Christopher de Venecia

Christopher Vera Perez de Venecia[1] (born October 27, 1986), sometimes referred to as Toff de Venecia,[2] is a former child actor,[3] writer, director and a member of the Philippine House of Representatives for the 4th district of Pangasinan. He is the son of Gina de Venecia and Jose de Venecia Jr.

Christopher de Venecia
Portrait during the 18th Congress
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Pangasinan's 4th district
Assumed office
June 30, 2016
Preceded byGina de Venecia
Personal details
Born
Christopher Vera Perez de Venecia[1]

(1986-10-27) October 27, 1986
Manila, Philippines
Political partyLakas–CMD (2017–present)
Other political
affiliations		Liberal (2015–2017)
Parent(s)Jose de Venecia Jr.
Gina de Venecia

He finished his elementary studies at the Colegio de San Agustin and his secondary education at the Ateneo de Manila High School. He earned a bachelor's degree in Political Science at the Ateneo de Manila University and completed courses in Public Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School.

Political career

Congressional stint

De Venecia ran under the platform B.A.G.E.T.S., which stands for Buhay na Turismo, Agrikultura, Gusali at Imprastraktura, Edukayson, Trabaho, at Serbisyong Pangkalusugan, and was elected as the Representative of the Fourth District of Pangasinan in 2016. In the 2019 elections, he was overwhelmingly elected for a second term[4] once again representing the Fourth District of Pangasinan.

At present, he is sitting as a Deputy Majority Leader and also the Chairman of the Special Committee of Creative Industry and Performing Arts.[5]

He is also the lead convener of the Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Bloc of the 18th Congress,[6] with 6 Deputy Speakers and 12 Committee Chairmen as members.

On July 10, 2020, he, along with his cousin Edward Maceda, was one of the 11 representatives who voted to grant the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN. He is the only North Luzon Representative and the only Pangasinense to grant the franchise as opposed to Conrado Estrella III (who voted to reject the franchise).[7]

Buhay na Turismo

Congressman de Venecia was able to develop the San Fabian Biker's Trail and finish the building of the Biker's Den. He also pushed for the construction of the Tondaligan Baywalk in Dagupan City and the San Fabian Baywalk[8] in Barangay Bolasi, San Fabian.

He also filed a bill declaring the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag as a destination site.

Agrikultura

He was able to distribute water pumps to numerous farmers organization in the district providing irrigation to almost 951 hectares of land. In addition, farm machineries and equipment were also distributed to farmer beneficiaries during his first term.

A Rice Processing Center was also built in Barangay Oraan East, Manaoag in partnership with the Department of Agriculture.[9] This facility will improve the earnings of our farmers.

An Integrated Natural Demonstration Farm was also created in Barangay Aramal,[10] San Fabian to help push for organic farming in his district.

Gusali at Imprastruktura

During his first term, 30 multi-purpose covered courts were built, 5 barangay halls, 2 footbridges in Manaoag and San Fabian.

There were also 11 drainage systems, 12 riverbank protection projects, 11 river flood control projects constructed during his first term.

In addition 9 school buildings, 1 livelihood center in San Fabian, 2 day care centers in Mangaldan and Dagupan City, 1 Kabuhayan Center in Dagupan City, 1 Health Center, and a seawall in Bonuan, Dagupan City.

Edukasyon

In his first year in office, he was able to provide 478 college scholarships to deserving students in the Fourth District of Pangasinan. This number increased to 685 scholars in 2017 and 2018.

Trabaho

Provided Technical and Vocational Trainings to 1,048 individuals through TESDA.

Livelihood programs such as Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) and Government Internship Programs (GIP) were also made available to constituents.

Serbisyong Pangkalusugan

Almost 22,000 individuals were beneficiaries of his district-wide Medical and Dental Missions. 153 senior citizens and PWDs were given wheelchairs and distributed BP Apparatus and Nebulizers to all the 140 Barangays in the Fourth District of Pangasinan.

