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BIENVENIDO TANTOCO SR.

Ambassador Tantoco was born in Manila, but his parents came from Bulacan. His father died just after he graduated from high school. Knowing that he would not be able to afford a college education, he approached the founder of Jose Rizal College, Mr. Vincent Fabella, for a scholarship. Impressed by the young man, the latter gave him a full scholarship. Ambassador Tantoco went to school in the morning and worked as an usher checking tickets in a movie theater owned by the Rufinos. He worked for the Rufino company from 1937 to the 1960s, rising from usher to company treasurer reporting directly to the company president. He graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Commercial Science, major in accounting from Jose Rizal College in 1940.

His life and accomplishments would indeed serve Ambassador Tantoco well in his capacity as AEP to the Vatican and the Sovereign Order of Malta. At the end of his term, the Holy See and the Sovereign Order conferred on him decorations. Italy, in addition, conferred on him its Order of Merit of Italy, the highest award given to non-Italians. Continuing the work of his predecessors, Ambassador Tantoco considered the highlight of his tenure in the Vatican, 1983-1986, the fact that the onus of the campaign for the canonization or the promotion from "Blessed" to "Saint" of Lorenzo Ruiz fell on him, including gathering the required evidence of miracles attributable to imploring the intercession of Blessed Lorenzo Ruiz and conveying it to the Holy See. Thanks to the personal interest of Pope John Paul 2nd that the Philippines should have a saint and the attention paid by Ambassador Tantoco, Lorenzo became a saint in a relatively short time. (He was beatified in 1981 and canonized in 1987.) Many a blessed beatified many decades, even centuries, ago still await canonization. Moreover, those who worked with him in the embassy remember him as a kindly superior, ever mindful of their welfare and well-being.

There have been many businessmen appointed as ambassadors for the Philippines, but Ambassador Tantoco came from the top of the business world. He was chairman of the board of the phenomenal Rustan's Group of Companies, pioneer and leader of the luxury retail and hypermarket business in the Philippines. He, with his wife Glecy, who passed on earlier, literally placed the Philippines in the global retail market map. He was a member of the International Group of Department Stores and the International Committee of Food Retail Chains. He was chairman and president of the International Duty Free shops in Morocco. While Rustan's department stores and supermarkets are known for providing quality goods from around the world, they also have sections and shelves for products that endow prestige and satisfaction to the brand "made in the Philippines." Rustan's scours the country for the best in Philippine handicrafts and manufactures, canned food and other essential items which are sold at affordable or competitive prices.

But even more remarkable than the wealth and power he wielded in life was the way he attained them. His is an inspiring story of a self-made man who rose to prominence from humble beginnings by dint of his business acumen, inborn talent, industry and dedication. His life's journey never strayed from the moral path, driven by the desire to excel with the capabilities gifted by God. He provided his children and grandchildren with the best education possible and raised them on those values by which he lived. His children testify to the fact that Ambassador Tantoco was a deeply religious person, a lifetime devotee of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Divine Mercy and Our Lady of Guadalupe. Indeed, Ambassador Tantoco's biography is an unfolding of the Tagalog proverb, "Nasa Diyos ang awa, nasa tao ang gawa (From God comes the grace, from man comes the toil)."

Through sheer hard work, innovation, constantly adapting through the times and resilience, the family has nurtured and expanded their business enterprises through the decades, making them leaders in their respective fields. His grandchildren are now actively involved in the businesses, testament to his success in terms of management and leadership.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/07/10/opinion/columns/bienvenido-tantoco-sr-legend/1806445