Italian envoy hosts Italian Street Food Festival to help underprivileged kids in Tondo
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.
Italian Embassy invites public to free screening of Italian movies in PH
The Embassy of Italy in the Philippines invites the public to the free screening of Italian movies as the Philippine Italian Association hosts the Italian Film Festival in the Philippines. The event, which seeks to promote contemporary Italian cinema to Filipino audiences and filmmakers, is a four-day screening event that features six films from Italian filmmakers. It runs from October 21 to 24, 2023 at Venice Grand Canal Mall, Cineplex Cinema 3. The festival presents an exceptional occasion to delve into the illustrious culture and narrative prowess of Italy as represented by its skilled filmmakers. His Excellency Ambassador Marco Clemente will open the event, which is scheduled for October 21, 2023, at 5:00 PM at Venice Grand Canal Mall, Cineplex Cinema 3 in Taguig City. According to His Excellency Ambassador Marco Clemente of the Embassy of Italy in the Philippines, this event aims to showcase modern Italian cinema to Filipinos, who are known as avid viewers of films. “Aside from the fact that Filipinos are known to be ‘lovers’ of films and other streaming content, the Italian Film Festival also aims to illustrate how Italian filmmakers produce films, which can be a good avenue for audiences and other aspiring Filipino filmmakers to continue thriving in this industry,” Clemente said. Amb. Clemente said that since the Philippines and Italy have “enduring” similarities in terms of cinema, this event not only strengthens the two nations’ cultural relationship but also builds more connection between the Italian and Filipino communities. “The Philippines and Italy have long been connected, and while there are similarities in our culture and way of life, this event will make our bond intact because our culture, beliefs, and experiences are on the same page,” he said. “We are hoping that more Filipinos will be inspired to move forward, live their realities, and confront the difficulties of life by expressing themselves more, and we hope that through this event, we will make that possible for the Filipino community,” he added. Italian Film Festival Synopsis Day 1 (October 21) 20:30 Diabolik (2021) ‘133 The encounter between Diabolik and the fascinating Eva Kant, set in Clerville in the 1960s. A “diabolical” encounter where love and crime mix in a series of adventures in which only Inspector Ginko seems to be able to hamper their plans. Day 2 (October 22) 18:30 Leonora Addio (2022) ‘90 Leonora Addio tells the daring adventure of the ashes of Pirandello and the bustling journey of the urn from Rome to Agrigento, until the troubled burial occurred fifteen years after his death. And to close the movie, the last story of Pirandello written twenty days before he died: “Il Chiodo” where the young Bastianeddu, taken from his mother’s arms in Sicily and forced to follow his father across the ocean, cannot heal the wound that drives him to a senseless act. 20:30 Il Colibrì (2022) ‘126 It’s the story of the life of Marco Carrera, “il Colibrì”, a life of fatal coincidences, losses,and absolute loves. The story proceeds according to the strength of the memories that allow us to jump from one period to another, from one era to another, in a liquid time that goes from the early 70’s to a near future. Marco met Luisa Latters by the sea; she’s a beautiful and unusual girl. A love that will never be consumed and will never die, throughout his entire life. His married life will be another one, in Rome, with Marina and his daughter Adele. Marco will go back to Florence thrown away by a relentless fate, subjecting him to harsh tests. Daniele Carradori will protect him from the most violent bumps; he’s the psychoanalyst of Marina, who will teach Marco how to accommodate the more unexpected changes in life. “Il Colibrì” is the story of the ancestral power of life, the story of the strenuous fight we are all in to resist what sometimes seems unbearable. Even with the mighty weapons of illusion, happiness, and joy. Day 3 (October 23) 18:30 Il Ritorno di Casanova (2022) ‘95 Leo Bernardi is an experienced and acclaimed director at the end of his career who has no intention of accepting his own decline. For his latest movie, Leo has chosen to tell the story of Arthur Schnitzler’s Casanova, who is incredibly like himself, more so than he can imagine. The one narrated by Schnitzler is a Casanova who has passed his youth: he no longer has his charm and power over women, he no longer has money, and he no longer has the pleasure of traveling around Europe. After years of exile, he has only one goal: to return to Venice, his home. On his journey home, Casanova meets a girl, Marcolina, who awakens his desire for conquest. While trying to seduce her, Casanova will come to the most tragic conclusion: he has become old. The concerns and doubts of both men are incredibly similar. What is more important, cinema or life? What is more essential—to keep playing your character or to let yourself enjoy the surprises that life offers you? 20:30 Settembre (2022) ‘110 It happens on a September day that three characters realize that the life they find themselves in is not the one they dreamed of. That happiness is a distant idea yet still possible – a choral tale that explores human relationships, our deepest nature, and the search for a more authentic contact between people. From the screenwriter of Wife and Husband, Cross and Delight, and The Champion, a debut work of existential melancholy, tight dialogues, and great expressive freedom. Day 4 (October 24) 18:30 Diabolik Ginko all’attacco (2022) ‘111 Diabolik nearly gets caught in Inspector Ginko’s latest trap, leaving his partner in crime, Eva Kant behind in the escape. Furious, Eva offers Ginko her help in capturing the King of Terror, but the former has to face the return of an old flame of his: Altea Duchess of Valleberg.
