Manay Gina’s son gets top honor at NYU

Pinoy Pride: Felipe “Philip” Cruz III with sister Carissa Evangelista, brother Christopher de Venecia and mom, Congresswoman Gina de Venecia with husband former Speaker Joe de Venecia during his NYU graduation at Yankee Stadium, where Philip got the top honor in Publishing   Rep. Gina de Venecia’s son, Felipe ‘Philip’ Cruz III emerged at the top of his class with a Master of Science in Publishing at New York University and received the Award for Excellence in Magazine Publishing with a cumulative grade of 3.95 out of 4, bringing honor to himself and the Philippines. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton was guest speaker at the 2011 New York University commencement attended by Felipe's mother Congresswoman Gina de Venecia and stepfather former Speaker Joe de Venecia at the Yankee Stadium, dad Felipe Cruz II and Philip's aunt New York fashion designer Josie Cruz Natori. In getting the award, Philip was able to beat editors and digital executives from top U.S. media outlets, including Time Magazine, Esquire Magazine, Elle Magazine, AOL and the Associated Press ---- a proof that the Filipino journalist can compete in the global arena and prevail. Philip began his print media career in 2003 as a magazine columnist in the Philippine Star and in 2005 transitioned to business development to the magazine publisher's section of ABS-CBN Publishing Inc., where he was promoted to Associate Publisher, overseeing for lifestyle magazines various categories of youth, shelter and fashion. Earlier, Philip attended the Stanford University "Professional Publishing Course” for magazine executives in Palo Alto, California.