ART MEETS HERITAGE: Philippine Embassy in Rome hosts Siningskwela sa Roma

Photo from Philippine Embassy in Italy Facebook Page

03 July 2025 (Rome) – The Philippine Embassy in Rome held Siningskwela sa Roma, an arts and culture workshop led by Ms. Anna Karina Jardin, a Manila-born visual artist and art advocate based in Malaysia.

The event brought together around 30 children, youth, and educators from the Philippine schools and Filipino community in Rome. It featured a variety of traditional and contemporary Filipino arts and activities, including drawing and paper collage workshops that highlighted Philippine national symbols. Designed especially for young Filipinos abroad, Siningskwela sa Roma aimed to foster a deeper appreciation for Philippine culture and identity among the second and third generations Filipinos in Italy.

In a special video message, Director Margarita Consolacion C. Ballesteros, Director IV of the Office of the Undersecretary for Human Resource and Organizational Development, National Educators Academy, Department of Education, emphasized the significance of initiatives like Siningskwela. She noted that

“the program carries the spirit of bayanihan and pakikipagkapwa, bringing our stories, values, and identity to life in classrooms and communities.”

Director Ballesteros also expressed her gratitude to the Philippine Embassy for its unwavering support in promoting Filipino culture and for serving as a torchbearer of national identity among overseas Filipinos.

Ambassador Neal Imperial likewise extended his appreciation to the participants for their enthusiastic attendance and engagement. He highlighted the importance of preserving and passing on the Philippines’ rich cultural heritage, ensuring that younger generations of Filipinos in Rome remain connected to their roots. He also thanked Ms. Jardin for her passion, dedication, and continued efforts to bring Filipino culture closer to the youth through meaningful and creative platforms such as Siningskwela.

The event is part of the Embassy’s cultural diplomacy initiatives to promote Filipino heritage and strengthen cultural pride within the Filipino youth community in Italy. (Philippine Embassy in Italy)