Embassy of Italy in the Philippines wraps up successful Italian Film Festival in PH
The Embassy of Italy in the Philippines, under the leadership of His Excellency Ambassador Marco Clemente, and in partnership with the Philippine Italian Association, has successfully wrapped up its four-day free screening of six Italian films in the Philippines, which sought to promote contemporary Italian cinema to Filipino audiences and filmmakers. The event ran from October 21 to 24, 2023, at Venice Grand Canal Mall, Cineplex Cinema 3. According to Ambassador Clemente, the successful screening of Italian films in the Philippines highlights Filipinos’ “willingness” to dive deep into the “75 years of shared culture” of the Philippines and Italy. “The feat of this event highlights the Filipino audiences’ willingness to understand the 75 years of shared culture the two nations have, which has a big impact as to how the nations’ culture prosper and benefitted each other,” Amb. Clemente said. Amb. Clemente also emphasized that the event does not only aim to promote Italian cinema in the Philippines but also amplify the cultural diplomacy of the two countries, which is deemed “crucial” to fortify the decades-long bilateral cooperation between Italy and the Philippines. “This event bridges the Italian community and the Filipino audiences all at once. This is crucial as we forge a lasting mutual understanding with the Philippines and deepen the causes we are championing,” he said.
Embassy of Italy in PH kicks off Italian Language Week with focus on sustainability
The Embassy of Italy in the Philippines, in collaboration with the Philippine Italian Association (PIA) and the Societa’ Dante Alighieri-Manila, has organized a week-long celebration of the Week of the Italian Language in the World, highlighting the significance of sustainability. The Week of the Italian Language in the World is an international cultural event that takes place every third week of October annually, with a primary focus on commemorating and advancing the Italian language and culture on an international scale. Since its inception in 2001, this annual event, hosted by the diplomatic-consular network and the Italian Cultural Institutes, along with partners active in promoting the Italian language worldwide, has been honored with the coveted High Patronage of the Presidency of the Republic. This year, the 23rd celebration of the Week of the Italian Language in the World will be held from October 16 to 22, 2023, with the overarching theme of “Italian and Sustainability.” The event intends to present Italy as a leader in environmental concerns and use the Italian language as a medium for raising global awareness of sustainability. The centennial of the birth of famed Italian author Italo Calvino, who is recognized for his groundbreaking ecological literary works, coincides with this theme as well. According to His Excellency Ambassador Marco Clemente of the Embassy of Italy in the Philippines, this commemoration is a “revolutionary” event as it takes part in joining the call to promote sustainability across the world. “Language serves as a potent instrument for promoting worldwide discussions on critical matters, and our objective with this event is to underscore the significance of environmental sustainability and Italy’s dedication to it,” Amb. Clemente said. “The Philippines has been embroiled with devastating catastrophes every year, and this event is highly revolutionary for them because it is dedicated to educating our Filipino people of the importance of sustainability and why they have to take a serious step towards sustainable practices,” he added. The program for the 2023 edition includes the following key events: Masterclass on Italo Calvino at De La Salle University (DLSU) Date: Wednesday, October 18, 2023 Time: Morning (10:00 AM to 12:00 PM) Title: “The Eclectic Nature of Italo Calvino” Venue: Henry Sy Building (Library), 6th Floor Speakers: Matteo Piasentini, Jeane Peracullo, and Cristina Moricca Topics: Matteo Piasentini: “Italo Calvino: The Author, His Works, and His Thoughts on the Environment” Jeane Peracullo: “Intertwining and Entanglements of the Poetics of Vulnerable Space in Italo Calvino’s ‘The Baron in the Trees’” Cristina Moricca: “Italo Calvino’s Inspiring Justification for ‘Why Read the Classics’ in Relation to Our Times” Masterclass on Italo Calvino at the University of the Philippines Diliman (UP) Date: Friday, October 20, 2023 Time: Morning (10:00 AM to 12:00 PM) Title: “Italo Calvino: 3 Modes” Venue: AVR Room of the University of the Philippines College of Arts and Letters Speakers: Jillian Loise Melchior, Naidyl Isis Bautista, and Matteo Piasentini Topics: Matteo Piasentini: “Italo Calvino and the Environment” Jillian Loise Melchor: “Italo Calvino and the Journey” Naisyl Isis Bautista: “Italo Calvino and Magic Realism” Aside from a series of workshops, the Italian Embassy and PIA, in collaboration with Societa’ Dante Alighieri-Manila, also organized a Video Language Competition with the theme “The Words of Sustainability.” This competition encourages young participants to create awareness about environmental issues using Italian words in a video format. The Embassy has yet to announce the date of the competition.
