MANILA, Philippines - When these dynamic ladies who lunch get together, they invariably talk about things closest to their hearts: their families, their careers/jobs, art, culture, food, fashion, and the Philippine-Italian Association. But of course, they’re the indefatigable spirits behind the Philippine-Italian Association (PIA), which is turning a hearty 50 this year. Back in 1962, the ladies fondly remember there was just a couple of Italian restaurants in Manila to serve a growing number of Italian expats as well as Filipino foodies who were discovering delizioso Italian food with gusto. Everything Italian had to be imported — from pasta to tomato sauce, wine, cheese, and peas. The Italian women were regaling us with down-home Italian cooking and sharing their recipes with our women, like maybe their creamy and yummy risotto. Thus the flame of an enduring friendship — one that knows no bounds, color or prejudice — was ignited.
Good Food, Sweet Memories
It was not just the aroma of good Italian food cooking in the kitchen of the Manila Polo Club or the music of Luciano Pavarotti wafting in the air that drew our women into the Philippine-Italian Association.
“I learned about the PIA through my father,” relates Nedy Tantoco, PIA president. “As I was growing up and started to work for Rustan, he would tell me about the PIA, because he served as PIA president for 10 years, from 1977 to 1986. One day, nine years ago, I received a phone call from Mrs. Lina Lorenzo, inviting me to become a member of the PIA board of directors. Further, she informed me that after my one year as a member of the board of PIA, I would be elected PIA president. I then assumed the PIA presidency in 2002.”
Buckling down to business, Nedy launched the Philippine-Italian Association Endowment Fund as one of her first major projects. “Coincidentally, Rustan was bringing to the Philippines the spring-summer collection of Salvatore Ferragamo, headed by one of the daughters of Salvatore and Wanda Ferragamo, who was then the managing director of the Fashion House. She is Giovanna Ferragamo Gentile. It made good sense to use this as the vehicle to raise funds for the Endowment Fund.”
Over merienda and an ample serving of laughter at Manila Polo Club, four ladies of the PIA — Chit Montenegro, Marilou Alejandro, Italian Tillie Pelagallo and Silvana Ancellotti-Diaz — share colorful memories of PIA through the years. “It started as an educational organization for Italian children,” recount Chit and Tillie. “There were several cultural programs and we were showing Italian films.”
“Back then, Italian goods were very expensive so I organized Phil-Italian bazaars and we raised quite a lot of money,” says Marilou.
“I remember the women would come to cook according to the Italian regions, like Toscana, Florence, Milano,” notes Silvana. “There were concerts, operas, and art shows. There was great Filipino artist Juan Luna’s ‘Spolarium’ where the Italian gladiator model he used was the same one used by Diosdado Lorenzo years later.”
That it’s been around for 50 long years the PIA owes to the infectious dedication shown by Lina Lorenzo to all board members. “She was the secretary-general of PIA until the day she passed away at the age of 96 in October, 2011,” says Nedy. “We received our initiation from her and learned from her training, motivation, and dedication. She led by example, and always did what was best for PIA. There are equally dedicated persons who sit on the board of PIA, who have all been trained, as I have been, by our beloved Lina Lorenzo.”
The Italian Connection
Needless to say, these ladies love things Italian. “My first exposure to Italy was through my parents, when they would bring us to Italy during their buying trips,” Nedy relates. “I was exposed to the different regions and cities of Italy, where I actually saw first-hand Italian artisans and artists, who crafted and executed the finest Italian merchandise with their hands. It impressed me so much and I developed a love for arts and culture that has stayed with me forever.”
Nedy takes us around her bellissima Italia: “In Milan is the world of fashion — both ladies’ and men’s. Bologna is the place for small leather goods, shoes, and bags. Florence is the center of arts and culture, where we discovered Salvatore Ferragamo, with whom we have become not only business associates but family friends as well. Perugia is for Italian chocolates. Rome is also known for Italian fashion, especially fine jewelry and religious items. Naples is for Capodimonte porcelain treasures and ceramics. Venice is for hand-blown glassware. Calabria is for handwoven bed and kitchen linens.”
