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COMMUNITY SPIRIT AND "RO ON THE GO"

Three years ago my online platform, The Italianista altered course and morphed into into RO on the GO - a unique medium recognizing and supporting charitable organizations, businesses and community events throughout Vaughan and the Greater Toronto Area. After spending an incredible amount of time out in the community I have come to realize that strength is in numbers and that people have one common goal - to work together to build a stronger and healthier community. RO on the GO has also inspired me to overcome fears and obstacles such as public speaking and sitting on business boards - situations, that in the past, would have intimidated me.


International Women's Day - City of Vaughan

International Women's Day - City of Vaughan
My story is typical of many Canadians. Although I am originally from Italy, immigrating to this country as a child, I take great pride in being Canadian and living in a nation that embraces diversity.

I was born on Lake Maggiore, in the northern Italian Alpine Lake District. I arrived in Canada in 1972 when I was just a year old and resided in the predominantly Italian Finch-Islington area of North York. At the age of ten I moved to the outskirts of the city where I tried desperately to fit in with my Anglo peers. In the process I began to disassociate myself from my ethnicity. Everything changed when I took a three month holiday to Europe, spending an extended period of time in the Italian Alps as well as southern France. I returned home a changed person. No longer embarrassed by my heritage I continued to travel back to Europe in order to satiate this hunger for culture.

Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon

The Dolomites

The Dolomites
My intrigue with Italian culture escalated to new heights when I met my husband Tony Monaco, radio broadcaster and personality at Z103.5FM Toronto. Although born and raised in Toronto his values echo that of Calabrian tradition. Our backgrounds, Alpine and Mediterranean, are so different and I am amazed that our families originate from the same country.

Although The Italianista was born of my love for culture, my greatest passion is my community and the people within it. Through
RO on the GO I will do what I can to assist those working tirelessly at making a difference in the community and beyond. This medium is truly what ignites my soul and gives me a sense of purpose!


*Romina Monaco is a columnist and writer for Panoram Italia Magazine, Fredi Magazine and Snapd Vaughan East/Woodbridge/Caledon. She sits on the Board of Directors for the Canadian Italian Business and Professional Association (CIBPA) and is also a member of its Ladies' Auxiliary. She is a committee member for the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce 'Business Achievement Awards' and holds an advisory position on the board of Waves of Changes for Autism.
Contact - theitalianista@yahoo.ca

Philip Bailey of Earth Wind & Fire

Philip Bailey of Earth Wind & Fire

Dina Pugliese (BT Toronto) and actor Michael Madsen

Dina Pugliese (BT Toronto) and actor Michael Madsen

Commander Chris Hadfield

Commander Chris Hadfield

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

Mayors Hazel McCallion and Rob Grossi

Mayors Hazel McCallion and Rob Grossi

Premier Kathleen Wynne

Premier Kathleen Wynne

Ralph Chiodo and Rick Campanelli of ET Canada

Ralph Chiodo and Rick Campanelli of ET Canada

Actor Nick Mancuso

Actor Nick Mancuso

Royal Highnesses Sandor and Herta Margaret Habsburg-Lothringen Archduke & Duchess of Austria

Royal Highnesses Sandor and Herta Margaret Habsburg-Lothringen Archduke & Duchess of Austria

John DeGiuli of Honeymoon Suite

John DeGiuli of Honeymoon Suite

Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua (Vaughan)

Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua (Vaughan)
Mayors Maurizio Bevilacqua and Bonnie Crombie

Kim Coates of "Sons of Anarchy"

Kim Coates of "Sons of Anarchy"

Hats On For Awareness Charity

Hats On For Awareness Charity

Mr. & Mrs. Vic De Zen

Mr. & Mrs. Vic De Zen

2014 Match - Vaughan Media vs Vaughan Politicians

2014 Match - Vaughan Media vs Vaughan Politicians

Excavations at Castrum Artenia

Excavations at Castrum Artenia

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Singer, Songwriter Liona Boyd

Pooch Hall of "Ray Donovan"

Pooch Hall of "Ray Donovan"

Mayor John Tory

Mayor John Tory

Tony and I with Cardinal Collins

Tony and I with Cardinal Collins

2014 Team Vaughan comes 1st at Relay for Life!

2014 Team Vaughan comes 1st at Relay for Life!

Billy Baldwin

Billy Baldwin

Grand Canyon, Arizona

Grand Canyon, Arizona

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Enrico Colantoni

CHIN Television

CHIN Television

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John Lettieri (Hero Certified Burgers), Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua & MP Francesco Sorbara

Vaughan Film Festival Awards Show

Vaughan Film Festival Awards Show
Michael Madsen (Donnie Brasco), Rick Campanelli (ET Canada), Amy Jo Johnson (Flashpoint), Tony Monaco, Mark Pagliaroli (VFF), Antonio Ienco (VFF)

Franco Nero

Franco Nero

Grey's Anatomy Star, Giacomo Gianniotti

Grey's Anatomy Star, Giacomo Gianniotti

Jess Macallan of "Mistresses"

Jess Macallan of "Mistresses"

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Kevin Frankish & Frankie Flowers

Italian Ambassador to Canada Gian Lorenzo Cornado

Italian Ambassador to Canada Gian Lorenzo Cornado

Rally For Kids

Rally For Kids
Mitch Krytantos, Bobby Genovese, Tony Monaco

Me and my hubby, Tony Monaco

Me and my hubby, Tony Monaco

Me and Big M

Me and Big M

Ro on the Go!

Ro on the Go!

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