Prior to his installation as fifth Bishop of Antipolo on July 22, 2023, Santos previously served as rector of the Pontificio Collegio Filippino during his 27-year tenure as a priest of Archdiocese of Manila from 2000 to July 8, 2010, and fourth Bishop of Balanga in Bataan from April 1, 2010 to July 22, 2023 (installed or assumed office on July 8, 2010, 3 months and 7 days after being appointed to the position), succeeding Socrates Villegas who became fifth Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan in Pangasinan on November 4, 2009. He was also the acting or interim rector and parish priest of Diocesan Shrine and Parish of St. Nicholas Tolentino, Mariveles, Bataan from June 5, 2020, to June 4, 2023, on his last three years as Bishop of Balanga. With 13 years, 3 months, and 21 days or 4,860 days as Bishop of Balanga, Santos is the diocese's longest-serving living and the second longest bishop overall after Celso Guevarra since October 4, 2015.[1][2]
Personal life and education
Santos was born on October 30, 1957, in Caingin, San Rafael, Bulacan,[3] to Norberto Santos and Aurelia Cruz Santos. He has three sisters, Maria Lourdes, Maria Corazon, and Rosalind, and a brother, Rodelio.
All of his siblings are married and have children – Maria Theresa, Maria Grace, Marco Paulo, Jaime Paulo, Nicole, Jacob, and PJ.
He received his primary education at Caingin Elementary School and completed his studies and seminary formation at Our Lady of Guadalupe Minor Seminary (high school) and at San Carlos Seminary in Makati (college and theology) in the Archdiocese of Manila.
During his 27-year tenure as priest of the Archdiocese of Manila from September 10, 1983, to July 8, 2010, he became parochial vicar at the Immaculate Concepcion Parish in Pasig (1983–1986), chaplain of Pasig Catholic College (1983–1987), priest at San Antonio Abad Church in Maybunga, Pasig (1986–1987), professor of church history, patrology, and homiletics at San Carlos Graduate School of Theology and Holy Apostles Senior Seminary in Makati, visiting priest at the EDSA Shrine and Our Lady of the Pillar Parish in Pilar Village, Las Piñas (1990–1997), prefect of discipline of the Philosophy Department of San Carlos Seminary (1990–1992), professor of church history at San Carlos Seminary (1990–1995), academic dean of San Carlos Graduate School of Theology, Library Director of San Gabriel Reyes Memorial Library at San Carlos Graduate School of Theology, chief archivist of the Manila Archdiocesan Archives and curator and director of the Manila Archdiocesan Museum (1992–1997), guest lecturer for novices and postulants in the mother house of the Sisters of Saint Paul of Chartres in Antipolo (1992–1995), consultor of the Pontifical Commission for the Cultural Heritage of the Church in the Vatican (1995–2005), vice-rector and oeconomus of the Pontificio Collegio Filippino in Rome, Italy (1997–1999), rector of the same college (2000–2010), and national coordinator of the Italian Episcopal Conference for the pastoral care of Filipino migrants in Italy (2003).
After several years in the Archdiocese of Manila, he was sent to Rome in 1987 for further studies and took up his licentiate in church history at the Pontificia Universita Gregoriana.
In 2005, he became a member of the Pontifical Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses in the Vatican. He has also written a number of books regarding historical interests published by the Archdiocese of Manila and regarding homilies, prayers, and spirituality published by St. Pauls Publishing.
2010–2023: Bishop of Balanga
Pope Benedict XVI named Santos as the fourth bishop of Balanga on April 1, 2010, a Maundy Thursday. He continued to serve as priest of the Archdiocese of Manila and rector of the Pontificio Collegio Filippino while being the diocese's bishop-elect from April 1 until he assumed office upon his installation as fourth bishop on July 8, 2010, ending the diocese's 8-month-and-4-days sede vacante period or without a bishop in office under the diocesan administratorVictor Ocampo, and his 4-month-and-7-day bishop-elect period. As bishop-elect and one month before his installation as bishop of Balanga, he received episcopal consecration on June 24, 2010.
