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Filippo Voltaggio, Italian Entertainer and Singer Extraordinaire, Hosts Miss USA Italia Pageant in Chicago

CHICAGO, USA- July 7, 2003 - Italy has long been associated with the beauty and character of its art. But art comes in many guises, and Italy's export of various art forms is no exception.

Italians take all their art and artists very seriously --from DaVinci and Michealangelo to Virgin Olive Oils and Tomato Sauces, from singers and operas to cappuccino and fine wines, from designer fashions and leather goods, to jewelry and computers, from cutting edge electronics and fast sports cars to actors and soccer players, Italians' passion and pride in beautiful, talented, and elegant Italian woman is unabated, as is easily noted by such exports as Gina Lolobrigida, Sophia Loren, Claudia Cardinale, and Anna Magniani to name a few.

Everyday in homes and cities throughout Italy, Italians celebrate and honor this art form. The Italians even have an event that champions their ideal Italian women in a formal way. That event is known worldwide as the Miss Italia Pageant. This yearly competition is not restricted to choosing Miss Italia of Italy, but to decide upon Miss Italia nel Mondo.

Pageants are held around the world, in all the countries adopted by Italian emigrants, to discover beauty contestants of Italian heritage. Each country awards one young Italian descendant a trip to Salsomaggiore, Italy, for one week to compete with other young ladies of Italian heritage.

The winner of that title receives approximately $10,000, jewelry, a photo shoot, an Italian kitchen, and an opportunity to live in Rome and model for the Italian fashion house, Sasch. But most importantly the winner will represent the admired and beloved donna italiana Italian Woman.

As one of the five largest ethnic groups in America, Italian-Americans enjoy getting caught up in this exciting frenzy of producing a Miss Italia USA of their own, hoping that their winner will go on to claim the Miss Italia nel Mondo.

That USA Pageant is proudly held every year in Chicago, IL and is made possible by a grant from the Wiscon Corporation of Chicago, IL and Caputo Italia of Bari, Italy. It is sponsored by an organization made up of prominent Italian-Americans from different regions of Italy, the Mola Foundation. The foundation and its individual members are affiliated with the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) in Washington, DC, which represents the voice of the Italian American community for the US government.

The winner of the Miss Italia USA Pageant receives $5,000 and a week's trip to Italy to compete for the coveted title. Every year, Italian-Americans are hopeful that this will be the year that their candidate wins that very title.

In July , the Miss Italia USA Pageant was held at the Holiday Inn Mart Plaza in Chicago, IL. On hand as Master of Ceremonies was Filippo Voltaggio who also sang for the occasion. CO-hosting the event with Filippo was Mrs. Eva Franchi, wife of the late great romantic tenor Sergio Franchi.

In addition, there was a panel of distinguished judges from all walks of the entertainment, fashion, and modeling industry. And then there were the contestants. Over forty applied and a prescreening narrowed the contestants down to sixteen. As in all professional pageants the beautiful young ladies were treated to a weekend in Chicago where they experienced the finest the city has to offer and everywhere they went they were photographed and filmed for a future television broadcast.

They also had a busy schedule of dance rehearsals for the show. And what a show it was. At $100 per person the audience received more than their money's worth. In the end the votes were tabulated by the official Miss Italia USA Accounting firm and the winner was announced by Filippo to a rousing audience approval, all hoping that the judges in Italy will feel the way they do about their winner. Miss Italia USA 2001 was contestant number 12, Valentina Patruno of Florida.

Filippo Voltaggio is an American artist who entertains in Las Vegas and spends his holidays in Calabria with many of his friends.

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