Igniting the Love for Italian Culture

RETIRED ITALIAN AMBASSADOR TO THE PHILIPPINES MARCO CLEMENTE HAPPILY SHARES HIS PLANS TO IGNITE THE FILIPINOS’ LOVE FOR ITALIAN CULTURE, CUISINE, AND LANGUAGE. FROM OPERA, MOVIES, CUISINE COURSES, ITALIAN LANGUAGE, TO FOOTBALL, THE GOOD AMBASSADOR HAS SO MANY PLANS TO PROMOTE ITALIAN CULTURE, AND HE SHARES WITH SO MUCH PASSION HOW HE WOULD LIKE FILIPINOS TO BE EXPOSED TO THESE.

Retired Italian Ambassador to the Philippines Marco Clemente passionately envisions fostering a deeper connection between Filipinos and Italian culture. From highlighting the elegance of opera and the artistry of Italian cinema to promoting the flavors of authentic Italian cuisine, language courses, and even football, Clemente’s initiatives reflect his unwavering commitment to sharing the richness of Italy with the Philippines. His dedication transcends diplomacy, aiming to create lasting cultural exchanges that celebrate the best of both nations.

EXPOSING YOUNG FILIPINOS TO OPERA

Known for his love and expertise in opera, Clemente shares the power of opera. “In opera, music and words come together. With opera, we know exactly what the story is because the text was put into music by the composer,” he says. He also stresses the combination of arts in opera, as it involves singing, acting, ballet, and scenery.

Clemente believes that the Philippines, being most exposed to Western culture, built the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) in 1969 not only for musical theater performances but for opera as well. However, due to the influence of other media, from television to the Internet (and the social networking sites it offers), the attention span of the younger generation has changed, making a three-hour opera a difficult thing to do. On the other hand, there is also a risk in producing opera for it is costly.

However, the retired diplomat is keen for the Filipino youth to build awareness of opera. In August 2022, he proposed a joint venture with the Department of Education to expose students to opera by attending a general rehearsal of an Italian opera. They invited 800 students from disadvantaged areas of Metro Manila to attend the general rehearsal of the opera Turandot set for December 6, 2022. Clemente stresses that a general rehearsal of an opera is similar to the actual production or performance and that there are no interruptions. An avenue for cultural awareness for the students, the activity also marked the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Italy. “They were silent, completely hooked, and mesmerized, I would even say, by that experience. For them, it was the first time, not only that they saw an opera, but the first time they set foot at the CCP, or in a theater for that matter. They were high schoolers, so between 15 and 17 years of age. And they behaved so well, but most importantly, they enjoyed it. They enjoyed it,” Clemente proudly expresses.

This is the evidence, in my opinion, that if you expose the people, you explain what they are going to see, they will enjoy it, and they will get back home, and share the experience with their friends and their families, and maybe this awareness, little by little, will expand.

Clemente is optimistic that these efforts to build cultural awareness will ignite the love for opera among Filipinos to appreciate Italian opera. What Clemente achieved is just the beginning and he is hopeful that when there’s production of other operas, what he started will be the model to further opera in the Philippines. As he explains, if interest in opera is not revived in this generation, no one will pass the torch on to the future generation. For parents, Clemente believes that they must prepare their children to love opera as it could be learned. He also calls on the private sector and the media to support this movement so that there will be more interest in opera and rise above the challenge.

Turandot was mostly a Filipino production because the minor characters were mostly Filipinos, the choir was all Filipinos, and it is an Italian opera, an Italian form of art so this also shows how Italy and the Philippines worked together to come up with something beautiful. This experience was the highlight of the retired ambassador’s stay here in the Philippines. He was worried at first but it turned out to be successful and witnessing teenagers fully immerse themselves in opera made Clemente optimistic that this project would ignite the hearts of the youth to love opera, and this love would be passed on to future generations.

“It was flabbergasting for me. I was a little worried because to have 800 teenagers, while professional artists were performing could be risky as we want them to behave themselves in a theater and stay silent because this is an opera performance. You know, teenagers are difficult to tame. But they were mesmerized like it was magic for them. Can you imagine? It was a live performance of an opera with costumes and Turandot is a fairytale. It was so exotic to them. The whole combination of the music, the singing, and the acting. It was an experience that they will never forget.”

THE TELEPATHY BETWEEN RISING TOGETHER

One of Clemente’s legacies was publishing a remarkable book— The Telepathy Between Rising Together. The retired ambassador says that the best way to celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Italy was to publish a book. The book is divided into three parts: the first part is more of the celebratory part, the second part talks about why the Philippines is important for Italians and vice versa, and the third part is about Antonio Pigafetta, an Italian who accompanied Ferdinand Magellan to Cebu when he sailed to what would later be called Las Islas Filipinas.

Clemente’s brilliant idea was to let the book have a voice of its own by asking 80 different people to share their personal experiences for part two of the book. Stories came from Italians, Filipinos, or Italian Filipinos by birth or by matrimony. The former ambassador believes that “by reading these 80 stories, you have quite a detailed and meaningful picture of our (the Filipino-Italian) relationship through the lens of real people” and that it shows “different facets of our relationship” from “visual arts, performing arts, cinema, theater, fashion, architecture, cuisine, business, religion, child care, sports, and science,” giving an extensive picture of the Filipino-Italian relationship.

