Philippine Embassy in Italy

22/10/2026

22/10/2026

21/10/2026

PHILIPPINES SHOWCASES AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS AND TINIKLING AT FAO’S “FROM SEEDS TO FOODS” EXHIBITION

ROME, Italy, 10 October 2026 — The Philippines, through the Philippine Embassy in Rome, participated in the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)’s Second Global Exhibition, “From Seeds to Foods,” held at Circo Massimo in Rome from 8 to 12 October 2026.

Under the theme “Fostering Innovation for Food Security and Nutrition,” the public exhibition brought together around 300 exhibitors from more than 140 countries. It featured approximately 400 agricultural products and innovations, alongside cooking demonstrations, food tastings, talks, and cultural performances showcasing the journey of food from farm to table.

The Philippine exhibit featured products derived from coconut, mango, banana, ube, cacao, and jackfruit, highlighting the diversity of Philippine agricultural produce and its potential for international markets.

On 10 October 2026, the Philippines also presented Tinikling, performed by Pinoy Teens Salinlahi, a Rome-based Filipino community dance group founded on 16 May 2009 by Ms. Tessie Carrascoso and Ms. Angelina Santos. The group has trained generations of Filipino children in traditional Philippine dances, helping preserve and pass on the country’s cultural heritage to the next generation of Filipinos and Filipino-Italians in Italy.

Traditionally associated with the Philippines’ rice-farming heritage, Tinikling is a bamboo dance inspired by the movements of the tikling bird. Its rhythmic steps and moving bamboo poles offered an engaging expression of the connection between agriculture and Filipino culture. Following the performance, visitors were invited to try the dance themselves, stepping and hopping between the moving poles.

The Philippine performance formed part of the exhibition’s international cultural program, alongside presentations from Mongolia, Italy, and Bolivia.

Dr. Josyline Javelosa, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Philippines to FAO and Agriculture Attaché to Italy, represented the Embassy and described the performance as a “lively and artistic expression of Filipino agriculture and culture.”

Through its participation, the Philippine Embassy highlighted the country’s agricultural products and cultural heritage, while supporting FAO’s efforts to promote greater awareness of food security, nutrition, and agricultural innovation. END

20/10/2026

EMBASSY OF THE PHILIPPINES IN ROME CELEBRATES FILIPINO HONOREE REBECCA PURISIMA AT FAO’S INAUGURAL "100 WOMEN HEROES IN AGRIFOOD SYSTEMS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT" CEREMONY

ROME, ITALY – The Embassy of the Philippines in Rome announces the recognition of Ms. Rebecca Purisima as one of the honorees in the inaugural FAO 100 Women Heroes in Agrifood Systems and Rural Development. The recognition was celebrated at a Special Ceremony hosted by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Director-General QU Dongyu held on 15 October 2026, at the Plenary Hall of the FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy, held as part of the World Food Forum (WFF) flagship event.

Organized under the umbrella of the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026, the initiative honors 100 outstanding women from across the globe who were selected through a highly competitive global nomination process that drew over 600 nominations from 131 countries.

Ms. Purisima was nominated by the Philippines through the Department of Agriculture. Her selection underscores her leadership, innovation, and dedication to transforming agrifood systems, advancing food security, empowering local communities, and creating economic opportunities for rural development.

A Political Science graduate who once envisioned a career in law, Ms. Purisima unexpectedly found her true calling when she received a land grant through the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program in 1996. Starting with just seven cups of corn kernels, her unwavering perseverance transformed her family’s two-hectare property in Tigaon, Camarines Sur, into VK’s Farm, a Good Agricultural Practices and organically certified producer of rice, corn, vegetables, herbs, and fruits.

Beyond her personal farming success, which earned her national recognition like the Department of Agriculture’s 2017 Outstanding Rural Woman and the 2019 National Gawad Saka award, she has served as a DAR paralegal, an Agta Tabangnon Indigenous chieftain, and a parole and probation officer aide who inspires others to rebuild their lives through agriculture. Her lifelong commitment to sharing knowledge, advocating for resource access for women and Indigenous communities, and inspiring the next generation solidifies her legacy as a champion who turned the soil into a vehicle for community hope and empowerment.

