| ROMEO N. SAN ANTONIO |
An active duty military soldier with the Philippine Constabulary
Armed Forces said goodbye to his family, including a pregnant
wife and a two-year-old son. It was March 1942, and he was
headed for war in the Philippines. Eventually, he was called to
service in Bataan to halt invading Japanese forces. During this
confllict, over 76,000 brave Filipino forces finally surrendered to
the might of the Imperial Forces offensive, due to malnutrition
and malaria. Unfortunately for his family, this brave soldier
became a casualty of World War II and was never to return
home. His two-year-old son, Romy, would always hear stories
of his brave father but would never really remember him.
Thus began the life of Romeo San Antonio, who currently
resides in Norfolk, Virginia. Romy’s younger years in the
Philippines were happy ones, as he recalls being showered
Armed Forces said goodbye to his family, including a pregnant
wife and a two-year-old son. It was March 1942, and he was
headed for war in the Philippines. Eventually, he was called to
service in Bataan to halt invading Japanese forces. During this
confllict, over 76,000 brave Filipino forces finally surrendered to
the might of the Imperial Forces offensive, due to malnutrition
and malaria. Unfortunately for his family, this brave soldier
became a casualty of World War II and was never to return
home. His two-year-old son, Romy, would always hear stories
of his brave father but would never really remember him.
Thus began the life of Romeo San Antonio, who currently
resides in Norfolk, Virginia. Romy’s younger years in the
Philippines were happy ones, as he recalls being showered
with love and attention from his aunts and extended family members. One of his first hints of his future
service to God and country would come in his high school yearbook, where Romy first indicated a
desire to serve in the U.S. Navy and “see the world.” Fast forward to today and it is easy to see that his
dreams have come true.
At age 19, Romeo San Antonio was a student at the Far East Asian Technical Institute, preparing to
make his future dreams a reality. His aircraft engineering course work helped in his future naval
career, after the first several years, when he served in the steward program. His career encompassed
many types of jobs, but it was the second half of his 22 years of service on active duty that he saw
things take off and he began to fully utilize the engineering background. As an Aviation Machinist Mate,
his specialty was the F-14 Tomcat, the Navy’s frontline fighter for many decades. After many months
of specialized training at naval technical schools in the United States, including Connecticut,
Tennessee, and Missouri, he felt is career taking off in the direction of his original vision. Thus began
a determined spirit that serves Romy well in his community service projects even today!
Personally, Romy made some great decisions for his future, starting with joining the United States
Navy in August of 1960. Shortly thereafter, he met his lovely bride, Frances Leano of San Nicolas,
Ilocos Norte. She was an exchange nurse in Newark, New Jersey, while Romy was stationed at the
naval Submarine Base in New London, Connecticut. Even today, this former Mrs. Philippines 1980
beauty serves as an RN in the local Veterans’ Hospital and works side by side with Romy on many
community projects and Filipino committees in the Hampton Roads area. The San Antonio family
eventually expanded to include two children, Kimberlie and Omar. Kimberlie is married to Peter
Petrulis, a Merchant Marine officer, and they have one son, six-year-old David. Omar is a consulting
engineer during the construction of the Philippine Cultural Center in Virginia Beach and is assigned to
the U.S. Navy Public Works in Norfolk wit his career as a naval civilian mechanical engineer.
Although Romy’s first retirement as a Chief Petty Officer from the Navy was officially in 1982, his
service did not stop. He began working for the Naval Aircraft Repair Facility in Norfolk as a specialist in
all things dealing with aircraft engines. Eventually, base realignment forced closure of the facility, but
that was only the beginning of great things for the Tidewater Area and Virginia Beach, as Romeo San
Antonio used his free time to further the causes of the Filipino organizations and retired military in his
local community.
Because Virginia Beach boasts one of the most vibrant Filipino representations in the United States, it
is important to have key active leaders at the forefront of service and community responsibility. Romeo
San Antonio is a vibrant part of the presence of the Philippine Cultural Center, serving on the Board of
Directors for many years. He is currently serving his ninth year as the President of the Filipino
American Veterans of Hampton Roads, which promotes love of country and the respect for the proud
heritage of the Philippines in the United States Armed Forces.
