How love transformed Manay Gina

Although it wasn’t necessarily love at first sight for Speaker Jose de Venecia and his wife, the former Gina Vera Perez, it was clear that there was a wonderful chemistry between them.

Manay Gina says that her husband is always in need of "nurturing" – maybe because he was orphaned of his mother at an early age. That kind of nurturing was easily provided by Manay Gina (never mind that she is 13 years younger than her husband) because the Vera Perezes are basically very caring people.

The couple, however, didn’t get married at once because Manay Gina was still waiting for her first marriage to be annulled and they wanted to be very sure of themselves before taking the plunge – although Manay Gina already knew that Joe was the man she wanted as a life partner three months after their first meeting.

Joe and Gina de Venecia eventually married in 1987 – four years after Chito Antonio introduced them. They now have two kids between them: former child star Christopher (of Billy Bilyonaryo, Ober da Bakod fame) who is now 16 and KC (short for Kristina Casimira), 15.

When De Venecia decided to run for Congress early in their marriage, Manay Gina’s world suddenly changed. Described by her sisters as "the most mahiyain among the Vera Perez siblings," she found herself (with difficulty) addressing big crowds and facing people she never met in her entire life. Way back in Sampaguita, she still had the luxury of retreating to the background even during the time she was made treasurer when she basically only had to face ledgers and do paper work. Besides, the people she interacted with at the studio were employees who had always been regarded as family by the Vera-Perezes.

But politics was a different ballgame and Manay Gina felt like she would just snap out of her wits because of the pressure of her new environment. As a result, she had constant headaches that were only eased by taking at least six Tylenol tablets a day. And for a while there, she thought she had brain cancer.

When she sought medical help, she was given only one prescription — actually a word of advice and this was to enjoy whatever she had to do in life.

On her way out of the clinic she finally accepted her fate as a politician’s wife. She began to appreciate the support given by her husband’s constituents and began loving and caring for Pangasinan like it was her own province. (The Vera Perezes are from Albay and Bulacan.) To show her love for the people of Pangasinan, she began doing endless livelihood projects, especially for the women there.

De Venecia also played a key role in transforming Manay Gina into the confident person that she is today. "He helped me get out of my shell," admits Manay Gina. "And he is so supportive — like he is so proud of me every time I’m up there on stage making speeches. Kahit hindi ako magaling, ang feeling ko, ang galing-galing ko because of the kind of support he gives me."

Manay Gina’s transformation was also witnessed by followers of her TV show. In the early days of the award-winning Pira-pirasong Pangarap, she visibly looked uneasy in front of the camera. But in time, she learned to face television like she was born to this medium. Today, she is a picture of confidence every time she does her spiels for GMA 7’s daily drama serial, Nagmamahal, Manay Gina.

You also see her progress when it comes to her charitable projects. From small livelihood rural projects, her concerns have become bigger and of national scope.

On a 3.2 hectare lot in Alabang (actually a property owned by DSWD), she built The Haven for Women, which has nine buildings — six of which are used for dormitories, while the rest are for administration, livelihood centers and recreational purposes. (There are also 15 regional centers all over the country.)

Since its opening in 1995, The Haven for Women has helped rehabilitate about 6,000 women who have been victims of battery, armed conflicts, incest and rape. (Manay Gina’s heart bled for this one particular ward — a 19-year-old girl raped by 22 men in Pampanga.)

Aside from providing homes for abused women, The Haven also helps them restore their normal emotional state with the support of the staff and a team of nurses, psychiatrists and psychologists. And before they are released from the institution, The Haven also sees to it that the women are armed with skills (taught at the centers) that they may use when they return to normal life.

Manay Gina’s newest baby is now The Haven for Children. It is just across the Alabang town Center. This center aims to rehabilitate boys aged six to 15 abandoned by their parents or who have gone into drugs.

To speed up the completion of The Haven for Children, Manay Gina – through her Congressional Spouses group – is inviting everyone to come to Martin Nievera’s benefit concert on Saturday, Aug. 9, at the International School Fine Arts Theater. Billed as Martin for Children (bravo to Martin who’s donating his talent fee to this charitable cause), this show will also feature the San Miguel Symphony Orchestra. (For tickets, you may inquire at the Congressional Spouses office with tel. Nos. 9315670 or 9315417.)

Now, is Manay Gina de Venecia running for the Senate in 2003? She doesn’t reply "yes" or "no," but tells us that she’s waiting for a sign. What sign, I prod her. Like if there’s no other candidate who will push for women’s causes, she tells me.

Surely, there will be senatorial candidates who will espouse women’s causes because talk is cheap. But if you ask me, I doubt if there will be anyone who will work on problems of women (and children) with as much passion, dedication and sincerity as Gina de Venecia.