Random Thoughts
Joe de V’s red birthday bash
By Leonardo Micua
EVERYBODY wore red, that is from
waist up, when former Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., the pride of Pangasinan and
of the entire Philippines, celebrated his 82nd birthday at the Sampaguita
Gardens on Valencia Street in Quezon City last December 26.
In case you don’t know it yet, the Sampaguita Gardens was the home of the
Sampaguita Studio owned by the late Doc Jose Vera Perez, father of Manay Gina
de Venecia, which launched to full stardom many of the actors and actresses
that graced the Philippine celluloid world.
Among them were Gloria Romero, Susan Roces, Amalia Fuentes, Liberty Ilagan and
many more, plus Eddie Gutierrez and Romeo Vasquez, among others.
At the party, the girls wore red neck scarfs, plus bunny sparklers attached to
their heads while most of the guys also had sparklers, others wearing red Santa
Claus toppers.
Those who were not garbed in red nonetheless had at least red neckties, and
their white or black polo shirts had red stripes and elsewhere. The Sampaguita
Gardens was festooned with red curtains, buntings and red balloons.
JdV, with stunningly beautiful wife, Gina and their handsome son Fourth
District Rep. Toff came in red as they welcomed their guests with warm
hugs and handshake for each, hopping from table to table, joining group photo
shots.
JdV, still hale and healthy at 82, continues to inspire the nation and the
whole world with his constant liaison with fellow peacemakers and
diplomats around the globe despite his being out of Philippine politics for the
last 10 years. He still tours the world as chairman of the Standing Committee
of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties and co-chairman of
the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace.
JdV is also special envoy of President Duterte to the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation
and for Intercultural Dialogue as a chief architect for an Interfaith
dialogue and cooperation between Muslims and Christians. He is today
aggressively pushing for the unification of the Sunni and Shiite Muslims to
ensure a more peaceful Arab world.
Among those who came to greet JdV during his 82nd birthday were diplomats and
officials from Russia, Iran, Nepal, Cambodia, South Korea, among others, as
well as from the APEC secretariat. In their respective speeches, all were in
praise of JdV as a peacemaker and a topnotch diplomat who made an
outstanding contribution to world peace.
There too was former President Joseph Estrada, and who JdV introduced to his
guests as the only man who beat him in an election when they ran against each
other for the presidency.
Also in attendance were ex-House Speaker Sonny Belmonte, ex-Sen. Heherson
Alvarez and a host of former congressmen who worked with JdV as Speaker
for a record of seven terms. Third District Rep. Rosemary ‘Baby” Arenas
came in blue gown but nonetheless spiced with red. Cagayan Economic Zone
Authority chairman Raul Lambino, also ex-staff member of JdV, was also there.
When colleague Ike Palinar of Aksyon Radyo Dagupan asked Dr. Roland Mejia,
chief of R1MC on his birthday wish for JdV, he said: “I wish for JdV
to live longer, as long as he wants”
Let us not forget that JdV was the architect of a new Dagupan. He gave the
city the Judge Jose de Venecia Sr. Expressway Extension and earlier, the De
Venecia Highway, that now links Dagupan to Calasiao. Both were constructed when he was Speaker of
the House.
WE WISH ALL OUR READERS A HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
