ON April 27, the conclusion of an exciting sport event was held in the multipurpose covered court of the Canossa Tondo Children Foundation Inc. (CTCFI) in the context of the festival, "The Italian Embassy meets the youth of Tondo."

The Manila Times previously covered all the events that punctuated this festival, which opened last November with the Italian Street Festival "Fiesta con Gusto." Then, it continued with the Children's Christmas Party in December, "Italian recipes" cooking workshop in January, Italian language course opening ceremony in February and the memorable Puccini's "Gianni Schicchi" opera performance in March.

The Embassy of Italy in the Philippines honors the exceptional scholars of Canossa Tondo Children Foundation Inc., who have participated and won in the games and competitions during the Tondo sports festival. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Italian Ambassador to the Philippines Marco Clemente and his wife Maria Rosaria Brizi-Clemente meet the youth of Tondo. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Italian Ambassador to the Philippines Marco Clemente and his wife Maria Rosaria Brizi-Clemente present trophies, medals and certificates to competition winners at the conclusion of the Tondo sports fest. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Hosted by the Italian Embassy, the Tondo sports fest allows youth to participate in various sports, including basketball, promoting the importance of sportsmanship and good health. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

The festival would continue with an the Italian theater workshop in May, an Italian Talent Show on June 1 (in the framework of the celebrations of the Italian National Day), and a Family Day in July, which would conclude the long array of nine events of the festival, whose aim was the empowerment of the young community in Tondo.

The event on April 27 was the culmination of a series of tournaments, which took place in the San Pablo Apostol Parish in Tondo. It aimed to recognize and honor the exceptional youth, who actively participated and emerged victorious in the wide range of games and competitions provided during the sports fest.

The games included basketball, volleyball, chess, soccer and badminton, showcasing the remarkable physical and mental strengths of the young people residing in Tondo, Manila.

The atmosphere was filled with excitement and anticipation as approximately 500 participants gathered, including the talented scholars and their proud parents. The ceremony commenced with a warm welcome from the youth of Tondo, as the Italian Ambassador to the Philippines Marco Clemente graced the awarding ceremony together with his wife Maria Rosaria Brizi-Clemente.

The awarding ceremony was marked by each scholar receiving a customized shirt and cap in colors of green, red, white and black as a gift from the Italian Embassy. On the other hand, trophies, medals and certificates were presented to the winners — also courtesy of the Italian Embassy — accompanied by applause and cheers from the audience. The scholars beamed with pride and joy as they held their hard-earned rewards, knowing their efforts and dedication had paid off.

In addition to the awards, the ceremony also featured a special performance by the skilled CTCFI scholars from elementary level to which they danced under a cheerful rhythm with the guidance of their parents. The audience was captivated and entertained by their loveable performance and was warmly accepted by the ambassador, his wife and all the representatives of the Italian Embassy and their guests.

The sports fest awarding ceremony not only recognized the accomplishments of the scholars, but also served as an opportunity to celebrate the strength, resilience and potential of the youth in Tondo. It highlighted the importance of sports and physical activity in promoting healthy lifestyle, sportsmanship and nurturing a sense of accomplishment.