Santos decreed the creation and addition of five parishes, four more diocesan shrines (only Orani Church was the only diocesan shrine in the Diocese of Balanga by the time he was appointed as the diocese's fourth bishop on April 1, 2010 and assumed office three months later on July 8), and one minor basilica, national shrine and chapel were created during his tenure as bishop of the diocese, with Residencia Sacerdotal, Retirement Home for Priests (Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel) in Taglesville, Balanga started construction on late 2010 months after he assumed office as fourth bishop of Balanga on July 8 of that year and finished in 2011. He also designated old churches in Hermosa, Orani, Samal, Abucay, Balanga City, Pilar and Orion as seven pilgrim churches that thousands of pilgrims from other provinces visit, especially during the Lenten season.[5]
Few months after Santos assumed office as fourth Bishop of Balanga on July 8, 2010, he made few appointments on late 2010 at parishes and churches of the Diocese of Balanga, and that included the diocesan shrine and parish of St. Nicholas Tolentino (Mariveles, Bataan) where he appointed two parochial vicars or assistant priests for its rector and parish priest Msgr. Hernando Guanzon (last priest to be appointed by his predecessor Socrates Villegas in July 2009 at the said church) which are Rev. Fr. Jefferson A. Paule and Jhoen B. Buenaventura.
He made two quinquennial visit ad limina in Rome on December 2, 2010 (five months after he was installed or assumed office as fourth bishop of Balanga) and May 20, 2019.
Changes to the Balanga Cathedral were made during under Santos' tenure which are the improvement of its patio and numerous vendors were discouraged within the cathedral's premises. Walls and fences outside the cathedral were changed in 2012. It was also on that year where a statue of St. Gemma Galgani was added as the 16th and latest statue to be installed outside the cathedral due to St. Gemma Galgani Church in Mt. View, Mariveles, Bataan became a parish on July 21, 2012, which included on a roster of the diocese's churches and parishes. In 2014, the Santuario de San Jose was blessed. The Sacrestia de San Jose underwent renovation and blessed in 2015. Pavement of the ground on the exterior was made from 2017 to 2018, and the belfry added the bricks in 2019.[6] In 2020, the cathedral's roof were painted from green and white to red. The Cathedral Shrine's Rectory and Sacristy with its fence and patio were also built during his tenure. Months before his tenure as Bishop of Balanga ended on July 22, 2023, the cathedral's leftmost door was removed and replaced with a wall.
In 2015, he opened the first diocesan theology seminary called Virgen Milagrosa del Rosario College Seminary.
He founded a foundation named Ad Seminandum RCS 10 Foundation, Inc., with the name being a reference to his motto as the diocese's bishop (Ad Seminandum), initials (RCS), and 10 being the month number of his birthday (October which is the 10th month of the year) and part of a number of a year when he became Bishop of Balanga (2010). His motto is also used as the name of an award (Ad Seminandum Award - Bishop's Award).
Santos became a governing council member for Asia of the International Migration Commission, Vatican from 2015 to 2022.
He continued written a number of books regarding homilies, prayers, and spirituality published by St. Paul's (SSP). In addition to spiritual books, he also wrote about the Diocese of Balanga and its churches, and Bataan province where the diocese has jurisdiction with.
From June 5, 2020, to June 4, 2023, he served as acting or interim rector and parish priest of the diocesan shrine and parish of St. Nicholas Tolentino in Mariveles on a concurrent capacity. During his 3-year tenure as acting or interim rector and parish priest of the parish church, he had six substitute priests which are the five priests of Sto. Niño Parish Church in Alas-Asin named Robert Laracas, Ponciano G. Balmes, Marvin Gomez, Gerald Cuenca and Christopher Alday (with Alday was demoted from being parochial vicar or assistant to simply a substitute priest under Regin L. Tenorio), and Jay Quicho. As in charge of the parish church, he initiated changes within the parish such as the change in mass schedules (with Sunday Mass being temporary), and changing of the church's facade and a new church bell from Royal Bells Philippines. On February 25, 2023, he declared and elevated the said church into a diocesan shrine.[7][8]
In January 2023, the Diocese of Balanga mourned the passing of Pope Benedict XVI who appointed Santos as the diocese's fourth bishop on April 1, 2010, saying that amid sorrow and sadness, “we are assured of his eternal peace and rest in Heaven.” He said that the Bataan faithful were in grief over the death of the pope emeritus on Sunday morning at the Vatican at 95 on December 31, 2022.[9]
On April 1, 2023, coinciding with Santos' 13th and final year as fourth Bishop of Balanga, the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of St. John Paul II in Roman Superhighway, Brgy. Culis, Hermosa, Bataan was elevated into the national shrine on a mass presided by Bishop of KalookanPablo Virgilio David through the authority of Santos, and its second parish priest and first rector Anthony Sibug.
