Kris joins Manay Gina in the Haven’s seventh

Early morning showers gave way to a sunny afternoon on the seventh anniversary celebration of The Haven in Alabang.

No one was happier than Gina de Venecia, the wife of Speaker Joe de Venecia and president of the Congressional Spouses Foundation, Inc. (CSFI), who spearheaded the establishment of The Haven seven years ago. The Haven was her brainchild and has been its main benefactor through the years.

She proudly announced that from the very first The Haven in 1995, 15 similar centers for women have been built nationwide.

The PCSO, through its chairperson Honeygirl de Leon, who also graced the affair, promised to provide an ambulance for the center, while Speaker de Venecia himself pledged to build five more buildings in the existing The Haven complex in Alabang.

Gina also announced the on-going construction of The Haven for Children in Muntinlupa City. The new center, CSFI’s banner project this year, will help give streetchildren a better future by raising them in family-like atmosphere.

During the celebration, The Haven clients and their children gave rousing musical numbers, while Imelda Papin and rising star Sharmaine Santiago wowed the audience as they belted out a couple of pop songs.

Special guest Kris Aquino, Gina’s kumare, gave away cash prizes to the delight of the audience during a game show portion reprising her hit game show Game K N B?.

The Haven itself received a special treat as Philip Morris International, through the Philippine Business for Social Progress Foundation, gave a $35,000 donation to The Haven in line with the corporation’s international cause to uplift the lives of battered and abused women.

Gina reminded the women that The Haven will be there for them as long as women are being abused. "The Haven shall always be here to shelter these women and help them find themselves again."

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So what is Gina de Venecia like? Is she running for public office? Why is she so driven in her socio-civic activities? Is she genuinely nice? I asked her to answer these questions as candidly as she could:

Which living person do you most admire?

Former President Cory Aquino for her sincerity and her integrity and my mom Azucena "Nene" Vera Perez. All my virtues are from her.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

I don’t look at the bad side of others.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Shopping. Bags.

What or who is the greatest love of your life?

Joe de Venecia, because he brought out the best in me.

When and where were you happiest?

Whenever I am with Joe and the kids.

Which talent would you most like to have?

I wish I could sing and dance like J.Lo (Jennifer Lopez).

If you could choose what to return as, what would it be?

A doctor of medicine.

What is your most treasured possession?

My mother’s heirloom jewelry which she passed on to me. I never had them reset.

What do you most value in your friends?

Sincerity.

What is your motto?

Do your best and God will take care of the rest.

What is your greatest accomplishment thus far?

Putting up The Haven and its 15 regional centers.

How would you like to be remembered?

As a person who made a difference in the lives of the less fortunate. As a good wife, mother, daughter and sister.

Bazaars for a cause

The Zonta Manila 1 will hold two bazaars this year to sustain their on-going projects for abused children and underprivileged women. The first will be held at the grand ballroom of the Hotel InterContinental on Sunday, Nov. 17, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The second, co-sponsored by all Zonta Clubs of Area 1, will be held at the Makati Sports Club on Sunday, Dec. 8, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Proceeds will go to projects for abused children, nutrition and health kiddie classes, medical and dental missions, scholarship programs and livelihood and skills training programs for underprivileged women.

As in the past two years, this year’s bazaars will feature new local and international products from 250 vendors.

The bazaars offer quality goods for all members of the family. Products range from antiques, bed and bath, designer clothes, children’s wear, sleep wear, bags and accessories, perfumes, classic and ethnic jewelry, handicrafts, fabrics, silver, novelty items, homemade delicacies, Christmas items and European wines.

The bazaar committee is headed by president Gina Geraldez, Menchu Pascual and Arlene Gisbert. Other committee members are former president Baby Perez Sison, Lalin Basilio, Mel Reyes, Banjo Dumlao, Fely Umandap, Gloria Sia, Lulu Castañeda, Pilar Puno, Diana Franco, Julie Jalbuena and Evelyn Duran.

Lunch and merienda will be available throughout the day.

All major credit cards will be accepted.