L-O-V-E will always be in the air for Manay

It was the day after Valentine’s Day, and love was still in the air. It was Gina de Venecia’s 61st birthday, and for the first time since she moved into her new house in Forbes Park after the old one (in Dasmariñas Village) was gutted down in a fire (and with it, her beloved daughter KC), she was celebrating her birthday.

“The grief will always be there,” she said, her fuchsia pink blouse (KC’s favorite color) reflecting her rosy state of mind, “but I have always believed, and I tell Joe this, that the sun will come out tomorrow.”

It is hard not to love Gina de Venecia, whether you agree with her or her husband Joe de Venecia’s political views. You just know that if she is your friend, she will stand by you, no matter what the (political) season is, and no matter what season in your life you’re in (walang weather-weather sa kanya, so to speak.)

It was also nice to see people who have no interest or stake in Pangasinan politics coming in droves to greet Gina.

There were a few politicians, but mostly the guests (as the photos on this spread show) were a salad bowl of different people — coming together for a good mix. You could see that Gina’s fellow members in the Ina Foundation (among them Lulu de Mesa, who recently lost her daughter) had a special place in the party, which was held in the sprawling garden of the house (built on a lot once owned by her lola) overlooking the swimming pool.

A cow, a gift from Sen. Noynoy Aquino and his sisters, was roasting nearby. The continental buffet had the Vera Perez touch — laing was on the menu side by side the baked salmon. There was an entire buffet table of dessert selections, including bibingka and puto bumbong.

Gina, who is running for Congress (representing the Fourth District of Pangasinan), aptly expressed her platform in four letters, L-O-V-E. L is for Livelihood, O is for Over-all health care, V is for Values formation and E is for Environment.

Saying she didn’t want sama ng loob to fester inside her as she marked her birthday, Manay Gina revealed that she has reconciled with President Arroyo. “I would often bump into her sons, who are my inaanaks, and it would feel so awkward that I was not on speaking terms with their mother.” A common friend took the initiative of reconciling them and hosted dinner. Like two old friends, they brought out their tampos, but Gina said she didn’t forget to thank GMA “for being there for me when KC died.”

In this political season, when hate usually simmers on the front burner of our priorities, it was good to see that love was truly in the air for Gina de Venecia.

(You may e-mail me at [email protected])