Ruperto Santos

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 from 2000 to July 8, 2010 during his 27-year stint as priest of Archdiocese of Manila, 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.

Santos was born on October 30, 1957, in Caingin, San Rafael, Bulacan.

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.

Santos was ordained priest on September 10, 1983, at the Manila Cathedral by Manila archbishop Jaime Sin.

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).

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.

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 bishop-elect until his installation as the diocese's bishop in July 8, 2010.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Walls and fences outside the cathedral were changed in 2011.

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.

Santos became a governing council member for Asia of the International Migration Commission, Vatican from 2015 to 2022.

Pavement of the ground on the exterior was made from 2017 to 2018, and the belfry added the bricks in 2019.

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.

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.

He continued written a number of books regarding homilies, prayers, and spirituality published by St. Paul's (SSP).