31 October 2014 – The Philippine Embassy in Rome, represented by Vice Consul Margret Malang and Ms. Mary Louise Tanwangco, attended the presentation, to the Filipino community and local officials of Cagliari, of the newly installed Philippine Consulate in Cagliari.

The Mayor of Cagliari, Mr. Massimo Zedda, Head of the Prefettura in Cagliari, Mr. Alessio Giuffrida and the Archbishop of Cagliari, Mr. Arrigo Miglio, graced the event.

On behalf of the Embassy, Vice Consul Malang congratulated everyone for the support and cooperation in establishing a Philippine Consulate in Cagliari and for choosing an able Philippine government representative in the island of Sardinia in the person of Consul a.h. Danilo Cannas.

A Filipino youth dance group performed Filipino folkdances and Filipino community members shared their experiences as migrants, to the 150 guests present during the event.

from top: Singing of the Philippine National Anthem, Filipino Folk dances, Guests / Photos courtesy of Vice Consul Malang and Consul a.h. Cannas

There are now at least 1,500 Filipinos living and working in the island, and three (3) active Filipino groups, namely (in alphabetical order): Bayanihan headed by Mr. Edwin Mendoza, Filipino Community of Cagliari headed by Mr. Silvestre Hernandez and Knights of Rizal – Cagliari Chapter headed by Mr. Henry Amboy. Their increasing number prompted the Philippine Embassy to establish a Consulate in the area, bringing consular services closer to Filipinos in the area and further facilitating the strengthening of local-level and people-to-people engagement between the Philippines and Italy.

It may be recalled that last year, Cagliari was home to the successful staging of the “Across Asia Film Festival: Focus on Filipino New Wave,” which paid homage to Filipino Directors Khavn Dela Cruz, Alvin Yapan, Raya Martin. With the opening of the Consulate, activities to promote Philippine tourism, history and culture in the island of Sardinia are expected to further increase. END