Lastly, the third part is the diary of Antonio Pigafetta, the first historian who wrote of Las Islas Filipinas while accompanying Magellan in meeting Lapu-Lapu in Cebu. He is an important symbol of the bilateral relations between the Philippines and Italy. The team of Clemente bought the rights to the English translation of Antonio Pigafetta’s diary. Despite launching during the bilateral relations, the objective is for people to view the book as a legacy of friendship. “I want it to become the legacy of 75 years of friendship, and not only bilateral relations. That’s why the book is full of old pictures and documents. We searched many archives in the Philippines and in Italy to find some old pictures.” Clemente articulates.

CELEBRATING THE NATIONAL DAY OF ITALY In June 2022, the Italian Embassy organized the National Day of Italy and gathered 400 attendees. The retired ambassador proudly mentions that despite running risk during the time of the pandemic, there were no cases reported post-event. Much like a culmination of the Italian culture, Clemente organized movie festivals, symphonic music, cuisine, wine tasting, Italian language courses, or events related to the Italian language. This celebrated the beauty of Italian culture and was a souvenir of the friendship between the Philippines and Italy.

CULTURAL EXCHANGES BETWEEN ITALIANS AND FILIPINOS

During his time as a diplomat, Clemente looked into different facets where Italian culture may be promoted. One way he promoted Italian culture was arranging and organizing Italian movie festivals. Clemente spoke with different universities and private associations to conduct these festivals. He saw the interest of most universities and associations in learning the Italian language. He saw that the Italian Embassy could focus on this to promote the Italian language and culture as well.

Clemente extended significant support to the people of Tondo, Manila, particularly the children. The area, home to the Canossian religious order led by an Italian priest, housed a center that provided free education and cultural activities, partially funded by benefactors in Italy.

In November 2023, Clemente spearheaded the project “Italian Embassy Meets the Youth of Tondo,” which introduced a series of events aimed at fostering cultural exchange and community engagement. The initiative began with a vibrant street food festival and a Christmas party, followed by an Italian cuisine course and even brought opera performances directly to the neighborhood. The activities continued until June 1, 2024, and included theater workshops and sporting events, further enriching the lives of Tondo’s youth.

Lastly, in addition to promoting opera in the Philippines, Clemente reveals their efforts to spark Filipino enthusiasm for football, a sport deeply ingrained in Italian culture and one close to the retired ambassador’s heart. On June 4, 2024, the Philippines-Italy Friendship Cup unfolded at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium—a landmark event commemorating Italy’s Republic Day. The occasion showcased football’s potential to unite cultures and foster mutual appreciation.

Clemente recalls a conversation with President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. where he inquired about Filipinos’ apparent lack of interest in football. The president and his team suggested that the tropical climate might be a factor, as the heat could deter outdoor play. Despite this, Clemente remains optimistic, emphasizing that Filipinos could excel in football, particularly because height—a common limitation in other sports—is not a critical requirement.

THE BEAUTY OF THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN ITALY

Clemente speaks highly of the Filipino community in Italy, highlighting how seamlessly Filipinos have integrated into Italian society. Despite linguistic differences, Clemente notes that Filipinos and Italians share a deep sense of empathy and kindness, creating a bond that transcends words—a connection he describes as “metaphorically speaking the same language.” Currently, there are approximately 200,000 Filipinos in Italy, and Clemente expresses his hope to see this number grow, underscoring the invaluable contributions Filipinos make to the Italian economy. He particularly lauds the highly skilled workers—nurses, engineers, and mechanically trained professionals— whose dedication and competence have left a lasting impression on Italian companies. Some firms, impressed by Filipino work ethic, are even exploring the possibility of conducting training programs in the Philippines to recruit more workers directly. This, Clemente says, underscores the high regard Italians have for Filipino talent and diligence.

Clemente also emphasizes the cultural alignment between the two nations, rooted in their shared Catholic heritage. These common values, he explains, make it easier for Filipinos to assimilate into Italian society. Beyond shared faith and traditions, he credits Filipinos’ charm, kindness, and positivity for adding a unique charisma to Italian communities. Their English proficiency, he notes, further smooths the transition, making Filipinos not just residents but cherished members of the Italian social fabric.

THE DIARY OF A DIPLOMAT

Living abroad, according to Clemente, has made his diplomat life most fulfilling because each day gives him a new discovery that could be used to live the best in that country. Initially worried during the beginning of his career, Clemente says that the more he gains experience, the more easily he overcomes the hurdles of being a diplomat like changing one’s way of life. According to Clemente, the Philippines was the easiest country to adapt to because Filipinos are well-versed in the English language.

Clemente often shared that the Philippines would be his final diplomatic post, but he expressed his intention to return regularly, drawn by his fondness for the country and his family. During his time in the Philippines, he created countless cherished memories. He reminisces about visiting Baguio, the Cordilleras, and Vigan, marveling at their distinct charm compared to Manila. He also speaks fondly of his trip to Iloilo and Guimaras, where he encountered a rich cultural heritage.

Clemente also gives praise to the natural beauty of the Philippines but emphasizes that what truly made his experiences unforgettable were the people and their warmth. Reflecting on his career, he notes that the key to balancing personal interests and the responsibilities of a diplomat was to intertwine them. For him, this meant promoting Italian language, music, and cuisine—passions he was proud to share with the Filipino people.