Ben Canlas Sr.

Ben was born on October 24, 1931 in Manila, Philippines to Pedro & Julita Canlas. He married at the tender age of 19 when he found the love of his life, Ramona, whom he was married to for 71 golden years!! Truly special and rare!

At the time of their marriage in 1950, Ben was studying pre-med. Because of his young and growing family, he switched to law instead, so he could work during the day and study at night. Ben would get up very early in the morning so he could study in peace and quiet while the kids were asleep. He first worked in 1951 as a wage inspector at the Department of Labor. His hard work and perseverance paid off when he graduated with a law degree from the University of Santo Tomas Law School in 1955. He passed the bar with the highest score amongst all UST law school graduates that year. With three young children at that point, he continued to work for the government and took the mediation attorney examination in the Department of Justice, which he again topped. He was appointed in 1956 and was promoted from one position to another in various parts of the Philippines. In 1960, Ben received a scholarship and grant to study land tenure and development in the United States, Puerto Rico, Japan and Taiwan. During this time, he also studied agricultural economics at the University of Wisconsin.

In 1963, he was promoted to Regional Chief in the Office of the Agrarian Counsel, where he supervised more than 100 lawyers in the investigation and trial work concerning the land reform program implementation. Ben was recognized with various awards and commendations, both from the government and private sectors, and devoted a good portion of his life to the land reform program. In 1971, he was detailed to the Department of Commerce and Industry, where he was assigned to the International Trade Agreements Desk. Secretary Ernesto Maceda offered Ben the position of commercial analyst, where he was designated Acting Chief of the Foreign Trade Division of the Bureau of Commerce. In May 1971, Ben was assigned to Los Angeles where his family relocated. In 1974, he was appointed to Commercial Attaché after passing the written and oral examinations.

In 1978, Ben was transferred to Houston, Dallas and eventually to New York where he headed the Office of the Special Trade Representative. He returned back to Manila and retired from government service in 1993 and then eventually relocated back to the United States.

Upon retirement, Ben LOVED to cook delicious meals for his family. (This was truly a labor of love). He had an amazing green thumb, and people were in awe of his beautiful plants and garden. Ben was known for his fairness and practical thinking, calm demeanor under any of life's challenges, a generous man to those in need, and above all, his love for his family - children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. However, perhaps the life-long endearment to those who truly knew Ben was the fact that he was already in his pajamas ready to sleep at 5:00 pm, before it was even dark out.

Ben is survived by his loving and dedicated wife, Ramona "Monette"; his seven children he lovingly referred to as "THE MAGNIFICENT 7": Louie, Pinky (Francis), Ruby (Toby), Ben Jr. (Roan), Lita (Willie), Ramon (Angela) & Cielo; his 17 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces & nephews who looked up to him and loved him dearly.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Gregoria Fernando; and brother Manuel Canlas.

Visitation will be held 4:30-8:30 pm on Saturday, Oct 2 at Palm Eastern Mortuary. Funeral service will be held 9:00-10:00am in the chapel; 10:00-11:00am at the burial site at Palm Eastern Cemetery.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmeastern.com for the Canlas family.