Philippine Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo 

Supports Philippine Design and Culture in Rome

Rome - Philippine Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo expressed strong support for the promotion of Philippine design and culture in Rome, at the opening of Tropical Lightscapes: An Exhibit of Sculptural Luminaires Crafted with Philippine Textiles, an exhibit by Milan-based Filipino artist, Mirei Monticelli, held at the Philippine Embassy in Rome on 22 November 2024. 

Philippine Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo (center), accompanied by Ambassador Neal Imperial (left) and Mirei Monticelli (right) during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of Tropical Lightscapes: An Exhibit of Sculptural Luminaires Crafted with Philippine Textiles at the Philippine Embassy in Rome.

In his remarks, Secretary Manalo said that Ms. Monticelli “brings pride to both the Philippines and Italy, with her works that embody creativity, sustainability, and social responsibility.” 

Philippine Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo delivers his remarks at the opening of Tropical Lightscapes: An Exhibit of Sculptural Luminaires Crafted with Philippine Textiles at the Philippine Embassy in Rome, attended by members of the ASEAN diplomatic corps, Filipino Community leaders, studios and galleries.

Present during the event were the Honorable Salvatore Deidda, Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Philippines-Italy Friendship Group of the Inter Parliamentary Union, Ambassadors from the Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) countries based in Rome, Filipino Community leaders, and representatives from various galleries and interior design studios in Rome.

(From left to right) The Honorable Congressman Salvatore Deidda, Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Philippines-Italy Friendship Group of the  Inter-Parliamentary Union, Philippine Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo, artist Mirei Monticelli, and Philippine Ambassador Neal Imperial at the opening of Tropical Lightscapes: An Exhibit of Sculptural Luminaires Crafted with Philippine Textiles at the Philippine Embassy in Rome.

The crowning jewel of the exhibit is “Bukang-Liwayway (Dawn),” the artist’s glowing tribute to the first light of day, which, according to Mirei, “embodies the renewal and hope that sustains the Filipino spirit in foreign lands.” Also featured in the exhibit are her Nebula Grande lamp, Celeste flexible sculpture, and Cassiopeia, Sirenetta and Laminari lamps, among others. Moreover, there are four wall-mounted pieces, Regina dei Fiori, created in collaboration with Giah De los Reyes, which echo the delicate forms of Philippine flowers that pay homage to the vitality and resilience of life in the tropics. The opening program also included a rendition of Filipino classics, Bituing Marikit, Sa Kabukiran and Pipit  by Ms. Jean Clarizz Petrasanta, a classical Filipino flutist studying in Vivaldi Conservatory in Alessandria. 

(Left) Milan-based Filipina artist Mirei Monticelli explains the wall-mounted Regina dei Fiori, created in collaboration with Giah De Los Reyes. (Right) Crowning jewel of the exhibit, “Bukang-Liwayway (Dawn).”

Mirei Monticelli, daughter of renowned Filipino fashion designer Ditta Sandico, focuses on sustainable lighting designs, using banaca fiber, which is cultivated in the Philippines and woven by a community of artisans in the Bicol region. With her experience in the traditional manufacturing and handcrafting of furniture in the Philippines, she pursued the study of cutting-edge techniques at Politecnico di Milano in 2017, earning a Master’s degree in Design and Engineering. She founded Studiomirei in Milan in 2019, and in that same year, her Nebula lamp received acclaim at the Milan Design Week’s Salone Satellite at Rho Fiera Milano. 

This year, the Philippines and Italy are celebrating the 77th anniversary of the establishment of cordial and enduring diplomatic relations. Cooperation between the two countries spans a wide range of areas, including defense and security, development cooperation, trade and investments, tourism and culture, and strong people-to-people ties. Today, there are between 180,000 - 200,000 Filipinos all over Italy, who help strengthen the socio-economic fiber of both countries and promote  Filipino culture and heritage in Italy.

The exhibit, Tropical Lightscapes: An Exhibit of Sculptural Luminaires Crafted with Philippine Textiles, will run from 22 November to 06 December 2024.

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