AMBASSADOR Massimo Santoro, the European Union’s envoy to the Philippines, doesn’t just represent 27 nations-conducting them like a grand opera company.
In Manila, where diplomacy demands both discipline and artistry, Santoro has become the ‘maestro’ of sorts of a sprawling ensemble, ensuring that every voice-from the sopranos of sustainability to the tenors of security-blends into one resonant performance.
After spending more than seven years at the EU headquarters in Brussels, he deliberately chose Asia as his next stage.
‘I wish to be [here], because I didn’t know it,’ he recalls.
Now, he leads a delegation of 43 personnel in Manila, supported by a chorus of 19 resident embassies of Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Hungary, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Finland, Sweden, and Norway.
Together, they form a formidable diplomatic opera troupe, reinforcing Manila’s role as one of Asia’s most important European stages.
The art of consensus: An opera without discord
SANTORO’S ‘maestro’ title was given in jest, but it fits well.
Asked how he manages the complexities of coordinating 27 nations, he simply laughed a bit: ‘Wow.for myself, that’s torture. [And I seem to] love that.’
Like an opera conductor, his role is not to silence, but to synchronize. He describes EU’s ambassadors in Manila as ‘very strong and solid,’ and rarely needing to call for a formal vote on matters of discussion or digression.
‘I never have a single votation.it’s such a good dialogue,’ he quips.
This mirrors the bloc’s broader foreign policy tradition. Under the Common Foreign and Security Policy, decisions are usually made by unanimity-every voice must sing the same note before the curtain rises.
In rare, exceptional cases, the EU allows qualified majority voting-a ‘different tempo’-where at least 55 percent of member states, and representing 65 percent of the EU’s population, must agree.
It is in this operatic discipline that Santoro thrives.
‘The fact that the group is very compact is known to [our headquarters],’ he explained. ‘This means that whenever I propose some possible ideas, they know these are already locally backed.’
Policy in unison: A ‘libretto’ of values
ON foreign policy, Santoro insists that unity is instinctive.
‘By definition, around the table, all completely agree,’ he says. ‘The debate is never about whether to act, but how.’
The EU’s stance is rooted in defending a rules-based international order. The EU envoy explains that ‘we are in favor of the international order-not anti-somebody.’
Whether addressing Russia’s aggression in Ukraine or tensions in the West Philippine Sea/South China Sea, the principle he says remains consistent: ‘The same one anywhere.’
Here, the EU’s libretto is clear: The score is written in favor of law, and not unilateral improvization.
Before issuing statements on maritime disputes, the EU aligns with ‘like-minded’ partners such as Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States-ensuring its ‘aria’ is part of a larger ensemble, rather than a lone voice.
Mindanao: A development area
SANTORO’S opera extends to Mindanao, where development cooperation is a central theme.
His ‘recipe for sustainability’ blends public support with private investment: ‘Public grants are important, but long-term success is done by [our development partners].’
Since 2020, the EU has committed some pound 140 million worth of assistance to the Southern Philippines, underscoring the region’s importance.
His first mission trip there was like an overture, setting the tone for an extended performance. He witnessed firsthand how EU programs support normalization for former combatants in the Bangsamoro Region-helping them transition from conflict to livelihoods.
‘Taken away from fighting and assigned to a specific project, they make their own money-thanks to something not related to fighting,’ the EU envoy explained.
Cultural exchange: The ambassador’s solo
THE ambassador from Italy is equally passionate about making the EU accessible to Filipinos, especially the youth. His team travels to the provinces, engages with universities, and collaborates with influencers because, as he puts it, ‘social media is very important.’
A polyglot-fluent in Italian, English, French, and Russian-he has also begun learning Filipino.
‘Mahirap, pero interesanteng wika (It’s a difficult language to learn, but interesting),’ he says with a smile.
He admits the language’s complexity, with its numerous prefixes and infixes, poses a challenge, but learning them gives ‘meaningful respect for where you are.’
For him, diplomacy is not just a career, but ‘a kind of mission.’ He thrives on interaction, as ‘I tend to be a very social person. it’s [all] about people.’
Outside the halls of diplomacy, Santoro has embraced Philippine life.
He has snorkeled with his family in Coron, Palawan, savored Baguio’s strawberries, and even braved sampling durian by convincing himself that it tasted like cheese.
He laughs about Filipino sweet-style spaghetti-‘an abomination’-but celebrates the opening of a Filipino fast-food chain branch in the City of Milan as ‘another aspect of the Filipinos’ footprint.’
In all, Santoro’s work is less about wielding power, but rather on orchestrating harmony. Like an opera conductor guiding a troupe, he ensures that each of the EU’s 27 voices in the country sings in tune-never overpowering and always aligned.
The melody is one of shared values, the rhythm is dialogue, and the performance is a diplomatic opera staged across continents.