Gina de Venecia
Encyclopedia
Gina de Venecia, also known as "Manay Gina", is a member of the Philippine House of Representatives for the 4th district of Pangasinan. She is the wife of Jose de Venecia, Jr.
, Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines
from 1992–1998 and 2001–2008.
She finished high school at the Assumption Convent, and a degree in Business Administration at Pace College, New York. Immediately after graduation, she served as Vice President and Comptroller of Sampaguita Pictures, VP Enterprises and Jose Vera Corporation.
On February 15, 1997, Mrs. de Venecia also signed a Memorandum of Agreement with then DILG Secretary Robert Barbers that paved the way for the setting-up of Women’s and Children’s Desk in every police station in the country.
The plight of battered women whose lives were transformed by The Haven for Women, served as inspiration for her radio program “Pira-pirasong Pangarap,” launched in June 1996. The following year, its TV version made its debut on GMA 7. After seven years, the program was re-launched as “Nagmamahal, Manay Gina” in the tri-media: DZBB
, Balita and DZBB-GMA 7. Her radio program won three Catholic Mass Media trophies as the country's Best Radio Drama. Manay Gina also maintains advice columns in Balita and Tempo publications.
Manay Gina also lends her name to noble causes, as Chairperson of the 2002 Apolinario Mabini Awards that honored the achievements of the disabled; and the 2002 Aliw Awards that gave recognition to outstanding artists.
On January 15, 2004, she inaugurated another project for the CSFI, The Haven for Children in Muntinlupa City, that rehabilitates streetchildren, ages 6 to 12. In 2006, she brought her campaign to save the abandoned children to a national scale by finishing three Regional Centers for Children in Dagupan City, Tarlac City, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur and Solana, Cagayan.
A tragedy that took her youngest child, KC on December 16, 2004 moved Mrs. de Venecia to establish the INA (Inang Naulila sa Anak) Foundation. Its mission is to provide psycho–social support to grieving mothers who lost their child, to help them move on from a place of grief to a place of hope. INA Healing Center was opened on December 16, 2006 in commemoration of KC’s 2nd death anniversary, at the DSWD Compound, Batasan Hills, Quezon City.
In 2007, she started her third project as President of the CSFI, The Haven for the Elderly, a 20 building facility for senior citizens in Tanay, Rizal. It was opened on April 28, 2010.
At the same period, The Phase II of The Haven for Women was also constructed. From its original 9 buildings, it has expanded as a 16-building facility with 2 livelihood centers, an inter-faith chapel, a gym, an administration office, several residential cottages, an air-conditioned nursery and a sick bay with dental and medical clinics.
, her home province.
(2001), Pangasinan State University
(2007),, Laguna State Polytechnic University
(2007) and University of Luzon (2009). During the International Women's Day celebration on March 7, 2007, Mrs. de Venecia was the recipient of the Outstanding Humanitarian Service Award from the International Centennial Feminist Association of the Philippines and the Rotary Club of Manila 101.
Jose de Venecia, Jr.
Jose Claveria de Venecia, Jr. also known as JDV or Joe De V is a former Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines, serving from 1992 to 1998 and from 2001 to 2008. As Speaker, he was the fourth highest ranking official of the Philippines. He was the former president of the...
, Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines
House of Representatives of the Philippines
The House of Representatives of the Philippines is the lower chamber of the...
from 1992–1998 and 2001–2008.
Early life
De Venecia's father was the famed star-builder of Sampaguita Pictures, the late Doc Perez of Bulacan, while her mother, Azucena Vera-Perez of Albay, is currently the president of Sampaguita Pictures and Vera-Perez Pictures. Her maternal grandfather Jose O. Vera was once the governor of Albay, senator of the Philippines, and judge of the Lower Court of Manila.She finished high school at the Assumption Convent, and a degree in Business Administration at Pace College, New York. Immediately after graduation, she served as Vice President and Comptroller of Sampaguita Pictures, VP Enterprises and Jose Vera Corporation.
Public service
In 1992 she became the President and Chairperson of the Congressional Spouses Foundation, Inc. (CSFI). Her first two terms as CSFI president is defined by her landmark achievement in championing the cause of abused women with the establishment of The Haven for Women in Alabang. It was inaugurated on September 30, 1995, and immediately followed by the construction of the 15 Regional Centers for Women, nationwide.On February 15, 1997, Mrs. de Venecia also signed a Memorandum of Agreement with then DILG Secretary Robert Barbers that paved the way for the setting-up of Women’s and Children’s Desk in every police station in the country.
