Veteran journalist Benigno laid to rest

Everyone wore black as STAR columnist and former press secretary Teodoro "TeddyMan" Benigno was brought to his final resting place at the Manila Memorial Park (MMP) in Sucat, Parañaque City early yesterday morning.

Even the heavens wept as his loved ones gave the beloved columnist a final salute.

Under the rain, Benigno’s wife and kids watched as the casket bearing his body was lowered to the ground while a bagpipe played the song "Amazing Grace."

Other than his family and relatives, Benigno’s funeral was graced by only his closest friends, including former President Corazon Aquino, former senator Freddie Webb, Haydee Yorac, Boy Saycon and Peter Wallace.

His body was brought to the MMP after a Mass at the Magallanes Chapel officiated by Fr. Catalino Arevalo. Fr. John Leydon, an Irish priest from Malate, Manila held a second Mass at the burial site.

At the necrological service held the night before, Teddy’s family and friends gathered to pay homage to the man who had loved and served his country well.

But more than his public persona as a journalist and public servant, Benigno was also a father and friend.

"While most of you know my father well, very few know him as well and as intimately as I do. You saw him as the crusading journalist who braved the gusty winds and sailed the high seas, I saw him as my father," Marc Benigno, Teddy’s 24-year-old son, said in his eulogy.

"Dad was loved and at the same time hated by many people. Those who loved him had one thing they could never purchase, buy or talk their way into — values, principles, convictions. My dad never compromised his integrity, his honesty and beliefs. Dad was one of the few people who held his head high without false pride, without putting on a facade. Dad was unbreakable. Therefore he was admired," the young Benigno said.

"Teddy was Ninoy’s friend and Ninoy was Teddy’s friend," said Mrs. Aquino. "Ninoy really enjoyed talking with Teddy and they had discussed at length the problems of our country and our people when Ninoy was given a Christmas furlough by (former President Ferdinand) Marcos in December 1979."

Mrs. Aquino said that the last time the two friends were together was in Boston on Aug. 1, 1983, when Teddy interviewed Ninoy about his plans to return to the Philippines.

Benigno would eventually serve in Mrs. Aquino’s administration as her press secretary.

Teddy’s passion was measured not by how he championed the causes of his friends in power but more for the depth of compassion he showed for those he felt were misjudged.

"Destiny brought Teddy and Luz to our family and our lives have been permanently enriched by our friendship. Teddy, I cannot possibly express in words how grateful, how deeply honored and how proud I am to have been your best friend," former senator Freddie Webb said.