Christopher George Martin Perez de Venecia[1] (born October 27, 1986), sometimes referred to as Toff de Venecia,[3] is a Filipino former child actor,[4] writer, director, theater producer, and politician currently serving as a member of the Philippine House of Representatives for the 4th district of Pangasinan since 2016. He is the son of former House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. and Gina de Venecia.
Education
De Venecia 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 for Representative of the Fourth District of Pangasinan in 2016.[2] He 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 (lit. transl. Living Tourism, Agriculture, Buildings and Infrastructure, Education, Employment, and Health Services). He won that election. In the 2019 elections, he was overwhelmingly re-elected for a second term.[5]
In the 18th Congress, he is sitting as a Deputy Majority Leader and also the Chairman of the Special Committee of Creative Industry and Performing Arts.[6]
He was also the lead convener of the same Congress's Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Bloc,[7] with 6 Deputy Speakers and 12 Committee Chairmen as members.
On July 10, 2020, he, along with his cousin Edward Maceda (Manila–4th), 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 (Abono), who voted to reject the franchise renewal.[8]
De Venecia was re-elected to his third term in 2022.
Key Legislations
The following are the key legislation of de Venecia:
Eddie Garcia Bill[9] - 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[11] - An act declaring Manaoag, Pangasinan as a tourist destination.
Philippine Space Development Act[12] - An act seeking to strengthen and aid in the development of agriculture, disaster risk reduction, and telecommunications, apart from space exploration.
SOGIE Equality Bill[13] – An act seeking the nationwide protection of LGBT rights in the Philippines
Department of Culture Bill[14] – An act seeking the establishment of a Department of Culture from the current National Commission on Culture and the Arts
ARISE Philippines Act[15] - 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[16] - 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[17] - 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[18] - 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)
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
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