Key Legislation

The following are the key legislation of de Venecia:

  • Eddie Garcia Bill[11] - An act seeking to institute policies for the protection and promotion of the welfare of workers or independent contractors in the film, television, and radio entertainment industry.
  • Young Farmers and Fisherfolk Challenge Act[10] - An act seeking to create a program to support and empower our young farmers and fisherfolk as partners in ensuring food security, agricultural development, and modernization.
  • Manaoag Bill[12] - An act declaring Manaoag, Pangasinan as a tourist destination.
  • Philippine Space Development Act[13] - An act seeking to strengthen and aid in the development of agriculture, disaster risk reduction, and telecommunications, apart from space exploration.
  • SOGIE Equality Bill[14] – An act seeking the nationwide protection of LGBT rights in the Philippines
  • Department of Culture Bill[15] – An act seeking the establishment of a Department of Culture from the current National Commission on Culture and the Arts
  • ARISE Philippines Act[16] - An act seeking to offer various forms of assistance to MSMEs and other sectors affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic and rebuild consumer confidence.
  • Anti-Hazing Act - An act that addresses violence in educational institutions, organizations, and those of community-based due to the alarming increase in the number of deaths resulting from the act of hazing. It prohibits all forms of hazing that will inflict direct or indirect physical or psychological suffering to the recruit at any stage of initiation.
  • Free Irrigation Services Act [17] - An act that aims to address social order by offering a Free Irrigation Program to all farmers, irrigators' associations, and farmers' cooperatives through the assistance of the National Irrigation Association.
  • Gabaldon School Buildings Conservation Act[18] - An act aiming to conserve, restore, and protect the country's historical and cultural heritage and resources by focusing the government's efforts towards Gabaldon school buildings.
  • Revised Agricultural Tariffication Act - An Act seeking to secure the country's staple source of food by imposing tariffs on all imports of rice.
  • Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Act - An act establishing a department responsible for the management of all housing, human settlement, an urban development nationwide.
  • Philippine Qualifications Framework Act - An act that strengthens the constitutional rights of every Filipino by providing quality and accessible education at all levels by institutionalizing the PQF.
  • An Act Ensuring the Preservation and Management of Protected Areas - An act that aims to continuously protect and maintain protected areas that have been notably recognized with biologically unique features from the increasing human activities that also affects these areas through the National Integrated Protected Areas System.
  • San Fabian Holiday - An act that declares March 21 of every year, a special non-working holiday in the whole municipality of San Fabian, Pangasinan in commemoration of its founding anniversary.
  • Edades and Bernal Museum[19] - An act which seeks to establish an Edades and Bernal Museum in the City of Dagupan, Pangasinan.

Theater career

Directing Experience

Year Title Awards / Citation Role Source
2019 Dani Girl: A Musical About Hope 2019 Broadway World Awards nominations for: Best Director, Best Actress (Musical), Best Supporting Actor (Musical), and Best Supporting Actress (Musical)

2019 Gawad Buhay Awards nominations for: Outstanding Stage Direction (Musical), Outstanding Production for Existing Material, Outstanding Set Design, Outstanding Musical Direction, Outstanding Sound Design, Male Featured Performance in a Musical, Female Featured Performance in a Musical, Female Lead Performance, and Outstanding Ensemble Performance

2019 Inquirer Best of Theater Awards citations for: Best Actress (Musical), Best Actor (Musical)

 Director [20]

[21]

2017 Company Call: Bluerep at 25 Director [22]
2015 No Filter 2.0: The Millennial Monologues Director and Creator [23]
2015 No Filter: The Millennial Monologues Director and Creator [24]
2015 Ang Tugon ni Conchita Director [25]
2015 The Boy in the Bathroom Director
2015 F(r)iction: A new Musical Director
2014 The Glass Menagerie Winner, Bravo! Best of Theater Awards for 2014 Best Featured Actor for JC Santos, Best Featured Actress for Justine Peña Director
2014 Dani Girl: A Musical Good for the Soul Inquirer Bravo! Best of Theater Awards 2014 : Best Musical (Non-Filipino Material), Best Featured Actor – Musical, Best Featured Actress – Musical, and nominations for Best Director, Best Actress, Best Featured Actor and Musical Direction

Broadway World Philippines nominations for: Best Director, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Featured Actress, Best Costume Design, Best Lighting Design, Best Scenic Design, Best Theater Company

 Director [26]
2014 The Boy in the Bathroom Winner, Bravo! Best of Theater Awards for 2014 Best Featured Actor for Topper Fabregas, Best Featured Actress for Shiela Francisco Director
2013-2014 Wait Until Dark Assistant Director
2013 A New Brain: The Musical Director
2010-2012 Slideshow Director
2012 13: The Musical Director
2012 Spell 13: A Musical Revue Director
2011-2012 Company Call: Bluerep at 20 Director
2011-2012 You're a Good Man Charlie Brown Assistant Director [27]
2011 Little Shop of Horrors Broadway World Philippines nomination for: Best Director (Musical) Director [28]
2008 All Shook Up Co-Director
2007-2008 Batboy: The Musical Assistant Director
2007 The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Assistant Director

