Gina Lollobrigida — her name and presence — symbolizes Latin beauty the world over. Italian warmth, feminine charm, and verve have been understood and appreciated through her performances viewed on cinema and television screens in every continent.

Gina was very young, when she began acting in films. She was then studying design and singing in Rome for a career as an artist or soprano.

Fate ruled her artistic talents should be used in other directions. Gina soon became the favourite actress of famous directors such as Carol Reed, René Clair, Christian Jacques, John Huston, De Sica and many other great directors.

She played starring roles opposite Gérard Philippe, Humphrey Bogart, Burt Lancaster, Rock Hudson, Frank Sinatra and De Sica himself in some of his most memorable characterizations.

In more than 60 films, Gina played colorful folk-heroines, full of humor and warmth. She also interpreted characters from the best post-war fiction and literature.

For millions of men, she is still La Bersagliera or the splendid star of Buona Sera, Mrs. Campbell.

Nowadays, Gina is deeply involved in photography and journalism, travelling widely in search of new images and experiences.

From the other side of the camera lens, Gina now looks out on the world, observing and examining us in her new role as photohraphic witness of our time.

In her images we find the same joy in life, imagination and inspiration of the women she played so successfully on the screen.

After Italia mia, an interanational success published in almost every language, Gina how looks at the Philippines. By "entering into the heart of things", as she explains it, she conveys the portrait of a fascinating, emerging country, and of Manila, an ever-changing and vital city. These two portaits were constructed from images sought, chosen, and sometimes suffered by an attentive and sensitive photographer who enjoys a unique relationship with the camera, and, with her readers.

Published in 1976 by Salani Publishing House

Hardcover