If its launching was any indication, then Joe de Venecia’s controversial bio is a stellar hit.
Last Monday, all the country’s living former Presidents along with business, civic and showbiz leaders came in full force to give a thumbs-up to the former Speaker’s first salvo in the publishing arena, via the Global Filipino: The Authorized Biography of Jose de Venecia Jr., the Visionary Five-Time Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines by American journalist Brett M. Decker, an editor of the Wall Street Journal in Hong Kong.
Former Presidents Cory Aquino, Fidel Ramos and Joseph Estrada, showbiz stalwart Lily Monteverde and business leaders Miguel Varela and Ben Chan were among the SRO crowd during the book launching at The Podium.
Tita Cory, the country’s most trusted President, welcomed de Venecia’s “better-late-than-never-revelations.” She said: “Thank you, Joe, for coming out at last” even as she added in jest that she was there because she could not say no to his wife, Gina de Venecia.
Former political rival, former President Erap (Joseph) Estrada called him “the Speaker of the people, because he is finally speaking” and encouraged him to do a Part 2 and even a Part 3.
De Venecia said he has pledged to his wife and children “to devote what remains of my public life to the cause of renewal and reform.”
With his book showing the good qualities of Filipinos here and abroad, De Venecia said Filipinos will no longer be called overseas Filipino workers but Global Filipinos.
The book launch saw the gathering of leaders of the country’s political opposition, like former Vice President Teofisto Guingona, former DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman of the Black and White Movement, and Renato Reyes of BAYAN, former Senators Ernesto Maceda, Franklin Drilon and Kit Tatad, House Minority Leader Ronaldo Zamora, party-list Representatives Satur Ocampo and Liza Maza, Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, Reps. Bienvenido Abante and Hermilando Mandanas.
Also seen were former National Security Adviser Jose Almonte, retired Gen. Fortunato Abat, former Comelec chair Christian Monsod, Washington Sycip, former Bangko Sentral Gov. Gabriel Singson; along with showbiz personalities German Moreno, Ricky Davao and Cita Astals; and members of the diplomatic corps including Lebanon’s Consul Joseph Assad, and former Ambassadors Roy Señeres and Lauro Baja.
Earlier this month, the book had successful launchings in Washington, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and New York. Copies are now available at National Book Store.