News of the passing of former Italy Ambassador to the Philippines Massimo Roscigno quickly spread among a wide circle of friends in Manila. The well-regarded diplomat was not just a mainstay in social gatherings; he was acknowledged as a complete diplomat who contributed to the strengthening of bilateral relations between his country and ours.
Roscigno was posted in Manila from February 2014 to July 2017; it was a return engagement. He was assigned to Manila in 1988 as deputy chief of mission. It was during this first assignment to the Philippines that he met Agnes Ventura, who would become his wife.
Theirs was a vibrant relationship that enhanced the Philippine connection beyond the demands of function and duties.
Philippine Ambassador to Italy Domingo Nolasco, who was his counterpart for the duration of Roscigno’s Philippine assignment, described the diplomat as such:
“Ambassador Roscigno embraced his mandate, expending energies to deepen ties with his host country. His work contributed to efforts toward poverty reduction and rural development particularly in Mindanao, implementing significant programs that contributed to agrarian reforms and community infrastructure development. Other centerpieces of his term were the debt-for-development swap and bilateral cooperation on labor migration.”
Roscigno was once quoted to have said, “Our general duty and function is to promote relations in all fields, political, trade and culture, but for me, the most significant one is cultural because it means building bridges between nations.”
Personal and authentic
The Italian from Rome, a second-generation diplomat, easily integrated into the fiber of Philippine life. Appreciation for family life and food was a commonality between Italian and Filipino cultures that sat well with him.
He immersed himself in the life of the islands, enjoying local cuisine, which Agnes introduced to him early in their marriage. He went diving in Philippine waters, exploring the underwater world of Palawan, Puerto Galera and even Mindanao.
Most of all, he developed a genuine connection to the people.
“He was a fine gentleman,” Zenaida “Nedy” Tantoco says. The Rustan’s CEO, who is also the president of the Philippine Italian Association, had many occasions to work with him. “He was a great ambassador to the Philippines. His diplomacy was impeccable because he is naturally that way. If he had to say no, he did it so diplomatically. He had an innate kindheartedness.”
Massimo Roscigno was easy to like. Despite his considerable intelligence, the law graduate from the University of Tieste who appended a doctorate degree in European Studies to his credentials, was bereft of any officiousness.
Our friendship with the Roscignos developed naturally over dinner invitations extended and reciprocated, an out-of-town trip, evenings of dance practices for a rigodon de honor that he unhesitatingly acquiesced to join with Agnes.
A fun couple who knew how to enjoy themselves, the Roscignos placed a premium on relationships and made time to build ties.
My husband Chito and I were recipients of their generous loving many times. One particularly heartwarming gesture was during a milestone celebration when, despite a full schedule, they chose to be with us, distance and traffic notwithstanding. We do not forget such kindness.
It was saddening to hear of his demise after a lingering illness and to watch the memorial officiated by His Eminence Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle in Rome. The service was a mournful occasion and even if we didn’t speak Italian, the tribute of daughter Ursula in their native tongue provoked grief and tears from his friends watching in another time zone, continents away.
Massimo is missed. He is remembered warmly. Apprezzo I belli momenti trascorsi insieme. —CONTRIBUTED
