2022 TOFSA Awardee

Dante P. Escalante, MD

Dante P. Escalante, MD, is a successful retired physician who practiced medicine in the Philippines and the United States for over 60 years. He was born in Tuguegarao, Cagayan on February 15, 1936, to both parent educators who wrote books on Character Education. Dr. Escalante earned his medical degree at the University of the Philippines in Manila in 1960 and did his Internal Medicine Residency Training and Infectious Diseases Fellowship programs both at the University of Kansas in Kansas City from 1962-1966.

He returned to Philippines in 1967 to begin his medical practice in Dumaguete City and during which time he met his future wife Adelaida. His dedication to service went beyond medicine; it also extended to his countrymen in advocating against social injustice. In the early 1970s, Dr. Escalante was a political detainee for speaking out against the oppression caused by the Marcos regime. After 25 years of providing care for patients in the Philippines, Dr. Escalante relocated to San Antonio, Texas and established a successful internal medicine practice in 1993.

During Dr. Escalante’s career, he has served as the President of the Davao Medical Society, Chairman of the Davao City Committee on Health and Education and Founding Group member of the New Davao City Medical College. He has also provided his medical expertise around the world having done Visitorships at the London and Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, as well as in Tanzania, Africa for AIDS Counseling. Dr. Escalante’s career has also been punctuated with his humanitarian service. Known as the “Doctor of the Masses”, he has led numerous medical missions to rural communities in the Philippines and the United States.

Dr. Escalante is a Master Mason and past Worshipful Master of Datu Bago Lodge 197. He is also a member of the Scottish Rites Honolulu Chapter. An accomplished violinist and musician, Dr. Escalante is the founder and musical director of the Philippine Chorale Ensemble Foundation of San Antonio. Dr. Escalante has been married to his wife Adelaida for 54 years. They are the proud parents of 3 children (Genaline, Bethune & wife Rani and Adelei & husband Art) and 4 grandchildren (Daniel, Brynden, Bree Ella and Blaine).