IN MEMORIAM Benny Tantoco Sr., portrait by Rupert Jacinto
To me the greatest gift of Lolo Benny, Bienvenido Tantoco Sr., (April 7, 1921 – July 6, 2021), to the Filipino is what he and his late wife, Glecy Rustia Tantoco, started in 1952 a window to the world, through which we can reach out and have a piece of the best of the best such a world can offer, whether Italian or French, whether Moroccan or Maltese, and even Filipino, from the regions. In a word, Rustan’s.
He had raised an army who will now carry the torch for him. And he will live forever on earth in his legacy and in our memory. These are 10 reasons why.
Published July 6, 2021, 7:23 AM
The ‘father of luxury retail’ in the Philippines was 100 years old
Bienvenido R. Tantoco Sr. has passed away, a member of the family confirmed on the morning of July 6, 2021. The former ambassador to the Vatican, known to many simply as Lolo Benny, was 100 years old.
‘RETAIL THERAPIST’ Lolo Benny, founder of the country’s largest luxury retail group, lived the good life
Together with his wife, the late Glecy Rustia Tantoco, Lolo Benny built what has become the Rustan’s Group of Companies from a store based in their house in Manila. Today, Rustan’s is considered to be the largest luxury retail group in the country. His daughter Nedy, currently the chair and CEO of the Rustan’s Group, once described him as “the father of luxury retail in the Philippines” and the country’s original “retail therapist.” Considering how Lolo Benny and his wife Glecy worked hard to build Rustan’s, these descriptions are very apt.
Published July 6, 2021, 8:22 AM
He leaves behind an unmatched legacy
Bienvenido R. Tantoco Sr., known as Benny, patriarch of the family behind the Rustan Group of Companies and former ambassador to the Holy See, who celebrated his 100th birthday this year, has passed this morning, July 6, as announced by a member of the family.
Lolo Benny leaves behind six children Bienvenido Jr., Nedy, Menchu Lopez, Marilen Tantoco, Merl Pineda, and Tokie Enriquez as well as 21 grandchildren, 40 great grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
IN HIS PRIME Benny Tantoco in his younger years at the office
Lessons from Benny
Although life is never without challenges, to Benny Tantoco, it is always a summery day, bright, clear, and cheerful. Last year, when he found one of his grandchildren, SSI Group president Anton Huang, overwhelmed by pandemic fears, he gave the younger man a gentle slap on the back and said, “Hold your head up high, it’s not World War II!” reminding him that there
By Noey T. Lopez
FAMILY IS FORTUNE The author with Lolo Benny and his girls Stella, Emma, and Krie
I’ve learned two things from observing Lolo Benny on how to live a full and long life. The first is to always show up, always be present, and always be on time. I think that Lolo lives like this because the second thing I’ve learned from him is to think of others before yourself.
Lolo respects and values the people he comes across and he thinks of them before himself. I’ve heard that the key to a long life is the number of meaningful and deep relationships that one has and Lolo has certainly developed many during his lifetime.
CHEERS TO SUNNY DAYS Lolo Benny in Langkawi in 2012
Growing up with Lolo was very exciting, never boring. In summer, he would always take me with him traveling. Lolo taught me a lot in those trips, always around Europe, Sotogrande, and Franklin Lakes. More than teaching me, he showed me.
Lolo’s morning and evening routine was always the same. He would begin and end the day with meditation, but in the middle of that, he would live life to the fullest eating good food, spending time with family and friends, and going on adventures. Lolo was very spontaneous. Whenever he wanted to do something, he would just get up and go. Lolo really lives life to the fullest.