Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna has expressed gratitude and admiration to Italian Ambassador Marco Clemente for his series of programs —particularly the "Fiesta con Gusto" — which is seen to feed a number of less privileged children and let them taste Italian cuisine in Tondo, Manila.

This comes as the Embassy of Italy in the Philippines, in collaboration with the local government of Manila announced the upcoming Italian Street Food Festival in Tondo on 18 November 2023.

The initiative aims to raise awareness about Italian cuisine and at the same time, help underprivileged kids in Tondo who are suffering from hunger.

Clemente said that at least 500 children including their families are expected to benefit from the cause.

Lacuna, on the other hand, stressed the significance of holding the food festival in Tondo.

"If there is one place to hold a festival for our palates, it should be where people have hearty appetites. A place where love for food is not only for nourishing one's stomach but likewise as nourishment in building and nurturing connections to family and friends," said Lacuna.

"The City of Manila treats the bond between our two countries as a substantial one that we will always have our arms wide open to further our cultural and economic ties," she added.

The Manila mayor also said that the event is a significant initiative for a productive relationship between the two nations and especially in the City of Manila.

"It is the core of the Italian Street Food Festival, its ultimate desire is to pave the way to a more fruitful and productive diplomatic relationship not only with the Philippines but with our City in particular," Lacuna said.

For his part, Clemente emphasized the need to empower Filipino children and ensure that they are not victimized by hunger in the country.

"The Italian Street Food Festival not only promotes Italian cuisine but it is also a platform to empower Filipino youths and their families and help them alleviate hunger," said Clemente.

"We aim to be a channel that gives hope to the Filipino children to strive more in life and a part of it is ensuring that they don't have a hungry stomach," he added.