I got this from Dad’s emails to the family!! Beautiful!!
I jokingly asked my Dad where my pearls are his reply was
“You’re the PEARL and everything wonderful, LOVE !”
and my heart melted… I remember when we were kids and he used to say ” I love you muchi kuchi kuchi!” 🙂
READ ON!
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This is a tribute to my Dad for Father’s Day! haha!! I am featuring all the gadgets he has because he loves gadgets! And I love him for being him, for being gadgety, for being UNIQUE, for liking weird things 🙂
Previous entry: Creatures October 30, 2009
HAPPY FATHER’s DAY TO THE BEST DADDY IN THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE!
Daddy has an electronic toilet which works by these controls
Take note of the holders for toilet paper, Dad always likes to have a back up for everything and a back up for the back up of the back up! Huh? 🙂 Like his aircon has a back up in case one is not enough or one breaks down, same with his generator
Here is the electronic toilet from Japan
Which he changed when I visited him again. Dad is an interior designer also, he designs his areas in the house 🙂 this is his shrine haha!!
The control panel
gadgets by the shrine
Dad’s work station
he has three computer monitors so he can multitask and do many things all at once 🙂
Oh my, i cannot beginning to take inventory of what is here
this one too – it has watches, batteries, tapes, other small devices
Soap dispensers
Oh my gosh, this looks ancient. I remember this when we were kids!!
Dad’s bathroom cabinet!
Aircon in the bathroom?
Another aircon looking thing
Exhaust fan or speakers? i do not know
Shower
Labelled switches 🙂
Plenty of these around his area
Thermometer
Digital scale with a back up again 🙂
Collection of hats
DUSTER! to remove dust on all his gadgets
A very religious dad 🙂
More religious articles in the bathroom
More temperature gadgets and a calendar gadget
Electronic switches and an old phone 🙂
I told you my dad likes gadgets and creatures! This came in a few months ago!
Previous entry: Creatures October 30, 2009
Oh my gosh, he put it in front of the house beside the buddha, My Mom is going crazy haha!!
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The milk carton that changes color before expiring
What a great idea designer Ko Yang has had with this milk carton that changes color telling us how fresh the milk is. The carton begins being white in color, and as the expiry date moves closer, it begins changing color to tell us we should drink the milk before it’s too late.
A brilliant way to help us consume our food without wasting any, something to which other ideators have already given some thought.
Underwater diving without getting wet
Sometimes ideas allow us to imagine fantastic things, and this concept is like that. Its name is Beriscope and it allows us to dive without getting in the water. Who knows if designer Jaewon Choi’s dislike for cold water made him come up with this idea, but the fact is Beriscope saves us from experiencing those small inconveniences related to underwater diving or snorkeling. It also brings the marvels of the seabed to people who would otherwise have no access to them, be they elderly people, small children, or disabled people who cannot dive. It has a camera at the end of a long cable that is thrown into the water as if fishing, once the camera is inside the water, all that is left is to enjoy all that is hidden in the bottom of the sea.
A cellphone that runs on Coca-Cola. Incredible!
Designer Daizi Zheng brings us an interesting concept: a Nokia phone that runs on Coca-Cola. Yes, you read right. It may sound incredible, but it seems this eco-friendly cellphone model really works. The designer has called it Nokia‘green’phone and it works generating electricity through carbohydrates such as the sugar contained in this and other similar drinks. It does not pollute because the end-product of the process is water and oxygen. And to top it all off, Daizi herself assures us that this completely biodegradable battery can last up to 3 and 4 times the normal life of lithium batteries.
A new, thief-proof chair
We’ve already mentioned, on other occasions, a couple of similar ideas that have sprung up in our Community: My Bedside Chair and idea (7813) Purse/Handbag Holder in Restaurants. Chairs for restaurants and other establishments that can hold a purse, bags, or any other personal belonging, keeping it away from bag-snatchers that are ready to take advantage of any distraction. This new chair’s name is Stop Thief Chair and is marketed by Danish furniture manufacturer Dan-Form since September. They can be purchased through their official website, in 12 different colors, for 38£. The idea is really just a slight variation made to the seat, that allows us to place any bag or purse under our legs, but I would definitely love to see them at the cafés I go to.
