Philippine Embassy Rome Celebrates 127th Independence Day, Highlights Growing Ties with Italy

Nathaniel G.Imperial, Philippine Ambassador to Italy, Malta, Albania and San Marino, and Permanent Representative to United Nations Rome-based agencies,  delivers his remarks during the diplomatic reception

ROME 01 July 2025 — The Philippine Embassy in Rome commemorated the 127th anniversary of the declaration of Philippine independence with a diplomatic reception attended by Italian and international dignitaries, members of the diplomatic corps, and the Filipino community. The celebration not only honored the legacy of Philippine nationhood but also marked the deepening partnership between the Philippines and Italy. 

The reception was attended by guests of honor including Paolo Formentini, Member of the Chamber of Deputies and Vice Chair of the Committee on Foreign and European Community Affairs as well as Chair of the Subcommittee on Foreign Policy of the Indo-Pacific; Petar Rajič, Papal Nuncio to Italy and the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps; and 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 include Cardinal Jose Luis Tagle, Senator Marco Dreosto, Secretary of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee of the Italian Senate; Graziano Pizzimenti, Member of the Chamber of Deputies.  Also in attendance were Italian government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, the private sector, and academia. 

In his remarks, Ambassador Imperial recalled the historic events of 12 June 1898, when the Philippine flag was raised in Kawit, Cavite, symbolizing the country’s hard-fought freedom and the birth of Asia's first republic. “It did not rise alone–it was lifted by the hopes, sacrifices, and dreams of countless sons and daughters of the revolution who had fought, suffered, and died so that our country might be free from colonial rule,” he said.  

The Ambassador highlighted the steady progress of Philippine-Italy relations, noting the growing cooperation in defense, trade, labor, and culture. He shared updates on recent bilateral milestones, citing the goodwill visits of key Italian naval vessels to the Philippines, including recent visits by the frigate Marceglia, aircraft carrier Cavour, and training ship Amerigo Vespucci,  and Secretary Enrique Manalo’s meeting with his Italian counterpart in Rome in November 2024, which was made possible through Italy’s G7 Presidency and and its invitation for the Philippines to participate for the first time, in the Expanded Session of the G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting in Fiuggi, Italy.  He also welcomed Italy’s strategic engagement in the Indo-Pacific. Ambassador Imperial welcomed Italy’s decision to develop a strategic focus beyond its immediate neighborhood towards the Indo-Pacific for both security and opportunity. “We are open to working with the EU and European countries, especially maritime states such as Italy, in forging an Indo-Pacific region that is prosperous, rules-based and free from armed conflict," he said. 

Representing the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Director General Alessandra Schiavo emphasized the strong people-to-people ties that underpin the bilateral relationship. She praised the Filipino community in Italy, over 165,000 strong, as “a positive example of integration” and acknowledged the role of around 30,000 Filipinos who have since become Italian citizens.

DDG Schiavo outlined Italy’s growing interest in the Philippines as a key partner in Southeast Asia, citing the need to modernize the 2015 labor agreement, expand trade and investment, and collaborate on areas such as space and defense. “Italy looks at the Philippines as home to one of the most promising and dynamic markets in Southeast Asia,” she said. She also expressed Italy’s commitment to working closely with the Philippines during its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2026 and looks forward to the upcoming bilateral political consultations in Manila. 

Mr. Paolo Formentini, Member of the Italian Chamber of Deputies and Chair of the Subcommittee on Foreign Policy of the Indo-Pacific, also addressed the gathering. In his speech, he acknowledged the Philippines’ valuable contribution during the Italian Parliament’s hearings on the formulation of its Indo-Pacific strategy in July 2024, where Ambassador Imperial was invited to intervene. He noted that the hearings, which spanned two years and drew over 43 expert participants, regarded the Philippines as among the most, if not the most, important voices consulted. MP Formentini also emphasized the importance of peace and stability in the South China Sea and reaffirmed Italy’s support for upholding international law and the rules-based order in the region.

Milan-based Filipino-baritone, Joseleo Logdat, special performer during the event, regaled the attendees with his performance of the songs “Payapang Daigdig”,  “Nessun Dorma” and “Cinema Paradiso”. 

During the garden reception, guests were treated to a selection of Filipino food and drinks, including lechon, bistek tagalog, beef lumpiang shanghai, pancit palabok, inihaw na pusit, adobo and java fried rice, sapin-sapin, Philippine mango float, ube and mango gelato, mango juice, and Don Papa Rum. END

Ambassador Neal Imperial (center) with distinguished guests (from left to right): His Eminence Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Graziano Pizzimenti and Paolo Formentini of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, and Senator Marco Dreosto, during the diplomatic reception 

Deputy Director General Alessandra Schiavo (far left) delivers her message on behalf of the Italian Republic, with Ambassador Neal Imperial (second from left), Paolo Formentini (second from right), and Papal Nuncio Archbishop Petar Rajič (far right) on stage during her remarks. 

Mr. Joseleo Logdat 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.