Uldarico "Rick" Santisteban
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Uldarico Arandia Casas Elizalde Santisteban
A biography is defined as a written account of the series of events that make up a person’s life. This autobiography was initially requested by my Cousin Maria Venus Arandia Quejada Rivera-Day and Brother Russell Pecore of MIM (USA). This bio would have not been written if
not from the information provided to me by my aunt, Beatriz Santisteban, an alumnus of Colegeio Del Beaterio, who raised me from the crib to adulthood. Spanish and Philippine history was also consulted to cross-check what is known in my family as against what is in the text and
history. The result is astonishingly correlated with what my aunt told me and what is in Spanish-Philippine history:
1) Ancestral background:
When I was growing up, my aunt, Beatriz C. Santisteban, sister of my father Constancio, repeatedly remind me that we have two priests in our ancestral history. Any growing child normally pays little attention about what was told to them, unless it is relevant to a child needs. In my
particular case, I want to know the truth about my mother, where is my mother? Why I do not have any nearest relatives? As I grow-up I never know of any surviving grandparents. She gave a plausible answer that her father (which is my grandfather, Nicasio) was the only child in
our side of the family, whereas there were four siblings on the other side. In other words, at the beginning, there were two these brothers, who owns cattle ranch in Gumaca, Province of Tayabas renamed: Quezon. The eldest of the two, has only one child, and that is my
grandfather, Nicasio. The younger brother has four children. My grandfather’s father was killed and the strong motive was to get hold of the Royal Decree document. This obvious sibling disparity became the obvious motive why the Royal Decree paper was stolen from my great
grandfather. At the time of my great grandfather’s death, my grandfather Nicasio was a minor. He was “promised” that he will get his fair share of the Royal Decree document once he reaches his age of maturity. The said promised never took place to these days.
Right from childhood, I was already informed of the historical sibling rivalry, leading to the killing and stolen document. I spend part of my teen years in Pasig, Rizal and the other side of the family knew my existence. Yet they made no effort to accept me. In search of truth, I
disobeyed instruction from my auntie, not to look for the other side of the family. One day, I knock into the palatial home located near a movie theater, Victoria. I met one of the four siblings in the other side of the family, Rosa Santisteban. She is my grandfather Nicasio’s first
cousin, hence she is the nearest of the Santisteban. Grandmother Rosa was just too thrilled and welcomed my effort to look for her. My auntie, Beatriz was not please by my action and rightly so. Little did I know after that encounter, my Grandmother Rosa took that opportunity and
granted me a piece of land. In the Philippines, no one give anything for nothing. Especially a piece of land without any plausible reason. The sad truth is, family feud over land property lead to the death of great-grand father. The gesture of giving me a piece of land appears to be a
token “replacement” for the huge land originally stipulated in the Royal Decree that is due me. I visited the “replacement piece of land” located several miles away from the main poblacion (Capasigan). That land was near Rizal Public High School.
The land stipulated in the Royal Decree legally belongs to my grandfather Nicasio. Nicasio has only two children, the eldest son, Constancio (my father) and youngest daughter, Beatriz. My father passed away when I was about 2. So the next to inherit the land is myAunt Beatriz.
Upon her passing, this author is next to inherit the land located at Capasigan (literally translated: Main town of Pasig). Today, Pasig is now part of Metro Manila suburb, when the original Manila was expanded engulfing several towns and cities around the old Manila. Some may
question why does the Santisteban family granted the Royal Decree document? There in only one Santisteban surname in the Spanish-Philippine history and that was the 43rd Spanish Governor-General Pedro Manuel Arandia Santisteban. It is customary for the King of Spain to
grant land after services to his Kingdom in the form of Royal Decree.
These centuries old turbulent family history combined with very few Santisteban surnames left around forced me into virtual “exile,” spending my teen years alone, desperately searching for love and identity even to this day. I do not even know my own mother, nor own any of her
pictures for me to recognize her face. Where is she? I was told she died, but where is her tomb? At least I know that my father passed-away. My Aunt Beatriz, being the last of her kind, must have recognized that she had to transfer to me our family history. I thank God for
providing me this crystal clear memory. I am still able to remember many details of my family history, their names and who they were in the Spanish-Philippine history. Besides the Royal decree, I also inherited the Agnus Dei explained in the following paragraph. It is apparent that
none of the Santisteban on the other side, sees the significance of this Sacramental religious item. They are more interested in the tangible items than the spiritual. This Agnus Dei, contains 16 first class relics of Saints. The Agnus Dei, according to written history was distributed
by the Holy Father during Eastern Sundays to Kings and Queens, to foreign dignitaries, and government officials. My aunt Beatriz repeatedly told me that we have two priests in our ancestry. Could anyone of these two priests originally own this Agnus Dei? These two priests’
ancestors turn out to be Fr. Jeronimo De Santisteban, OSA (1542-?), one of the first four priests to have first circumnavigated the world; and Bishop Manuel Lopez Santisteban (1783-1859), Bishop Emeritus of Avila, Spain. The Agnus Dei, an object of Christian devotion considered
“Sacramental” by the Catholic Church could have been owned by anyone of these priests is estimated to be 700 years old now.
