Building a legacy in business
In 1945, the year the Japanese forces officially surrendered, family patriarch Don Bernardo Benedicto established a hardware trading business that would later be incorporated in 1962 as B. Benedicto & Sons Co. The timing proved fortuitous. As the country rose from the ashes of World War II, the demand for construction and building supplies surged — fueling the company’s early growth and positioning it as a vital player in the nation’s postward reconstruction.
In 2005, marking four decades since its incorporation, B. Benedicto & Sons entered a new chapter as control and management shifted to the branch of the family led by Ambassador Benedicto.
Serving as chair, Ambassador Benedicto — who initially studied engineering before earning a degree in Commerce — parlayed the family enterprise into other profitable business ventures in manufacturing, property development, and education. These include FLB Industries, Inc., FLB Prime Holdings, Inc., and Benedicto College Inc. A son-in-law, Samuel Chioson —married to Benedicto’s daughter Emily, who serves as honorary consul of Israel — heads his own company, Chioson Development Corp.
‘Kind, level-headed, and generous’
Gladys Famador Manaay, Assistant Dean at the University of Cebu, said on Facebook that Benedicto was “a kind, level-headed, and generous employer” who not only guided his employees toward leadership but also generously shared the lessons he learned on his own path to success.
When Ambassador Benedicto founded Benedicto College or BC in 2000, his vision was for it to become “the affordable school of choice for the less Of founding Benedicto College in the year 2000, Amb. Benedicto set out for BC “to be the affordable school of choice for the less privileged who, armed with the bravery of heart and an indomitable will, were bent on improving their quality of life.”
Today, Benedicto College operates campuses in both Mandaue and Cebu City, offering programs from basic education and senior high school to a range of college courses.
Today, BC has campuses in Mandaue and Cebu City, offering basic education, senior high school, and college courses.
In 2023, during its 120th anniversary celebration, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) honored B. Benedicto & Sons, lauding the company as “a vanguard of the construction materials industry.”
Said the CCCI: “The company's resilience amid the challenges of the past decade is a testament to its intrinsic values—a commitment to community service, unwavering quality, and adaptability in dynamic market terrains.”
Forging ties and bilateral relations
In 1986, already properly ensconced as one of Cebu’s respected business and civic leaders, Benedicto would enter a totally new field of endeavor: diplomacy and foreign service.
Said to have been a supporter of Corazon Aquino during the 1985-1986 snap elections, Benedicto was named by the President as Chief of Mission & Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Singapore, serving until 1993. It was also during his assignment that he served as Dean of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps from 1989 to 1993.
“Philippines-Singapore bilateral relations advanced during his tenure,” said the Philippine Embassy in Singapore in a statement. “[This was] characterized by leaders-level exchange of visits, including the State Visit to Singapore of President Corazon C. Aquino in 1986 and President Fidel V. Ramos in 1993, as well as the official visits to the Philippines of Singaporean Prime Ministers Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Chok Tong.”
Temporary setback
His term, however, would be marred by controversy as it was during his watch that Filipino domestic helper Delia Maga was killed, the perpetrator being Flor Contemplacion, also a domestic helper .
The ensuing uproar—the death sentence and execution of Contemplacion having triggered a diplomatic crisis—eventually led to the temporary suspension of Benedicto from diplomatic service in 1994, along with fellow embassy officials Alicia Ramos and Ofelia Castaño.
Despite the setback, Benedicto went on to enjoy a distinguished and fruitful diplomatic career, with subsequent postings in Brazil, Canada, India, Korea, and China. In recognition of his exemplary service, the South Korean government awarded him the Order of Diplomatic Service Merit (Kwanghwa Medal) — one of its highest honors for foreign diplomats.
“Ambassador Francisco L. Benedicto was like a father to me,” shared Noel Mangaoang Novicio, a career official of the Department of Foreign Affairs, in a post. “I worked under him during our assignment at the Philippine Embassy in Beijing. He was the kindest soul, the most generous, admired and loved by many. He was a great man; a first class Filipino diplomat.”
Organizational leader
Beyond his notable roles in business and diplomacy, Benedicto also held leadership positions in several trade and civic organizations. He served as president of Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry from 1971-1974, Cebu Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry from 1972-1986, and the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry from 1980-1986. At the national level, he was regional governor of Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry from 1977 to 1983.
He furthermore served as president of the Sacred Heart Church Foundation, chair of Cebu City Medical Indigency Foundation, and president of the Bernardo Benedicto Foundation.
“Tito Frank’s life was filled with purpose and commitment,” said Lorna Lardizabal Dietz, an active volunteer of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) and whose father was president of the Cebu Jaycees.”He returned to God, timeless and elegant.”
Ambassador Francisco L. Benedicto died on July 2, 2025 at age 86.
“He dedicated his life to public service, serving decades under several (Philippine) presidents,” said businessman and University of Cebu founder Augusto “Gus” Go about Benedicto’s passing. ”Frank sacrificed time with his family to serve his country. We lost a good friend.”
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