THE PHILIPPINES SHOWCASES ITS RICH LITERARY HERITAGE AT THE BOLOGNA CHILDREN’S BOOK FAIR 2025
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02 April 2025 (Bologna) - The Philippines took center stage for the second consecutive year at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, one of the most prestigious international events dedicated to children’s literature, featuring our vibrant storytelling traditions, diverse narratives, and talented creators on the global stage. The book fair was held from 31 March until 03 April 2025 at the Bologna Fiere Exhibition Centre, Bologna, Italy.
Spearheaded by the National Book Development Board (NBDB), with support from the Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) and the International Board on Books for Young People Philippines, the Philippine delegation featured 120 children’s book titles that celebrate the Philippines’ rich storytelling traditions, cultural diversity, and contemporary narratives. A large Philippine booth also marked the country’s 2025 participation.
To celebrate the Philippines’ participation, a country reception was held on 01 April 2025, bringing together around 150 international publishers, literary agents, and book enthusiasts to foster new collaborations and highlight the country’s vibrant literary culture. It also served as a platform for rights negotiations, networking, and creative partnerships. Philippine delicacies such as pork chicharon, dried mangoes, and ube cream liqueur were also served during the reception.
In his speech during the country reception, Philippine Ambassador to Italy Neal Imperial encouraged the participants to “take the time to get to know the brilliant Filipino authors and illustrators, hear their stories, and discover the incredible depth and creativity they bring to the world of children’s books.” He also conveyed his congratulations to the NBDB for successfully organizing the Philippines’ participation. He was joined by Consul General Elmer Cato from Milan PCG and NBDB Executive Director Charisse Aquino Tugade, the head of the Philippine delegation at the reception. END
FILIPINO FOOD AND RESTAURANT GUIDE IN ROME: A CULINARY GUIDE TO FILIPINO FLAVORS IN THE ETERNAL CITY
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FILIPINO FOOD AND RESTAURANT GUIDE IN ROME:
A CULINARY GUIDE TO FILIPINO FLAVORS IN THE ETERNAL CITY
20 March 2025 (Rome) - Food enthusiasts in Rome are in for a treat as the second edition of From Home to Rome: Filipino Cuisine in the Eaternal City an interactive digital guide to Filipino food and restaurants in Rome was launched by the Philippine Embassy in Rome on 17 March 2025 at the Embassy’s social hall.
Ambassador Neal Imperial and Dr. Fabio Bezzi, Director, Trade Union and Association Division, Confederazione Nazionale Artigianato (CNA), together with Mr. Aris Bautista, Manager of Jollibee Rome, representing the restaurant owners, led the unveiling of the Food Guide poster with the QR Codes for the English and Italian interactive digital guide.
The food guide is aimed at promoting awareness and raising the profile of Filipino cuisine in Rome. It features a preview of Filipino cuisine, including all-time Filipino favorite dishes and Filipino restaurants serving authentic Filipino national and regional dishes in Rome. The guide also contains the inspiring stories of the Filipino restaurateurs in Rome who established these restaurants.
In addition to six (6) restaurants and two (2) dessert shops which were featured in the first edition of the food guide, the second edition introduces two more Filipino restaurants in Rome, namely, Jollibee and Le Follie Paresan. It also includes an Italian version of the food guide, which is meant to broaden the customer base of Filipino restaurants beyond the Filipino community to the larger Italian and foreign tourist market in Rome.
In his remarks, Philippine Ambassador to Italy Neal Imperial announces that the second edition of the food guide will include printed copies of the shortened versions both in Italian and English which will be distributed for promotion purposes.
The event was also attended by the members of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce in Italy and representatives of other Filipino community organizations. END
PHILIPPINE AMBASSADOR CALLS ON REGGIO CALABRIA MAYOR
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24 February 2025, ROME – Ambassador Neal Imperial met Mayor Giuseppe Falcomata of the Metropolitan City of Reggio Calabria on 22 February 2025 at the Palazzo Corrado Alvaro to discuss opportunities for collaboration between the Philippines and the city. The Ambassador was accompanied by Consul General Randy Arquiza and Consul Francesco Mortelliti of the Philippine Consulate in Reggio Calabria during the meeting.
The discussion focused on promoting tourism, cultural exchange, and exploring the possibility of establishing a twin city arrangement between a Philippine city and Reggio Calabria. Both sides expressed a strong commitment to deepening cooperation and strengthening diplomatic ties.
The meeting was also highlighted by the exchange of traditional gifts, symbolizing the growing relationship between the Philippines and Reggio Calabria.
Ambassador Imperial also conveyed the Embassy’s sincere appreciation to the city government for providing the venue for its consular outreach mission, which rendered 571 services to the Filipino community in the region.
This meeting marked an important step in strengthening cooperation between the Philippines and the city, laying the groundwork for future cooperation. END
EMBASSY OFFICIALS PRESENT AN OVERVIEW OF PHILIPPINE HISTORY AND CULTURE TO ITALIAN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
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3 March 2025 (Rome) - The Philippine Embassy met its adopted Italian class of 23 high school students from Istituto Statale d’Istruzione Superiore Charles Darwin on 27 February 2025 in Rome for the 8th Edition of the Diplomacy Education Program of Global Action.
During the session, Consul General Randy Arquiza provided the students with an insightful presentation highlighting key aspects of the Philippines’ rich history, diverse culture, and vibrant traditions. The students were also given an overview of the Embassy’s roles and responsibilities in relation to the Philippine-Italy bilateral relations, and the Philippines’s regional and multilateral engagements. Cultural Officer Naive Mamhot and Political Section staff Joy Calunsag-Rillo accompanied the Consul General in the session.
The Embassy will be welcoming the students at the chancery in April or May for Step 2 of the Diplomacy Program.
The Embassy has been participating in the Embassy Adoption Program since the second edition in 2019. The initiative reflects the Embassy’s commitment to fostering cultural exchange and strengthening educational connections with the local community.
The program aims at connecting students to the diplomatic community, building bridges between local and international communities with a cross-sectoral educational approach, strengthening cultural and communicative competencies of the students, and providing students with a broader vision of the current international topics. END
