On December 7, 2008, the world lost a gifted man who had devoted his entire life to serving the less fortunate. Dr. Rene Santos, a highly respected doctor in the Asia Pacific, was not just a professional who helped restore health to individuals, he was also a sincere soul who generously contributed his time and resources to creating a happy, healthy and harmonious society.

	Supreme Master Ching Hai with the Humanitarian Paragon Medal presented by Dr. Rene Santos (right), the chairman of the Asian Pacific Youth Freedom League (Philippines Chapter), and his wife Amy (far left) at the 1994 International Human Rights Conference in Formosa
	Supreme Master Ching Hai and Dr. Rene Santos at a Thanksgiving lunch with Her old friends, November 24, 2006

Deeply impressed by Supreme Master Ching Hai’s missions of compassion in the Philippines and the rest of the world, Dr. Santos had extended his warm support whenever the occasion arose. In the early 1990s, he willingly escorted Master to several television and radio interviews late into the night so that She could plead the case of Aulacese asylum seekers.

When news of Dr. Santos’ passing reached Master, She immediately wrote to express Her condolences to Mrs. Santos, saying, “Dr. Santos was a noble and admired individual for the Philippine people and mankind as a whole. When I came to the Philippines to support the refugees, he was so welcoming and immensely helpful. Because of the compassion and kindness he showed to the world, including the vulnerable and refugees, I sincerely believe his great soul has returned to his deserved place in Heaven beside our Father, and will be forever taken care of by His divine almighty love and grace.”

Letter of condolence from Master	Thank you letter receipt from  Mrs. Santos to Master

Association members visited Mrs. Santos to express Master’s love to her and her family. On Master’s behalf, they presented a check for US$10,000 as contribution to the humanitarian endeavors Dr. Santos’ had bequeathed to his family. On December 29, Mrs. Santos replied with a letter to thank Master and share memories of the last few days of her husband’s life. “Just a few days before he died ... he was missing you, recalling his memories with you, your kindness, your love and concern to refugees and poor people and most especially your immediate financial assistance to the victims of the Mt. Pinatubo explosion tragedy,” she wrote in reminiscence.

Mrs. Santos added, “Your help is very timely because part of it will be used for Dr. Rene Santos’ Annual Gift Giving Project to Dumagat Tribes’ of Cordillera and Sierra Madre Mountains.” She went on to say that Master’s munificent contribution would also go toward the construction of a hospital to fulfill Dr. Santos’ wish for a Charity Clinic that would benefit veterans and the disabled and their families.

Mrs. Santos admiring Master's newly published book- Celestial Art

Dr. Santos’ legacy of exemplary conduct and noble living, along with his humanitarian endeavors that continue today, surely are helping further the goal of creating a world blessed by love and goodwill.

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