Ruperto Santos

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Cruzand the surname or paternal family name is Santos.

The Most Reverend Ruperto C. Santos D.D., STL
Bishop of Antipolo
Santos in 2024
Province	Manila
Diocese	Antipolo
Appointed	May 24, 2023
Installed	July 22, 2023
Predecessor	Francisco Mendoza de Leon
Successor	Incumbent
Orders
Ordination	September 10, 1983
Consecration	June 24, 2010
Personal details
Born	(1957-10-30) October 30, 1957 (age 66) San Rafael, Bulacan
Previous post(s)	Priest, Archdiocese of Manila (1983‍–‍2010) Rector, Pontificio Collegio Filippino in Rome (2000‍–‍2010) Bishop of Balanga (2010‍–‍2023) Acting Rector and Parish Priest, Diocesan Shrine and Parish of St. Nicholas Tolentino, Mariveles, Bataan (2020‍–‍2023)
Education	San Carlos Seminary Pontificia Universita Gregoriana
Motto	Ad Seminandum (Latin for 'To Sow' – Mark 4:3 )
Coat of arms

Styles of Ruperto Santos
Reference style	The Most Reverend
Spoken style	Your Excellency
Religious style	Bishop

Ordination history of Ruperto Santos
History Priestly ordination Ordained by Jaime Lachica Sin Date 10 September 1983 Place Manila Cathedral Episcopal consecration Principal consecrator Gaudencio Borbon Rosales Co-consecrators Ricardo Jamin Vidal Edward Joseph Adams Date 24 June 2010
Ruperto "Stude" Cruz Santos (born October 30, 1957) is a Filipino prelate of the Catholic Church. Santos is the fifth and current Bishop of Antipolo. He is president of the Episcopal Commission for Pastoral Care for Migrants and Travelers (Ecmi) in Philippines. Prior to his installation as Bishop of Antipolo on July 22, 2023, Santos previously served as Rector of Pontificio Collegio Filippino during his 27-year stint as 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 succeeding Socrates Villegas who became Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan in Pangasinan on November 4, 2009. With 13 years, 3 months, and 21 days as the diocese's bishop, Santos is the longest serving living bishop of Balanga and second longest to serve the position overall since October 4, 2015. [1] [2] Personal life and education Santos was born on October 30, 1957, in Caingin, San Rafael, Bulacan. [3] His parents are the late Norberto Santos and Aurelia Cruz-Santos. His three sisters are Maria Lourdes, Maria Corazon and Rosalind, and a brother named Rodelio Santos. While his life is dedicated to Jesus Christ and Virgin Mary (which is represented by the blue letter "M" in his coat of arms as Bishop of Balanga that was used during his 13-year tenure as the diocese's bishop from July 8, 2010 to July 22, 2023 and still used by the diocese as placeholder during sede vacante period since July 22, 2023 while his successor as bishop of the diocese and successor's coat of arms are not yet installed and unveiled, respectively), his siblings are all happily married and blessed with children which he joyfully welcomed as nieces and nephews – Maria Theresa, Maria Grace, Marco Paulo, Jaime Paulo, Nicole, Jacob, and PJ. He had his primary education at Caingin Elementary School and completed his studies and seminary formation in Our Lady of Guadalupe Minor Seminary (high school) and in San Carlos Seminary in Makati (college and theology) of the Archdiocese of Manila. Ministry 1983–2010: Priesthood Santos was ordained priest on September 10, 1983, at the Manila Cathedral by Manila archbishop Jaime Sin. [4] During his 27-year stint 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), Pastor at San Antonio Abad Church in Maybunga (1986–1987), Professor of Church History, Patrology and Homiletics at San Carlos Graduate School of Theology and Holy Apostles Senior Seminary in Makati, Guest Priest at the Our Lady of Peace in EDSA and Our Lady of the Pillar Parish in Pilar Village, Las Piñas (1990–1997), Prefect of Discipline of the Philosophy Department in San Carlos Seminary (1990–1992), Professor of Church History at San Carlos Seminary of Manila (1990–1995), Academic Dean of San Carlos Graduate School of Theology, Library Director of San Gabriel Reyes Memorial Library at the San Carlos Graduate School of Theology, Chief Archivist of Manila Archdiocesan Archives and Curator and Director of Manila Archdiocesan Museum (1992–1997), Guest Lectuere for Novices and Postulants of Saint Paul of Chartres at Antipolo Mother House (1992–1995), Consultor of Pontificia Commisione per i Beni Culturali della Cheisa in the Vatican (1995–2005), Vice-Rector and Oeconomus of Pontificio Collegio Filippino in Rome, Italy (1997–1999), Rector of Pontificio Collegio Filippino in Rome, Italy (2000–2010), and National Coordinator of the Italian Bishops' Conference for the pastoral care of Filipino migrants in Italy (2003). After several years in the ministry serving the archdiocese, he was sent to Rome in 1987 for further studies and took up his licentiate in church history in Pontificia Universita Gregoriana. He has been Academic Dean of San Carlos Graduate School of Theology. He also became Rector of Pontificio Collegio Filippino in Rome. In 2005, he became a member of Pontificio Comitato per i Congressi Eucaristici Internazionali in the Vatican. He has also written a number of books regarding historical interest published by the Archdiocese of Manila and regarding homilies, prayers, and spirituality published by St. Paul's (SSP). 