A culture built on love

“Italy, and the spring and first love all together should suffice to make the gloomiest person happy.” — Bertrand Russell

The spirit of celebration and passion reigned at the recent Italian National Day held at The Alley at Karrivin in Makati City.

The event, led by Italian Ambassador Giorgio Guglielmino, was an opportunity for Italians and Filipinos to come together and commemorate the many similarities between the two cultures. Among the guests were distinguished members of the diplomatic corps.

This year, the festivities highlighted the contemporary aspects of Italy and how the nation has grown in terms of arts and lifestyle. The day’s sumptuous array of cuisine, expertly prepared by chef Margarita Forés, was an assortment of Italian-style street food such as Pizza Fritta, or a fried pizza dough pocket filled with smoked ham and cheese.

It was a day of honoring a passionate culture built on love of family, friendship and food.

Congratulations to Ambassador Giorgio Guglielmino and his team at the Italian Embassy for a successful Italian National Day celebration!

The baro’t saya lives on!

The Balik Saya project, headed by the Intramuros Administration and Manila Rep. Cristal Bagatsing, concluded with a design competition that championed Filipino artistry and cultural heritage.

Esteemed guests from the senate and congress, partners, and Manila’s design circles arrived at the recently opened National Museum of Natural History — an architectural masterpiece that houses unique artifacts — which was the apt venue for the event.

(From left) Balik Saya design competition judges Jo Ann Bitagcol, Rajo Laurel, Tweetie de Leon-Gonzalez and Lulu Tan-Gan, Balik Saya head Manila Rep. Cristal Bagatsing, Balik Saya design competition grand winner Mariah Marella Parayray and Kim Fernandez wearing the winning piece with Balik Saya design competition judges Leyte Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez and Randy Ortiz.

With much enthusiasm, the program sent the message of Balik Saya’s advocacy to position Manila as the center of creativity, culture and heritage in the country. The evening then showcased the stunning creations of the 15 finalists, with five of them winning the coveted prizes.

It was an unforgettable celebration of Filipino fashion and ingenuity. The baro’t saya lives on!

Congratulations to the Intramuros Administration and Rep. Cristal Bagatsing for the success of Balik Saya!  

GREETINGS

Happy birthday to our celebrators today, Rafael “Paing” Hechanova, Andrew de los Reyes and Alfonso Reyno Jr.

Advance birthday greetings to Edward Go and London MBA graduate Cheryl de Leon, July 9; Minerva Tanseco and Lin-Ay Rufino, July 10; Pinky Tobiano Robles, July 11; Ria Rebano and Trina Yujuico, July 12; Freddie Garcia, Villa Escudero’s Ado Escudero and Carmeling Cardenas Sevilla, July 13.

So, how was your week?

(For comments and inquiries, please e-mail me at jjlitton@indanet.com.)