Sentro Rizal Milan hosted A Woman’s Passionate Journey, an exhibit by Ms. Mercedita “Dittz” Centeno De Jesus, from 21 to 25 October 2019 at the Galleria Filippina of the Philippine Consulate General. This is the fourth in the Consulate’s Likang Pilipino Series, a program featuring the works of Filipino artists living in Northern Italy.

Ms. De Jesus’ oil paintings, poems and Filipiniana-inspired fashion designs composed the exhibit. Dittz is the founder of the Filipino Women’s League – Bologna and the Alyansa ng Lahing Bulakenyo, Bologna; she is also a founding member and the current Secretary General of OFW Watch Italy.

In her message during the Opening ceremonies, Dittz said she came to Italy in 2004 as a dependent of her husband and eventually became an OFW when she was hired as a babysitter. She nurtured her passion for painting throughout her architecture studies in the Philippines and  honed her skill by practicing and taking short courses in Italian schools.  Her creativity expanded to wearable art, so she took up sewing; her daughter’s wedding gown is her most lavish work, so far.

Consul Mersole Mellejor, in his capacity as Acting Head of Post, welcomed the guests to the Opening and congratulated Ms. De Jesus on her works.  He expressed hope that the series will inspire the young generation of Filipinos in Italy even as he encouraged other Filipino artists to collaborate with the Consulate and be featured in the Likhang Pilipino Series.