The International SOS group general manager of international human resource is also a musician, photographer, painter - 'everything intrigues me', he explains.

He also makes it a point to eat somewhere new every day.

'Most of my friends are locals, and that's how I managed to learn about where to go,' he says. 'That kind of variety makes my life very interesting.'

He settled here eight years ago, having lived and worked in London, England; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Caracas, Venezuela; Bogota, Colombia; Linkoping, Sweden; and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

He lives with his 19-month-old daughter, Myah, in a four-bedroom private apartment in the Novena area.

Because the company deals with emergency medical and security assistance during disasters, its many employees live in volatile parts of the world, serving a network of 27 alarm centres and more than 200 remote sites.

His job is to make sure their moves are as smooth as possible. His approach, he says, is this: 'I never allow myself to forget I am dealing with people during one of the most stressful and delicate events in their lives.'

Q Italy is noted for its cultural and historical contributions to the world. What does Singapore share with Italy?

A Italy is often seen as one country with a single, strong national identity. However, there are signi-

ficant variations among its people in terms of language, culture, history and food, depending on the region. This ability to be at the same time one nation and many cultures is, in itself, a great achievement.

Singapore has been equally successful in creating a unique and distinct national identity, while at the same time protecting the rich and varied cultural heritage of its people.

Q A common gripe here is it's hard to find great pasta. Can you?

A Many restaurants have introduced Italian dishes - the quality varies, of course, but there are, in fact, many excellent Italian restaurants here.

The uninitiated may find it difficult to distinguish between the authentic and the imitation. But at the end of the day, what makes a perfect plate of pasta is the people you are eating with. For Italians, eating is simply an excuse to gather with family or friends and enjoy time together.

Q Italy has great architecture - the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Pantheon, the Piazza. What do you think of our treatment of old buildings?

A My advice would be to have a clear and coherent vision when planning the redevelopment, so the final outcome is a city with a harmonious landscape and clear character.

There are a few cities in the Asia-Pacific where redevelopment has occurred without any sort of overarching plan, and the result has been an unsightly mixture of architectural styles.

Singapore has done well, in particular in the Emerald Hill area.

Q 'La dolce vita' - the sweet life: How would you sum up that Italian approach to living?

A The essence of la dolce vita is an ability to retain a positive outlook in life, trying to find something enjoyable, perhaps even humorous in every situation, no matter how hard it may appear at first.

That is not to say problems should be taken lightly, but rather it means a problem can be better tackled if we remain positive, enthusiastic and optimistic.

I subscribe to this philosophy, and I find it helps me make the most of my life.

Q George Clooney recently petitioned against a US$15 million (S$23 million) development in front of his villa at Lake Como in Italy. What do you make of that?

A The temptation to exploit every square centimetre for commercial gain is just too strong, and it often overrides environmental, cultural and socio-economic considerations.

The cost of losing forever a beautiful landscape is also difficult to quantify. Lake Como attracts millions of tourism dollars every year because of its natural beauty, but its value goes far beyond that. Losing it will be akin to losing a part of history.

Q The Renaissance in Italy was an exciting time. Living here, what sort of renaissance have you experienced?

A It is thanks to the Renaissance that a relatively small country like Italy managed to have such a great influence around the world.

Similarly, despite its small size, Singapore has a large global footprint and has established itself as a global hub in many areas.

Q Rome, Italy's capital, gets hordes of visitors, especially Catholics who make a pilgrimage there during Holy Week at Easter. What is a must-do?

A St Peter's Square is huge, and unless you get there early, you may end up quite far from the Pope. Many Singaporeans should not have too much trouble in getting there early, but I would recommend taking a pair of binoculars, just in case.

Also, in most Italian churches, you are not allowed to wear skirts or shorts above the knee, or show bare shoulders.

Q In Italy, you have breathtaking landscapes, sumptuous food and incredible wine. What do you find yourself talking about most with Singaporeans?

A The food, of course, since it is a passion shared by both Singaporeans and Italians.

sereneg@sph.com.sg

Tip

To find good pasta, check the menu for spelling mistakes in the names of dishes. Fewer spelling mistakes normally mean the chef is Italian and hence the cooking could be authentic.