Born on September 17, 1923, in Jolo, Sulu, Ben F. Rodriguez spent six decades of his life in the profession of journalism.

An alumnus of Sulu High School, he started his collegiate education at Silliman University, Dumaguete City.

In the middle of his collegiate education, Rodriguez had to stop with the outbreak of World War II. He was conferred the Purple Heart, a United States military award. He subsequently completed his Bachelor of Science and Literature degree, major in journalism, at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in 1949.

After graduating from UST, Rodriguez, popularly known as Mang Ben, started his career in journalism as a cub reporter of the Manila Bulletin. He covered virtually every area – the airport, Customs, weather bureau, police, City Hall, government corporations, the courts, Senate, and Malacañang. He also served as provincial news editor, deskman, and news editor.

In 1972, he assumed the Editor-in-Chief position of Bulletin Today, a position he held up to 1983.

From 1986 to 2004, he served again as Editor-in-Chief of Manila Bulletin until he retired in 2004. His connection with the Manila Bulletin did not end, however, as he continued to serve as a member of the Board of Directors.

Mang Ben was conferred numerous awards, including Outstanding Alumnus in the field of journalism, from the University of Santo Tomas, Silliman Outstanding Alumnus in Journalism, and an honorary Doctorate in Journalism from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila. He served as President of the National Press Club for two terms – 1982-83 and 1983-84.

The Manila Bulletin Chairman, Directors, Officers, Editors, and Employees extend their condolences and sympathies to the family of Dr. Ben F. Rodriguez, to his wife Natividad and children Liza, Nora, and Raul, and other relatives and join them in prayers for the eternal repose of his soul.

May he rest in peace.