Philippine Embassy in Rome, National Book Development Board Host Storytelling and Art Workshop

Ms. Mary Ann Ordinario reads excerpts from her book “Mom’s Best Playdough Activities: Philippine National Symbols”. (Rome PE photo)

ROME 08 March 2025 — The Philippine Embassy in Rome, in collaboration with the National Book Development Board (NBDB), successfully hosted a Storytelling and Art Workshop activity on 29 March 2025 at the Chancery’s social hall, bringing together thirty Filipino children, aged five to twelve years old, together with their parents and teachers of two Philippine Schools Overseas, for a day of creativity, learning, and cultural appreciation. 

The activity featured an interactive book reading of “Mom’s Best Playdough Activities: Philippines National Symbols” by NBDB Governor Mary Ann Ordinario, followed by a hands-on creative workshop where young participants molded different Philippine symbols–such as the bakya, the national footwear, and bangus, the national fish. The engaging activity deepened participants’ understanding of and connection to their Philippine heritage. 

Ambassador Neal Imperial expressed his appreciation to NBDB for collaborating with the Embassy in conducting the activity. He also highlighted the Philippines’ participation in the Bologna Children’s Book Fair which will be held from 31 March to 03 April 2025 and the Guest of Honor status (PhlGoH2025) at the Frankfurter Buchmesse 2025.

In her closing remarks, Governor Ordinario conveyed NBDB’s commitment to promoting literary and cultural awareness, emphasizing the role of books and the arts in shaping young minds. 

The Embassy and NBDB look forward to future collaborations promoting Philippine literature, creativity, and cultural exchange. END

Participants molding their clay creations of bakya and bangus, showing their creativity and artistry. (Rome PE photo)

Officials of the Philippine Embassy and the National Book Development Board with the participants of the storytelling and art workshop activity. (Rome PE photo)

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.