Take a seat wherever you like with this portable seat
What a great idea it would be to always have a seat at hand to sit down and rest, something light and easy to carry. That’s just what Dolmen is, this clever seat made of cardboard, which -as always- comes from Japan. It weighs only 360 grams and folds so that it can be carried in a purse or briefcase. Whenever you feel like sitting down and taking a breather, all you need to do is unfold it. For the time being, we can unfortunately only buy it in Japan, for the equivalent of approximately 7.50€, in 4 different colors. Until it’s available elsewhere, we’ll just have to sit down and wait.
Shave anywhere, whenever you like
Small, light and simple. This is the perfect razor concept for today’s hectic, dynamic life. With this razor you can finally shave anywhere you like. Its name is Carzor and is designed by Kuo Chia Hung. It is a portable razor, the size of a credit card, making it perfect for carrying in a wallet. It comes with two spare blades and, best of all, it includes a small mirror, so that you can shave at any time. It also includes a small filament that gives off scents such as mint, lemon, sandal, ocean or orange to avoid irritation and give some aroma.
The suitcase that becomes a scooter. Forget running around the airport.
Do you travel frequently and hate having to run down never-ending corridors and terminals? Well, the people at Samsonite have joined forces with Micro Mobility to design this brilliant suitcase called Samsonite X Micro Mobility Trolley Scooter. It is a suitcase that transforms into an useful and amusing scooter. It takes advantage of the suitcase’s two wheels, and the handgrip becomes a handlebar. This is the end of having to run to catch your flight.
The 25-dollar incubator
A group of scientists at Embrace have created a baby incubator that costs only 25$ and is specifically intended for use in developing countries, where close to 20 million low birth rate and premature babies are born every year. A traditional incubator we might find in any hospital costs over 20,000$, which is far too expensive for a developing economy. Embrace has the appearance of a sleeping bag and is activated with boiling water, it requires no electricity and is covered with a special material that regulates temperature. It can work for approximately four hours, after which it must be reheated. It can even be sterilized and reused. You will find all the information in the official website.
The brilliant idea of the 3-D plug
Now this is real genius! Stop for a moment and count how many power strips you have at home. They’re always in the way, are not at all aesthetic, and more often than not, they don’t have enough space for plugs because adaptors are too big for them.
This original and, above all, functional design known as Rozektus 3D is the solution to all these problems. Rozektus’ 3D design transforms one plug into five, each on one of the Rozektus’ faces so that none of the plugs is in the way of others. The concept for this cube-shaped socket was developed by Russian art collective Lebedev Studio.
And, best of all, if you only need one socket, it can simply be pushed inside the wall and out of the way.
Stop smoking with the E-cigarette
The electronic cigarette is driven by modern micro-electronic technology, and is not flammable. It consists of a small rechargeable battery and one only safe and replaceable cartridge containing water, propylene, glycol, nicotine, and tobacco aroma. None of these ingredients are considered cancer-causing agents.
When inhaling the cigarette, the air flux is detected by a sensor and a microprocessor activates an atomizer which, in turn, injects minute doses of the liquid compound into the air inhaled, producing a kind of vapor that simulates the effect of a real cigarette.
The electronic cigarette is an alternative to traditional cigarettes. Smokers will be able to smoke anywhere, in a way that is more advanced and will not disturb other non-smokers. A fine discovery made by vanguard evaporation micro-technology, that works with a simple rechargeable battery.
A good idea to help people with limited mobility
What you see in this photograph is called Slip Grips. It was designed by Stanton Burns, student of Auburn University (U.S.), and helps people with mobility problems in their everyday activities.
Slip Grips allows these persons to carry out simple actions such as write, hold tools and many more movements that can sometimes become an obstacle. This idea will help them become a little more independent.
Pin anything down without ruining it: Magnetic Push Pins
They’re called Magnetic Push Pins and I think they’re a brilliant idea that will save many of us from having to push holes into all those important documents or photos we hang from cork boards and somehow need to keep within view.
This invention is based on the simple concept of placing a magnet on a thumbtack. This allows you to pin it anywhere you like, using the magnet to hold whatever you pin, without ruining it.
