The Philippine Embassy in Rome ltaly undertakes a month-long celebration of the 113th Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Philippine Independence and the 150th Anniversary of the Birth of Dr. Jose Rizal
On 30 May, to kick-off its month-long festivities in June to commemorate the 1 13th Anniversary of Philippine Independence and the 150th Anniversary of the Birth of Dr. Jose Rizal, the Embassy observed, “Pambansang Araw ng Watawat” (National Flag Day) at the Embassy grounds with the singing of the Philippine national anthem and the recitation of the “Panunumpa sa Watawat ng Pilipinas”. The special guest of the Embassy during the occasion was Commission on Audit Chairperson, Ma. Gracia Pulido-Tan, and her delegation.
On 4 June, in collaboration with the Philippine Independence Day Association (PIDA), the Embassy organized the Independence Day Ball at the Ergife Hotel in Rome. The ball was attended by Embassy officers and staff, members and friends of the Filipino Community and Italian local officials.
During the ball, Ambassador Romeo L. Manalo officially launched the project “Le Filippine…il Paese…il Popolo…E Molto Di Piu!,” a photographic mobile exhibit that showcases the characteristics and achievements of Filipinos; the history, culture and tourist sites of the Philippines; and information of Philippine-Italian relations. A Guidebook for Filipinos in Italy, published in both the Italian and Filipino languages, was also presented and distributed for free during the Ball.
On 5 June, the Independence Day Thanksgiving Mass was held at the historic center in the Basilica di Santa Pudenziana, where the Sentro Pilipino Chaplancy is based.
On l2 June, the annual Independence Day celebration with the Filipino community was held at Piazza Ankara. The celebration consisted of a parade of different Filipino organizations/associations, cultural presentations, and an entertainment afternoon hosted by GMA 7 Pinoy TV artists such as Noel Gascon, Aubrey Miles and Troy Montero.
The event, which was free of charge and open to the general public, attracted around 4,000 Filipinos from all over Italy.
On 16 June, the Embassy facilitated the mounting and inauguration of the visual art exhibit entitled, “BAE MINDANAO,” at the Museo Nazionale Preistorico Etnografico Luigi Pigorini. The exhibit featured artworks of Filipino artists about Filipino women of Mindanao. The exhibit ran from l5 to 20 June 2011 at Museo Pigorini and the second leg was held at the Casa Internazionale delle Donne from 28 June to 2 July 2011. 
On 19 June, the Embassy commemorated the 150th Birth Anniversary of Philippine National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal at the Teatro delle Emozioni through the inauguration of a photo exhibit about Rizal’s life entitled RIZAL CHRONOLOGY, followed by the screening of the multiawarded movie JOSE RIZAL.
