It is with sad hearts that we announce the sudden loss of FR. EMERITO SALUSTIANO “SALTY” DE LA RAMA, SJ, 10th President of Ateneo de Iloilo – Santa Maria Catholic School. He died early this morning, 24th of March, the eve of the Solemnity of the Annunciation of Our Lord at the age of 60 years old.
Fr. Salty was born on the 22nd of February, 1961. He entered the Society of Jesus on the 30th of May, 1987 and was ordained to the priesthood on the 18th of April 1998. He pronounced his final vows on the 5th of May, 2018.
Fr. Salty was sent to Iloilo in 2001 to serve at the Santa Maria Chinese-Filipino Parish. He was then appointed as Grade School Principal from 2002 until 2009 and as School President from 2009-2012.
The entire school community will be forever grateful to Fr. Salty for the 10 years of dedicated and devoted service he has given to the school, especially in those years when we were transitioning into the new campus. He will also be fondly remembered for his very candid and childlike disposition, his warm and welcoming presence, and his personal care and concern that has endeared him to students, teachers, administrators, parents, alumni and parishoners.
We extend our deepest sympathies to his family and include them in our prayers. Let us find consolation that Fr. Salty expired on the eve of the Solemnity of the Annunciation of Our Lord. Like Our Lady, Fr. Salty brought Christ to both the school and parish in his own humble way, always aiming to love and serve the Lord and neighbor.