VICE President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio on Wednesday graced the general rehearsal of the Italian Opera Giacomo Puccini’s “Turandot” at the Cultural Center of the Philippines in Pasay City.

Italian Ambassador to the Philippines Marco Clemente earlier proposed a collaboration with the Department of Education to open the general rehearsals of the Italian Opera for viewing of students, teachers and parents.

“I am truly happy that we were able to do this. It started as a discussion about cultural awareness for Filipino learners. And we are now here in this rehearsal, sharing it to all of you,” Duterte-Carpio said.

“This is to inspire you to write your own opera as a Filipino, and this is to show you that there is something more than Tiktok and Facebook,” she added.

Clemente thanked Duterte-Carpip for her commitment to engage Filipino students in cultural awareness and Italian Opera.

“I’m so grateful for your stamina, determination, courage and vision to transform what was an idea into reality. I’m sure these kids will have a wonderful experience,” Clemente said.

“I am almost at the end of my career, but I can definitely say that this is one of the things I can say that I accomplished in my career I feel most proud of,” he added.

Duterte-Carpio commended the ambassador for his work and dedication in forging closer bilateral ties between Italy and the Philippines.

“I hope that this is just the start of more fruitful and substantive cultural exchanges between our peoples,” Duterte-Carpio said.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Italy and the Philippines.