The Special Ceremony honored women leaders, innovators, producers, and changemakers across the agrifood value chain whose efforts protect natural resources, preserve traditional and indigenous knowledge, expand market access, and generate training and employment opportunities.

"The selection of Ms. Rebecca Purisima reflects not only her remarkable individual achievements, but also the steadfast commitment of the Philippines to championing women as leaders, entrepreneurs, and agents of change in agriculture," stated Amb. Neal Imperial, Philippine Ambassador to Italy and Permanent Representative to FAO. "Her accomplishments serve as a beacon of pride for our nation and an inspiration to women and youth worldwide."

The event brought together FAO Members, international partners, and delegates in celebrating these inspiring leaders and their essential contributions toward building more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems worldwide.

19/10/2026

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN ROME EMPOWERS FILIPINOS IN ITALY TO PREPARE BEYOND SALARY

08 October 2026, Rome — For overseas Filipinos, earning a salary is only one part of building a secure and fulfilling life abroad. Preparing for the future also means taking care of one’s health, strengthening family relationships, and making sound financial decisions.

This was the message of “OFW Beyond Salary: Financial, Health & Family Readiness for Overseas Filipinos,” held by the Philippine Embassy in Rome and the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Rome, in partnership with FRICH Revolution, on 8 October 2026 at the Embassy Social Hall.

The activity brought together 83 members of the Filipino community for practical discussions on three essential aspects of life as an OFW: financial preparedness, health and fitness, and family relationships.

In his remarks, Philippine Ambassador to Italy Neal Imperial emphasized “that the OFW journey should go beyond earning a salary. He encouraged Filipinos abroad to invest not only in their financial future, but also in their health, relationships, and overall quality of life.”

Ambassador Imperial also shared the Mortality Study of Overseas Filipinos in Italy, based on ten years of data from Reports of Death filed with the Philippine Embassy in Rome and the Philippine Consulate General in Milan. The results of the study showed a low life expectancy for Filipinos based in Italy. The study also provided an important context for the discussions, highlighting the need to pay greater attention to the long-term health and well-being of Filipinos in Italy.

Consul General Randy Arquiza further discussed the findings of the study, underscoring the interconnectedness of health, financial security, family support, and quality of life.

The main sessions were led by Mr. Terence Lim and Ms. Tet Lim, founders of FRICH Revolution, who shared practical insights and real-life experiences under three themes: “Financial – Preparing Beyond Salary,” “Fitness & Health – Protecting the OFW’s Greatest Asset,” and “Family – Understanding, Communication & Healing.” The sessions encouraged participants to look beyond immediate financial needs and consider how today’s decisions can shape their health, family relationships, and future security.

The “OFW Beyond Salary” initiative forms part of the Embassy’s continuing efforts to empower Filipinos in Italy with practical knowledge and tools that support financial resilience, healthier lives, stronger families, and better preparation for the future.

19/10/2026

🇵🇭🇮🇹 Welcome Back, Kababayans!
Celebrating Our September Filipino-Italian Dual Citizens

The Philippine Embassy in Rome warmly welcomes our newest Filipino-Italian dual citizens who took their Oath of Allegiance this September! 🇵🇭🇮🇹

From Messina, Florence, Gallipoli, and Malta, our new dual citizens have taken an important step in reconnecting with their Filipino roots, heritage, and homeland.

In September alone, the Embassy approved 148 dual citizenship applications, including 15 derivative petitions—a testament to the continuing desire of former Filipino citizens and their families to maintain their ties to the Philippines.

Reacquiring or retaining Philippine citizenship is more than a legal process. It is a meaningful reconnection with who we are, where we come from, and the Filipino heritage we carry with us.

Former Filipino citizens who have acquired Italian citizenship: you could be next! 🇵🇭
Explore the process of reacquiring or retaining Philippine citizenship and take that meaningful step back home.

