Former Manila Bulletin editor-inchief Ben F. Rodriguez passed away in Quezon City Friday afternoon. He was 86.

Rodriguez, popularly known as Mang Ben among his colleagues, is the University of Sto. Tomas in Manila in 1949. He led a colorful life as a journalist, particularly in the Manila Bulletin where he was editor-in-chief from 1972 to 1983; and 1986 to 2004.

At the Manila Bulletin, he started out as cub reporter in 1950 and covered several beats, including airport, Customs, weather bureau, police, city hall, government corporations, justice and the courts, Senate and Malacañang.

Rodriguez was later promoted provincial news editor and then deskman.

He became news editor until 1972. Later he was also appointed publisher of Balita/Liwayway from 1985 to 1986.

He also went to US, Europe, and Japan a few times on travel grants and news coverage of former President Ferdinand Marcos.

During the World War II, Mang Ben was a guerrilla and was wounded in action in early 1944. He was a recipient of the Purple Heart, a US military award.

Rodriguez also served as a professor of journalism at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila and a member of the Board of Directors of the Manila Bulletin Publishing Corp.

Some of his achievements and awards include the UST Outstanding Alumnus in Journalism, Silliman University Outstanding Alumnus in Journalism, President of National Press Club for two terms, citations from civic and other organizations, and honorary doctorate degree in journalism from the PLM.

His body now lies at the Loyola Memorial Park chapel in Marikina City.

Interment plans will be announced later.