The Italian Ambassador to Manila, Marco Clemente, recently expressed his admiration for the Philippines, describing it as the “best door” to Asia for Europeans. In a roundtable interview with The Manila Times Chairman and CEO Dante “Klink” Ang 2nd, Ambassador Clemente emphasized the strong integration of Filipinos in Italy, referring to them as one of the “best integrated communities” in the country.
Ambassador Clemente, who is nearing the end of his foreign service career, expressed his happiness in serving in the Philippines, stating, “I cannot think of a better way to wrap it up. I was interested in serving in this part of the world. But the Philippines is the best door to Asia for a westerner, for a European.”
During the interview, Ambassador Clemente also promoted his coffee-table book titled “Philippines-Italy Rising Together (1947-2022),” which delves into the history and highlights the richness of the bilateral relations between the two countries. The Philippines and Italy recently celebrated 75 years of diplomatic ties in 2022.
“I’m here to present one of the effects of our celebration of that momentous event, which is this book,” Ambassador Clemente explained. “It’s a nice way to remember. Seventy-five years is a long time. But I think, from my humble perspective, that I cannot think outside the European Union, perhaps, of a bilateral relationship which has always been so good all this time.”
Ambassador Clemente attributed the harmonious bilateral ties between Manila and Rome to the presence of nearly 200,000 Filipinos in Italy. He praised the way Filipinos integrate with Italian society, highlighting “the sense of belonging that sometimes you don’t find in other communities.”
“They are really part of our family. They are one of the best integrated communities we have in Italy. Of course, the commonality of our culture helps,” Clemente said. “So the main reason for this excellent bilateral relationship, I think, lies especially with this important human factor.”
Despite the long history of diplomatic relations, Ambassador Clemente noted that there has never been a reason to argue or fight between the two countries. “I’m not surprised at all, but still, it’s a fact that in these 75 years and more, because now we are entering the 77th [in] 2024, we haven’t had one reason to, I wouldn’t say fight, but not even argue; the relations have always been very, very good,” he said.
As a personal testament to the deep connection between Italians and Filipinos, Ambassador Clemente shared his own experience. “I think that all the people I know in Italy, my compatriots, have had in their life a Filipino or a Filipina living in their household, taking care of their elder, taking care of their children,” he revealed.
He fondly recalled his son’s Filipino nanny from Mindoro, expressing regret that they lost contact but noting that his son still remembers her with fondness and nostalgia.
Ambassador Clemente’s admiration for the Philippines and the strong bond between Italians and Filipinos highlights the positive and enduring relationship between the two countries. With the Philippines being seen as a gateway to Asia for Europeans, this connection bodes well for continued cooperation and collaboration in the years to come.
Source: The Manila Times
