Ciao Bella

A C.S.I Journal Entry

Writer: Margaux Antonio

UA&P Humanities III

Last July 7’s CSI activity entitled Ciao Bella (Hello Beautiful!) was reminiscent of the team’s earlier get-togethers which were centered on beauty. Fresh grad and Narra Nueva’s very own Isha de Vera shared with us her experiences in the 2011 UNIV Congress in Rome as well as her little trips to other cities in Italy.

Isha happily recounted to us being among countless other university students from all over the world who, despite long hours of travel, were very much eager to see the Pope and to impart their understanding of beauty and its various aspects. Gaining more than just insights, bella Isha also had the opportunity to interact with the mix of nationalities present and at the same time learning to love the Roman culture.

Apart from Rome, the cities of Siena, Florence, Assisi, and Loreto were places that Isha adored because of their gorgeous structures. Some of them include the Cathedral of St. Catherine, Dante Alighieri’s house in Florence, and the holy house of Mary in Loreto. She shared with us photographs of paintings and statues of our Lady that decorated the cities. Like our speaker, we were left in awe looking at them. Her photographs coupled with detailed descriptions of her Italian food encounters certainly left our stomachs grumbling for Nutella gellato and other Italian specialties.

With the upcoming 2013 UNIV Congress, Isha invites us all, especially the university students, to take hold of the opportunity to become more aware of many important cultural issues as perceived by our generation from different parts of the world. In interacting with other cultures, it is all the more important to keep an open mind in order to see what is truly beautiful. Beauty is everywhere but to see it, you must look at all that is around you. Culture is the best place to find it. But then again, you don’t always have to travel half-way across the world to experience these cultures. CSI is here precisely to bring these amazing little parts of the world by imparting to you our takes on major issues that affect our society today. Hoping to see everyone over the next few get-togethers so that we can discover and experience what is truly bella!

Photos care of

Zarina San Jose