2. Two major devastating events that made me a much stronger person than I thought:
A). Orphan at an early age of 2.
Immediately after I was born in July 4, 1939, my grandfather Nicasio took me home from Mary Child Hospital nursery crib minus my mother. Even to this day, what ever story there was about my mother, remains a mystery. My aunt remained reluctant to provide details of my
mother’s “disappearance.” It must have been very painful for a mother who carries the fetus for nine months and after giving birth; never given a chance to hold and raise her own child. My “disappearance” caused her to suffer from Post Partum Depression and was hospitalized at
Mandalayong Mental Hospital all the way into the 50’s or 60’s without my knowing it. All I was told, my father met my mother during his tour of duty as an architect assigned to San Jose De Buena Vista, province of Antique. The two got married and upon their return to Manila, the
newly wed was immediately turned away by my grandfather, Nicasio Santisteban.
At the time of my birth, my grandparents reside inside the compound of Lithographia de Carmelo Y Bauermann (Carmelo and Bauermann Printing Press). The Lithographia earned the recognition of the longest printing press in the Philippines of their time. We are related to the
founder Eulalio Carmelo by marriage to Dona Toribia Santisteban. Then Don Eulalio Carmelo became a widower. The family thought of who else can better take care of his orphaned children, decided to marry the first cousin of his wife, Maxima Casas Santisteban. The most famous
of the Don Eulalio’s children was Alfredo Santisteban Carmelo, who in his own rights became the first Filipino pilot, an accomplished entrepreneur, a sportsman and a painter. My aunt remembered her uncle Alfredo own a Biplane and regularly used Azcarraga Street (now renamed:
CM Recto Ave.) as his backyard airfield. Those were the time when there were no electric post to worry and the entire vicinity was just grassy field as far as one eye’s can see. There were only two existing building, that of Magnolia Milk Company and the compound of printing press
itself. My grandfather Nicasio Casas Santisteban skill as a lithographer came handy for the printing business. He designs and lithograph news events, portraits and transfer them by hand etching on stones. Those where the time when photography was not even yet conceived nor
invented. The finished stories etched on stones were then pressed to make books and newspapers. As an immediate family member, my grandfather was allowed to stay within the compound and raise his family. The Carmelo Printing Press is originally located next to Far Eastern
University. We are also within walking distance to the famed Black Nazarene of Quiapo Church, where I was baptized and confirmed and became an altar server.
In contrast, my mother whose complete history is completely unknown to my grandparent compared to our status of the time is a reminder and a foreboding reminder for me to follow my father’s footstep and avoid similar pitfalls. Meaning, the family rules states when my turns
come, my future wife had to be born in Manila. My Dad topped the Government Board of Architecture exam. He was one among the first batch graduate of the College of Architecture, Mapua Institute of Technology. Unfortunately, my father did not live long enough to enjoy his
profession or see me grow up. During my father’s short life, there was that devastating Tuberculosis outbreak in the Philippines and several countries world-wide. Hundreds if not thousand died. The local medical community was caught unprepared to deal with the outbreak with
no known medical treatment. Thousands succumb to the deadly malady. Among the prominent victims was Manuel L. Quezon, lst President of the Philippine Commonwealth. President Quezon would be remembered as the one who staunchly fought for the cause of Philippine
Independence. He delivered his famous speech in the US Congress said: “I’d rather have a government run like hell by Filipinos than a government run like heaven by the Americans.” President Quezon never lived to see his dream witnessing the Philippine finally was granted
Independence, July 4, 1946 nor lived to see that the Philippines governments are NOW run like hell by Filipinos. Despite effort to seek treatment abroad, on August 1, 1944. President Quezon died in Saranac, New York. Similarly, my father passed away, leaving me completely orphan
around the age of two. My growing years was tough devoid of any known close relatives in either side of my parents except the sister of my father. The same year 1944 an American Biologist Selman Waksman and his associates developed the treatment against a bacillus
pathogen. Thus streptomycin became the first major treatment for tuberculosis. The treatment came rather too late for thousands of victims and died nonetheless. Not long thereafter, a different kind of problem engulfs European nations. Germany was at war and was already
marching across Europe capturing Jews all over and sending them to their death by the millions.
