Santos was born on October 30, 1957 in Caingin, San Rafael, Bulacan. His parents are the late Norberto Santos and the late Aurelia Cruz. They are five siblings in the family. He had his primary education at Caingin Elementary School and completed his studies and seminary formation in Our Lady of GuadalupeMinor Seminary and in San Carlos Seminary in Makati of the Archdiocese of Manila. He was ordained priest on September 10, 1983 at the Manila Cathedral by the late Jaime Cardinal Sin. After several years in the ministry serving the archdiocese, he was sent to Rome 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 2003, he became the National Coordinator of the Italian Bishop's Conference for Pastoral Care of Filipino Migrants in Italy. 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 about Homilies, Prayers, and Spirituality published by St. Paul's. On April 1, 2010, Santos was appointed as the fourth Bishop of Balanga by Pope Benedict XVI. He was ordained as bishop on June 24, 2010 and installed on July 8, 2010. Prior to his appointment as bishop, he served as a priest in the Archdiocese of Manila, Philippines. He was consecrated as bishop on June 24, 2010 by Cardinal Gaudencio Borbon Rosales, the then Archbishop of Manila
Coat of arms
His motto "Ad Seminandum", from Mark 4:3, "Audite: Ecce exiit seminans ad seminandum". 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. The major portion of the Bishop's ministry has been with formation, with teaching and preaching; in the parish, in the seminary, and in foreign lands among communities of Filipino migrants. It is a mission that the Bishop commits himself to, among his clergy and the flock entrusted to his care. The left side is the seal of the Diocese of Balanga, while the right side is the personal seal of the bishop. The Marian symbol "M" on his personal seal represents the bishop's devotion and dedication to the Blessed Virgin Mary beginning from his youth when he studied at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Minor Seminary of the Archdiocese of Manila. The Blessed Mother's mantle of blue is his source of consolation and peace in all the challenges of his priestly life. The hand of the Divine Sower, Jesus Christ, amidst the brown color of the earth, which describes his family's roots as farmers. It also alludes to his pastoral ministry, as directed by the teachings of Saint Charles Borromeo, after whom was named San Carlos Seminary of the Archdiocese of Manila, where he underwent formation and studies for the priesthood.
