Classical culture can be gateway to economic growth

ITALIAN Ambassador to the Philippines Marco Clemente on Thursday urged the Philippines to embrace opera as a cornerstone of its cultural tourism strategy.

«I'm a strong believer of the opera. Opera is the only form of art which is capable to attract foreign tourists,» Clemente said at The Manila Times forum on classical culture and tourism at the Grand Hyatt Manila. «I say that not because I'm an opera fan, but because I saw it happen. In my 40 plus years of traveling around the world, I saw a lot of Asian tourists. It's amazing how many Japanese, South Koreans, and Chinese go to Europe to attend opera festivals, especially in the summer.»

Drawing from his extensive travel experiences, Clemente proposed a bold vision for the Philippines, saying, «My provocation today to the representatives of the government, businessmen, and media is why can't the Philippines become the hub of the opera lovers in this area? Why should these people spend so much to fly to Europe if they can have something similar and much closer to their place?»

ARTS AND TRAVEL FORUM (From left) The Manila Times President and COO Blanca Mercado; Arvin Manuel Villalon, commissioner for the arts and head of the National Committee on Music, National Commission for Culture and the Arts; Karla Gutierrez, founder, Philippine Opera Company; Maan Hontiveros, president, Manila Symphony Orchestra; Italian Ambassador to the Philippines Marco Clemente; Ben Kritz, The Manila Times columnist; Pangasinan 4th District Rep. Christopher de Venecia; Sharlene Zabala-Batin, Department of Tourism-National Capital Region director; and The Manila Times Chairman and CEO Dante Ang II at The Manila Times Forum ‘Classical Culture and Tourism: A Happy Matrimony’ at The Gallery, Grand Hyatt Manila, on June 6, 2024. The event was in collaboration with the Italian embassy on advocating travel and the arts. PHOTO BY J. GERARD SEGUIA

Clemente then underscored the Philippines' unique position as the most European or Westernized country in Asia.

«My humble and unsolicited proposal is let's put our forces together. We need the political will, the governmental instruments, we need the money and also the experience. I think there is