ACTING EXPERIENCE

Year Title Awards / Citation Role Source
2011-2012 You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown Linus
2008 Disney's Mulan Jr. Ancestor Yao, Private Hong
2007-2008 Batboy: The Musical Pan
2006-2007 Disney's High School Musical Thespian
2006 Hope for the Flowers Stripe
2006-2007 Disney's Aladdin Jr. Iago, Narrator 2
2005 Emperor's New Clothes Mr. Sew, Paige

Filmography

Television
Year Title Role Notes Source
1993-95 Ober Da Bakod Dagul [29][30]
1993-94 Billy Bilyonaryo Billy [29][30][31]
1993-95 Haybol Rambol [32]

Film
Year Title Role Notes Source
1993 Pretty Boy Bongbong [30]
1993 Kung Kailangan Mo Ako
1994 Ober Da Bakod: The Movie Dagul
1994 Oo na sige na Ampon ni Bonggoy

References
  1. "Hon. De Venecia, Christopher "Toff" Vera Perez". House Members. House of Representatives. Retrieved 11 September 2016.
  2. Alpad, Christina (August 23, 2020). "Millennial Congressman Christopher 'Toff' de Venecia finds his place in the sun". The Manila Times. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
  3. Fernandez, Maritoni (2 May 1993). "A Merry Mix-up". Eksena. Manila Standard. Retrieved 11 September 2016.
  4. "Baby Arenas, Toff de V win big – Sunday Punch". Punch.dagupan.com. 2019-05-19. Retrieved 2022-07-16.
  5. "House okays creation of Committee on Creative Industries – Manila Bulletin". Manila Bulletin.
  6. "Toff de Venecia at the 18th Congress". The Philippine STAR.
  7. Perez-Rubio, Bella (July 10, 2020). "List of lawmakers who voted for and against ABS-CBN franchise renewal". Philstar.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  8. "Access roads leading to Pangasinan tourism sites nearing completion – de Venecia". Manila Bulletin.
  9. "Rep. De Venecia builds rice processing complex in Manaoag – Sunday Punch". Punch.dagupan.com. 2019-04-15. Retrieved 2022-07-16.
  10. "Magna Carta of Young Farmers pushed in Congress". The Philippine STAR.
  11. "Eddie Garcia bill, aprubado na sa congress". Pilipino Star Ngayon.
  12. "De Venecia wants Manaoag town to be declared tourist destination – Manila Bulletin". Manila Bulletin. 26 October 2019.
  13. "Pangasinan solon lauds PH Space Agency creation". Philippine News Agency.
  14. "House approves SOGIE equality bill on 2nd reading". 14 September 2017.
  15. "Toff de Venecia: Department of Culture to drive economic growth | Politiko North Luzon". 20 August 2018.
  16. "House approves P1.3-trillion economic stimulus package vs pandemic". 4 June 2020.
  17. "Why is free irrigation important? Toff de Venecia explains why! | Politiko North Luzon". 15 February 2019.
  18. "MacArthur's former HQ in Dagupan undergoes restoration". Philippine News Agency.
  19. "Toff de Venecia seeks museum honoring painter Victorio Edades | Politiko North Luzon". 25 September 2018.
  20. "'Dani Girl,' 'Lam-ang' lead 2019 Gawad Buhay 2nd semestral citations". 17 January 2020.
  21. "Best of theater 2019". 13 December 2019.
  22. "Ateneo BlueRep: 25 years of youthful passion for musical theater". 7 April 2017.
  23. "Sights and Sounds: No Filter 2.0". 5 October 2015.
  24. "REVIEW: "No Filter" is original and relatable". 27 July 2015.
  25. "| Cultural Center of the Philippines". www.culturalcenter.gov.ph. Archived from the original on 2020-11-13.
  26. Jeeves de Veyra (August 15, 2019). "Theater review: 'Dani Girl,' a musical about childhood cancer, is oddly uplifting". ABS-CBN News.
  27. "Toff de Venecia returns to the stage via Charlie Brown musical". The Philippine STAR.
  28. "Ateneo Blue Repertory Presents Little Shop of Horror on Aug 10-27!". 16 August 2011.
  29. "Dating Child Star, Nanalong Kongresista sa Pangasinan". Showbiz (in Filipino). GMA News Online. 14 May 2016.
  30. De Venecia, Christopher (14 March 2014). "Confessions of a Former Child Star". Toff of the World. The Philippine Star. Retrieved 11 September 2016.
  31. Japitana, Norma (29 September 1993). "Welcome Mat for Marichu Maceda". Scenes. Manila Standard. Retrieved 11 September 2016.
  32. "Billionaire boys club". The Philippine STAR.
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