Italian Children, Parents “Travel” to the Philippines in Il Giro Del Mondo in 80 Giorni
Philippine Ambassador to Italy Domingo P. Nolasco (fifth from left) donates copies of Filipino children’s book, Hating-Kapatid to Casa dei Bimbi, a public children’s library in Rome on 7 December 2019 as part of the library’s program the Giro del Mondo in 80 Giorni (Around the World in 80 Days). Also in photo are Casa dei Bimbi librarians and personnel of the Philippine Embassy in Rome. (Rome PE photo)

ROME 17 December 2019 — Italian children and their parents traveled to the Philippines as they participated in the Giro del Mondo in 80 Giorni (Around the World in 80 Days) organized by Casa dei Bimbi, a public children’s library in Rome on 07 December 2019.

The Philippine Embassy in Rome and the Sentro Rizal Rome partnered with Casa dei Bimbi to make the Philippines the featured country for December.

“This is very important to us since we have over 160,000 Filipinos in Italy, mostly in Rome and Milan. Through these kinds of activities, we strengthen our understanding of each other as Italians and Filipinos meet in everyday life,” Philippine Ambassador to Italy Domingo P. Nolasco said during the event

Giro del Mondo is an annual program where foreign missions in Rome are able to introduce their countries’ culture to local children. Children have their “passports” stamped by the participating embassies after the event.

The Philippine participation was special because it not only featured Philippine culture in general, but also introduced the country’s Christmas practices.

The activities during the event included a presentation on Christmas in the Philippines, reading in Filipino and Italian languages of the book “Hating Kapatid” by Raissa Rivera Falgui, decorating of Christmas tree with Philippine-made ornaments, teaching of the Filipino dance Itik-Itik (a dance that mimics the movements of a duck), and singing of Filipino Christmas carols.

Filipino food such as puto (steamed rice cake) and bibingka (rice cake baked in a clay pot) were also served to the participants. END

Italian children listen to the telling of the Filipino children’s book “Hating Kapatid” by Raissa Rivera Falgui during Il Giro del Mondo in 80 Giorni held at the Casa dei Bimbi, a public children’s library in Rome on 07 December 2019. The children also participated in other activities such as decorating of Christmas tree ornaments made of anahaw and vine, learning the Filipino dance Itik-Itik, and singing of Filipino Christmas carols. (Rome PE photo)

Italian children learn more about the Philippines, including its history and culture during Il Giro del Mondo in 80 Giorni held at the Biblioteca Casa dei Bimbi on 07 December 2019. (Rome PE photo)

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