While awaiting for the date of assuming his new office or installation as fifth Bishop of Antipolo, Santos served as the apostolic administrator of the diocese during his last three months as Bishop of Balanga from May 24 to July 22, 2023. He also held his last mass as the diocese's bishop during the transition. It was also during Santos' last months as fourth bishop where the diocese's association of Catholic schools in Bataan which is Diocesan Schools of Bataan (DSOB), established in 2006 by his predecessor Socrates Villegas, changed its name to Diocesan Schools of Bataan and Educational Foundation, Inc. (DSOBEFI).
On July 21, 2023, one day before Santos ended his tenure as fourth Bishop of Balanga to assume office as fifth Bishop of Antipolo the following day in July 22, another former diocesan administrator of Balanga named Msgr. Antonio "Tony" Dumaual who served when Honesto Ongtioco became Bishop of Cubao on August 28, 2003, until Socrates Villegas assumed office as third Bishop of Balanga on July 3, 2004, died at 3:30 pm and 80 years old.
After Santos stepped down as Bishop of Balanga and assumed his new office as Bishop of Antipolo on July 22, 2023, Bataan temporarily returned to the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of San Fernando after 48 years and 8 months through the sede vacante apostolic administration of its archbishop Florentino Lavarias which will last until the installation of Santos' successor as Bishop of Balanga. The version of Santos' coat of arms of the Diocese of Balanga that is used since April 2010, however, continued to be used by the diocese as placeholder during sede vacante period or his coat of arms as Bishop of Antipolo is used on some churches of the diocese if referencing Santos to establish and maintain continuity while awaiting for the installation of his successor as the diocese's bishop. The mass for the repose of Dumaual's soul and his funeral, and blessing of the body were presided by Santos' predecessor Socrates Villegas who returned to Balanga, Bataan for the repose on July 25 and Lavarias for the blessing and funeral mass on July 23 (a day after Santos became Bishop of Antipolo) and 31, respectively.
Santos made various returns to Balanga, Bataan for an honorary doctorate in recognition of his “distinguished service” to the community and made an honorary Doctor of Education of the Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU) with the awarding was held during the BPSU commencement exercises at the Bataan People's Center, Bataan Provincial Capitol Compound, Balanga on October 2, 2023, and 35th Founding Anniversary of Bahay Puso on June 15, 2024.[11][12]
Activity
Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines
Since December 1, 2011, Santos held various positions at Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), such as being a member of CBCP Migrants and Itinerant People and chairman, Pontificio Collegio Filippino (2011–2013), Vice Chairman of CBCP Commission on the Pontificio Collegio Filipino (2013–2017), Chairman of CBCP Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People (2013–2019), CBCP Central Luzon Regional Representative and Member, CBCP Committee for International Congresses (2015–2019), board member of CBCP Pension Plan Committee and Member, CBCP Commission on Prison Pastoral Care (2017–2019), CBCP Bishop Promoter of Stella Maris - Philippines, and Chairman of CBCP Commission on Pontificio Collegio Filippino (2019–present).
Philippine politics
Santos expressed opposition against RH bill like former presidentGloria Macapagal Arroyo as he said that the prayer vigil started with the rosary and a mass against RH bill and then followed by the prayer rally that will accompany with the rally at the EDSA Shrine to be officiated by the city government of Balanga. He stated that there are conferences, seminars, and marches against the RH bill, with the goal of the “diocesan-wide campaign” is to protect the sanctity of human life and the family, he told CBCP News.[13][14]
Like with his predecessor Socrates Villegas, he expressed opposition on the revival of Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) as it will put the lives on the brink of danger and shadow of impending death, result in the disruption of ecosystem, cause the soil to be poisoned and no longer viable to be cultivated, and livelihood will be destroyed. Santos also criticized the shutdown of ABS-CBN's main terrestrial channeldue to non-renewal of the network's broadcast franchise application where he expressed that untimely and disservice at this time of pandemic, the shutdown is a great loss, an added suffering for Filipinos, and never bring healing. He sympathized to the network's more than 11,000 employees who risk losing their jobs.[15][16][17]
Santos is appreciated with President Rodrigo Duterte's first State of the Nation Address (SONA) as he found out that it is inspiring and encouraging. He said that the President is magnanimous and forgiving – he did not resort to finger-pointing and the sins of the past. He pointed out realistically the situation and offered concrete action. He also thanked the President for his concern for the welfare of overseas Filipino workers. Santos stated that he is grateful for the president's compassion and concern to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) as he plans a single office to attend to their needs and asking to continue to protect the well-being of the OFWs. He also criticized the administration as he stated on an interview with Radio Veritas that his presidency is a disappointment and disgrace to the country. He lamented how Duterte's supporters laughed at his violent threats. Presidential Spokesperson told the bishop that instead of lambasting the President, Santos should instead pray for the President, “the way we pray for the Bishop’s enlightenment, that PRRD may run the affairs of the country well instead of lambasting him."[18][19]
Coat of arms
Coat of arms of Ruperto Santos
Adopted
July 16, 2023
Helm
Bishop's Galero The shield is surmounted by the bishop's galero or ecclesiastical hat of this rank with six tassels for each side in Vert (green) that signifies the rank of a Bishop.
