Italian Ambassador Marco Clemente on Wednesday paid a courtesy visit to Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte and discussed about cultural infusion between the Philippines and Italy.
“We decided to do something jointly to promote Italian culture among the younger generation because this is not only a problem or a situation in this country. This is everywhere — it’s life,” the Italian envoy told reporters in an interview at the DepEd central office in Pasig City.
Clemente stressed that Italy has so much to offer to the Philippines as far as culture is concerned.
“Younger generation normally exposed to some kind of culture such as classico, drama, theatre, music, and opera because they have their own life. So, it’s our responsibility to make this responsibility to them to be exposed to something they don’t see very often,” Clemente said.
“I’m very glad the vice president is interested with cultural exchange and we decided to work together to do something very soon involving opera because it’s an international form of art. It doesn’t need any translation. Everyone enjoys listening to classical music, and the younger generation, we hope, we will work together for that,” he added.
For her part, Duterte expressed gratitude to the Italian ambassador for his support to public school learners and educating them about Italian culture, particularly the opera.
“I’m sure many of our students from our school for the arts will be excited. We hope to set down soon with regard to the details on the collaboration on December,” Duterte said.