Pajamas that can tell if your baby has a fever
This idea will make life easier for all parents who, sometimes, simply don’t understand why their baby is crying, as well as help employees at hospitals and kindergartens at their jobs.
These baby’s pajamas called Babyglow, designed by Chris Ebejer, show us if our baby has a fever, by changing color when our child’s temperature is higher than 37ºC. Parents will instantly realize what is wrong with their baby, and remedy the situation before it worsens.
It comes in various colors, but turns white if the child’s body temperature becomes higher than normal.
Bergmönch, a bike in your rucksack
When talking about the idea we are going to present you, maybe we should talk about a bike transforming into a rucksack.
In the last years it is very common to come across with novel and original bike designs, and even with contests trying to find the definite bike. All these designs use to share one common point: what is looked for is an urban bike.
It is true that bike are the most sustainable transport system known (unless you consider walking to be a transport system); for this reasons, bikes are more than necessary, and all ideas helping to alleviate the problems a bikers encounters in the big city are welcome, like how to park one´s vehicle.
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Heart2Heart is feeling so much the Italian spirit! 🙂 I love Italy!
As soon as I received the text that the Burrata arrived, we went to Masseto as soon as we could! I brought my two handsome dates with me 🙂
Burrata Tomatoes!! HEAVEN! YUM! Unfortunately as I post this, there is no more stock of the cheese but will be arriving again on June 23!!! Don’t miss it!! I will be back!!! And another arrival on July 7
Jaime ordered the White Asparagus Gazpacho
Jamon Serrano!! We got 100 grams
Hi Tips!! Sorry it’s a dark photo
Gerry, Tina and Sevrine were also there! (Tins you were right, i needed a flash! )
Thanks for sharing your champagne and wine!
Garoupa, Fideo, Chorizo and Squid – YUM! Love the crispy crust on top of the fish and then the fideo was really good. A must try dish!
For some reason we got so full right away! But I made sure I ordered my Buffalo wings!!! with rice!! 🙂
Lao painting
And a Mallari in the ladies restroom- love it!!!
(63 918) 811 8088
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I think it runs in the Tantoco blood as I observe and see how my mom and all her sisters can multi task and do so many things at the same time!
My Tita Nedy who aside from being at the helm of many of the family businesses – Rustan’s Commercial Corp ( dept store ), Stores Specialists Inc ( SSI ), Rustan’s Marketing Specialists ( RMSI – Marks and Spencer ), Rustan’s Marketing Corp ( RMK ) – She is also busy with many socio civic activities and cultural activities. She is a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and President of the Philippine Italian Association! She is amazing!
Last May 8, she introduced to us her upcoming project which is in partnership and celebration of many important milestones. Here is her presentation on her project and what it is all about.
In celebration of three momentous events—the 65th year of the diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Italy, the 60th anniversary of Rustan’s, and the 50th anniversary of the Philippine-Italian Association—Rustan’s, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, in cooperation with the Italian Embassy proudly present Gioachino Rossini’s finest comic opera: Il Barbiere di Siviglia.
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The staging of The Barber of Seville comes after the Philippine staging of “La Traviata” last March and the scheduled performance of “Madame Butterfly” in June, two of the well-loved Italian tragic operas. After these two tragic operas, the marvellous wit and humour of The Barber of Seville will provide Filipinos with a refreshing break.
The opera will be brought to life at the Cultural Center of the Philippines through the direction of Antonio Petris, with music from the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Ruggero Barbieri. The cast of internationally acclaimed Filipino and Italian artists is led by the most-awarded Filipino soprano Rachel Gerodias as Rosina, premiere Filipino tenor Arthur Espiritu as Conte d’ Almaviva, Filipino baritone Andrew Fernando as Basilio,
and international award-winning baritones Mario Cassi as Figaro and Marco Filippo Romano as Dr. Bartolo.
We have invited you all here today so we may generate the media support needed to make this opera a success, a feat that will translate into support for its beneficiaries– the Endowment Fund of the Philippine-Italian Association and the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra’s forthcoming US concert tour in 2013.
At this point, please allow me to share with you what the Philippine-Italian Association is all about.
