On Dec. 28, 2025, some 300 friends, loyalists, and relatives of the De Venecias gathered at the Golden Bay restaurant in Pasay City to wish five-time Speaker of the House Joe de Venecia (JDV) a happy 90th birthday.

Ninety is a long arc of a life, but to Rep. Gina de Venecia, JDV’s wife, 90 years marks a legacy that continues to glow—quietly, steadily—just as he once dreamed: as a statesman, a peacemaker, and a global Filipino.

The event reunited three former Speakers: Joe de Venecia, former Senator Manny Villar, who served one term, and Sonny Belmonte, who served two terms.

Also in attendance were Senators Loren Legarda and Camille Villar, Agrarian Reform chief Conrad Estrella, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Tess Lazaro, and Representatives Benny Abante, Rachel Arenas, Rufus Rodriguez, Sarah Elago, Renee Co, Antonio Tinio, Marcelino Libanan, JC Abalos; former Congresswomen Baby Arenas and Lorna Silverio; Pangasinan Vice Governor Mark Lambino; Dagupan City Mayor Belen Fernandez; and Manaoag Mayor Jeremy Rosario.

In 1987, JDV emerged on the national stage in the newly restored Congress. It marked the beginning of an extraordinary political journey, as he became the first—and to this day the only—Filipino to serve five terms as Speaker of the House of Representatives, during the 9th, 10th, 12th, 13th, and 14th Congresses.

Throughout his years in public service, he authored more than 200 landmark economic and social reform laws.

But perhaps even more defining was Joe’s lifelong pursuit of peace. He helped stabilize the nation during turbulent times and even crossed deserts to meet Muammar Qaddafi, firmly believing that dialogue could succeed where force had failed.

His vision extended beyond borders. He founded and nurtured institutions such as the International Conference of Asian Political Parties, the Asian Parliamentary Assembly, the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace, the Asian Peace and Reconciliation Council, and his Interfaith Dialogue initiative at the United Nations.