Manuel Collantes

Manuel G. Collantes (August 20, 1917[1] – May 28, 2009) was a Filipino diplomat who served as the country's acting Minister of Foreign Affairs in 1984.[2]

Collantes was raised in Tanauan, Batangas.[2] He received his law degree from Far Eastern University in 1940, and passed the bar exam later that same year.[2] He began his career by working as an assistant attorney at the Claro M. Recto law office for a short period.[2] He also taught diplomacy and international law, as well as parliamentary practice at Far Eastern University.[2]

He met his wife, Consuelo Madrigal, in Washington, D.C. in 1949 while Collantes was working as the second secretary and consul at the Embassy of the Philippines in Washington, D.C.[2] The couple married during the 1970s.[2] Current Filipino Senator Ana Consuelo "Jamby" Madrigal is Collantes' niece.[2]

Collantes held a variety of positions with the Department of Foreign Affairs during his career as a diplomat. These included Aide-de-Camp to the Secretary of Foreign Affairs to Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and legal assistant secretary.[2]

Collantes was appointed acting Minister for Foreign Affairs for a short period in 1984 during the government of President Ferdinand Marcos.[2]

In 1984, he was elected as an assemblyman for Batangas province.[2] He also served as the director of United Pulp and Paper Company, Inc. until his death in 2009.[2]

Manuel Collantes died of cardiopulmonary arrest on May 28, 2009, at the age of 91.[2] His body lay in state at the family home at 77 Cambridge Circle, North Forbes Park in Makati City.[2] He was buried at the Madrigal Mausoleum in Alabang, Muntinlupa City, following a funeral mass.[2]