Philippine Association
of the Deaf, Inc.
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HISTORY OF PADI
Who was The Founder of PAD?
PEDRO M. SANTOS - The Founder
First President and Executive Director of P.A.D
An inquisitive social worker once asked - "Who was the Founder of the PHILIPPINE ASSOCIATION OF THE DEAF, INC.?
"Whether we like it or not, we have to admit that perhaps every few really know who the Founder was. It is therefore high time that we should givbe credit and due recognition to the man who was responsible for organizing the PAD way back in 1926.
Mr. Pedro M. Santos, the Founder was born in Atlag, Malolos, Bulacan on May 2, 1900 to Rosendo Santos and Cirlaca Marcelino. When he was a child, he became seriously ill with severe cold and high fever and after recovery, he became deaf.
At the age of seven he studied in the School for the Deaf and Blind which was formerly located at the Rotonda of the Bonifacio. Drive, Port Area, Manila founded by Dr. Delight Rice. He was among the first few deaf pupils at that time. As a student he showed exceptional talent and keen intellect and bright promises for the future that Dr. Rice decided to send him to the United States for further studies. At the age of 19 young Pedro was sent by the Philippine Government as a pensionado to study at the Gallaudet College in Washington, D.C., which is the only college for the deaf. He had therefore the distinction of being the first and only Filipino deaf pensionado sent by the Government to study abroad.
While in the United States, upon the recommendation of his teacher in Mathematics, Dr. Roberts, who was then the Secretary of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD), he was employed as Mailing Clerk in the office of the NAD in Washington D.C. On his return to the Philippines in 1921 he was offered a teaching job at the School for the Deaf and Blind (SDB) in Pasay, Rizal (now Pasay City) with 12 deaf pupils under his supervision and instruction.
On September 19, 1923 he married Crispina Mina, a deaf matron for girls at the SDB. In 1924 he transferred to the Bureau of Printing where he made use of his training and experience he acquired while studying in the United States. As head of a brood of 9 children, all normal, he was able to give them proper education in spite of his poverty. He had proven his worth like a normal individual by accomplishing his primary duty to his family.
After 10 years of faithful, selfless and dedicated service in the Bureau of Printing he retired from his position. With the meager amount he received as gratuity he opened a small printing shop of his own and at the same time worked during night shift at the defunct DMHM newspaper to be able to support his growing family.
Even he was too busy with his work and family, he was always thinking of his fellow deaf; his mind was always engrossed with plans and ideas how he could help them. Aware of the deplorable and miserable condition of the deaf in his country, not to mention the unsympathetic attitude of a few towards them, and further believing in the old adage that "in union there is strength". Mr. Santos saw the imperative need of uniting all the deaf and banding them together under a common purpose and noble ideal of helping one another. So, on October 17, 1926 he gathered some of the deaf graduates from the SDB to form an association that will look after their interest and well-being. Thus, by the depth of his wisdom and by the incredible resources of his perseverance, the Philippine Association of the Deaf, Inc. was born. He became the first President and held the said position until the outbreak of World War II. During the Japanese occupation, the activities of the Association were discontinued. However the Founder did not lose hope of reuniting the members of PAD in order to continue the unfinished business.
After the war he reactivated the Association, and on July 24, 1950 he succeeded in making the PAD one of the beneficiaries of the Community Chest of Greater Manila (CCGM). Service program for the deaf was then started with Mr. Santos as the first Executive Director up to April 1956 then resigned due to pressure of work. Notwithsatnding however, he was elected Member of the Board of Directors several times.
Mr. Santos was given a plaque as an Award of Recognition on December 17, 1963 by the Association of Red Feather Agency Executives (ARFAE). He was also a recipient of Cerficate of Appreciation from the Bureau of Public Schools upon his retirement on May 2, 1965 in recognition of his forty-six (46) years of service in the Government.
One of his noble ambitions in life is to see the day when he could stretch his hand with pointing finger and exclaimed; "That is the building of the deaf by the deaf and for the deaf!" But destiny was so unkind to him. He never realized his golden dream for on that fateful day of May 31, 1970, the treacherous seethe of the Grim Reaper snatched away his dear life.
Yes, Pedro M. Santos, the Founder died. His death had caused untold suffering and unbearable sorrows not only to the members of his beloved family but also to his friends and comprades. He left an unfinished task, but he had laid the foundation before he joined the innumerable caravans that know no returning to the abodes of the living. The work he had started willing surely be carried on unrelentingly and without let up by those who are left behind until his dream becomes a reality. His indomitable courage and uncompromising dedication will serve as a perennial source of inspiration for all the deaf in this part of the globe and his memory will not fade in the hearts and minds of his associates until time shall be no more. Yes, to the deaf of this country, Mr. Pedro M. Santos, the Founder, will continue to be a living legend for all times. -PCM/ESC