By LEONARDO V. MICUA
Dagupan’s own folk hero
Former Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. received a hero’s homecoming on February 14, Valentine’s Day, reaffirming his status as a beloved folk hero among the people of Dagupan.
This was evident from the large crowd from all walks of life that gathered along the roadsides and took a break from their daily routines to pay their last respects to their idol and role model.
They patiently awaited the arrival of the funeral hearse carrying De Venecia’s flag-draped coffin, followed by a solemn march from the Caranglaan boundary to the city plaza, where necrological services hosted by the Dagupan City government were held in his memory.
Traffic was temporarily closed from Caranglaan to the city plaza that sad Saturday morning to give way to the funeral procession for Dagupan City’s greatest son, who was the longest-serving Speaker in the House of Representatives.
Many mourners, whose lives were touched in one way or another by their congressman, who rose to become the fourth-ranking Philippine official for 15 years, carried placards expressing their grief and gratitude for the dedicated service and kindness he extended to Dagupan and its residents.
Undoubtedly, he was a remarkable gift from God to the people of Pangasinan. Dr. Voltaire Arzadon, the founder of Unibersidad de Dagupan, candidly remarked that it would take over a century for Pangasinan to produce another House Speaker as capable and insightful as Jose de Venecia Jr.
He reminisced that De Venecia was the finest president the Philippines never had, noting that although he aspired to the presidency, he was ultimately not elected; the people chose another candidate who later resigned amidst a maelstrom of popular dissent.
The day before, Senator Migz Zubiri, De Venecia’s protégé during his congressional tenure, praised his extraordinary consensus-building skills, suggesting that he would have made an excellent Secretary-General of the United Nations, capable of brokering peace among conflicting nations.
Numerous senators, including former Senate President Chiz Escudero, Joel Villanueva, and Loren Legarda—who expressed her gratitude for De Venecia’s decision to include her as one of his senatorial candidates during his presidential run—looked to him as a mentor in law-making.
Former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Vice President Sara Duterte attended the wake for JdV at Simbahan na Bato in Bonuan Gueset, reflecting the widespread respect and admiration he garnered throughout his life.
Three days later, De Venecia was laid to rest at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig, beside two other equally great Philippine leaders—President Fidel Ramos and President Elpidio Quirino—following full military funeral honors only fit for heroes.
He was the only past Speaker of the House and the only one from Dagupan City given the singular honor of being entombed in the Libingan ng mga Bayani, or the Cemetery of Heroes.
Local and foreign dignitaries who knew him well as a top-notch lawmaker, a champion peacemaker, and a worthy public servant paid their last respects to him when he was brought to his final resting place in the home of heroes.