b) My aunt and myself sole survivor of Bae, Laguna massacre:
December 8, 1941 that fateful morning when several squadrons of Japanese planes made a complete surprised attacked and bombed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. United States suffered tremendous lost of 4,575 servicemen. Upon completion of Japanese mission, on their way back
home to Japan, the invading Japanese airplanes had to pass the Philippine Islands also attacked Nichol’s US Airbase (now known as Manila International Airport) and similarly destroyed the airfield. It must be somewhere at the beginning of WWII that my grandfather must have
died. I never recalled seeing neither him dead nor my aunt ever mentioning about when and how he died. Japan an ally of Germany was in full swing conquering South East Asian countries and some parts of Russia. Meanwhile Japan has already landed in Northern Luzon and fast
closing in to capture the City of Manila. The Carmelo’s directed my aunt, Beatriz to evacuate to Bae, Laguna. This time, it’s only this writer, my cousin, Seraphia De La Cruz and my aunt left to fend for our selves. Throughout the war, my aunt managed successfully the rice mills
owned by the Carmelo. True to his famous war cry and promised: “I shall return”, General Douglas McArthur spearheaded his returning liberating forces across Midway Island of the Pacific toward the Philippines. Japanese soldiers confiscated the Rice Mills from my aunt, padlock
it with unknown captured guerillas and burnt it to the ground! The towns people initially escaped with their lives in a nearby make shift air raid shelter. However, the Japanese soldiers discovered the flimsy coconut leaves covered hiding place. Everyone was ordered to come-out,
only to die by bayoneted! My cousin Seraphia was among those killed. She was actually the first to come out, followed by my aunt and myself. My aunt saw her niece went down twice stuck with bayonet. Even as death was staring directly at her face, she managed to tell me never
to let go holding her skirt. She knew the power of Agnus Dei and the power rest upon who is wearing it. I followed her instruction as we walk toward the waiting Japs. My aunt was carrying two huge bags, filled with Japanese currency, income from the Rice Mills she manages.
She has to bring that income for remittal to her great-grandfather, Eulalio Carmelo. The soldiers got curious at the two huge bags. When they saw the money, they pocketed some and motioned my aunt free to go. The last tally turns out that my aunt and I was the sole survivor in
that Bae, Laguna massacre. In the end the Agnus Dei has saved our lives, as expressly written.
3) Personal accomplishments and failures.
After the liberation of the Philippines, my aunt immediately enrolled me at Ateneo De Manila, in Fadre Faura, Ermita, Manila, site of the famed Manila Observatory. Evidently, the war prevented my earlier enrolment, hence I was about 3 to 5 years older than the required age of _____.
In the end, whatever surviving building left over after the war, became our classroom. The famed Manila Observatory located inside Ateneo De Manila ground, was partially destroyed and many surrounding buildings was replaced with the Military round top galvanized roofing. I
surmised that the school was briefly occupied by the US Armed forces before turning them back to the Jesuits administration. After two years, our funds were almost gone and some of our distant relatives in Pasig, asked us to move there. So we have to move to Pasig midway
during the school year. I was temporarily accepted at Colegio Del Buen Consejo, all girls’ school. Imagine am the only male.! Having come with Ateneo De Manila background, I was immediately admired both by the students and faculty members. I easily stand out having been able to
communicate fluently in English. At the end of the school year, I moved to the regular co-ed Pasig Catholic School. Where my religious formation and exposure continues under the Belgian priest. This is where I begun serving the Mass in Latin during the Pre-Vatican 1I era. My aunt
Beatriz was relentless in making sure that I understand the meaning of Eucharistic Mass, a philosophy she learned as a student of Colegio Del Beaterio founded by Mother Ignacia Del Espiritu Santo. Shaped as a child in the spirit of the Holy Eucharist I found myself devoted to the
Blessed Sacrament. Today, I am an Extraordinary Minister of Eucharist faithfully delivering the Sacred host to the sick and homebound.
Throughout my elementary, high school and college years, I often find myself at the top of the class, earning honors. Making my aunt happy in her knowledge that I inherited the intelligence of my father. Many of my school projects were tack on the bulletin board and rarely returned
to me. Unlike other growing boys in and around the neighborhood, on weekends, I frequent the Church and learned my Latin, in preparation for the Latin Mass of that Vatican I era, where priest says their Mass facing the Altar with their back against the congregation.
I have no recollection exactly when we moved back to Manila, it was having been during my 2nd year high school. When our next door neighbor to Carmelo Printing Press heard of our pitiful fate, she asked us to move-in to her residence. She knew my grandfather when they were
young. I can no longer remember her name, but she gave us roof over our head for free. As an alumnus of Beaterio, my aunt does not have any working skill to be able to join the general working public populated by the male gender. Women of her era are sending to school simply
to learn how to become a good wife and raise a family. Only the male children are sending to college, as the man are to suppose to be the bread earner to support his family. My aunt was obviously troubled that she can literally can no longer provide my education. I work
wherever I can odd jobs here and there. Am literally on my own, but I never give up. Unlike youth of my age, I did not enjoy the things they were doing. My mind is focus in search for our next meal. I went to University of Santo Tomas, High School Department, approach Fr. Katigbak,
the HS principal and told him about my story and my desire to continue my education. The good principal saw something in me and offered me to continue my school for free and in return, I would have to work as a school janitor. I took the job, earned some allowance money that put
food on the table. At the end of my high school education instead of attending the graduation, I got myself a high school ring for a souvenir. I still have that ring to this day.
