Anything Under the Sun
Dr. Federico B. Sarabia
This year, the Sarabia clan celebrate nationwide the centenary of Dr. Federico B. Sarabia with opened in Manila few months ago. Recently, the clan celebrated it in Iloilo City.
Dr. Sarabia was the first optometrist in the Philippines being the holder of Professional Regulatory Commission of Optometry Certificate No. 1 issued in 1905. He was the first president of the Philippine College of Optometry and also chair of the Board of Examiners in Optometry.
After graduating as Doctor of Optometry in 1905 from the University of Northern Illinois College of Optometry, he had a brief practice of optometry at Eye Infirmary in New York City. Then he returned to the Philippines and established a clinic in Escolta, Manila in 1906 -- the first optometric clinic in the country.
This became the first of his chain of 38 clinics now dotting the different cities in the entire country among them Iloilo, Bacolod, Davao, Cebu, Dumaguete,Roxas and Iligan. This clinic known as Sarabia Optical is the biggest and most modern optical firm in the country today.
Among his early prominent clients at the Escolta clinic were Presidents Manuel L. Quezon, Sergio Osmeña,Manuel Roxas, Elpidio Quirino and Doña Trinidad Rizal -- a sister of Dr. Jose Rizal. They appreciated very much the "anteojos de Dr. Federico Sarabia".
On the side, Dr. Sarabia also founded Aklan Academy in Kalibo, Aklan and had organized the First National Congress of Coconut Planters in the 1930's.
He is married to Rosalia Gonzales and among their children are optometrists Salvacion, Federico, Jr. and Salvador. The opthalmists are Antonio and Maris and a physician -- Jesus. Like their father, Salvacion and Federico, Jr. also became chair of the Board of Examiner in Optometry. Salvacion also was Dean of the College of Optometry.
Among his grandchildren are eighteen (18) optometrists and three opthalmologists and two great grand children as optometrists.
The centennial celebration has Dr. Antonio G. Sarabia as honorary chair with Dr. Christine Sarabia-Heras as executive chair. The co-chairs are Dr. Fransisco Sarabia and Dr. Melinda Sarabia-Morales.