Romy’s work often involves getting local leaders to become more active in the causes that affect the
local Philippine community in the Tidewater Area of Virginia. For example, he has attended
congressional and senate hearings in support of facilitating better benefits for the Filipino World War
II veterans. His support is unwavering, as he has lobbied for the American Coalition for Filipino
Veterans to gain their proper place of recognition in the American and Filipino history, often by lending
financial support through his own efforts.
The Council of United Filipino Organization of Tidewater includes Romy on the Board of Directors, too.
He also serves as a key leader of the Filipino American National Historical Society, where many
functions are planned annually to properly spotlight the service of many historical figures in the local
community. Parades, funerals, memorial services, meetings, and significant holidays are always
more special because of the untiring work of Romy and his fellow members, who ensure that any
veteran or community leader is honored properly. The Filipino Veterans Organization counts on Romy
to help with its many vital charity events throughout the year, too.
Some of the extra events that are held each year are part of Romeo San Antonio’s biggest projects. All
of the hard work involved is appreciated by the local Filipino community, too. As Dr. Manny Hipol,
Chairman of the Philippine Cultural Center in Virginia attests, “We could never achieve our goals
throughout the year if were not for Romy’s untiring efforts to raise funds for these projects. He is a key
leader for us through any task, big or small.” The Little Miss Philippines Pageants are under Romy’s
leadership at the start of every summer, bringing young women into a larger awareness of their
cultural roots and also raising much-needed funds through these well-orchestrated events.
Additionally, Romy serves on the Asian-American Festival Committee, which brings the best of the
Asian cultures to the forefront through its annual events in the Hampton Roads area. As if this were
not enough, his works as the Vice President and a member of the board of directors for the United
Ilocano Association make him very proud. Those organizations have grown in membership and
recognition throughout the past few years, large due to Romeo’s untiring efforts to raise awareness
and participation for the local Filipino community.
In the past few years, Romy has seen his past come full circle. When the Fall of Bataan 60th
Anniversary planning began, he immediately got involved in the special ceremonies and festivities.
Remembering his own father would be important, he knew, and one way to show his respect was to
honor the crew of the ship bearing the name of the battle that killed his father. The USS Bataan
ceremony honored all who serve aboard her, as well as the veterans who had previously fought and
died for our country. It was a meaningful event, and Admiral, Captain, and crew all expressed their
feelings about the work and planning that went into the ceremony, held in 2002, at the Philippine
Cultural Center.
To sum up any person’s achievements is difficult, but it is particularly challenging when that individual
continues to do so much for the community. In the case of Romeo San Antonio, probably the Filipino-
American Friendship Day where he served as the Chairman, is one of the standout events of the year
2000, as it draws thousands of guests. Romy’s most proud personal contribution to the Philippine
Cultural Center is the Veterans Memorial Garden, where has ensured that every Filipino veteran from
the World Wars I and II, Korea, Vietnam, and every conflict up to today’s war in Iraq and Afghanistan
are remembered. His unwavering support for all things Filipino and Filipino American Veterans can
be summed up in the dedication plaque he wrote standing at the foot of the garden, which states “Our
Duty is to Remember.”
service to God and country would come in his high school yearbook, where Romy first indicated a
desire to serve in the U.S. Navy and “see the world.” Fast forward to today and it is easy to see that his
dreams have come true.
At age 19, Romeo San Antonio was a student at the Far East Asian Technical Institute, preparing to
make his future dreams a reality. His aircraft engineering course work helped in his future naval
career, after the first several years, when he served in the steward program. His career encompassed
many types of jobs, but it was the second half of his 22 years of service on active duty that he saw
things take off and he began to fully utilize the engineering background. As an Aviation Machinist Mate,
his specialty was the F-14 Tomcat, the Navy’s frontline fighter for many decades. After many months
of specialized training at naval technical schools in the United States, including Connecticut,
Tennessee, and Missouri, he felt is career taking off in the direction of his original vision. Thus began
a determined spirit that serves Romy well in his community service projects even today!
Personally, Romy made some great decisions for his future, starting with joining the United States
Navy in August of 1960. Shortly thereafter, he met his lovely bride, Frances Leano of San Nicolas,
Ilocos Norte. She was an exchange nurse in Newark, New Jersey, while Romy was stationed at the
naval Submarine Base in New London, Connecticut. Even today, this former Mrs. Philippines 1980
beauty serves as an RN in the local Veterans’ Hospital and works side by side with Romy on many
community projects and Filipino committees in the Hampton Roads area. The San Antonio family
eventually expanded to include two children, Kimberlie and Omar. Kimberlie is married to Peter
Petrulis, a Merchant Marine officer, and they have one son, six-year-old David. Omar is a consulting
engineer during the construction of the Philippine Cultural Center in Virginia Beach and is assigned to
the U.S. Navy Public Works in Norfolk wit his career as a naval civilian mechanical engineer.
