Rep. Gina de Venecia talks to survivor Michael Abadia of Palo Leyte, who lost his entire family, his wife and five children when typhoon Yolanda struck. At the background are Rep. Victoria Noel and another victim, Wilma Castillote who also lost a child.
The accident compelled the peripatetic JDV to forgo attendance in the meeting of the standing committee of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties in Ankara, Turkey last Nov. 21 and 22.
JDV co-founded ICAPP, a forum of political parties of various ideologies among countries in Asia-Oceania to promote exchanges and cooperation; enhance understanding, and create an environment for sustained peace and shared prosperity in the region.
ICAPP members include political parties in Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Russian Federation, Turkey, and Vietnam.
In a message sent to the Ankara conference organizers, JDV urged ICAPP members to work on or with their respective governments to undertake measures to cope with Climate Change. citing the “apocalyptic destruction of the Philippines’ Tacloban City and Visayan Islands.
The women lawmakers of the House of Representatives visit Yolanda victims in Palo, Leyte. From left are Palo Mayor Remedios Petilla, Rep. Sandy Ocampo, Rep. Gina de Venecia, Rep. Marie Anne Pernes, Rep. Linabelle Ruth Villarica, DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman and Rep. Magnolia Antonino-Nadres.
Last week, the De Venecias marked the 9th year death anniversary of their daughter KC, who perished in a fire on Dec.16, 2004 in their old house on Magnolia Street in Dasmariñas Village, Makati.
The admirable thing about the De Venecia is how they have channeled life’s adversities into something good. Out of that grief, Gina, who is now a member of the House of Representatives representing the fourth district of Pangasinan, formed Inang Naulila sa Anak (INA) Foundation, a support group for mothers who have lost a child.
In INA, in times of grief, they hold each other’s hand and offer a shoulder to cry on.
Last Thursday, Gina, together with her fellow women lawmakers (she is president of Association of Women Legislators Foundation, Inc. or AWLFI) and three members of INA – Yna Yulo, Titing Brillantes and Ditas Tan visited Palo, Leyte, one of the places devastated by typhoon Yolanda last month.
They met parents who lost several members of their family. “Who could understand them better if not another parent who experienced the same grief?” Gina said.
“In great tragedies like this, equally important is the moral support to the victims. Their great loss will be lightened by their understanding that they are not alone,” she added.
The all-women group didn’t limit their counseling to mothers. They met Michael Abadia, 50, who lost his wife and five children. Gina said Abadia told them that they sought refuge in a two-story shelter together with two other families but when the structure collapsed and got carried by the waters all the 18 who were there were gone.
‘Bakit ako pa ang nakaligtas?’ Abadia lamented, which Gina said is a common sentiment of survivors of a tragedy that claimed lives of their loved ones.
The other women lawmakers who joined the relief mission were Representatives Linabelle Ruth Villarica (4th District, Bulacan), Rosenda Ann Ocampo (6th District, Manila), Marie Anne Pernes (Lone District, Siquijor), Magnolia Rosa Antonino-Nadres (4th District, Nueva Ecija) and Victoria Noel (An-Waray).
Gina said last Thursday’s visit is just the first of a series of missions they will be doing for the victims of Yolanda. They will continue to hold their hands, help them find meaning in all these sufferings and together face the future.