Escutcheon
Parted perfess: First: Argent (white), Vert (green) Tipolo leaves, Second: Azure (blue), image of the Virgin of Antipolo; Impaled with a shield tierced per fess: First: Azure (blue), or (yellow) pearl and tower, and argent (white) pearl and lions, Second: Or (yellow), rod with a fish, pilgrim's bell hangs from the staff, rod with budding lilies, and book containin "Via, Veritas, et Vita Est" (He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6)).
Motto
AD SEMINANDUM "To Sow." The motto was taken from Mark 4:3, "Audite: Ecce exiit seminans ad seminandum" (Hear this! A sower went out to sow). This is from the many parables that Jesus used to teach to the people that present to them an imagery of everyday life that they could identify with. Jesus, Himself, said that the parables were the way by which He tries to make them understand the mystery of the Kingdom of God.
Other elements
Jerusalem Cross The shield is also surmounted by the Jerusalem cross, symbolizing the bishop's dignity. The cross has become an identifiable symbol in Antipolo in the seal of the Cathedral and International Shrine of Our Lady of peace and Good Voyage and in the miter in the coat of arms of the Diocese to signify the mark of a pilgrim on earth. The four crosslets are interpreted as the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John with Christ as the large Cross to signify the way of Jesus. These also symbolize the wounds of Christ during His Passion, which also exemplify the values of faith, hope, and charity. Banner The banner in white (argent), features the bishop's motto (Ad Seminandum).
Symbolism
The upper portion of the coat of arms refers to his ministry as an ordained priest of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila for 27 years. The castle tower and the first marine lion in white (argent) are part of the seal of the archdiocese while the oyster and the second marine lion are part of the seal of Manila. The tower represents God Himself. The three windows represent the three Persons of the Blessed Holy Trinity. The marine lions signify the heritage of Manila and the Philippines as an ultramar (overseas) territory of the Spanish Empire for more than 300 years. These creatures bear pilgrim crosses instead of swords to signify the journey of the People of God in the world through a pilgrimage of faith.
The pearl inside the oyster speaks of the bishop's nationality, coming from the Philippines, the "Pearl of the Orient". It also speaks of St. John the Baptist, in whose feast Manila City was founded. It also represents the beginning of the Bishop's episcopal ministry when he became Bishop of Balanga on April 1, 2010. The blue background represents the sea and of the devotion of Filipino Catholics to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The symbols at the base point of this section represent personal devotions and the origins of the bishop. The rod with a fish tied to it represents St. Raphael the Archangel who in Old Testament (cf. Tobit 6) assists a blind Tobit while fishing. St. Raphael is the namesake of the town of San Rafael, Bulacan where the bishop came from. The pilgrim's bell that also hangs from the staff signifies St. Anthony the Abbot. The Bishop became the first Parish Priest of San Antonio Abad Parish, Pasig. The rod with budding lilies signifies the personal devotion of the bishop to St. Joseph, Spouse of the Virgin Mary, who is also the patron saint of the diocese he previously served for 13 years which is Diocese of Balanga. The lilies also speak St. Nicholas of Tolentino who is also special to the bishop as he was ordained on his feast day on September 10, 1983, with St. Nicholas is the patron saint of Mariveles, Bataan where he served as acting or interim rector and parish priest of the Diocesan Shrine of St. Nicholas Tolentino Church from June 5, 2020 to June 4, 2023.
The book contains the Latin phrase "Via, Veritas, et Vita Est", which in English is "He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life" (John 14:6) referring to Christ, the principal exemplar of the Bishop in his ministry. It is also a memorial to his ministry as Bishop of Balanga in Bataan. In the coat of arms of the Diocese of Balanga, three young men read books containing these words that represent the name of the province "Bataan".
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