Founder of Original Amici di Don Bosco Passes Away
The Salesian priest opened the humble canteen that would soon become Amici.
Published on Dec 23, 2025
(SPOT.ph) Amici is practically a household name for great Italian fare in Manila, and its roots go back to Amici di Don Bosco founded by Father Gianluigi Colombo. Colombo sadly passed away last Sunday, December 21 in Italy.
Fr. Gianluigi Colombo passes away
Colombo, a Salesian priest who was overseeing the operations of the Don Bosco Printing Press, founded the original Amici di Don Bosco in 2001 after he was given permission to set up a canteen for the employees of the Don Bosco school in Makati. Initially the place served Italian coffee and gelato, but its menu soon expanded to include pasta dishes as well as pizzas baked in a wood-fired oven. As news spread about reliable Italian fare served from a humble canteen, Colombo and team were able to expand to open the restaurant chain now known as Amici, which has multiple branches around the Metro today.
“[Fr. Colombo] believed deeply in the power of friendship, faith, and gathering around the table,” the Amici page on Facebook posted today. “He taught us that food is more than nourishment; it is a way to welcome, to accompany, and to build community—especially for the young and the forgotten.”
Amici emphasizes Colombo's legacy. “[He] lived the spirit of Don Bosco with humility and joy, reminding us that kindness, presence, and service can quietly change lives. We carry his legacy forward in every meal shared, every guest welcomed as a friend, and every act of generosity done in love. Thank you, Fr. Colombo, for planting the heart and soul of Amici. Your spirit lives on—in friendship.”
For Trish, food is as much a source of pleasure and fuel as it is an outlet for creativity; a medium by which stories can be passed on; and a way to connect with others.