Italian ambassador to the Philippines Marco Clemente led the celebration of the 78th founding anniversary of the Republic of Italy last Monday, expressing his fond discovery of the country’s real wealth-its people.
Ambassador Clemente concludes his more than 40 years of diplomatic stint, with the Philippines as his last posting.
“The real wealth of this country is the Filipinos-whom I find to be amazing, hospitable, warm, and happy people,” said Clemente, adding, “and if I have to find one secret (to these traits), there is one word-Bayanihan- a sense of community which is something you must treasure.”
June 2 is celebrated as Italian Republic Day, widely known as ‘Festa della Repubblica’ for Italians.
The historical day commemorates the 1946 institutional referendum when Italians voted to establish a Republic instead of a monarchy.
Ambassador Clemente said the referendum marks the celebration of democracy in Italy. “We celebrate a referendum-the very symbol of democracy.”
Italy is home to more than 200,000 Filipinos.
Undersecretary Charles Jose of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) joined the celebration and gave a speech together with Ambassador Clemente. H.E. Most Reverend Charles John Brown D.D. Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines was also present.
The Italian National Day celebration in the Philippines marked a two-week festivity which included or will include 11 events:
- Italian Food Festival at Ayala Triangle Gardens (25-26 May 2024)
- Screening of the movie “Gianni Schicchi: a live opera in Tondo”(25-26 May, 1 and 7 June)
- “the Young Puccini” concert at Areté, Ateneo de Manila University
- Youth of Tondo Italian Talent Show, San Pablo Apostol Parish, 2279 Velasquez Street, Tondo (1 June)
- National Day Reception at Grand Hyatt Hotel (3 June)
- “The Philippines-Italy Friendship Cup 2024”, a friendly football game between the Under 19 National team of the Philippines and a selection of different nationalities at Rizal Memorial Stadium
- “Food Fiesta-Friends are Forever” with the community of the Servants of Charity of Quezon City (8 June)
- Giacomo Puccini’s “Messa di Gloria” at St. Agustin Church in Intramuros (9 June)
This series is linked also with another Festival organized by the Embassy in Tondo starting from November 2023 and which included 8 events:
- 18 November 2023 – Fiesta con Gusto Italian Drama Theatre
- 8 December 2023 – Children’s Christmas Party
- 30 January 2024 – Workshop on Italian cuisine
- 3 February 2024 – Start of the 6-month Italian language course
- 23 March 2024 – Gianni Schicchi: live opera in Tondo
- 27 April 2024 – Sports Day
- 23 May 2024 – Italian theatre workshop
- 1 June 2024 – Italian Talent Show
The Italian national day celebration concludes with the “Gianni Schicchi” performance screening at Greenbelt cinema on June 7, 2024 and Street Food Fiesta with the community of the Servants of Charity of Quezon City on June 8,2024 to be held in Pinkian road in Pasong Tamo, Tandang Sora. Church goers at San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Manila will also be treated with Giacomo Puccini’s “Messa di Gloria”: the musical performance and religious service on June 9, 2024.