Philippine-Italian relations can be traced as far back as 1521 when cartographer Antonio Pigafetta arrived in Mactan, Cebu as part of Magellan’s crew, and later took part in bestowing the Santo Niño to the people of Cebu. Today, he is commemorated through a bronze statue in the City of Mactan commissioned by the Philippine-Italian Association or PIA, and the relationship that he started is being fostered through the various efforts of PIA.
PIA was established on February 19, 1962 by an Italian lady by the name of Signora Lina Paolini, who married Filipino artist Diosdado Lorenzo of Nueva Ecija, recipient of the 1970 Republic Cultural Heritage Award, a recognition equivalent to the National Artist Award that we know today.
Signora Lorenzo served as PIA’s Secretary-General until her passing last October 2011 at the age of 97. A glimpse into the life of Mrs. Lorenzo and her husband as seen through his work is featured in the book “Diosdado Magno Lorenzo, Art Rebel to Legend”.
PIA promotes Philippine-Italian relations by offering language courses as well as translation and interpretation services, and through its active involvement in various cultural exchange programs, and participation in cultural events, very much in synch with the Italian Embassy and the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
Language courses are conducted by Italian professors and Filipinos who have undergone training in Italy with license to teach. We also have a library with over 2,000 Italian books and periodicals, which may be a significant resource for the Filipino public and researchers in general.
PIA sponsored the Philippine visit, arranged by the Italian Embassy, of Dr. Maria Teresa Castellano, an expert from the prestigious Superior Institute for Art Conservation and Restoration in Rome. During her visit, she gave a free three-day lecture and hands-on workshop at the UP Diliman.
PIA was also the main sponsor of the Filipino delegation to the Philippine Cultural Festival held in Florence in 2010, which allowed 100 students from UP Diliman to stage a cultural show and art exhibit in Italy.
During the celebration of the Italian National Day held each year in June, festivities allowed Filipinos to experience and marvel at the wonders of Italian culture with events such as the concert by Uto Ughi, Italy’s greatest living violinist, if not the world, and by Eugenio Bennato and Taranta Power, the group that revived the Tarantella, the thousand year-old ritual from Southern Italy that uses frenetic infectious music and dance.
PIA is a founding member of EUNIC: European Union National Institute for Culture, Cluster Philippines, a network of organizations dedicated to propagating cultural exchange between the Philippines and EU member states through cultural activities.
In the most recent Italian Film Festival “MovieMov: Italian Cinema Now”, organized by the Italian Embassy, Filipino director Brillante Mendoza was honored by featuring three of the filmmakers masterpieces during the festival—“Serbis” (competed in Cannes in 2008), “Kinatay” (where Mendoza won as best director in Cannes in 2009) and “Lola” (which was screened at the Venice film festival). The festival also featured for the first time in the Philippines Dario Argento’s Dracula in 3D, whose lead actress Marta Gastina graced the event. It even featured old films such as Bernardo Bertolucci’s The Last Emperor.
The underlying goal of all these activities is to bring the Italian world to the Filipinos and to bring the Filipino world to the Italians. In doing so, we want these fundraisers to contribute to PIA’s Endowment Fund and sustain the support it has been giving to Italian Missions in the Philippines.
For the Servants of Charity in Tandang Sora, Quezon City headed by Fr. Luigi de Giambatista, PIA’s efforts have resulted to:
– the complete furnishing of the home for special children with beds, beddings, towels and other bath fixtures and accessories. The facility can accommodate 25 special children. Here are some of them on this slide.
– 
the establishment of the Providence Bakery, a community store that provides its underprivileged patrons with affordable pandesal while generating some income for the organization
– annual Christmas drive
– quarterly cash donations
For the Sisters Handmade of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul in Quezon City headed by Sr. Renata Strolla and the Canossian Sons of Charity in Tondo, Manila and Tagaytay headed by Fr. Giovanni Gentilin (who is famous for his Italian gelato), PIA’s efforts include:
– annual Christmas drive that provides clothing, shoes and a Noche Buena fare for Christmas Eve.
– quarterly cash donations
The funds generated from this Opera have been earmarked for the following activities:
– construction of the roof for the multi-purpose court at the Servants of Charity compound;
– a 6-month feeding program for the 80 children (aged 6-15 years old) and 40 adults (parents of the children) that are under the care of the Sister Handmaids of Charity;
– and Php500,000 to support the clinic run by the Canossian Sons of Charity taking care of abandoned new-borns and infants, among others.
