Allison Grace C.

Gapuz 1A20

Msgr. Ruperto Santos

4th Bishop of Balanga

Msgr. Ruperto Santos was born in San Rafael, Bulacan of the Diocese of Malolos on
October 30, 1957 to Norberto Santos and Aurelio Cruz. He is one of the five children born in
the family: Ma. Lourdes Santos Alzona, Ma. Corazon Santos Albo, Rosalind Santos
Dumaliang and Rodelio Santos.

His education was primarily focused to devotion to God and service to the Catholic
church. He went to Caingin Elementary School and pursued his secondary course at Our
Lady of Guadalupe Minor Seminary in Makati. Graduating at top of the class, he then took
Philosophy and Theology at San Carlos Seminary in Makati as well.

After his excellence in his studies, he was ordained priest for the Archdiocese of
Manila on September 10, 1983. He served as the Parochial Vicar at the Immaculate
Conception Parish, as Chaplain of the Pasig Catholic College, and as Parish Priest of
Maybunga in Pasig for one year.

After his service in the Philippines, he then decided to widen his knowledge of
God’s word and studied at the Gregorian Pontifical University in Rome, wherein he achieved
a degree in Church History. Upon his return to the Philippines, he served as Dean and
professor on Church History, Patrology and Homiletics at San Carlos Graduate School of Theology
and Holy Apostles Senior Seminary both in Makati.

Concluding his service to the Seminaries, he was appointed Chief Archivist of the Manila
Archdiocesan Archives and as Curator and Director of Manila Archdiocesan Museum. At the end of
1997, he was conferred with honor as Papal Chaplain and was sent back to Rome to be a member of
the administration of the Pontificio Collegio Filippino where he became Vice-rector and Economus.

During his service as Consultor of Pontificia Commissione per i Beni Culturali della Chiesa,
National Coordinator of the Italian Bishops’ Conference for the pastoral care of Filipino migrants in
Italy, and Member of Pontificio Comitato per i Congressi Eucaristici Internazionali in the Vatican,
Pope Benedict XVI, newly appointed Pope of the Vatican, recognized his amplified service to God
and the Catholic Church, and appointed Msgr. Santos as the Bishop at the Diocese of Balanga on
April 1, 2010.

Installed on July 8, 2010, he is now the head of the Archdiocese of Balanga and currently
resides as the well-liked, simple hearted priest of the historical town.

Other Contributions to the Church:

Msgr. Ruperto Santos also authored many personal prayers and many religious and
inspirational books. He also wrote many theological and historical books now used as textbooks in his
former alma maters and San Carlos Seminary, where he previously served as Dean and Professor. In
addition to writing literature, he also was an active contributor to the magazine Life Today, of the
Corporacion de Padres Dominicos.
Personal Reflection:

I had expected an extravagant man from the many accomplishments he had obtained,
someone who was suited of royalty. But after searching for many references on our revered bishop, I
had seen he was imbued with humility and an extensive love for God and of the Church. His
numerous achievements would of course impress any person, but that it was done for nothing more
than to reach out his hunger for knowledge and service to the Lord. He also was of poor origin, but
after much hard work and diligence, he was able to achieve the position that bests describes how his
devotion led him to where he wants to be today.

Link references:

http%3A//pcfroma.org/collegio/index.php%3Foption=com_content%26task=view
%26id=198%26Itemid=28

http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=403924317476