2010–2023: Bishop of Balanga Pope Benedict XVI named Santos as fourth bishop of Balanga on Holy Thursday of 2010 in April 1, 2010. He continued to hold the position as priest of the Archdiocese of Manila and rector of Pontificio Collegio Filippino while holding the position as the diocese's bishop-elect from April 1 until he assumed office upon his installation as fourth bishop on July 8, 2010. As bishop-elect and one month before his installation as Bishop of Balanga, he received episcopal consecration on June 24, 2010. [3] Santos decreed the creation of five parishes, four diocesan shrines, and one minor basilica, national shrine and chapel were created during his term as bishop of the diocese, with Residencia Sacerdotal, Retirement Home for Priests (Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel) in Taglesville, Balanga was built months after he became bishop of Balanga. 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] Aside from Residencia Sacerdotal, he also built the National Shrine of the Parish Church of Saint John Paul II in Roman Superhighway, Culis, Hermosa, Virgen Milagrosa College Seminary in Balanga, Residencia Sacerdotal Diocesan Retirement Homes, Cancelleria Diocesana de Balanga, the renovated Bahay Puso which is the Diocesan Home for the Aged, and the newly built Diocesan Clinica de San Jose. [6] He made two quinquennial visit ad limina in Rome on December 2, 2010 (five months after he was installed as 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 2011. Pavement of the ground on the exterior was made from 2017 to 2018, and the belfry added the bricks in 2019. [7] 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. 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 also founded the Diocesis de Balanga Multi-Purpose Credit Cooperative, the Santeria Religious Store and Sower's Printing Press to foster a brighter future and improvement of life. To maintain its permanency, he formed the Obispado de Balanga Bahay Puso Foundation and Diocesan Schools of Bataan Educational Foundation, Inc. Santos became a governing council member for Asia of the International Migration Commission, Vatican from 2015 to 2022. From June 5, 2020, to June 4, 2023, he served as acting rector and parish priest of the diocesan shrine and parish of St. Nicholas Tolentino (Mariveles, Bataan) in a concurrent capacity. During his 3-year tenure as acting rector and parish priest of the parish church, he had five assistant priests or parochial vicars which are the 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 Region L. Tenorio). As in charge of the parish church on an acting position in addition to being Bishop of Balanga, he had all the duties and responsibilities of a rector and parish priest, such as inviting other priests and designate substitute priests such as Jay Quicho, change the schedule of masses, and initiate changes on the parish church like the changing of its facade and a new church bell from Royal Bells Philippines. [8] [9] 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. Santos issued 40 pastoral prayers during the COVID-19 pandemic. These prayers, he said, are his love letters to the people, the voices of love to God. During his last three months as Bishop of Balanga, he served as apostolic administrator of the diocese aside from being the diocese's bishop from May 24 to July 22, 2023, as a preparation and transition period for his transfer to Diocese of Antipolo on the said date of July 2023. 