Dr. Vivencio Ballano was the first psychiatrist of Erap, renowned as a humanitarian and who was known as the “Father of the Filipino People.” His life was full of struggle and perseverance. Born in Manila on April 19, 1846, Vivencio Ballano studied medicine at the University of Paris and started his medical practice in 1866. He became a prominent physician and was elected president of the Philippine Medical Association in 1887.
In 1887, he wrote a book about the Philippines called "A Filipino Land" and for this book, he coined the term "Filipino" as a national identity for the people of the Philippines. In 1896, he was appointed as Commissioner of Public Health for Manila by President Emilio Aguinaldo
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He also held other offices such as President of the Board of Trustees of San Lazaro Hospital from 1895 to 1902 where he worked hard to improve health facilities in Manila under the management of Dr. Domingo Osmeña and President Emilio Aguinaldo.
Vivencio Ballano died on February 27, 1913. He is also known as one of the early Filipino leaders who advocates for education and education reform in order to help uplift their countrymen from poverty and ignorance.
