On Saturday, June 1 2024, the picturesque SPA Multi-Purpose Court of San Pablo Apostol Parish in Tondo was the stage for the grand finale of the Festival “The Embassy of Italy meets the Youth of Tondo”. The event, organized by the Embassy of Italy together with the Canossa-Tondo Children’s Foundation and supported by numerous generous sponsors (Megaworld, VFS Global, L’Opera, Magsaysay, Philippine Italian Association, Rustan’s, SMEG, Velocita’ Motors Inc., Xanadu, Caruso, Cibo, Da Gianni, Focus Global, Italfood Inc. and Tavolo), celebrated the 78th Republic Day of Italy, traditionally celebrated on June 2 in Italy, with an Italian Talent Show.
The program of the event was an engaging storytelling, portraying the journey of eight children of Tondo and their experience first inside the Nave Morosini, which led them to the other events organized by the Embassy (Children Christmas Party, Cooking workshop, Italian Sport Fest among others) and ultimately inspired them to travel in Italy.
The program kicked off with a video presentation, expressing gratitude to all sponsors, followed by the Doxology and the National Anthems of the Philippines and Italy. Then, messages from distinguished personalities including Hon. Honey Lacuna-Pangan (Manila Mayor), Ms. Tess F. Carmelo (CTCFI Managing Directress), Fr. Giovanni Gentilin, FdCC (CTCFI Founder and Vice President), Archbishop Nuncio Charles Brown, and Ambassador Marco Clemente were conveyed.
The highlight of the evening was the series of 15 performances during which famous personalities of Italian culture were introduced to the audience (Dante, Leornardo da Vinci, Maria Montessori…) and traditional songs and dances were performed by the students beneficiaries of the Canossa-Tondo Children’s Foundation Inc. These performances displayed the incredible talent of the Youth of Tondo who delighted the audience with their skill in singing, dancing and playing musical instruments. All the spectators were in awe, uplifted after such an amazing night, which brought joy and fun as it celebrated the significance of Italian Republic Day and concluded on a high note the series of events part of “The Embassy of Italy meets the Youth of Tondo”.