During my High School years, I’d shown leadership ability and was chosen to command a Company as Captain of the PMT Cadet Corps. After graduating HS, in 1959, I was assigned by the Philippine National Red Cross to go to Boac, Marinduque following local disaster. There I met
the Local PNRC Marinduque Chapter Administrator, Dr. Luisa Montelleano. When she learned of my flight, her family offered me scholarship if I agree to take Dentistry in UP College of Dentistry. In short, I was offered to take over their family dental clinic. I took the opportunity,
although my choice was actually Medicine. While in UP, my skills learned while in the Military high school training help qualified me to join the Model Company of the UP ROTC cadet corps. In a nutshell, I got to UP as a result of one good soul from Boac, Marinduque but with a string
attached. Religious leaning continuous to show in my activities. I was active with the Student Catholic Action and as well with my military training. It was in UP I first heard of the word: Psychology, got fully evaluated for career guidance counseling. Against advice from my
sponsor, I enrolled at UP Fadre Faura just across my primary school: Ateneo de Manila. I feel am back where I started. My scholarship was withdrawn when they learned that I drop out of Dental studies. Low on cash, I left UP Diliman and got to Adamson University, at first working
in the admission office. In my last two years, I qualified for full University Scholarship. My last two years of College was completely free, provided I maintain 4 averages. I joined the Editorial Staff of the university. Meanwhile, the Philippines were experiencing great political turmoil,
many students were joining communist leaning organizations. I recognized the difference and was active in pro-democratic movement. I became active against Communism. The Philippine Government recognized my effort and at the end of my college, I was eventually awarded by
the Philippine Congress as an Anti Communist leader. I graduated with honor: Cum Laude. Unlike my peers, all throughout the years I was pursuing my education, my aunt and are low in cash. I did not enjoy other peers enjoyed. No movies, none of the courtships, gangs, etc.
How can I. At home, we have more immediate problem. On many occasion, we do not even know where our next meal will come from. All we have are our faith in God.
After college, I briefly taught in college, at the same time going through my Post graduate studies at the University of Santo Thomas. In was during my high years that I first fell in love. I met this medical student from MCU, Clarita Alvarez. Our love was pure and holy, until someone
forced her to marry him. Still wringing from devastating pain after losing my first love, it was during that period that I eventually met Cecilia, born of course in Manila and we got married with my aunt’s approval. It turns out that I can’t forget my first love. Still broken hearted, I planned
to leave the country for good. With Cecille and her family’s help and approval, we left for the United States. Today we have two beautiful daughter, both born in New York City. Christine, a NYC Math Champion, two time valedictorian, Cum Laude from Fordham, one published research
from Rockefeller University, a Registered Dietitian from NY State and now 4th year medical student from Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland. Younger sister Constance recently promoted as Senior Editorial Assistant, Wiley Publishing Company, the oldest and biggest publishing in the US.
Like Christine, Constance brought prestige and honor seen through our ancestral history.
Before I have my two daughters, I got accepted at Teacher’s College, Columbia University, NYC. After three years of Postgraduate studies, I earned my Masters in Psychology, specializing in Clinical Psychology. Looking back, it is evident that despite overwhelming life challenges,
that God’s hand evidently guided me all throughout my life. Raised by an aunt with incredible religiosity, I became staunchly devoted to the Holy Eucharist; just as she learned from the teachings of Mother Ignacia. My aunt never failing in advice to remain humble and to endure
whatever life trials brings forth. All these possibly explain why wherever I went, I am virtually associated and known by the Parish wherever I resided. Today, am one of the original founding members of the Filipino Diocesan Apostolate of the Diocese of Brooklyn. Following 1995
10th World Youth Day in Luneta, Philippines, the Holy Father Pope John Paul 11 announced the departure of the Image of Mary bound for the United States. I felt humbled and honored to be assigned by the Filipino Diocesan Apostolate, Diocese of Brooklyn to accept 175 years old
duplicate image of Nuestra Señora De La Paz & Buen Viaje (Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage) also known as Our Lady of Antipolo. My job is accompanying the traveling Image in 10 churches in my Diocese of Brooklyn. It took me three full weeks to do the job. Like me and all
the rest who were appointed coordinators for the different other States assigned to tour the antique image, we were able to raise enough money to pay for the construction of the Oratory of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate
Conception in Washington, D.C. The Image is also available for viewing in the internet.
In the end, my Aunt Beatriz Casas Satisteban, who was an alumni of Colegio Del Beaterio founded by Mother Ignacia Del Espirito Santo did not died in vain. She passed-away at the age of 93. Recently this month of July 6, 2007, the Holy Father signed a decree making Mother Ignacia
as the First Filipina saint. Fate never left me, when I met this young and very intelligent man, Mr. Russell Pecore, who believe that I was raised in the teachings and philosophy of Mother Ignacia Del Espirito Santo encourages me to got involved with the Mother Ignacia Movement
(USA). Mr. Pecore coordinates the Mother Ignacia Movement in the United States.
Pictured Right with Bishop.