2023–present: Bishop of Antipolo Pope Francis named Santos as the fifth Bishop of Antipolo on May 24, 2023. Santos then became the diocese's bishop on his installation on July 22, 2023 where he succeeded Francisco Mendoza de Leon who reached the retirement age of 75 which ended his 13 years, 3 months, and 21 days tenure as Bishop of Balanga, 7, 6, and 4 months after Pope Benedict XVI (who named Santos as the latter position on April 2010) died on December 31, 2022, a funeral of the said pope on January 5, 2023 and the death of a diocesan administrator of Balanga between his predecessor Socrates Villegas and Santos himself from November 4, 2009 to July 8, 2010 Victor Ocampo on March 16, 2023 respectively, and one day after the death of another former administrator Antonio S. Dumaual on July 21, 2023. The installation ceremony was led by the Papal Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Charles John Brown together with Jose Cardinal Advincula, Archbishop of Manila. [10] Even after he became Bishop of Antipolo on July 22, 2023, his coat of arms as Bishop of Balanga continued to be used by the Diocese of Balanga (the diocese that he formerly headed) during sede vacante period serving as a placeholder while awaiting for the installation of his successor as the diocese's bishop and unveiling of the successor's coat of arms since the said date of July 2023, concurrently used with his arms as Bishop of Antipolo. On October 2, 2023, Santos returned 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). The awarding was held during the BPSU commencement exercises at the Bataan People’s Center, Bataan Provincial Capitol Compound, Balanga. [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 president Gloria 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. [15] 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." [16] [17] Following the denial of the broadcast franchise application of ABS-CBN, Santos expressed that the network's 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. [18] 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 per fess : 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 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". Other versions April 2010–present (Diocese of Balanga) See also Catholic Church in the Philippines References AsiaNews.it. "Bishops commit to battle against Human Trafficking". www.asianews.it. Retrieved 2022-09-01. "Bishop stresses 'liberating words', hits trolls". CBCPNews. 2017-01-20. Retrieved 2022-09-01. Cheney, David. "Bishop Ruperto Cruz Santos". Catholic Hierarchy.[ self-published source ] AsiaNews.it. "Philippine bishops extend welcome to Ukrainian refugees in the Philippines". www.asianews.it. Retrieved 2022-09-01. Ernie Esconde (26 May 2023). "Nuke plant foe new bishop of Antipolo" . Retrieved 26 May 2023. Ernie Esconde (9 July 2023). "Bishop bids farewell to Bataan flock" . Retrieved 15 July 2023. Greg Refraccion (6 February 2019). "Historic Balanga Cathedral undergoes scrubbing…and repainting". 1Bataan. Retrieved 16 March 2023. Aquino, Leslie Ann (December 18, 2020). "A wood stove inspires design of Christmas Belen in Mariveles, Bataan". Manila Bulletin . Archived from the original on 2021-02-14. Retrieved February 5, 2021. Royal Bells Philippines. "Royal Bells Philippines List of Installations" (PDF). Retrieved August 16, 2023. Ferdinand Patinio (July 22, 2023). "Diocese of Balanga 'sede vacante' as bishop transfers to Antipolo". Philippine News Agency . Retrieved July 22, 2023. "Bishop Ruperto Santos receives honorary doctorate". CBCP News. October 9, 2023. Retrieved October 10, 2023. Ernie Esconde (October 8, 2023). "Bataan university confers honorary doctorate on Bishop Santos". Punto Central Luzon. Retrieved October 10, 2023. Catholic News Agency (August 19, 2011). "Dialogue on Philippines reproductive health bill fades, protests renew" . Retrieved May 30, 2023. GMA News (August 3, 2012). "Parehong posisyon ng Simbahan at ni Rep. Gloria vs RH bill, 'di raw dapat intrigahin" . Retrieved May 30, 2023. CBCP News (January 15, 2023). "FULL TEXT: Balanga diocese's pastoral letter about BNPP" . Retrieved May 14, 2023. Inquirer News (July 27, 2016). "Except for RH law, bishops happy with Sona" . Retrieved May 30, 2023. ABS-CBN News (January 14, 2019). "Bishop fires back: 'Duterte's presidency a disgrace'" . Retrieved May 30, 2023. CBCP News (July 12, 2020). "'No one wins' in ABS-CBN shutdown — bishop" . Retrieved April 10, 2023. External links Quotations related to Ruperto Santos at Wikiquote Media related to Ruperto Santos at Wikimedia Commons Bishop of Balanga| years = April 1, 2010 – July 22, 2023}} Catholic Church titles Preceded by Rector of Pontificio Collegio Filippino 2000–July 8, 2010 Succeeded by Gregory Ramon D. Gaston Preceded by Socrates B. Villegas Bishop of Balanga April 1, 2010–July 22, 2023 Sede vacante Preceded by Gerardo Gregorio P. Jorge Rector and Parish Priest of the Diocesan Shrine and Parish Church of Saint Nicholas de Tolentino, Mariveles, Bataan Acting June 5, 2020–June 4, 2023 Succeeded by Regin L. Tenorio Preceded by Francisco M. de Leon Bishop of Antipolo July 22, 2023–present Incumbent This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.