Santos earned much attention and recognition for his groundbreaking work in medicine. In addition, he helped in advancing research initiatives at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Research Center and the National Institute of Science and Technology (NAST).ĭr. Santos was also one of the founding members of the Philippine Academy of Sciences and Humanities, under what was then called the National Science Development Board. He held various positions in the University of the Philippines (UP) from 1920 to 1965, including Dean of the College of Pharmacy. (Image: National Academy of Science and Technology Philippines) Helping healers, leading learnersĭr. Santos had over 50 publications on pharmaceutical chemistry and related studies under his name, both in local and international academic journals.ĭr. Santos worked feverishly in finding cheaper natural alternatives to prohibitively expensive imported medicine. His findings showed that certain medicinal plants can address various health problems and symptoms, such as inflammation, high blood pressure, tuberculosis, gastric ulcer, dysentery, and diarrhea.ĭr. In particular, he studied alkaloids, organic compounds that can be derived from plants and mostly contain basic nitrogen atoms. He pioneered studies in the isolation and elucidation (or identifying the chemical structure) of chemical components from indigenous Philippine plants. Santos then went to Germany, where he obtained his Doctorate in Philosophy from Westfalische Wilhelms Universitat Munster in 1929.Īn accomplished academic in the fields of pharmacy and chemistry, he focused on phytochemistry, the study of chemicals derived from plants. Two years later, he completed his Doctorate in Pharmacy at the University of Santo Tomas. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry from the University of the Philippines in 1923. Santos was born on Augin Santo Tomas, Pampanga.

Santos devoted much of his time, energy, and career to studying the chemistry of Philippine medicinal plants.ĭr. One of the first Filipinos to take a scientific approach to unlocking the medical potential of plants in the Philippines was Dr. One way to achieve this is by deriving medicine from locally available resources instead of relying on imported substances and reagents.

However, affordability and accessibility also determine whether or not the public can enjoy the benefits of medical advancements. Thanks to continuous development in research, modern medicine has increased in effectiveness. And in more ways than one, the key to our collective health lies in our natural wealth. The Philippines is well-known for its rich plant and animal biodiversity. His vast body of work continues to guide today’s researchers, students, and medical professionals in studying local medicinal plants.He studied a wide variety of Philippine medicinal plants, focusing on the alkaloids (naturally occurring organic compounds with basic nitrogen atoms).Santos was a Pinoy pioneer in phytochemistry and plant-based medicine. He underwent quarantine procedures until he recovered. John Vianney Seminary in Florida, USA and now back here in the Philippines, the priest was tested positive for COVID-19 upon arrival in July. Netizens were also impressed when the priest decided to give up a prestigious post in the US to serve the depressed parishes in the Philippines.Ī former Rector of St. Just trying to make a point and teach a lesson here.' If people want to meet the man in the photo below, they'd have to invent a time machine that would get them to 1957 (or perhaps 58). there lies the ridiculousness of the superficiality of social media's love for image and appearance. 'But if I were to post a photo of my dad now that he's 70+. The man was a friggin Pinoy heartthrob, no question about it. Santos wrote: 'Ok, just to show everybody how totally ridiculous the whole thing has been about the Facebook photos people have taken from my page, photos that span 17 long years.

Santos said he got his good looks from his father, who he describes as a Pinoy heartthrob.

Father ferdi santos