So there is a lot to do.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank our sponsors once again:
Ambassador Luca Fornari of the Italian Embassy for his valuable wisdom and good advice on how to produce a perfect Opera, and for providing the best contact in Rome;
– My father Ambassador Tantoco of Rustan, who gave his all-important “yes” to the project which he will support;
– Dr. Raul Sunico, Nestor Jardin amd Cris Millado for their full cooperation for use of the facilities of the CCP; and
– Dear Sonja Vodusek of the Peninsula Hotel for her sweet “yes” to be a full Hotel Sponsor for this Charity Event.
I cannot underscore enough how significant the success of this Opera would bring not only to its production team and artists, but more so to all the Filipinos, mostly children, that depend on PIA’s support. I enjoin all of you to help make PIA’s Opera “THE BARBER OF SEVILLE” a truly memorable occasion. As we savour the energy and good humour from this Opera, may we be inspired to support the efforts that would give the gift of happiness to those who need them most.
The other beneficiary of the Opera is the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, whose time has come to do a US Concert tour in 2013. They are more than ready to bring Philippine music abroad to the United States of America – to show them why it’s more fun in the Philippines… because of our beautiful music and talents.
Thank you very much
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Ambasciata d’Italia
MANILA
1947-2012
65 years of Italian- Philippine Diplomatic Relations
From an official point of view, regular relations, at a diplomatic level, were established after Italy became a nation. From a research work, done also with the precious help of the National Archives in Rome and Manila, work that has, however, room for improvement, it is possible to affirm that even before the constitution of the kingdom of Italy, the Philippine islands were already one of the favourite destinations of many Italians for a possible settlement, also thanks to the wonderful description of the islands made in 1521 by Venetian Antonio Pigafetta, the first ever to have written a text about the Philippines. In fact, before 1821, there was already a small community of Italians in Manila, who were involved in commercial activities.
After the constitution of Italy as a nation, the young Italian kingdom, ruled by King Vittorio Emanuele II and by famous Prime Minister Camillo Benso Cavour, tried to outline a foreign policy in order to establish relations with all the nations of the world and extend Italy’s political and cultural presence also in parts of the world very far from Italy, including the Far East. At that historical time the only way to foster contacts and relations was through diplomatic- consular channels and through the Navy which was sent on many occasions in political, diplomatic, commercial and cultural missions. A ship captain, Admiral Armijion, sent on a political diplomatic journey all over Asia, signed in 1886 the first agreement with Japan and then with China, till then ignored by Italy at an official level.
After that year Italy started getting interested more and more in the Far East and so in the Philippines as well, which belonged at that time to Spain! The Royal sloop “Princess Clotilde” was the first Italian ship to visit Manila from the 22nd to the 26th October 1868 under the command of Admiral Carlo Aberto Racchia sent on a secret mission to explore the Philippine islands because the Italian government wanted to see if the Philippines could be a suitable place for an Italian settlement. Admiral Racchia wrote a detailed report to Rome saying that Spain occupied no more than 2/3 of the Philippines and that there were many populated islands where the Spanish rule was unknown. He also expressed quite a negative opinion on the situation of the Philippines under Spanish rule pointing out that the commerce was languishing and industry was not well developed. As to the Italian presence in Manila he wrote there was a very small Italian presence (7/8 nationals).
Thanks to the opening of the Suez Channel the Italian links and interests towards the Philippines increased and in 1871 the Italian Government sent another important naval mission to Asia and so the Royal sloop of war “Vettor Pisani”, under the command of Lieutenant Commander Giuseppe Lovera di Maria , sailed in 1871 towards Asia. While Captain Lovera was in Hong-Kong he was informed of an insurrection broken out in the Philippines and so, after sending a dispatch to Rome, he left for Manila on March 1st 1872!
In another dispatch to Rome he wrote that arriving in Manila he had found the precious support of a Royal Italian Consul. From a research done in the Historical -Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Rome it comes out that in July 1873 there was a Consul and a vice-Consul in Manila: respectively Giuseppe Gomez and Ernesto Parodi. It is, therefore, possible to say at on March lst 1872 there were already political-diplomatic regular relations between
In a document dated October 26th 1874, it is possible to read that a visa to go to the Philippines had been released to a mister Carlo Sassi, director of an opera company made up of 16 components.