Although Romy’s first retirement as a Chief Petty Officer from the Navy was officially in 1982, his
service did not stop. He began working for the Naval Aircraft Repair Facility in Norfolk as a specialist in
all things dealing with aircraft engines. Eventually, base realignment forced closure of the facility, but
that was only the beginning of great things for the Tidewater Area and Virginia Beach, as Romeo San
Antonio used his free time to further the causes of the Filipino organizations and retired military in his
local community.
Because Virginia Beach boasts one of the most vibrant Filipino representations in the United States, it
is important to have key active leaders at the forefront of service and community responsibility. Romeo
San Antonio is a vibrant part of the presence of the Philippine Cultural Center, serving on the Board of
Directors for many years. He is currently serving his ninth year as the President of the Filipino
American Veterans of Hampton Roads, which promotes love of country and the respect for the proud
heritage of the Philippines in the United States Armed Forces.
Romy’s work often involves getting local leaders to become more active in the causes that affect the
local Philippine community in the Tidewater Area of Virginia. For example, he has attended
congressional and senate hearings in support of facilitating better benefits for the Filipino World War
II veterans. His support is unwavering, as he has lobbied for the American Coalition for Filipino
Veterans to gain their proper place of recognition in the American and Filipino history, often by lending
financial support through his own efforts.
The Council of United Filipino Organization of Tidewater includes Romy on the Board of Directors, too.
He also serves as a key leader of the Filipino American National Historical Society, where many
functions are planned annually to properly spotlight the service of many historical figures in the local
community. Parades, funerals, memorial services, meetings, and significant holidays are always
more special because of the untiring work of Romy and his fellow members, who ensure that any
veteran or community leader is honored properly. The Filipino Veterans Organization counts on Romy
to help with its many vital charity events throughout the year, too.
Some of the extra events that are held each year are part of Romeo San Antonio’s biggest projects. All
of the hard work involved is appreciated by the local Filipino community, too. As Dr. Manny Hipol,
Chairman of the Philippine Cultural Center in Virginia attests, “We could never achieve our goals
throughout the year if were not for Romy’s untiring efforts to raise funds for these projects. He is a key
leader for us through any task, big or small.” The Little Miss Philippines Pageants are under Romy’s
leadership at the start of every summer, bringing young women into a larger awareness of their
cultural roots and also raising much-needed funds through these well-orchestrated events.
Additionally, Romy serves on the Asian-American Festival Committee, which brings the best of the
Asian cultures to the forefront through its annual events in the Hampton Roads area. As if this were
not enough, his works as the Vice President and a member of the board of directors for the United
Ilocano Association make him very proud. Those organizations have grown in membership and
recognition throughout the past few years, large due to Romeo’s untiring efforts to raise awareness
and participation for the local Filipino community.
In the past few years, Romy has seen his past come full circle. When the Fall of Bataan 60th
Anniversary planning began, he immediately got involved in the special ceremonies and festivities.
Remembering his own father would be important, he knew, and one way to show his respect was to
honor the crew of the ship bearing the name of the battle that killed his father. The USS Bataan
ceremony honored all who serve aboard her, as well as the veterans who had previously fought and
died for our country. It was a meaningful event, and Admiral, Captain, and crew all expressed their
feelings about the work and planning that went into the ceremony, held in 2002, at the Philippine
Cultural Center.
To sum up any person’s achievements is difficult, but it is particularly challenging when that individual
continues to do so much for the community. In the case of Romeo San Antonio, probably the Filipino-
American Friendship Day where he served as the Chairman, is one of the standout events of the year
2000, as it draws thousands of guests. Romy’s most proud personal contribution to the Philippine
Cultural Center is the Veterans Memorial Garden, where has ensured that every Filipino veteran from
the World Wars I and II, Korea, Vietnam, and every conflict up to today’s war in Iraq and Afghanistan
are remembered. His unwavering support for all things Filipino and Filipino American Veterans can
be summed up in the dedication plaque he wrote standing at the foot of the garden, which states “Our
Duty is to Remember.”
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