PH Embassy Highlights Struggle for Sovereignty and Rule of Law at Independence Day Event in Rome

Philippine Ambassador to Italy, Malta, Albania and San Marino and Permanent Representative to United Nations Rome-based agencies Nathaniel G. Imperial, thank the distinguished guests who came to celebrate with the Embassy

ROME 25 June 2024 – The Philippine Embassy in Rome highlighted the Philippines’ struggle for sovereignty and rule of law during its hosting of a diplomatic reception, in commemoration of the 126th anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence, at its chancery on 11 June 2024. Philippine Ambassador to Italy Neal Imperial recalled the significance of the celebration, which is to extol and honor the country’s forebears who waged Asia’s first successful anti-colonial revolution to establish the region’s first republic.

The reception was attended by Ms. Alessandra Schiavo, Deputy Director General and Principal Director for the Countries of Asia and Oceania, who represented  the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy. Other guests of honor include Hon. Salvatore Deidda, Member of the Chamber of Deputies of the Italian Parliament, and President of the Italy-Philippines Inter Parliamentary Friendship group, H.E. Petar Rajič, Papal Nuncio to Italy and the new dean of the diplomatic corps, Mr. Qu Dongyu, FAO Director General, and former Italian Ambassador to the Philippines, Mr. Giorgio Guglielmino. Also present were Italian officials, the diplomatic corps, members of the private sector, and the academia.

In his remarks, Ambassador Imperial welcomed the long-standing relations with Italy spanning 77 years, while recalling the chronicles of renowned Italian explorer, Antonio Pigafetta, the first known Italian to set foot in the Philippines as part of the Magellan expedition of 1519-1522.  He expressed hope for strengthened cooperation across many areas, including defense, trade and investments, agriculture, culture, labor cooperation and others. He also thanked Italy for graciously hosting more than 160,000 Filipinos, the largest diaspora of Filipions in the European Union.

Ambassador Imperial congratulated Italy on its G7 presidency and wished Italy success in its hosting of the G7 summit. The Ambassador thanked Italy for its support for the rule of law, especially the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award.

He also recounted how the nation’s heroes’ fight for freedom and independence was not confined to the Philippine archipelago but was also waged in Europe, where a handful of brilliant Filipino intellectuals called ilustrados or the “enlightened ones”, dedicated their lives to the pursuit of nationhood. Among them was the then toast of Europe’s art scene, Juan Luna, the country’s foremost painter who took up residence in the artist’ enclave of via Margutta in Rome where he painted his masterpiece, the Spoliarium. The Ambassador also paid tribute to Philippine national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, who, like Luna, was an ilustrado fighting for colonial reforms while in Europe.

DDG Alessandra Schiavo, in her remarks, lauded Philippines - Italy relations, noting that both countries have many things in common, particularly their peoples, who were their real strength. She praised the hard-working, well-integrated Filipinos in Italy and their valuable contribution to the economic and social life of Italy. She further shared that Italy will continue to collaborate with the Philippines in order to create new opportunities for labor mobility, education, professional development, and high-quality occupations.  Italy considers the Philippines as one of the most promising markets in Southeast Asia growing at a rate of 5.5% in 2023, with a young population of more than 120 million, and a continuously expanding middle class. She stated that Italy looks forward to more bilateral trade with the Philippines.

In addition, DDG Schiavo expressed eagerness to conclude with the Philippines a bilateral agreement on defense cooperation, and said that Italy looks to the Philippines - and ASEAN as key partners for implementing its inclusive and positive agenda in the Indo-Pacific. Recognizing that maritime security plays a primary role in the EU strategy for the Indo-Pacific, she announced that after the “Francesco Morosini” Patrol vessel’s stop in the Philippines last year, the Italian Navy training ship Amerigo Vespucci will arrive in Manila next October for joint activities with the Philippines Navy.

Rome-based Filipino talent, Bea Jacinto, special performer during the event, regaled the attendees with her performance of the songs “Paraiso”,  “Di sole d'azzurro” and “Emotions”.

The guests enjoyed the garden reception, where they were treated to Filipino food and drinks, such as lechon, beef lumpiang shanghai, chicken bicol express, pancit sotanghon, palitaw balls with yema filling, ube gelato, mango juice, Manille calamansi liqueur and Don Papa Rum. END

Ambassador Imperial welcomes Hon. Deidda

Deputy Director General and Principal Director for the Countries of Asia and Oceania Schiavo, delivers her message on behalf of the Italian Republic

Ambassador Imperial and guests listen as Hon. Schiavo delivers her remarks on behalf of the Italian Republic

Ms. Bea Jacinto performs for the attendees

For more information, visit https://www.romepe.dfa.gov.ph,  https://www.facebook.com/PHinItaly/, https://www.instagram.com/phinitaly or https://twitter.com/PHinItaly.