In 1877 the captain of the battle cruiser “Cristoforo Colombo”, named after the Genoan who discovered America, in his report to Rome, after visiting the Philippines, suggested the central government that it would have been suitable to open an Italian Consulate in Ilo-llo and also wrote that he saw the first Italian merchant ships in the port of the town of Panay.
On June 1st 1879 a certain Enrico Barretto was Royal Consul of Italy in Manila, Cornelio Pickford was consular agent in Cebù and Enrico Filippo Gray was the consular agent in Ilo-llo. In March 1880 we have the First Report on the Philippines by a Consul, in which he informs the Italian government on the general situation of the Philippine trade writing that the following products were manufactured and exported: Sugar, Tobacco, Cigars, Nacre shells, Pina fabric, extract of the plant Ylan-Ylan for the European perfume makers. He concludes his report saying that it was his great wish that the Italian presence in the archipelago could increase, also pointing out that the Italian products, especially food, were in high demand in Manila.
During a further trip of sloop of war “Vittor Pisani”, the Captain carried out some hydrographic researches in the island of Ticao and in April 1884 a project for the harbour of Ticao island was published on the Italian Maritime Magazine. During another trip the captain took soundings on the sea bed finding a better passage to enter the
A document dated 19th December 1888 shows that a Mr Polloini, who was one of the members of the Chiarini Circus had arrived in
In 1889 the Italian government appointed Mr Francesco Reyes (belonging to a family of rich merchants) Consul in Manila. It is certain that for 15 years he represented in an excellent way the Italian interests in the Philippines and informed also the Italian government in a very detailed way about the tragic events of the Philippine revolution and the arrival of Americans in the Philippines in 1898.
At the beginning of the Revolution there were about 30 Italians living in Manila and the relations between Italy and the Philippines were ruled by the agreements Italy had signed with Spain. In fact the Royal Consulate depended from an administrative point of view from the Royal Embassy in Madrid. Also Consul Reyes tried to enhance the relations between our 2 countries. He succeeded in organizing a permanent expo of Italian products in Manila thanks also to the cooperation of the Chambers of Commerce of Milan and Turin. In that period Italy exported towards the Philippines mortadella, other kinds of food, wines, vermouth, hats, clothes, matches, beauty creams, medicines. Reyes also sent to Italy samples of Philippine products. From a cultural point of view, at the very end of the century, there was a great increase of Italian theatrical and opera companies, musicians, singers and artists performing in Manila!
However following the Philippine revolution, the flourishing of the Philippine-Italian relations diminished. In a diplomatic dispatch, dated 24th November 1896, Reyes informed our government that he had prepared an evacuation plan for the Italian community. During the revolution, the Italian Consulate remained closed for 4 months for safety reasons.
In the first part of the XX century and till the 30’s we do not have much information about the Philippine-Italian relations. The only piece of information we have come from the reports prepared by the captains of the ships visiting Manila. From October 21st to November 2nd 1904 H.R.H the Duke of the Abruzzi (brother of the King of Italy) visited Manila and sent quite a negative impression on the administrative situation under the US rule and witnessed that the Muslims in Mindanao were in full rebellion! Another captain wrote that the Italian community in Manila was one of the most numerous of Asia and had very good relations with the locals. Almost all the Italians who settled in Manila during the American administration were engineers and entrepreneurs, who had the task of building infrastructures and public works.
We are also informed that for the first time there was an association of Italians in Manila called “La Famiglia Italiana”.
However the impending war in Libya concentrated the Italian interests in the Mediterranean Sea. Moreover the further calamity of World War I was going to distance even further Italy from the Philippines.
Only after 1930 we have interesting pieces of information about our relations through the Italian Embassy in Washington D.C. In 1935 the Italian Royal Consul in Hong Kong during an inspection trip to Manila pointed out the necessity of opening a diplomatic seat in Manila and so in 1936 an Italian Consulate was set up again.
On January 25th 1937 a direct radio link between Rome and Manila was established and President Manuel Quezon inaugurated such a service sending a message to Prime Minister Benito Mussolini, who promptly returned his greetings on January 27th. In that period the bilateral relations were important and numerous and a shipping line started to connect regularly Trieste and Manila.
