Veteran journalist Benjamin F. Rodriguez writes '30'
MANILA
Veteran journalist Dr. Benjamin F. Rodriguez passed away at past 1 p.m. Friday at his house in Project 6, Quezon City. He was 86.
His son, Raul, told the Philippines News Agency (PNA) that his father, a long-time editor-in-chief of the Manila Bulletin, succumbed to cardiac arrest after a lingering illness.
The remains of Rodriguez were brought by his family to the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City. Interment will be announced later, his son said.
Rodriguez retired as editor-in-chief of the Manila Bulletin Publishing Company (MBPC) on Nov. 25, 2003, but he remained as an independent company director of one of the country’s leading newspapers.
His journalistic career in Manila Bulletin, which he served with honesty, integrity and loyalty spanned five decades that covered the successive regimes of eight presidents of the Republic.
His no-nonsense working style earned the respect of many workmates, underlings, cub reporters and photojournalists. He was a father, a brother and a teacher to everyone at the Bulletin.
During light moments at the office, Rodriguez would sip a glass of red wine as a therapy for his health.
Rodriguez was also a faculty member of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM), College of Mass Communications, before he died. He taught journalism to undergraduate and postgraduate students.
During World War 2 (1941-1945), Rodriguez was a guerrilla fighter in his hometown Jolo, Sulu, where at one time, he shot dead a Japanese soldier while escaping from a “kumpit” (small seacraft).
The skirmish injured his legs and was later treated at a hospital in Dumaguete City.
Later on, he pursued and finished A.B. Journalism at the University of Santo Tomas (UST), where he was named one of the 100 Greatest Thomasians of the 20th Century. (PNA)
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