GENERAL SANTOS ARCHIVE
biography
his life story
- 1890 June 22 – born in Camiling Tarlac to Remigio Santos and
Rosa Torres, a poor Ilocano couple. He was one of the six (6)
children.
• 1897 – 1906 – received his early education in a parochial
school conducted by the Spanish friars. When the American
government was established after the fall of Spain, young
Paulino continued schooling in the American public school,
• With a seventh-grade elementary certificate, he was
appointed municipal teacher in Camiling and Gerona, Tarlac.
He stayed on the job for two years before his young man’s
fancy to see the world prompted him to enlist in the US Navy
in Cavite. Much to his mother’s displeasure, he left his
teaching position in Camiling.
- Paulino wanted to go abroad not really to join the US Navy but
to study law in the United States. Unfortunately, cholera broke
out in Manila and enlistment of Filipinos in the US Navy was
stopped immediately.
• Finding himself with dwindling resources, Paulino sought
whatever job in Manila. He landed a job in an aerated water
factory. - The salary was small and the prospect for self-improvement
nil, He realized that there was no future in washing softdrink
bottles and decided to become a “soldado”.
• His old adventurous spirit drove him to what was later to
become his first and true love: the Army.
• 1909 January 22 – With only his elementary education and his
youthful zest for adventure to qualify him, Paulino, then 18
years old, enlisted in the First General Services Company,
• In 1910, he was detailed as an orderly to the then Secretary
of War Charles Dickenson of the United States during the
latter’s trip throughout the Philippines, and then to General
James C. Harbord, then acting Chief of Constabulary.
• 1912 September 29 – Before his honorable discharge from
the enlisted service, he was promoted from private to corporal
to sergeant and then to supply sergeant.
- The years 1910 to 1913 proved to be a significant period in
his life. For 3 years, during his free time, he would read all
kinds of books available in the public library in Sta. Cruz,
Manila.
• Upon honorable discharge, Sgt. Santos accepted a clerical
position offered by General Harbord in his headquarters. He
stayed on the job until February 1914.
• 1914 February 15, he took the competitive entrance
examination for the Constabulary and obtained second place
from a field of 48 candidates, Americans and Filipinos.
• Commissioned third lieutenant, he was sent to the
Constabulary Officers School (now Philippine Military
Academy) for training, On April 30, 1914 he graduated at the
head of his class composed of Americans and Filipinos.
• After graduation from the Academy, 3rd Lt. Santos was
stationed in Malolos, Bulacan as junior officer to 1st Lt. C.
Cerquella. An unfortunate incident with the Provincial
Governor of Bulacan resulted in his transfer to the District of
Mindanao and Sulu.