16 July 2015 - As part of the Philippine Embassy in Rome’s active campaign in promoting mutual understanding and building greater more people-to-people contacts, Philippine Ambassador to Italy Ambassador Domingo P. Nolasco visited the Mandrolisai mountain territory in the Italian island-region of Sardinia on June 20.

Located in central Sardinia, Mandrolisai is composed of 11 towns, namely Aritzo, Atzara, Austis, Belvì, Desulo, Gadoni, Meana Sardo, Ortueri, Sorgono, Teti and Tonara. In his visit, Ambassador Nolasco was welcomed by Italy’s Culture and Tourism Ministry Undersecretary Francesca Braccaciu, the mayors from Mandrolisai led by Atzara Mayor Alessandro Corona and the Provincial Chief of the Arma dei Carabinieri (the national military police) Colonel Saverio Ceglie.  

In a meeting held in the town hall of Atzara, Ambassador Nolasco affirmed the importance of face-to-face meetings in forging effective partnerships. The Italian officials noted with appreciation the Embassy’s program to reach out to the leaders and local communities of Italy’s towns and villages. In his message, Ambassador Nolasco conveyed that this expanded people-to-people diplomacy initiative complements the Embassy’s engagements and activities in Italy’s city-centers of Rome, Naples, Palermo, Cagliari, Florence, Bologna, Turin, Venice and Milan.

The visit also attested the importance of local trade, culture and tourism in the modern economy.  Mandrolisai is home to artisans, craftsmen, homestay vacation houses, centuries-old farmlands and vineyards, sausage and meat factories. The town of Atzara is host to the Museum of Modern And Contemporary Art, which features a collection of contemporary paintings and from the 1900s, donated by collectors, artists and public institutions. END