Shrine of Our Lady of Antipolo at St. Robert Bellarmine Church
Please see The Gazette for news and articles.
A biography is defined as a written account of the series of events that make up a person’s life. This autobiography was initially requested by my Cousin Maria Venus Arandia Quejada Rivera-Day and Brother Russell Pecore of MIM (USA). This bio would have not been written if
not from the information provided to me by my aunt, Beatriz Santisteban, an alumnus of Colegeio Del Beaterio, who raised me from the crib to adulthood. Spanish and Philippine history was also consulted to cross-check what is known in my family as against what is in the text and
history. The result is astonishingly correlated with what my aunt told me and what is in Spanish-Philippine history:
1) Ancestral background:
When I was growing up, my aunt, Beatriz C. Santisteban, sister of my father Constancio, repeatedly remind me that we have two priests in our ancestral history. Any growing child normally pays little attention about what was told to them, unless it is relevant to a child needs. In my
particular case, I want to know the truth about my mother, where is my mother? Why I do not have any nearest relatives? As I grow-up I never know of any surviving grandparents. She gave a plausible answer that her father (which is my grandfather, Nicasio) was the only child in
our side of the family, whereas there were four siblings on the other side. In other words, at the beginning, there were two these brothers, who owns cattle ranch in Gumaca, Province of Tayabas renamed: Quezon. The eldest of the two, has only one child, and that is my
grandfather, Nicasio. The younger brother has four children. My grandfather’s father was killed and the strong motive was to get hold of the Royal Decree document. This obvious sibling disparity became the obvious motive why the Royal Decree paper was stolen from my great
grandfather. At the time of my great grandfather’s death, my grandfather Nicasio was a minor. He was “promised” that he will get his fair share of the Royal Decree document once he reaches his age of maturity. The said promised never took place to these days.
Right from childhood, I was already informed of the historical sibling rivalry, leading to the killing and stolen document. I spend part of my teen years in Pasig, Rizal and the other side of the family knew my existence. Yet they made no effort to accept me. In search of truth, I
disobeyed instruction from my auntie, not to look for the other side of the family. One day, I knock into the palatial home located near a movie theater, Victoria. I met one of the four siblings in the other side of the family, Rosa Santisteban. She is my grandfather Nicasio’s first
cousin, hence she is the nearest of the Santisteban. Grandmother Rosa was just too thrilled and welcomed my effort to look for her. My auntie, Beatriz was not please by my action and rightly so. Little did I know after that encounter, my Grandmother Rosa took that opportunity and
granted me a piece of land. In the Philippines, no one give anything for nothing. Especially a piece of land without any plausible reason. The sad truth is, family feud over land property lead to the death of great-grand father. The gesture of giving me a piece of land appears to be a
token “replacement” for the huge land originally stipulated in the Royal Decree that is due me. I visited the “replacement piece of land” located several miles away from the main poblacion (Capasigan). That land was near Rizal Public High School.
The land stipulated in the Royal Decree legally belongs to my grandfather Nicasio. Nicasio has only two children, the eldest son, Constancio (my father) and youngest daughter, Beatriz. My father passed away when I was about 2. So the next to inherit the land is myAunt Beatriz.
Upon her passing, this author is next to inherit the land located at Capasigan (literally translated: Main town of Pasig). Today, Pasig is now part of Metro Manila suburb, when the original Manila was expanded engulfing several towns and cities around the old Manila. Some may
question why does the Santisteban family granted the Royal Decree document? There in only one Santisteban surname in the Spanish-Philippine history and that was the 43rd Spanish Governor-General Pedro Manuel Arandia Santisteban. It is customary for the King of Spain to
grant land after services to his Kingdom in the form of Royal Decree.
These centuries old turbulent family history combined with very few Santisteban surnames left around forced me into virtual “exile,” spending my teen years alone, desperately searching for love and identity even to this day. I do not even know my own mother, nor own any of her
pictures for me to recognize her face. Where is she? I was told she died, but where is her tomb? At least I know that my father passed-away. My Aunt Beatriz, being the last of her kind, must have recognized that she had to transfer to me our family history. I thank God for
providing me this crystal clear memory. I am still able to remember many details of my family history, their names and who they were in the Spanish-Philippine history. Besides the Royal decree, I also inherited the Agnus Dei explained in the following paragraph. It is apparent that
none of the Santisteban on the other side, sees the significance of this Sacramental religious item. They are more interested in the tangible items than the spiritual. This Agnus Dei, contains 16 first class relics of Saints. The Agnus Dei, according to written history was distributed
by the Holy Father during Eastern Sundays to Kings and Queens, to foreign dignitaries, and government officials. My aunt Beatriz repeatedly told me that we have two priests in our ancestry. Could anyone of these two priests originally own this Agnus Dei? These two priests’
ancestors turn out to be Fr. Jeronimo De Santisteban, OSA (1542-?), one of the first four priests to have first circumnavigated the world; and Bishop Manuel Lopez Santisteban (1783-1859), Bishop Emeritus of Avila, Spain. The Agnus Dei, an object of Christian devotion considered
“Sacramental” by the Catholic Church could have been owned by anyone of these priests is estimated to be 700 years old now.
