| Perfecto "Doc" R. Santiago Laurel, Maryland A Fil-Am National Leader • Ranking Federal Executive |
In July 1992, newly appointed Dean of the University of the
Philippines College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Mauro Manuel
travelled to the United States to solicit support from the alumni for
the vision he has for the college and the profession. The facilities
at Los Banos were adequate but maintenance of many areas has
been deferred for lack of funds. The curriculum and teaching
facilities are in need of upgrading to regain American Veterinary
Medical Association (AVMA) accreditation of the college that was
lost in late 70's. During his brief stop in Maryland, he met with a
group of alumni at the residence of Dr. Arsenio Peralta in Silver
Springs. Dr. Manuel articulated his visions to 15 alumni. The
group was appalled at the conditions of the college facilities
from cumulative effects of deferred maintenance. Drinking
fountains were non-functional, broken lights remain unreplaced
for extended periods of time and funds were unavailable for a sign
to identify the college. The group pledged their support to Dr.
Manuel in pursuit of his visions.
Whenever unsolvable problems like the above is presented to
the the Filipino-Americans, another "low profiler," dedicated,
unselfish and dynamic leader of the community always steps
forward to spearhead fund-raising projects in order to assist their
Philippines College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Mauro Manuel
travelled to the United States to solicit support from the alumni for
the vision he has for the college and the profession. The facilities
at Los Banos were adequate but maintenance of many areas has
been deferred for lack of funds. The curriculum and teaching
facilities are in need of upgrading to regain American Veterinary
Medical Association (AVMA) accreditation of the college that was
lost in late 70's. During his brief stop in Maryland, he met with a
group of alumni at the residence of Dr. Arsenio Peralta in Silver
Springs. Dr. Manuel articulated his visions to 15 alumni. The
group was appalled at the conditions of the college facilities
from cumulative effects of deferred maintenance. Drinking
fountains were non-functional, broken lights remain unreplaced
for extended periods of time and funds were unavailable for a sign
to identify the college. The group pledged their support to Dr.
Manuel in pursuit of his visions.
Whenever unsolvable problems like the above is presented to
the the Filipino-Americans, another "low profiler," dedicated,
unselfish and dynamic leader of the community always steps
forward to spearhead fund-raising projects in order to assist their
alma mater in distress. In the case of veterinary physicians, when a formal organization of graduates of
veterinary medicine was formed, the founding members undoubtedly and unconsciously were seeking for a
top caliber leader. And elected as the founding president of the Philippine Veterinary Medical Association
(USA) East Coast formally formed in March 1993 at Pleasantville, New Jersey, was Dr. Perfecto "Doc"
Reyes Santiago of Laurel, Maryland. The 'battle cry" of the association is to provide sustained assistance to
veterinary institutions in the Philippines.
Doc Santiago's primary assignments and goals were at first met with many stumbling blocks. For one
thing, the organization was composed of graduates from different universities and colleges, but the primary
recipient of their fund-raising was U.P.'s College of Veterinary Medicine. As a compromise, the founding
members agreed to its "battle cry" of assisting all institutions. For if UP, the premier and refutedly
well-financed institution has money problems, for sure the other veterinary schools were in the worst
situation.
With Doc Santiago in the forefront, assisted by Dr. delfin Tumibay, Dr. Efren Martin and others, fund-raising
projects were planned. Proceeds were to be distri-buted on a per capita basis to schools represented in the
membership roster. Pledge campaign reached to five figures and still growing. Re-elected for another
two-year term last year, Santiago and the first set of officers, added scholarships to students pursuing
veterinary medicines; to donate more laboratory equipments, textbooks and school materials not only to UP
but to other schools.
Doc is with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food Safety & Inspection Service. He is the Area
Supervisor of 4 states: Delaware, Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. He is one of the 26 Area
Supervisors nationwide and the only Filipino-American in that level of field supervisory structure. In 1988, he
received from USDA the "National Supervisory Excellence Award" and in 1996, a "Certificate of Merit & Cash
Award" for exemplary performance of duties as Area Supervisor.
His career takes him around the country, and Doc usually gets involved and becomes instrumental in the
formation of local organizations. He was the Past President of Kiwanis Club of West Topeka (Kansas) that
inducted the first Kiwanis woman member in Topeka. He was the Founding President of the Filipino-
American Association of Topeka in 1985. He served in the Board of Directors of the Greater Salem (Oregon)
Filipino American Association (GSFAA) in 1990 and helped draft the Constitution and By-Laws of GSFAA. He
is currently active with the Katipunan Fil-Am Association of Baltimore; the Anne Arundel Fil-Am Association;
and the Rizal HS Alumni Assocation in North America.
