Dante Cantos Simbulan

Dante was born in San Simon, Pampanga, Philippines to Ignacio Santos Simbulan and Apollonia Cantos Simbulan on May 3, 1930. He received his BS degree from the Philippine Military Academy, his MA degree from the University of the Philippines and his PhD from the Institute of Advanced Studies, Australian National University. He was a Lt. Col in the Philippine army and served with the scout rangers. He taught over 30 years at the PMA, University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University, and Maryknoll College. He was Dean, Liberal Arts College, Polytechnic University of the Philippines and later taught at Montgomery College in the US. While in the Philippines he was arrested and detained for 3 ½ years without trial under the Marcos dictatorship. Dante was continuously hounded for his activism by the Marcos regime, and became a political exile in the U.S. He was the first Executive Director of the CCHRP (Church Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines) from 1980 -1988. He helped raise the social awareness on the issues of peace, social justice, and human rights. The Church of General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church (USA) designated him as a “reverse missionary” of the UMC.

Dante is preceded in death by his Father Ignacio Santos Simbulan, Mother Appolonia Cantos Simbulan, his eight sisters, Felisa Bolos, Natividad Tullao, Remedios Delacruz, Carolina Salcedo, Belen Simbulan, Esther Tiangco, Lilia Taruc, and Erlinda Dacillo. His first wife Grace Guanlao Simbulan, and his son Alfred Simbulan

Dante is survived by his wife Patrice Simbulan, his children and spouses, Son, Roland Simbulan and spouse Jeanet Simbulan, Daughter-in-law Nymia Pimentel Simbulan, Son, Dante Simbulan Jr. and spouse Jeane Peracullo, Daughter, Elizabeth Simbulan and spouse Peter Somoray, Daughter Josephine Simbulan and son-in-law Rod Washington, Daughter, Teresa Simbulan, and spouse Romel Simon. Son, Erwin Simbulan, and daughter-in-law Jennifer Julia Simbulan, 14 Grandchildren, Karen, Laya, Ligaya, Red, Dani Boy, Grace, Pierre, Elle, Mookie, Gracie, Maya, Myra, Michael, Marissa, and 6 Great Grandchildren, Scarlett, Daniella, Henry, Charlotte, Alexis, and Leon

Visitation will be 4:00pm-8:00pm Friday, October 18th and 2:00 pm -3:00 pm Saturday, October 19th (prior to services) at DeMaine Funeral Home 5308 Backlick Road, Springfield, VA 22151.

Funeral services will be held 3:00 pm Saturday, October 19th at Demaine Funeral Home 5308 Backlick Road, Springfield, VA 22151 with Reverend Doug Cunningham, officiating. Celebration of life reception will follow the service at; Truro Community Clubhouse, 4146 Elizabeth Lane, Annandale, VA 22003.