The plight of battered women whose lives were transformed by The Haven for Women, served as inspiration for her radio program “Pira-pirasong Pangarap,” launched in June 1996. The following year, its TV version made its debut on GMA 7. After seven years, the program was re-launched as “Nagmamahal, Manay Gina” in the tri-media: DZBB
DZBB
Super Radyo DZBB 594 is the flagship AM station of GMA Network, Inc. in the Philippines. The station's studio is located at the GMA Network Center in Quezon City, while its transmitter is located at Obando, Bulacan...
, Balita and DZBB-GMA 7. Her radio program won three Catholic Mass Media trophies as the country's Best Radio Drama. Manay Gina also maintains advice columns in Balita and Tempo publications.
Manay Gina also lends her name to noble causes, as Chairperson of the 2002 Apolinario Mabini Awards that honored the achievements of the disabled; and the 2002 Aliw Awards that gave recognition to outstanding artists.
On January 15, 2004, she inaugurated another project for the CSFI, The Haven for Children in Muntinlupa City, that rehabilitates streetchildren, ages 6 to 12. In 2006, she brought her campaign to save the abandoned children to a national scale by finishing three Regional Centers for Children in Dagupan City, Tarlac City, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur and Solana, Cagayan.
A tragedy that took her youngest child, KC on December 16, 2004 moved Mrs. de Venecia to establish the INA (Inang Naulila sa Anak) Foundation. Its mission is to provide psycho–social support to grieving mothers who lost their child, to help them move on from a place of grief to a place of hope. INA Healing Center was opened on December 16, 2006 in commemoration of KC’s 2nd death anniversary, at the DSWD Compound, Batasan Hills, Quezon City.
In 2007, she started her third project as President of the CSFI, The Haven for the Elderly, a 20 building facility for senior citizens in Tanay, Rizal. It was opened on April 28, 2010.
At the same period, The Phase II of The Haven for Women was also constructed. From its original 9 buildings, it has expanded as a 16-building facility with 2 livelihood centers, an inter-faith chapel, a gym, an administration office, several residential cottages, an air-conditioned nursery and a sick bay with dental and medical clinics.
Political career
She is now the congresswoman of the 4th district of PangasinanPangasinan
Pangasinan is a province of the Republic of the Philippines. The provincial capital is Lingayen. Pangasinan is located on the west central and peripheral area of the island of Luzon along the Lingayen Gulf, with the total land area being 5,368.82 square kilometers . According to the latest census,...
, her home province.
Distinctions
De Venecia has received an honorary doctorate degree in humanities from Mindanao State UniversityMindanao State University
Mindanao State University is a public coeducational institution of higher education located in the Islamic City of Marawi, Philippines...
(2001), Pangasinan State University
Pangasinan State University
Pangasinan State University, commonly referred to as PSU, is a state university in the Philippines. The university was founded in its current form in 1979, although its origins trace back to the 1920s. PSU is notable for its many locations throughout the province of Pangasinan...
(2007),, Laguna State Polytechnic University
Laguna State Polytechnic University
The Laguna State Polytechnic University is a state university in the Province of Laguna, Philippines. It has four regular campuses in three municipalities and a city of the province: LSPU-Main Campus in the capital town of Santa Cruz, LSPU-Host Campus in Siniloan, LSPU-San Pablo City Campus, and...
(2007) and University of Luzon (2009). During the International Women's Day celebration on March 7, 2007, Mrs. de Venecia was the recipient of the Outstanding Humanitarian Service Award from the International Centennial Feminist Association of the Philippines and the Rotary Club of Manila 101.
Projects
- The Haven for Women: 15 REGIONAL CENTERS
- Davao City
- Tagum, Davao del Norte
- Gumaca, Quezon
- Catbalogan, Samar
- Palo, Leyte
- New Lucena, Iloilo
- Magalang, Pampanga
- Upper Carmen, Cagayan de Oro
- Labangon, Cebu City
- Ligao, Albay
- Baguio City
- Rosario, Batangas
- Dagupan City
- Solana, Cagayan.
- The Haven for Children: 4 REGIONAL CENTERS
- Dagupan City
- Solana, Cagayan
- Tarlac City
- Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur
- The Haven for the Elderly: Started in 2007, this 20-building complex in Tanay, Rizal now operates as an idyllic refuge for senior citizens.
- Ina Healing Center :Located at the DSWD Compound in Batasan Hills, Quezon City, this facility provides free psycho-social support to bereaved mothers who are orphaned by their child.