative for a productive relationship between the two nations and especially, in the City of Manila.
“[It] is the core of the Italian Street Food Festival, its ultimate desire is to pave the way to a more fruitful and productive diplomatic relationship not only with the Philippines but with our City in particular,” the Manila Mayor noted.”
For his part, Amb. Clemente emphasized the need to empower Filipino children and ensure that they are not victimized by hunger in the country.
“The Italian Street Food Festival not only promotes Italian cuisine but it is also a platform to empower Filipino youths and their families and help them alleviate hunger,” Amb. Clemente highlighted.
“We aim to be a channel that gives hope to the Filipino children to strive more in life and a part of it is ensuring that they don’t have a hungry stomach,” he added.
Manila Mayor Lacuna-Pangan also called on the members of the press to promote Tondo in a different light, with Amb. Clemente citing that sometimes Tondo is associated with negativity.
“Tondo is a place of love, support, and happiness,” he said.
Additionally, one of the sponsors emphasized that the event is more than about food but also about family and friendship
“It’s not just the food. More than that, what we have accomplished is the family relationship. Not just a simple friendly ties or relationship, economic or everything but the kind of bonding we have established over the years,” said Tess Carmelo of Canossian Tondo Foundation.
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