2. Two major devastating events that made me a much stronger person than I thought:
A). Orphan at an early age of 2.
Immediately after I was born in July 4, 1939, my grandfather Nicasio took me home from Mary Child Hospital nursery crib minus my mother. Even to this day, what ever story there was about my mother, remains a mystery. My aunt remained reluctant to provide details of my
mother’s “disappearance.” It must have been very painful for a mother who carries the fetus for nine months and after giving birth; never given a chance to hold and raise her own child. My “disappearance” caused her to suffer from Post Partum Depression and was hospitalized at
Mandalayong Mental Hospital all the way into the 50’s or 60’s without my knowing it. All I was told, my father met my mother during his tour of duty as an architect assigned to San Jose De Buena Vista, province of Antique. The two got married and upon their return to Manila, the
newly wed was immediately turned away by my grandfather, Nicasio Santisteban.
At the time of my birth, my grandparents reside inside the compound of Lithographia de Carmelo Y Bauermann (Carmelo and Bauermann Printing Press). The Lithographia earned the recognition of the longest printing press in the Philippines of their time. We are related to the
founder Eulalio Carmelo by marriage to Dona Toribia Santisteban. Then Don Eulalio Carmelo became a widower. The family thought of who else can better take care of his orphaned children, decided to marry the first cousin of his wife, Maxima Casas Santisteban. The most famous
of the Don Eulalio’s children was Alfredo Santisteban Carmelo, who in his own rights became the first Filipino pilot, an accomplished entrepreneur, a sportsman and a painter. My aunt remembered her uncle Alfredo own a Biplane and regularly used Azcarraga Street (now renamed:
CM Recto Ave.) as his backyard airfield. Those were the time when there were no electric post to worry and the entire vicinity was just grassy field as far as one eye’s can see. There were only two existing building, that of Magnolia Milk Company and the compound of printing press
itself. My grandfather Nicasio Casas Santisteban skill as a lithographer came handy for the printing business. He designs and lithograph news events, portraits and transfer them by hand etching on stones. Those where the time when photography was not even yet conceived nor
invented. The finished stories etched on stones were then pressed to make books and newspapers. As an immediate family member, my grandfather was allowed to stay within the compound and raise his family. The Carmelo Printing Press is originally located next to Far Eastern
University. We are also within walking distance to the famed Black Nazarene of Quiapo Church, where I was baptized and confirmed and became an altar server.
In contrast, my mother whose complete history is completely unknown to my grandparent compared to our status of the time is a reminder and a foreboding reminder for me to follow my father’s footstep and avoid similar pitfalls. Meaning, the family rules states when my turns
come, my future wife had to be born in Manila. My Dad topped the Government Board of Architecture exam. He was one among the first batch graduate of the College of Architecture, Mapua Institute of Technology. Unfortunately, my father did not live long enough to enjoy his
profession or see me grow up. During my father’s short life, there was that devastating Tuberculosis outbreak in the Philippines and several countries world-wide. Hundreds if not thousand died. The local medical community was caught unprepared to deal with the outbreak with
no known medical treatment. Thousands succumb to the deadly malady. Among the prominent victims was Manuel L. Quezon, lst President of the Philippine Commonwealth. President Quezon would be remembered as the one who staunchly fought for the cause of Philippine
Independence. He delivered his famous speech in the US Congress said: “I’d rather have a government run like hell by Filipinos than a government run like heaven by the Americans.” President Quezon never lived to see his dream witnessing the Philippine finally was granted
Independence, July 4, 1946 nor lived to see that the Philippines governments are NOW run like hell by Filipinos. Despite effort to seek treatment abroad, on August 1, 1944. President Quezon died in Saranac, New York. Similarly, my father passed away, leaving me completely orphan
around the age of two. My growing years was tough devoid of any known close relatives in either side of my parents except the sister of my father. The same year 1944 an American Biologist Selman Waksman and his associates developed the treatment against a bacillus
pathogen. Thus streptomycin became the first major treatment for tuberculosis. The treatment came rather too late for thousands of victims and died nonetheless. Not long thereafter, a different kind of problem engulfs European nations. Germany was at war and was already
marching across Europe capturing Jews all over and sending them to their death by the millions.