Nedy goes on to gush, “I embrace the embodiment of Italy: their art — music, theater — and their culture, their food, the warmth of their people who are like us, their values, and family ties, which are so similar to ours. My exposure to the Italian arts and culture, to their artistry, led me to develop my love for the country: the people and the products. How much I love everything about Italian culture is the same way I feel about Philippine culture: the arts, the food, music, etc. My exposure as a young child to the beautiful, tasteful products of Italy also led me to appreciate the finest in Philippine artistry.”
Golden Achievements
If you ask the ladies what were some of PIA’s shining achievements in its 50 years of existence, they would instantly point to the 15-foot bronze statue of Antonio Pigafetta which was erected in Cebu City. The statue, designed by leading Filipino artist Abdulmari A. Imao, was unveiled in 1980 by the Italian Senate President’s wife Donna Maria Pia Fanfani and Ambassador Bienvenido R. Tantoco, PIA’s longest serving president.
Then there’s the larger-than-life bronze statue of illustrious Filipino painter and hero Juan Luna, which was erected outside the ramparts of Intramuros. This masterpiece was sculpted by Anastacio D. Caedo, 78-year-old protégé of National Artist Guillermo Tolentino.
On March 31, 2009, PIA launched the book From Art Rebel to Legend by Alice Guillermo, on the life and works of Diosdado Lorenzo, noted Filipino artist who married a lovely Italian lady, Lina Paolini.
On June 12, 2010, PIA brought over one of the greatest violinists of all time, Uto Ughi, to celebrate Italian National Day.
On October 16-18, 2010, 100 UP students, funded by PIA, participated in the Philippine Cultural Festival (Festival dell’ Arte Filippina) held at the Auditorium al Duomo. The festival aimed to strengthen and enhance the cultural ties between Italy and the Philippines via the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the University of the Philippines and the Fondazione Romualdo del Bianco, and the initiation of negotiations for various Memoranda of the Academy of Fine Arts and the Scuola di Musica di Fiesole. It included an art exhibit, an academic conference, MOU signing, and a music and dance concert. The art exhibition Bosetos foregrounds the contemporary practice of artists from the College of Fine Arts, some of whom are based in the Philippines, the United States, and Europe.
On November 9-13, 2011, PIA held the Italian Film Festival, which was graced by important Italian directors, producers, and actors. For 10 days, people enjoyed watching different Italian films, plus a Filipino film made by brilliant director Brillante Mendoza who won several awards for his film Serbis.
But of course, outside the association, these ladies do have a life. “I love dancing, jogging, eating, and cooking,” enthuses Tillie.
“I love to garden, you should see my place in Antipolo,” says Chit with a cherubic smile.
“I like to read, swim, see the sea in Calatagan, go to the theater,” declares Silvana.
“Like everybody else, I like to get away, preferably to a place that is near the sea, quiet, with a beautiful view — the luxury of being in a beautiful place where you can commune with nature in a civilized environment, of course with my best partner,” Nedy intimates.
Nedy’s cheap thrills? “I love receiving flowers, and just looking at them every day. I get a natural high from watching them — from flower to flower, plus I am thoroughly elated when I am able to extend the lives of these cut flowers. I love fixing the house, so that my family and I can enjoy it more. I love being with my seven dogs and playing with them.”
On top of Nedy’s bucket list is “being able to travel on an extended holiday — to beautiful places, where I can enjoy the luxury of relaxing.”
Certainly, life has taught Nedy a lot, foremost of which is: “You have to work on relationships. It just doesn’t happen. Be it a husband, friends, or children — good relationships don’t just happen. They are developed. This holds true for business as well. Success means working hard.”
But for Nedy, despite her hectic schedule, it’s important to have a family life. “Children appreciate it, even after they have their own families. A prime example is how much we enjoy getting together, not only my own children but the entire Tantoco clan as well, whenever Daddy treats us for his birthday. We all totally enjoy the time we have together, and we leave the place feeling much closer to each one. The closeness breeds respect for one another, and being in business together, this is important.”
Meanwhile, we shall leave the ladies as they prepare for their gala dinner with an auction for charity, which will be held on Monday, August 20 at 7 p.m. at the Grand Ballroom of The Peninsula Manila.
Shall we raise our glasses and offer a toast to the Philippine-Italian Association for 50 years of friendship, sharing, and caring?