The building of Collegio Filippino in Rome became a symbol of the Filipino people's generosity. Every diocese pledged to share their resources on a pro rata basis. During the national Educational Fund Drive from 1 June to 21 May 1960, Archbishop Luis del Rosario of Zamboanga made this appeal:

     This will be the Filipino Seminary in the capital of the catholic world. This is the joint project of all the members of the Philippine Hierarchy for the training of Filipino young men, who are called by God to the sacred priesthood. I wish to make an earnest appeal to all of you to help in this noble work, with spiritual and material support.

     Archbishop Juan Sison of Nueva Segovia pointed out the necessity of the project:

     The different nations like America, Spain, Brazil and others have their Colleges in Rome. Our beloved Philippines has no College of her own as yet. Let us therefore be one in helping build a College which is solely our own. This Filipino College will rise with the help of all the Catholics in the different dioceses of the Philippines. The National Committee of Catholic Action supervises the campaign of soliciting the help of all our brothers here in the Philippines. Give your wholehearted help since it will be our mutual happiness to see a Filipino College in Rome rise a short while and we can show the other nations the true and living faith of the Filipinos.

     All the selfless effort and generous help bore fruit. Less than a year after the start of construction, the Collegio was a dream come true.