b) My aunt and myself sole survivor of Bae, Laguna massacre:
December 8, 1941 that fateful morning when several squadrons of Japanese planes made a complete surprised attacked and bombed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. United States suffered tremendous lost of 4,575 servicemen. Upon completion of Japanese mission, on their way back
home to Japan, the invading Japanese airplanes had to pass the Philippine Islands also attacked Nichol’s US Airbase (now known as Manila International Airport) and similarly destroyed the airfield. It must be somewhere at the beginning of WWII that my grandfather must have
died. I never recalled seeing neither him dead nor my aunt ever mentioning about when and how he died. Japan an ally of Germany was in full swing conquering South East Asian countries and some parts of Russia. Meanwhile Japan has already landed in Northern Luzon and fast
closing in to capture the City of Manila. The Carmelo’s directed my aunt, Beatriz to evacuate to Bae, Laguna. This time, it’s only this writer, my cousin, Seraphia De La Cruz and my aunt left to fend for our selves. Throughout the war, my aunt managed successfully the rice mills
owned by the Carmelo. True to his famous war cry and promised: “I shall return”, General Douglas McArthur spearheaded his returning liberating forces across Midway Island of the Pacific toward the Philippines. Japanese soldiers confiscated the Rice Mills from my aunt, padlock
it with unknown captured guerillas and burnt it to the ground! The towns people initially escaped with their lives in a nearby make shift air raid shelter. However, the Japanese soldiers discovered the flimsy coconut leaves covered hiding place. Everyone was ordered to come-out,
only to die by bayoneted! My cousin Seraphia was among those killed. She was actually the first to come out, followed by my aunt and myself. My aunt saw her niece went down twice stuck with bayonet. Even as death was staring directly at her face, she managed to tell me never
to let go holding her skirt. She knew the power of Agnus Dei and the power rest upon who is wearing it. I followed her instruction as we walk toward the waiting Japs. My aunt was carrying two huge bags, filled with Japanese currency, income from the Rice Mills she manages.
She has to bring that income for remittal to her great-grandfather, Eulalio Carmelo. The soldiers got curious at the two huge bags. When they saw the money, they pocketed some and motioned my aunt free to go. The last tally turns out that my aunt and I was the sole survivor in
that Bae, Laguna massacre. In the end the Agnus Dei has saved our lives, as expressly written.
3) Personal accomplishments and failures.
After the liberation of the Philippines, my aunt immediately enrolled me at Ateneo De Manila, in Fadre Faura, Ermita, Manila, site of the famed Manila Observatory. Evidently, the war prevented my earlier enrolment, hence I was about 3 to 5 years older than the required age of _____.
In the end, whatever surviving building left over after the war, became our classroom. The famed Manila Observatory located inside Ateneo De Manila ground, was partially destroyed and many surrounding buildings was replaced with the Military round top galvanized roofing. I
surmised that the school was briefly occupied by the US Armed forces before turning them back to the Jesuits administration. After two years, our funds were almost gone and some of our distant relatives in Pasig, asked us to move there. So we have to move to Pasig midway
during the school year. I was temporarily accepted at Colegio Del Buen Consejo, all girls’ school. Imagine am the only male.! Having come with Ateneo De Manila background, I was immediately admired both by the students and faculty members. I easily stand out having been able to
communicate fluently in English. At the end of the school year, I moved to the regular co-ed Pasig Catholic School. Where my religious formation and exposure continues under the Belgian priest. This is where I begun serving the Mass in Latin during the Pre-Vatican 1I era. My aunt
Beatriz was relentless in making sure that I understand the meaning of Eucharistic Mass, a philosophy she learned as a student of Colegio Del Beaterio founded by Mother Ignacia Del Espiritu Santo. Shaped as a child in the spirit of the Holy Eucharist I found myself devoted to the
Blessed Sacrament. Today, I am an Extraordinary Minister of Eucharist faithfully delivering the Sacred host to the sick and homebound.
Throughout my elementary, high school and college years, I often find myself at the top of the class, earning honors. Making my aunt happy in her knowledge that I inherited the intelligence of my father. Many of my school projects were tack on the bulletin board and rarely returned
to me. Unlike other growing boys in and around the neighborhood, on weekends, I frequent the Church and learned my Latin, in preparation for the Latin Mass of that Vatican I era, where priest says their Mass facing the Altar with their back against the congregation.
I have no recollection exactly when we moved back to Manila, it was having been during my 2nd year high school. When our next door neighbor to Carmelo Printing Press heard of our pitiful fate, she asked us to move-in to her residence. She knew my grandfather when they were
young. I can no longer remember her name, but she gave us roof over our head for free. As an alumnus of Beaterio, my aunt does not have any working skill to be able to join the general working public populated by the male gender. Women of her era are sending to school simply
to learn how to become a good wife and raise a family. Only the male children are sending to college, as the man are to suppose to be the bread earner to support his family. My aunt was obviously troubled that she can literally can no longer provide my education. I work
wherever I can odd jobs here and there. Am literally on my own, but I never give up. Unlike youth of my age, I did not enjoy the things they were doing. My mind is focus in search for our next meal. I went to University of Santo Tomas, High School Department, approach Fr. Katigbak,
the HS principal and told him about my story and my desire to continue my education. The good principal saw something in me and offered me to continue my school for free and in return, I would have to work as a school janitor. I took the job, earned some allowance money that put
food on the table. At the end of my high school education instead of attending the graduation, I got myself a high school ring for a souvenir. I still have that ring to this day.
