MILAN – Thousands of Filipinos flocked to the iconic Arco Della Pace in Milan’s Piazze Sempione on July 6 for the Sandiwa Filitalia, a grand cultural highlight of Kalayaan 2025 celebration and the 78 years of Philippine-Italian diplomatic ties.

The Philippine Consulate General in Milan Consul General Cato and the Kalayaan 2025 Organizing Committee of the Bayanihan Council of Northern Italy led the culminating event of the month-long 127th Philippine Independence Day celebration that brought together a vibrant blend of traditional heritage and modern Filipino identity through a series of programs and activities.

In his opening remark at Sandiwa Filitalia, Cato underscored the theme of this year’s month-long 127th Independence Day celebration, which focused on unity and solidarity.

“Our event was not just meant to showcase Filipino pride and culture. It was also intended to show our gratitude to Italy and the Italian people for their warm hospitality and kind generosity that allowed our people here and their families back home to have a better life,” he said.

Aside from vibrant performances from folk dances and kundiman renditions to dynamic modern dances, the Filipinos enjoyed food stalls offering the famous “halo-halo”, “kakanin” (Filipino native food), and regional favorites.

As part of the month-long Kalayaan 2025 celebration, the Consulate hosted “Mekeni, Mangan Tamu: A Taste of Pampanga,” turning the Kalayaan Hall into a culinary showcase on June 12.

Two of Pampanga’s finest chefs, Manuela Cherry Tan and Leonard Vincent Garcia, delighted guests with iconic Kapampangan dishes such as sisig, arobu, kare-kare, and nasing marangle. It was a tribute not only to Pampanga’s rich food culture but also to Angeles City’s nomination as Asia’s Best Culinary City Destination at the 2025 World Culinary Awards.

Elegance took center stage at the Hiyas ng Kalayaan as guests were treated to a cultural fashion show featuring both traditional and modern Filipino attire, each ensemble steeped in heritage and artistry.

In his social media post Monday, Cato thanked all the people who contributed to the success of Sandiwa FilItalia, especially the Comune of Milan.

As he ended his tour of duty in Milan, Cato also thanked Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro for allowing him to stay a few days longer to witness and to join the Filipino community in the Sandiwa Filitalia.

“As we prepare to return home, we are filled with deep gratitude for every moment shared, every partnership forged, and every Filipino story we had the privilege to witness and support in this vibrant part of the world,” he said.

“We entrust the legacy of this Consulate to those who will come after us, hoping they continue to nurture the bonds we’ve built and expand them even further. Milan will always hold a special place in our hearts, not just as a diplomatic posting, but as a home where we witnessed the beauty of the Filipino spirit thrive on foreign soil.” (Alona Cochon/PNA)