04 March 2014 - The Philippine Embassy in Rome celebrated the National Arts Month by featuring young Filipino artist Paul Alex M. Samaniego in recognition of his artistic talent and valuable contribution in strengthening appreciation for the story of Filipino migration in Italy.

In a ceremony at the Embassy Social Hall on February 27, Mr. Samaniego held a public showing of his 15-minute video entitled “COLF”.  COLF is an abbreviated term for “collaboratrice familiare” which translates into “domestic worker”.

“COLF” was produced entirely by Mr. Samaniego from direction, script, cinematography, editing, performing and musical score.  It was exhibited for the first time at the 2013 New Florence Biennale where it won the second prize ("Lorenzo il Magnifico") in the category Video Art.

Born in 1989, Mr. Samaniego graduated from the Via di Ripetta Art School in Rome.  He started public exhibitions of his works at age 19, and since 2008 has conducted art exhibits in Florence, Milan, and Rome.

The son of Filipino migrants, Mr. Samaniego is a second-generation Filipino in Italy who has been inspired by the human experiences that define Filipino migration in Italy.  His mother and father, a teacher and a nurse in the Philippines, respectively, migrated to Italy in the 80’s and previously worked as COLF in search of a brighter future for their family.

Mr. Samaniego also has a promising career in visual advertising but had personally decided to work as a COLF himself to gain inspiration for his works and trace his roots.

In her message during the ceremony, Chargé d'affaires Leila Lora-Santos congratulated Mr. Samaniego for his artistic genius and perseverance, despite enormous challenges. Mr. Samaniego’s parents were likewise praised for raising a son who serves as an inspiration to Filipino youth in Italy, especially the second-generation.

The month of February was declared as National Arts Month (NAM) through Presidential Proclamation No. 683 signed in 1991.  END