During my High School years, I’d shown leadership ability and was chosen to command a Company as Captain of the PMT Cadet Corps. After graduating HS, in 1959, I was assigned by the Philippine National Red Cross to go to Boac, Marinduque following local disaster. There I met
the Local PNRC Marinduque Chapter Administrator, Dr. Luisa Montelleano. When she learned of my flight, her family offered me scholarship if I agree to take Dentistry in UP College of Dentistry. In short, I was offered to take over their family dental clinic. I took the opportunity,
although my choice was actually Medicine. While in UP, my skills learned while in the Military high school training help qualified me to join the Model Company of the UP ROTC cadet corps. In a nutshell, I got to UP as a result of one good soul from Boac, Marinduque but with a string
attached. Religious leaning continuous to show in my activities. I was active with the Student Catholic Action and as well with my military training. It was in UP I first heard of the word: Psychology, got fully evaluated for career guidance counseling. Against advice from my
sponsor, I enrolled at UP Fadre Faura just across my primary school: Ateneo de Manila. I feel am back where I started. My scholarship was withdrawn when they learned that I drop out of Dental studies. Low on cash, I left UP Diliman and got to Adamson University, at first working
in the admission office. In my last two years, I qualified for full University Scholarship. My last two years of College was completely free, provided I maintain 4 averages. I joined the Editorial Staff of the university. Meanwhile, the Philippines were experiencing great political turmoil,
many students were joining communist leaning organizations. I recognized the difference and was active in pro-democratic movement. I became active against Communism. The Philippine Government recognized my effort and at the end of my college, I was eventually awarded by
the Philippine Congress as an Anti Communist leader. I graduated with honor: Cum Laude. Unlike my peers, all throughout the years I was pursuing my education, my aunt and are low in cash. I did not enjoy other peers enjoyed. No movies, none of the courtships, gangs, etc.
How can I. At home, we have more immediate problem. On many occasion, we do not even know where our next meal will come from. All we have are our faith in God.
After college, I briefly taught in college, at the same time going through my Post graduate studies at the University of Santo Thomas. In was during my high years that I first fell in love. I met this medical student from MCU, Clarita Alvarez. Our love was pure and holy, until someone
forced her to marry him. Still wringing from devastating pain after losing my first love, it was during that period that I eventually met Cecilia, born of course in Manila and we got married with my aunt’s approval. It turns out that I can’t forget my first love. Still broken hearted, I planned
to leave the country for good. With Cecille and her family’s help and approval, we left for the United States. Today we have two beautiful daughter, both born in New York City. Christine, a NYC Math Champion, two time valedictorian, Cum Laude from Fordham, one published research
from Rockefeller University, a Registered Dietitian from NY State and now 4th year medical student from Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland. Younger sister Constance recently promoted as Senior Editorial Assistant, Wiley Publishing Company, the oldest and biggest publishing in the US.
Like Christine, Constance brought prestige and honor seen through our ancestral history.
Before I have my two daughters, I got accepted at Teacher’s College, Columbia University, NYC. After three years of Postgraduate studies, I earned my Masters in Psychology, specializing in Clinical Psychology. Looking back, it is evident that despite overwhelming life challenges,
that God’s hand evidently guided me all throughout my life. Raised by an aunt with incredible religiosity, I became staunchly devoted to the Holy Eucharist; just as she learned from the teachings of Mother Ignacia. My aunt never failing in advice to remain humble and to endure
whatever life trials brings forth. All these possibly explain why wherever I went, I am virtually associated and known by the Parish wherever I resided. Today, am one of the original founding members of the Filipino Diocesan Apostolate of the Diocese of Brooklyn. Following 1995
10th World Youth Day in Luneta, Philippines, the Holy Father Pope John Paul 11 announced the departure of the Image of Mary bound for the United States. I felt humbled and honored to be assigned by the Filipino Diocesan Apostolate, Diocese of Brooklyn to accept 175 years old
duplicate image of Nuestra Señora De La Paz & Buen Viaje (Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage) also known as Our Lady of Antipolo. My job is accompanying the traveling Image in 10 churches in my Diocese of Brooklyn. It took me three full weeks to do the job. Like me and all
the rest who were appointed coordinators for the different other States assigned to tour the antique image, we were able to raise enough money to pay for the construction of the Oratory of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate
Conception in Washington, D.C. The Image is also available for viewing in the internet.
In the end, my Aunt Beatriz Casas Satisteban, who was an alumni of Colegio Del Beaterio founded by Mother Ignacia Del Espirito Santo did not died in vain. She passed-away at the age of 93. Recently this month of July 6, 2007, the Holy Father signed a decree making Mother Ignacia
as the First Filipina saint. Fate never left me, when I met this young and very intelligent man, Mr. Russell Pecore, who believe that I was raised in the teachings and philosophy of Mother Ignacia Del Espirito Santo encourages me to got involved with the Mother Ignacia Movement
(USA). Mr. Pecore coordinates the Mother Ignacia Movement in the United States.
Pictured Right with Bishop.
Shrine of Our Lady of Antipolo at St. Robert Bellarmine Church
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