DAGUPAN CITY – This independent Pangasinan city honored one of its favorite sons, the late former House of Representatives Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., with a procession and necrological service on Saturday.

The De Venecia family announced his passing on Feb. 10 at the age of 89.

"Our entire city grieves this profound loss. We stand united in prayer and sympathy with his beloved family, who have lost a father, a pillar, and a guiding light. To them we extend our deepest condolences and heartfelt embrace during this time of great pain," Dagupan Mayor Belen Fernandez said in her eulogy.

She called De Venecia a hero and life support when Dagupan was at its weakest following the devastating 1990 Luzon earthquake recorded at magnitude-7.8.

"He worked tirelessly, relentlessly, passionately sponsoring projects, securing assistance, rebuilding infrastructure, restoring confidence, all to rehabilitate our city and bring back the pride of our people. Every project he championed, every initiative he supported, was rooted in one thing, his unwavering love for the Dagupan. He was a true Dagupeño," she said.

De Venecia's friends shared their memories with him in their eulogies after the procession at the central business district.

Councilor Luis Samson Jr. remembered De Venecia for their kite-flying activities at his residence in Bonuan Binloc.

Lawyer Gonzalo Duque honored De Venecia for the passage of the Migrant Workers Law, which paved the way for protecting and pushing the welfare of overseas Filipino workers.

"With that law, the legal office for migrant workers was created," he said.

Universidad de Dagupan in Pangasinan founder Voltaire Arzadon called De Venecia the "almost president" of the country.

De Venecia was a far second to Joseph Estrada in the 1998 presidential elections.

Former Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources official Westly Rosario said De Venecia was a development-oriented leader, attributing various developments in aquaculture to him, especially on the introduction of the vannamei (whiteleg) shrimp species in the country.

"Whenever you eat shrimp, we owe that to JDV," he said in Filipino.

Nephew Alex de Venecia said he is fortunate to have known his uncle, not from headlines or news, but on a personal level.

"He never made you feel small. He made you feel important. He listened, remembered small details. How lucky I was to know him through shared meals, laughter, and simple times together," he said.

Angeles Daroy, a resident of Dagupan, was grateful to the late official because her children were De Venecia scholars, while Oscar Ballesteros said their barangay (Bolosan) was among the recipients of various projects, including a high school.

Former Pangasinan fourth district Rep. Christopher de Venecia said he is proud of the legacies of his father.

"We've lost a father, not only of the district but also of our province of Pangasinan, and of Region 1 (Ilocos) and of the Philippines, although he's also a global Filipino, so maybe the world lost a global statesman in JDV," he said.

“So, really, a lot of people have been sending condolences to me in the past few days, but especially to those who were close to him. Those who messaged me, I also send condolences because I realized that he was never mine. He was never just mine as my father. He was always our father.”

He remembered the first advice he received from his father when he entered politics: Serve faithfully.

"Always put the people first. I saw that in him. He can talk to anyone. Whether it's the President or a person he meets on the street. He always goes out of his way. And I'd like to think that I'm the same in the nine years that I served,” he said.

“I think that's one of the skills of JDV. He always knew how to make people feel seen and heard. Like, he can make them feel important. And he can make them feel valuable. So, that's something that I think all of our public servants should learn."

He attributed his love for the arts to his father.

"And I guess this is why I'm so passionate about music and culture because even in his condition, he can still recite poetry. Word for word. And if he's asked to sing his favorite songs, like Impossible Dream, Edelweiss, he can still sing," he said.

Widowed Pangasinan fourth district Rep. Gina de Venecia said her husband was always the wind beneath her wings.

"My life with JDV had been a very exciting adventure. Marrying him was the turning point of my life because it broadened my world and it gave me a new purpose," she said.

De Venecia was born in Dagupan City on Dec. 26, 1936.

He served seven terms in the House of Representatives, five of them as Speaker, making him the longest-serving House leader in the post-war Congress.

Fondly called “JDV” or “Speaker Joe,” he was the architect of the Rainbow Coalition, an alliance that united diverse political parties.

He was also the principal author of landmark laws, including the Dollar Remittance Program, Bases Conversion and Development Act, Build-Operate-Transfer Law, Philippine Economic Zone Act, and New Central Bank Act.

Public viewing of his remains will be until Sunday at Simbahan na Bato in Barangay Bonuan Gueset.

A memorial and necrological service will also be held at the House of Representatives in Batasang Pambansa, Quezon City on Feb. 16. (PNA)