Manay Gina in the service of mothers

Former Pangasinan Congresswoman Gina ‘Manay Gina’ de Venecia with a portrait of her mom, Azucena ‘Mama Nene’ Vera-Perez in the background

What is the most beautiful word in the dictionary?

Ask former Pangasinan Congresswoman Gina “Manay Gina” de Venecia, wife of former Speaker Joe de Venecia, and she will break into a bright smile, “Mother. What could be a more beautiful word than that? Mother!”

That’s why when Gina organized a party-list, she readily agreed when King of Talk Boy Abunda suggested that she call it Inang Mahal.

Boy is a proud Mama’s Boy and shows it to the whole world by posing with his mom, Nanay Lising (former councilor of Borongan, Western Samar) on a billboard for a photography company and forming the Make Your Nanay Proud Foundation (MYNPF) that conducts an annual search for The 10 Outstanding Nanays.

Gina was pleasantly surprised when reminded that, in fact, the family-owned Sampaguita Pictures produced a late ’50s movie called Inang Mahal starring Amalia Fuentes and Rosa Mia. Among the six children of Dr. Jose R. Perez, the original Star Maker, and Azucena “Mama Nene” Vera-Perez, only Gina, Chona, Cocoy and Bobby (deceased) were not involved in Sampaguita’s showbiz side. Gina’s sister Marichu “Manay Ichu” Maceda was the studio’s fashion head (who designed Susan Roces’ gown for the movie Debutante), Lilibeth played the titular role in Vicky and Pepito (deceased) appeared in Sampaguita movies with the Stars’ 66 (Gina Pareño, Rosemarie Sonora, Shirley Moreno, Dindo Fernando, Edgar Salcedo and the Rodriguez brothers Ramil and Pepito).

After graduating high school from Assumption Convent and acquiring a degree in Business Administration from Pace College in New York City, Gina served as vice president and comptroller of Sampaguita Pictures, VP Enterprises and Jose Vera Corporation.

Manay Gina with children Carissa Cruz-Evangelista, Pangasinan Fourth District Rep. Christopher de Venecia and Ipe Cruz, and husband former Speaker Joe de Venecia — From Christopher de Venecia Facebook page

She was inclined towards social service. Her two terms (starting in 1992) as president and chairperson of the Congressional Spouses Foundation, Inc. (CSFI) were defined by her landmark achievement in championing the cause of abused women with the establishment of The Haven for Women in Alabang in 1995, followed by the construction of the 15 Regional Centers for Women nationwide. The Haven served as inspiration for Gina’s radio program Pira-Pirasong Pangarap launched in 1996 on DZRH and later re-launched as Nagmamahal, Manay Gina on GMA and DZBB. Up to now, Gina writes an inspirational column in Tempo and Balita. Together with Ali Sotto (orphaned by her son Miko who died in a freak accident in 2003), Gina put up the Ina Healing Center for orphaned mothers.

“I’ve been planning to take it easy,” Gina told Funfare, “after all, I have helped my husband become Speaker of the House for three terms and I have raised my four children well.” (Chris is an incumbent Pangasinan Congressman, Ipe is a magazine publisher and Carissa was a DTI undersecretary. Kristina Casimira perished in a fire that gutted the De Venecia residence many Christmases ago.) “I told Chris, ‘Ang dami ko nang nagawa; I’m just happy to be your shadow. I will just be your alalay (factotum) and help you shine.’ Sabi niya, ‘But, Mom, it has been your advocacy all your life to help women, children, the elderly and orphaned mothers like you. You have to do something for them.’ That made me think.” 

That’s how the Inang Mahal Party-List came to be, a coalition of mothers from all sectors of the Philippines united by one goal ­— “to champion the causes of their fellow mothers in the ever-changing moral and political landscape of Philippine society” — a non-stock, non-profit and non-organization founded by Gina.

“Inang Mahal is dedicated to working for the welfare and protection of mothers around the country,” stressed Gina, including…

• abused mothers who are victims of physical, sexual, emotional and economic violence;

• who have been separated from their husbands and are trying to fill in the roles of both mother and father;

• overseas working mothers;

• employed mothers;

• elderly mothers who, despite their advanced age, are forced to work to support themselves or their family;

• who have been abandoned by their families;

• whose child or children have died;

• young mothers;

• who choose not to marry or those who stay unmarried because they were victims of unfortunate circumstances like rape, incest or forced prostitution; and

• many other honorary mothers like single women who perform the duties of mothers to their nephews and nieces.

(E-mail reactions at rickylophilstar@gmail.com. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)

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