A devout Catholic and a candidate to the Permanent Diaconate of the Archdiocese of Washington Class
2000, Doc donates countless hours for the Church. He is very active and is a Fourth Degree member of the
Knights of Columbus . He was Grand Knight of Council 4254 and a Past District Deputy in Topeka; and,
Past Deputy Grand Knight in Salem, Oregon.
Doc was born and raised in San Miguel, Pasig, Metro manila. He is the son of Lorenzo R. Santiago of
Sumilang, Pasig; and the former Ignacia C. Reyes of San Miguel, Pasig. He graduated in high school from
Rizal High School and from the University of the Philippines in 1964 with a degree of Doctor of Veterinary
Medicine. At UP, he was president of the Veterinary Student Body Association, Vice President of Veterinary
Clinicians Club, member of the College Basketball Team, and Holder of the Pole of the Society of Men.
Doc is married to the former Maria Pura Castillo of Manila who is currently Library technician at the U.S. Library
of Congress. They have two children: Joseph Patrick, 25; and Christian Lawrence, 22. (NM)
veterinary medicine was formed, the founding members undoubtedly and unconsciously were seeking for a
top caliber leader. And elected as the founding president of the Philippine Veterinary Medical Association
(USA) East Coast formally formed in March 1993 at Pleasantville, New Jersey, was Dr. Perfecto "Doc"
Reyes Santiago of Laurel, Maryland. The 'battle cry" of the association is to provide sustained assistance to
veterinary institutions in the Philippines.
Doc Santiago's primary assignments and goals were at first met with many stumbling blocks. For one
thing, the organization was composed of graduates from different universities and colleges, but the primary
recipient of their fund-raising was U.P.'s College of Veterinary Medicine. As a compromise, the founding
members agreed to its "battle cry" of assisting all institutions. For if UP, the premier and refutedly
well-financed institution has money problems, for sure the other veterinary schools were in the worst
situation.
With Doc Santiago in the forefront, assisted by Dr. delfin Tumibay, Dr. Efren Martin and others, fund-raising
projects were planned. Proceeds were to be distri-buted on a per capita basis to schools represented in the
membership roster. Pledge campaign reached to five figures and still growing. Re-elected for another
two-year term last year, Santiago and the first set of officers, added scholarships to students pursuing
veterinary medicines; to donate more laboratory equipments, textbooks and school materials not only to UP
but to other schools.
Doc is with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food Safety & Inspection Service. He is the Area
Supervisor of 4 states: Delaware, Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. He is one of the 26 Area
Supervisors nationwide and the only Filipino-American in that level of field supervisory structure. In 1988, he
received from USDA the "National Supervisory Excellence Award" and in 1996, a "Certificate of Merit & Cash
Award" for exemplary performance of duties as Area Supervisor.
His career takes him around the country, and Doc usually gets involved and becomes instrumental in the
formation of local organizations. He was the Past President of Kiwanis Club of West Topeka (Kansas) that
inducted the first Kiwanis woman member in Topeka. He was the Founding President of the Filipino-
American Association of Topeka in 1985. He served in the Board of Directors of the Greater Salem (Oregon)
Filipino American Association (GSFAA) in 1990 and helped draft the Constitution and By-Laws of GSFAA. He
is currently active with the Katipunan Fil-Am Association of Baltimore; the Anne Arundel Fil-Am Association;
and the Rizal HS Alumni Assocation in North America.
A devout Catholic and a candidate to the Permanent Diaconate of the Archdiocese of Washington Class
2000, Doc donates countless hours for the Church. He is very active and is a Fourth Degree member of the
Knights of Columbus . He was Grand Knight of Council 4254 and a Past District Deputy in Topeka; and,
Past Deputy Grand Knight in Salem, Oregon.
Doc was born and raised in San Miguel, Pasig, Metro manila. He is the son of Lorenzo R. Santiago of
Sumilang, Pasig; and the former Ignacia C. Reyes of San Miguel, Pasig. He graduated in high school from
Rizal High School and from the University of the Philippines in 1964 with a degree of Doctor of Veterinary
Medicine. At UP, he was president of the Veterinary Student Body Association, Vice President of Veterinary
Clinicians Club, member of the College Basketball Team, and Holder of the Pole of the Society of Men.
Doc is married to the former Maria Pura Castillo of Manila who is currently Library technician at the U.S. Library
of Congress. They have two children: Joseph Patrick, 25; and Christian Lawrence, 22. (NM)
Washington D.C. Since 1987
Washington D.C. Since 1987
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