“The
glory that was Greece, the grandeur that was Rome”.
I first encountered this adage when my World History teacher and high school principal, Ms. Emolyn Guamil, asked us to write an essay about this statement. Luckily, I was able to write everything what I had read about this Italy’s capital. I was feeling happy to finish the exam in a few minutes, but still feeling empty for writing something I didn’t experience of.
Several years after, I was given the chance to live like an Italian. Last Saturday, November 12, 6:30 pm, I was invited to attend the opening of Italian Film Festival in Cinematheque Centre Manila (the former Instituto Cervantes) on Kalaw Avenue in Ermita. Though I was tired the whole day after looking for my CESE review center, having my CrossFit session, and taking up my Waki treatment, this event was an activity I should not be missed!
Organized
by the Embassy of Italy Manila and the Film Development Council of the
Philippines and hosted by Tim Yap, the opening gala was attended by diplomats,
cultural enthusiasts, students, Italian filmmakers and artists, and local
silver screen personalities, like my favorite McCann powerhouse-turned-actress
Ms. Tessie Tomas and Mr. Tikoy Aguiluz, director of Segurista (“Dead Sure”),
1996 Philippine entry to the Oscars; Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story;
and El Presidente (Emilio Aguinaldo biopic).
Everyone
was generously served with Italian cuisine, served by Cibo di M (owned by a
fellow meditation groupmate, Asia’s Best Female Chef’s Margarita Fores, was
there too) and Ristorante Italiano L’Opera, and made even more flavorful by a
variety of wines, sponsored by Ralph’s Wines & Spirits. I was not in the
mood for wine, instead, I chilled with glasses of apple and orange juices.
Hehe! Italian version of Engelbert Humperdinck’s Il Mundo and a slew of Italian
songs accompanied us during the cocktails. Watching the gala movie, Perfetti
Sconosciuti (Perfect Strangers), and hearing the Italians talked in vernacular
made my night authentically Italian. I can say, indeed, that Italian culture is
authentically rich and flavorful, in all aspects! What can you expect from one
of the oldest civilizations in the world?!
The
festival runs up to November 16 with 7 movies alternately shown in the afternoon
and evening for FREE. A bit intriguing… I plan to watch 2Night. A story of two
young strangers met at a nightclub, all they wanted to do was go home and have sex,
but a kind of intimacy was developed that changed their plan. Check this site
for the movie schedule: http://www.fdcp.ph/contents/view?id=cinemathequemanila.
Godere
(‘enjoy’ in Italian)!
