The sons shine!

On what would have been their grandmother Nene Vera-Perez’s 99th birthday, two Vera-Perez scions pledged to be dedicated public servants.

The De Venecia, Maceda and Vera-Perez families celebrated the next generation’s success at a get-together last Saturday in Sampaguita Gardens, Quezon City, Mama Nene’s birth anniversary.

A great sense of pride was etched on the faces of the two political stalwarts, five-time Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. and former Senate President Ernesto Maceda as their sons Christopher “Toff” de Venecia and lawyer Edward Maceda basked in the limelight as newly-elected members of the House of Representatives.

“We come together for three reasons: the first one is Mama Nene’s 99th birthday, the second is Toff, the third is Edward. But actually, we are offering this Mass more for Edward and Toff than Mama Nene, because we are already sure about Mama Nene but we are not sure of both of you. So we ask God to bless you,” Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan Soc Villegas said at a thanksgiving Mass at the Vera-Perez ancestral home in Quezon City.

He urged the two young congressmen: “Be careful of administration without accountability, administration without transparency, administration without total disclosure.”

(From left) Gina de Venecia, Menardo Jimenez and wife Kay with incoming Rep. Toff de Venecia.

Edward and Toff are both graduates of the Ateneo de Manila University. Edward is a lawyer while Toff has a degree in Political Science. Toff’s mother, outgoing Pangasinan Rep. Gina Vera-Perez de Venecia, and Edward’s mom, showbiz pillar Manay Ichu Vera-Perez Maceda, are sisters.

On son Toff, the former Speaker said, “It was written in the stars! Gina and I earnestly believe that we have molded him to become the best he can be. And as parents, who have dedicated our lives to serving our people, we believe he is set to continue and enhance what we, our own parents and forefathers have achieved for the betterment not only of our district and Pangasinan, but for our country.”

Gina couldn’t agree more, adding, “Joe and I will always be here to guide him every step of the way in continuing our legacy but elevating it with his style of consultative leadership and ideas.”

Years back, there was no indication that Toff would enter politics. A former child star, having appeared in TV sitcoms such as Billy Bilyonaryo and Ober da Bakod and movies like Kung Kailangan Mo Ako, Toff, after college, pursued a career in journalism and theater. The young De Venecia is currently an editor for Young Star, the Friday youth section of this newspaper, where he also writes a regular column. He is also the founder and managing artistic director of The Sandbox Collective, a cutting-edge production outfit, responsible for such hits as Dani Girl and No Filter.

(Seated) STAR’s Jarius Bondoc and incoming presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo; (standing) Francis Manglapus, former House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. and incoming Rep. Toff de Venecia.

However, in October last year, Toff and his parents decided that it was the right time for  him to enter the world of politics since he has a willingness and determination to help the people. He received this affirmation after getting a sign from Our Lady of Manaoag, whose shrine is in Pangasinan.

Now a newly-elected Pangasinan fourth district Representative, Toff said, “I will continue the endeavors that my parents have started and forge new narratives in putting Pangasinan’s fourth district in the map as agri-business and tourism hub.”

On one hand, Toff’s first cousin Edward holds the distinction as the first congressman in the Maceda family. But while this was his initial foray in the congressional race, he did not really start from zero having been a councilor of the city of Manila for the past 18 years.

Manay Ichu was naturally over the moon on her youngest son’s landslide victory. “Among my five boys, he is the most shy but he’s the one who ended up pursuing a career in politics.

“He’s a natural. He has this gift of remembering the names of everyone he meets. He knows all the names of all the barangay captains, the kagawads and all his leaders in Manila’s fourth district.”

She attributes this to Edward’s childhood. “He grew up filled with love, from us, his parents and Mama (Nene Vera-Perez). “Mama was so sad when Papa (Doc Perez) died. So he asked Ernie and I to allow Edward to live with her. Edward was with Mama since he was two years old until he turned five.”

Now that he’s a newly-elected congressman, Edward vows to continue his advocacies in Manila’s council, as champion of the rights and welfare of the youth and senior citizens.

Among the guests in the joint celebration were SM Investments Corp. VP Tessie Coson, Menardo Jimenez, Deedee Siytangco, STAR’s Domini Torrevillas and Jarius Bondoc, Belinda Cunanan, Cecille Alvarez, former congresswomen Emily Lopez and Rachel Arenas, lawyers Salvador Panelo and Lorna Kapunan and actresses Gloria Sevilla and Kris Bernal. CBCP president Archbishop Socrates Villegas celebrated the thanksgiving Mass.

(From left) Former Pangasinan Rep. Rachel Arenas and outgoing Pangasinan Rep. Gina de Venecia, Manay Ichu Maceda, SM Investments Corp. VP Tessie Coson, Veronica Baluyut-Jimenez and former Senate President Ernesto Maceda.

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