On June 8th we are informed that some missionaries opened a printing office with 21 local employees and the Italian government sent a contribution.
Another important sign of the friendship between our 2 countries was the official statement issued for the death of Guglielmo Marconi, the great Italian scientist.
In August 1937 another social-cultural association was opened for the Italian community called “The lictorian Italian circle”.
In January 1938 the crew of the war cruiser “Montecuccoli”, the Royal Consul and the Italian community laid a wreath on the Rizal monument in Luneta.
On November 21st 1938, on the occasion of the departure of the Italian Consul, the Philippine President Manuel Quezon organized a gala dinner at Malacanang and invited also members of the Italian community.
On December 1938 the Labour Secretary, Dr. Torres was on a state visit to Italy and as he wanted to visit Libya; The Foreign Secretary, Galeazzo Ciano, send a telegram to Libya’s governor, the legendary aviator and commander Italo Balbo, him to accompany Dr. Torres during his trip and to make him feel at home.
However the beginning of the 2nd World War interrupted that positive period of friendship and cooperation between our 2 countries.
During the 2nd World War Italian soldiers and civilians were sent to imprisonment camps by the Americans, then liberated.
After World War II the diplomatic relations were established again on November 3rd 1946 when Vittorio Strigari was appointed Charge d’affaires. Then in 1948 the Philippine Government opened a diplomatic representation in
In 1988 on the occasion of the visit of President Corazon Aquino to Italy a Cooperation for Development Program was signed and implemented (prefabricated houses, infrastructures, equipment expertise and also scholarships were provided) and on the same occasion a Cultural Agreement was also signed but the Executive Program has not come into force yet, although, at present, both the Ambassador of Italy and the DFA are at work to finalize it at the soonest. Definitely its signing will bring forward a much richer exchange program in the field of education and the arts.
After Mrs Aquino’s visit there were other exchange visits. We would like to recall the State Visit of President Ramos to
As to culture since 1996 the Italian Government has appointed an Italian professor who, besides teaching at the University of the Philippines, has also the task of handling the cultural affairs of the Embassy.
You certainly know that at UP Diliman there is a Department of Italian whose number of students has increased dramatically in the past few years. In 1997 two hundred students were enrolled in the Italian courses while in the academic year 2011-2012 the number of students increased to more than one thousand.
As to the faculty members, the Italian Section has at present 8 Filipino professors who have been sent to Italy on the basis of a scholarship program for graduates and faculty members. Annual scholarships have been offered on a regular basis since 1999.
At UP in 1999 an Italian student club called “Piccola Italia” was established with the purpose of promoting the Italian culture and also of developing friendly relations with the Italian community in Manila.
In the last years the presence in Italy of a very active and well-liked Filipino Community has created new links of esteem and solidarity between our two peoples arousing also a great deal of interest towards the Philippines’s traditions and culture.
In the Philippines there is today an Italian community of about 4000 people. Among them, I would most especially like to acknowledge the presence of hundreds of missionaries and volunteer workers across this country who bring messages of hope and good will into action.
So Italy is part of the Philippine experience and it is the Italian Government’s wish to keep alive a culture of dialogue with the generous people of this splendid tropical land.
Made in Italy
21-29 June 2012
Shangri-La Hotel, Makati
A nine-day Italian feast will be held at the Shangri-La, Makati beginning June 21. As the name connotes, “Made in Italy” will be featuring all things Italian: from food, to music, to paintings, to fashion, and even vehicles like Ferrari and vespa. A definite treat for Italian fans all over
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Not only did Gaita visit Casa Artusi in Italy, She also brought Casa Artusi to the Philippines! This is the first culinary school that will open outside Italy! Thank you Gaita for sharing your new venture with Heart2Heart! Congratulations to you and more power!
I will let Gaita do the talking to introduce Casa Artusi 🙂
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As Gaita Fores brings Italian cooking to the Philippines, she also brought Filipino cuisine to Italy. Here are some photos shared by Gaita on her visit to Italy and Casa Artusi. Soon Casa Artusi will open here in the Philippines.
Click below to go to their website and read about Gaita’s Filipino cooking
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