I voted for then-presidential candidate Jose Claveria de Venecia Jr. in 1998, but he lost in the national elections. Despite that defeat, he never stopped serving the country. His public life continued well beyond any single electoral outcome.
Congresswoman Gina de Venecia with daughter Carissa Cruz Evangelista.
I first learned of his passing from Carissa Cruz Evangelista, my former officemate at DTI-CITEM and a former trade undersecretary. She is the eldest daughter of Congresswoman Gina de Venecia. The congresswoman has long expressed admiration for her husband, Joe, underscoring his commitment to national service and his role as a devoted family man.
During the last night’s wake at Heritage Memorial Park for the people’s beloved Joe — JDV or Pepe, as he was fondly called — Carissa delivered a moving eulogy for her stepfather:
“Now I stand here in my 50s, eulogizing a man of destiny and history — a five-time Speaker who will be buried as a hero of our nation this Wednesday. I look back at how my stepfather shaped the woman I am today. When I met you years ago, I had no idea how you would impact my life, or that I would have a stepfather who helped shape a nation and would be buried as a hero. I read somewhere that to find the true meaning of one’s life, you find it only in death. It is only after we die that it becomes clear what our mission in life was. From all the eulogies and stories, your mission is now clearer to me: father, grandfather, husband, uncle, cousin, friend, peacemaker, consensus builder, international diplomat, journalist, five-time Speaker, businessman, Father of Pangasinan, elder statesman, and hero.”
Sandra Haner (right) with Rogelio Constantino Medina.
Joey de Venecia.
William Xiao (left) with Gina de Venecia.
On the first and last nights of the wake, I also met Sandra de Venecia Haner, the eldest daughter of Congressman Joe de Venecia. She studied for her doctorate in Chemistry at Princeton University in New Jersey. She shared a personal memory:
“My happy memory of my dad is when he visited me in Princeton. He was always asking questions about what I did and why I should do it. He was intellectually curious. He was really a very good man.”
Later, Joey de Venecia — whom I first interviewed during the 1998 presidential elections for Philippine Graphic Magazine’s cover story — reflected on his father’s later years:
“I have a lot of good memories with my father. There were moments when I spent a lot of time with him, especially after he retired from politics. I saw him often after he left Congress in 2010. For the last 15 years, we treasured good memories — traveling with him, participating in conferences, and spending quality time on the non-political side of life.”
As I thanked Sandra for the interview, she introduced me to William Xiao, one of the Chinese scholars who studied in the Philippines. Xiao recalled JDV’s warmth:
“When we visited his house in Makati City, Joe de Venecia, my mentor, was happy and generous in showing us many photos of world leaders, including Chinese leaders. He had good personal relationships with them and was a peacemaker. Thank you, Joe de Venecia, for your hospitality and generosity while we were studying in the Philippines.”
Fresh in my memory was an excerpt from Alin de Venecia-Medalla’s tribute to her uncle JDV. She is the daughter of Tito de Venecia, JDV’s youngest brother:
“Choosing laziness — or just ‘being lazy’ — was especially sweet after JDV spent hours meeting hundreds of constituents during long campaign stretches, meetings, and countless events. He would randomly call my dad and ask if he could spend a few hours at our beachside home in Bolasi, San Fabian, Pangasinan. JDV already had his famous beachside home in Binloc, but he still preferred to come to Bolasi to just chill — somewhere no one would see or bother him. He loved swimming in the pool and at the beach, and having picnics afterward in the garden. JDV truly enjoyed the simple joys. He worked hard, but he also knew when it was time to relax and recharge.”
Pulitzer Prize winner and former president of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines Manny Mogato shared his recollection:
“I used to go to his Dasmariñas Village house in Makati City for interviews. He was so much fun to interview. He was a very warm and amiable person.”
(From left) Rogelio Constantino Medina, Gina de Venecia, and Josie Natori.
Alin de Venecia-Medalla.
Pulitzer Prize winner Manny Mogato.
Cecile Guidote-Alvarez, UNESCO Artist for Peace and president of the International Theatre Institute-Social Change Network, remembered JDV’s support for indigenous peoples and environmental advocacy. She cited his role in opening the Batasan complex for a historic gathering of indigenous leaders and youth, attended by President Fidel V. Ramos, Prince Alfred von Liechtenstein of Austria, and Nobel laureate Rigoberta Menchú. The gathering contributed momentum to the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act and broader recognition of cultural heritage and environmental stewardship.
Connie Guanzon-Garcia, wife of Ambassador Victor Garcia, recalled JDV’s concern during the Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck Kobe on January 17, 1995:
“House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. was the first to call us. He and Gina were so concerned. He immediately advised the Department of Foreign Affairs to assist us and members of the Filipino community. My husband was consul general in Kobe at the time. We are grateful for their love and concern during such a difficult period in our diplomatic life.”
Lastly, Gerald Tabadero, district chief of Rep. Toff de Venecia and Rep. Gina de Venecia, described a leader whose influence extended beyond titles:
“When I think of Jose de Venecia Jr., the first thing that comes to mind is not that he was a five-time Speaker. I remember Tatay Joe — always smiling, always with a tap on the shoulder. He had a very personal way of motivating people. Even if you were just staff or newly introduced, he would talk to you as if he had known you for years. If he could help, he would help. No fuss. I will never forget his signature gesture — a tap, a point, and a wink — as if to say, ‘You can do it. I know you can.’ He led not just from the podium, but from the heart.”
Listening to these memories, one sees a portrait that goes beyond legislative accomplishment. It is the portrait of a father, mentor, bridge-builder and statesman — a man remembered not only for holding office, but for the encouragement he gave and the relationships he nurtured.
(From left) Elba S. Cruz, Cecile Guidote-Alvarez, and Fernando Pena.
(From left) Malaysian Ambassador Dato Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino, Malou Coronel de Venecia, Connie Guanzon-Garcia, and Ambassador Victor Garcia.
Gerald Tabadero.
I was proud to have voted for him for president in 1998. Today, it is clear that for many, his legacy lives not only in political history, but in personal memory. He will be deeply missed.
Biblical Verse
(Ephesians 2:8) “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith.”
Birthday Greetings
Happy birthday to Sam Paderes (Feb. 24); Aldrin Nidar Gantes and Ding Navasero (Feb. 25); Peter Parker Tanada, actress Chanda Romero Alejandrino, Pao Mendoza, and Star Monica Echo (Feb. 26); Jojo Salvador (Feb. 27); actor Lito Gruet and Marie Uy (Feb. 28); Jocel Sallan Zamora, Coco Laurel, Lea Mae Suycano, and Jenny Juico (March 2); Lila BM, Tolits Contaoi, Marino Boy London, Rowena Carranza Paraan, and Roy Iglesias (March 3).