📧 [email protected]
📞 +39 333 2433 958

Welcome back, Kababayans! Mabuhay! 🇵🇭🇮🇹

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🇵🇭🇮🇹 Maligayang Pagbabalik, mga Kababayan!
Pagpupugay sa Ating mga Bagong Filipino-Italian Dual Citizens

Malugod na binabati ng Embassy of the Philippines in Rome ang ating mga bagong Filipino-Italian dual citizens na nanumpa ng Katapatan ngayong Setyembre! 🇵🇭🇮🇹

Mula sa Messina, Florence, Gallipoli, at Malta, isang mahalagang hakbang ang kanilang isinagawa upang muling mapagtibay ang kanilang ugnayan sa kanilang mga ugat, pamana, at Inang Bayan.

Ngayong Setyembre lamang, 148 aplikasyon para sa dual citizenship, kabilang ang 15 derivative petitions, ang inaprubahan ng Embahada—patunay ng patuloy na hangarin ng ating mga dating mamamayang Pilipino at kanilang mga pamilya na mapanatili ang kanilang ugnayan sa Pilipinas.

Ang muling pagkuha o pagpapanatili ng pagkamamamayang Pilipino ay higit pa sa isang legal na proseso. Ito ay isang makabuluhang pagbabalik sa ating pagkakakilanlan, sa ating pinagmulan, at sa pamanang Pilipino na ating dala saanman tayo naroroon.

Sa mga dating mamamayang Pilipino na naging mamamayang Italyano: maaari kayong sumunod! 🇵🇭
Alamin ang proseso ng muling pagkuha o pagpapanatili ng pagkamamamayang Pilipino at gawin ang mahalagang hakbang na ito tungo sa muling pagkakaugnay sa ating Inang Bayan.

📧 [email protected]
📞 +39 333 2433 958

Maligayang pagbabalik, mga Kababayan! Mabuhay! 🇵🇭🇮🇹

14/10/2026

PH EMBASSY IN ROME BRINGS CONSULAR, LABOR AND WELFARE SERVICES CLOSER TO FILIPINOS IN ALBANIA

12 October 2026, ROME – The Philippine Embassy in Rome, in partnership with the Philippine Consulate in Albania under Honorary Consul Loritan Prespa, and its partner agencies, the Migrant Workers Office in Rome (MWO-Rome) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), brought essential government services closer to Filipinos in Albania through a two-day consular and labor outreach mission held in Tirana on 10–11 October 2026.

Led by Ambassador Neal Imperial and Consul General Randy Arquiza, the Embassy’s team delivered nearly 80 consular services, including passport applications, civil registry transactions, and notarial services. Meanwhile, MWO-Rome and OWWA-Rome each assisted 60 clients, providing labor and welfare-related services to members of the Filipino community.

Beyond the delivery of frontline services, the mission provided an opportunity for the Embassy and its partner agencies to engage directly with Filipino community leaders and hear their concerns and priorities. The Embassy also conducted an oath-taking ceremony for newly appointed leaders of Filipino community organizations in Albania, further strengthening its engagement with the growing Filipino community.

During the meeting, Ambassador Imperial presented the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) 2026 Loyalty Award to Consul Prespa in recognition of his 10 years of dedicated service, unwavering commitment, and valuable contribution to the Philippines and the Filipino community in Albania. Witnessed by members of the Filipino community, the occasion was a meaningful tribute to Consul Prespa’s decade of service and steadfast dedication to the FIlipino community in Albania.

The Philippine Consulate recently relocated to a much larger office in the center of Tirana to better accommodate the growing number of Filipinos in Albania. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Albania, 3,187 Filipinos held active residence permits in Albania as of June 2026, compared with 440 in 2023.

Bringing government services closer to our people—wherever they are. 🇵🇭❤️

14/10/2026

Ambassador Neal Imperial presents the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) 2026 Loyal Award to Consul Loritan Prespa in recognition of his 10 years of dedicated service, unwavering commitment, and valuable contribution to the Philippines and the Filipino community in Albania. Witnessed by members of the Filipino community, the occasion was a meaningful tribute to Consul Prespa's decade of service and steadfast dedication to the Filipino community in Albania.