Details of Cresencio Benitez’ education are not yet known to us but he was first registered as a qualified architect in the Philippines in 1965. In September of the same year he enrolled as a student on both the ‘General Course’ and the ‘Educational Building Course’ at the Architectural Association’s (AA) Department of Tropical Studies, in London. Funded by a grant from the British government, Benitez successfully completed his studies and was awarded the AA Diploma in Tropical Studies - his final thesis project being on the topic of 'Campus Planning in the Philippines'. It appears likely that Cresencio had been sent to the Tropical Studies courses specifically with the purpose of modifying and developing the Mindanao State University Development Plan (1963), a project which Benitez was to implement on his return to the Philippines. Further details of Benitez’ subsequent career are not available to us beyond the fact that he was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) in 2016, when he was described as a past Vice President of the UAP (Areas C and D), and as ‘University Architect’ for Mindanao State University, Marawi City.

 Sources

• Architectural Association Student Register, 1945-71. AA Archives
• Architectural Association Council Minutes, 18th July 1966
• Architectural Association Membership Register, 1969. AA Archives
• Santos, A.I., ‘Muslim-Christian Integration at the Mindanao State University,’ University Research Center, Mindanao State University, 1968
• Scout Rallos, ‘8 distinguished Fellows recognized for lifetime achievement’ United Architects of the Philippines website, 4th October, 2016. Accessed 25th November, 2025: https://uapnational.wixsite.com/kyponline/single-post/2016/10/04/8-distinguished-fellows-recognized-for-lifetime-achievement
• ‘The  27,638  Philippine  (PH)-­‐Registered  Architects  (RAs)  1921  -­‐  2011  (90  Years)’, website of the Professional Regulatory Board of Architecture, Philippines. Accessed 25th November, 2025: https://www.architectureboard.com.ph/