After working for 3 to 4 decades and then retiring, many people would just spend the rest of their lives taking it easy and enjoying life as it comes.
But not Filipino-American Elito Macapagal Santarina.
Beginning his teaching career in the Philippines in 1967 and continuing it on into the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) until his retirement in 2005, Santarina then successfully went into politics.
The current Mayor Pro Tempore of Carson City who is running for re-election into the City Council this March 8 elections, Santarina explained to Asian Journal why he went into politics. “ I believe politics and education are good, complementary professions. My decades of experience as an educator has taught me good values and practices that are important for good politics, such as no favoritism, partnering with parents, teachers and the community, working to give children a bright future, being fair and just, and instituting good reforms,” said Elito.
Born and raised in Cabanatuan City, Elito studied in various universities to obtain hisBachelors and Post Baccalaureate degrees in Education, Linguistics and School Administration: the College of the Immaculate Concepcion in Cabanatuan, St. Louis University in Baguio, Philippine Normal College and the Ateneo De Manila University.
He started teaching in 1967 and became a school principal at the age of 23. He migrated to California with his family in 1974.
While working as a schoolteacher in Southern California, Elito pursued graduate studies in Administration, Educational Leadership, and Advanced Studies on Teaching English as a Second Language. In 1980, he completed his Master of Arts Degree in Special Education from California State University Dominguez Hills and immediately built a strong solid career as an educator in various schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District - teaching middle and high school English, Bilingual Math and multicultural studies, and coordinating ESL program in adult education. He taught Spanish and History at the Andrew Carnegie Middle School in Carson and still serves on the LAUSD’s Professional Bilingual Competency Test Committee.
On June 28, 2005, he officially retired from LAUSD after completing his 30 years of service in the US. But once a teacher, always a teacher. So, Santarina continues to teach even after his retirement from LAUSD. He is teaching at Lynwood Unified School District where he provides Direct Instruction on Reading and Language Arts and as a Resource Teacher on call, providing services to all levels: elementary, middle grade and high school as a substitute.
Santarina’s community involvement began in the late 1980s when he decided to use his achievements as a successful educator to help make a difference in the Carson community. He has served on the City of Carson’s Planning, Parks and Recreation, Senior Citizens Advisory Commission, Citywide Advisory commissions and briefly on the Economic Development Commission. He also served as co-chair of the City of Carson’s 30th anniversary celebrations, and assisted in the City’s summer youth jobs selection process. He has either held leadership positions or has been supportive of many local organizations such as the Carson-Gardena YMCA, Carson Sister Cities Association, Kiwanis International, Martin Luther King, Jr. Democratic Club, and Carson Women’s Club.
On March 4, 2003, Elito was elected into the Carson City Council, serving a four-year term. He was re-elected in March 2007.
As a councilmember (2003-2011) and Mayor Pro Tem (2007-2008 and 2010-2011), Santarina has proven to be an outstanding public servant, working hard for the benefit of the city.
He is a recipient of numerous recognitions as an outstanding educator and a community leader. These include the Mayor Tom Bradley Cultural Award, the California Department of Education Exceptional Leadership PTSA in Public Schools Awards, the LAUSD Asian Pacific Educators Commission Leadership Award, the Asian Pacific Islander Educators Association “Torch of Service” award, the Lions Club International’s Outstanding Educator Award, and the Kiwanis Club’s Outstanding Educator Award and Outstanding Awards from the Community Interethnic Associations.
When Santarina launched his re-election campaign on January 23, Carson Mayor Jim Dear said that Santarina is one of the hardest working council members.
“ Elito Santarina has the utmost good intentions to serve the people of Carson. Our city is at the crossroads and we need all the efforts to progress. Santarina whom I am endorsing is qualified and has the experience to serve Carson,” Dear stressed.
Councilwoman Julie Ruiz Raber had this to say “Elito has done a lot for the senior citizens in Carson. The computer lab for seniors, his major project, has provided much needed technical skills for the seniors,” Raber said.
Lynwood School District superintendent and former Carson High School principal Dr. Lao had good words for Santarina. “I have known Elito for many years. We have worked together for a long time. He is one of the pioneers who has established the Maharlika Club in Carson High and has convinced many parents to be involved in their children’s education. You have Mayor Dear who is also an educator. This duo has the best vision for Carson,” Dr. Lao emphasized.
Backed by many Filipino-American associations, Santarina is also endorsed by the Progressive Democratic Club and the Mexican American Democratic Club.
Carson Commissioner Marcelino Ines has known Santarina for 30 years. “We have seen him at the forefront of the fundraising project for the victims of typhoon Ondoy in the Philippines and those affected by the tsunami in Samoa. Elito will help those who need his assistance particularly those in the community.”
Other community and church leaders supporting Santarina are: Ads Diaz, president of the Pangasinan Brotherhood; Atty. Jose Lauchengco; Dr. Manlapaz; Wilma Wilson; Olivia Verett; Virginia Sanchez of the Filipino Community of Carson; Perlita Rasing and Henry Ward of the CONFAA; Amador Saenz of SCAN and Marvin Clayton of the Public Relations Commission.
During his eight years in the City Council, Santarina has been most lauded for his many achievements, including the establishment of the Senior Citizens Technology Center which has given thousands of Carson City senior residents training in computer technology; for fighting for the rights of mobile home owners and residents against unfair rent increases and evictions; for introducing a legislation declaring Carson City a Drug-Free City and heavily promoting the national anti-drug campaign known as Red Ribbon Week; for instituting the ‘Green Business Program’ to make Carson more attractive to businesses.
A God-fearing man, Santarina was able to convince other council members to restore the practice of having prayers or invocation during City Council meetings. It was also through his initiative that the flags in Carson are lowered until our American troops are home.
For the Filipino segment of the community, Santarina has promoted Filipino culture by legislating yearly Fil-Am celebrations such as the Filipino American History Month, the Larry Itliong Day in Carson, and the Pagbabahagi event held last October 30.
Santarina has been married to Anita Cruz-Aves for 39 years. They have two daughters Ann Mairah and Ann Rea, and a son Francis Camilus, two sons-in-law Joseph and Glenn, daughter-in-law Jennifer, and six grandchildren Neil Anthony, Frankie, Geoffrey, Joseph Elijah, Chloe, and Capri.
Talking about his goals, if re-elected, Santarina said, “I aim to continue the programs I have started especially those involving senior citizens, the youth, the mobile home owners and residents, and the business sector. I am a big advocate of pubic safety, drug prevention, and promoting cultural programs to encourage diversity in our city. I will enjoin local businesses to create jobs for Carson residents and will work hard to stop budget cuts during these difficult times.”
For his kababayans in America, Santarina has some advice. “Be proud of your culture. Don’t forget our history and our homeland. Keep our traditions alive; make your roots, your ugat, very strong. As Filipino here in America, we should keep furthering our education so we can be effective and productive citizens of this country. Huwag kayong magsasawa sa pag-aaral. And also, keep on looking for opportunities to be of service to your community. Never do things that will bring shame to our people. In this way, we will make our homeland—and our kababayans proud.”
(www.asianjournal.com)
(LA Midweek Mar 2-4, 2011 MDWK pg.2)
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