The Palanca brothers, who have been described as visionaries, were laid to rest at the Victorias Public Cemetery in Victorias City, Negros Occidental, Sunday, July 18.
Simplicio Palanca, founder and chairman of the Bacolod Real Estate Development Corp., was remembered as the man who started reclamation work in the Philippines.
He was 98 when he succumbed to a cardiac arrest at the Bacolod Adventist Medical Center in Bacolod City on July 10.
Dr. Ernesto Palanca, founder and executive director of the Negros Occidental Drug Rehabilitation Foundation Inc. in Victorias City, was part of the team that performed the first kidney transplant in the Philippines.
He was 86 when succumbed to a massive stroke in Metro Manila on July 6.
Their eldest grandson, former Rep. Alfredo Benitez, described his grandfathers as visionaries who were way ahead of their time.
They started projects that benefited many Bacolodnons and Negrosanons, he said.
Victorias Mayor Francis Palanca said their grandfathers had hearts for the people.
He also said his Lolo Sammy generously contributed to the Church and the welfare of the clergy.
Their nephew Reynaldo Bantug said his uncles were workaholics who lived very disciplined lives.
“They both had pioneering spirits and were not afraid to take chances,” Bantug said.
Victorias Councilor Derek Palanca said the brothers were philanthropists.*