Interview w/ Balik sa Basik Proponent LAARNI SILVA of Padova, Italy

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Florence and Firenze (Italy) are One and the Same

Florence is the capital city of the Tuscany region in Italy. During medieval times, it was the center of trade and finance in the entire Europe. It is very evident with the many business establishments that you can find in the city.

The Florence countryside is teeming with vegetation most especially grapes where you can find lots of plantations along the route to the city proper. Since grape plantations are bountiful in the area, it is logical to note that wines in the country are produced there.

This is also the city where you can find villas of the rich. Exclusive enclaves are located near the lush greenery of the area. Florence is an ideal place to build houses either for residential or vacation purposes.

Of course, the commercial and tourist district is where you can find the best of Italian architecture. Shops utilizing old buildings as well as hotels abound in the city. It is just awesome to see the old world having the new style in business.

As a devout catholic, I was amazed at seeing different churches with different architecture that can be seen in every corner of Florence. Just like any other Italian city, it is where you can find the old churches and the new ones filled with devotees inside. But it should be noted that not all the time, these churches are open to the public. There is a certain time of the day that visitors are allowed inside.

Walking through the streets of Florence, I cannot help but be mesmerized at how the people were able to preserve certain structures to the delight of its visitors. Despite being in an earthquake-prone area, buildings in Florence where able to stand strong from the devastations that ravaged the city in the past.

Whatever name you might want to call it, Florence or Firenze, it is one city worth going to when in Italy. The atmosphere is light and breezy. You just have to be ready for long walks as the way to the shopping area are narrow streets with outstanding sights along the way.

Credit to the owners of two photos. Also, special thank you to Miss Laarni Silva for bringing us there.

Como: An Italian City Near the Alps

Como is an Italian city located at the northern part of the country and is near the border of Switzerland. It is considered a resort city sans the beach and the sea.

But it is known for its lake which is frequented by tourists. It is a picturesque area known to retirees and celebrities who make the city their second home. The atmosphere is very inviting and serene.

Despite Como's proximity to Switzerland and distance to other local cities, the architecture and other buildings still have that Italian touch. It reminds everyone that you are still in Italy and not somewhere else.

Como is a city where the old and the new mix harmoniously. Even the old and the new generation live with happy co-existence. It is a city where the culture of the old and the new created a personality that is distinctly Como.

As in any other Italian city, churches are all over. Almost in every area, a church is within reach. This is a testament on how religious Italians are.

There are structures in the city that make Como unique. It is amazing to note how the people take care of their monuments. They are clean and widely revered by the locals.

My visit to Como was a refreshing one. I was astounded at how the environment is being preserved and how the city's atmosphere is friendly and welcoming.

Many thanks to Laarni Silva for bringing us to Como. It was a trip that was worth the time.

Modena: Italy's Automobile and Agricultural Capital

Modena is dubbed as the automobile and agricultural capital of Italy. It was a quaint commune which has evolved into a fast-rising city in the Emiglia-Romagna region of the northern part of the country.

Automobile giants Ferrari, Maserati, De Tomaso and Pagani have headquarters in Modena. Both Ferrari and Maserati have museums there. Lamborghini does not have a headquarter in the city but it is where their cars are manufactured.

It is an agricultural area where poppy fields and wheat plantations abound. It is worth mentioning that  Modena uses animal poo as organic fertilizer to their plants. With the many fields that abound the area, agriculture is really a way of life.

It should also be noted that Modena also produces the best parmesan cheese in the whole of Italy. Of course, prosciutto can also be bought just like any ordinary fare in grocery stores. Balsamic vinegar is another Modena regular fare.

Just like any other Italian city, Modena also has churches all around. Truly, an evidence of the strong influence of the catholic religion in the country. With their medieval architecture, the churches are visual delights especially to tourists. Luciano Pavarotti, one of the city's most famous sons, is said to be buried in one of the churches of Modena.

All these years, Modena has maintained their building designs that the country is known for. Despite the many earthquakes that have visited Italy, their buildings have withstood the tests of nature. You know you are in Italy when you see architecture that is solely theirs.

But, course, Modena is not immune to the influences of modernity. In one area of the city, some modern buildings are slowly being built to meet the demands of the times. Despite of the times, it has maintained its appeal as an old city.

Modena may be quaint but it is one memorable stop in my European trip. Special thanks should go to our Balik sa Basik producer Laarni Silva and her counterparts in Modena - the Knights of Rizal Modena Chapter headed by Gerry Adarlo and the Kababaihang Rizalista headed by Winnie Crisostomo. Worthy appreciation also goes to Ian Atienza, Licel Ferrer, Dennis Ilagan and all the other Filipinos in Modena who made our last stop in Italy an unforgettable one.

Venice: From Dream to Reality

Venice is one city in the world that has been in my bucket list to visit during my lifetime. Little did I know that 2016 would be the year that this dream of visiting the city would become a reality. Thanks to the Balik sa Basik fashion shows of Renee Salud. Venice is the first stop of our shows in Europe.

The Hotel Russott Ballroom was the venue of our show in Venice. It is one hotel near the airport that has a spacious venue for different types of events. Although service is by the hour and per hour, its personnel are very gracious and helpful. Everything we asked for were given to us almost instantly.

Of course, a trip to Venice would not be complete without traversing through its narrow pathways and seeing the canals that make the city a special one. Complete with Italian and European architecture, it is like being inside an architectural book brought into reality. Tourists, local and foreigners, enjoy the sights of the city.

The islands of Murano and Burano are must-see places when in Venice. Murano is famous for its crystals which command good prices. Tourists must just be careful in buying Murano crystals because fake ones abound. Burano, on the other hand, is famous for the colorful houses of its residents. It is like being in a craft store but made of true houses.

The Canale delle Fondamente Nuove is the major gateway to Venice and to other beautiful towns that surround the city. It was through the trip to the other places in Venice that I saw how Italians were able to preserve structures as well as have the discipline to make the city a clean one despite the droves of tourists.

The Piazza San Marco is the focal point of one's trip to Venice. It is where all tourists converge to play with the doves or ride the gondola in traversing the city's canals. It is where one can find the best architectural designs that can be seen from its domes, churches, museums and other establishments. It is where one can appreciate the true Italian ambience.

With the many areas of art in Venice, you cannot just have enough. Every corner presents surprises that can only be seen there. The ones you see in books and magazines are right before your eyes. I just marvel at how they were able to preserve its heritage.

Religiosity is one trait that Italians adhere to. Just like in any other city in Italy, churches abound. Coupled with rich designs that depict the richness of the country's culture and its strong adherence to the catholic faith.

From its canals and monuments, Venice is a city that has kept its image as a bastion of art, culture and religion. From where Marco Polo started his journey, Venice is place worth visiting.

With the world getting smaller, the dream of going to Venice is not just a dream anymore. 2016 made it a reality for me.

Special thank you to our Balik sa Basik producer Laarni Silva, our Venice leg producers Ness Araja, Runna Pervado & the B52s, one of our gracious hosts Belinda Rodrigo and all the others who made our stay in Venice a very special one. We hope to see you again in the future.