(5 Feb 1996) Natural Sound

The Filipino community in Italy have found a neat way to beat their homesickness.

They've brought a little bit of "home" to Rome, by building their own market under a bridge which spans the river Tiber.

They say "when in Rome do as the Romans do."

But for the Filipino community in Rome, there comes a time when one wants to do as they do back home.

And that's just what happens here-- under this bridge which crosses the Tiber river in the Italian capital.

It may not be the "palenke"-- as Filipinos call their market back home-- but this is as close as you can get.

It took months of hard work to clear this site-- littered with drug users' syringes and refuse.

Now this tiny market is a haven for Filipinos on their day off.

SOUNDBITE: (Italian)

"The Filipino comes here and feels at home because the atmosphere is really ours. We eat Philippine food, everyone around is Filipino and we speak Filipino here."

SUPERCAPTION: Norma Macalindong, President Riverside Macini Club

Filipino workers struggle to send money home - many work several jobs. Most have little time to forge friendships with the locals or integrate into Italian society.

Filipino workers have had to make great sacrifices-- their culture is very family oriented and many feel isolated and guilty about the disruption overseas contracts cause their families.

And as the Italian government is considering making changes in immigration laws-- there's more to worry about.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"What we miss most in Philippines is our relatives, our family-- especially if you are illegal here you can't see them for three, four or even five years. But still we are groping just to make earnings for our family."

SUPERCAPTION: Leslie Ocampo, Hairdresser

The spirit of community is strong down under the bridge and spirits are high in spite of the rain and cold.

VOXPOP: (Italian) "I come here every once and a while because there are many Filipinos here so I feel like I'm already in the Philippines. Instead we are in Rome."

Sometimes a plate of spaghetti-- the sugar-sweet way Filipinos like it-- is enough to warm a heart sick for home.

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