100 years of Sarabia Optical

Eyeglasses have evolved over the century.  From the plain antiparas, gafas and anteojos, eyeglasses are not only worn out of sheer necessity. They have also become fashion statements.

And like the evolution of the eyeglasses, the Sarabia Optical Clinic chain looks back to a similar, simple, no-nonsense beginning.

A hundred years ago, the clan’s patriarch Dr. Federico Sarabia, the first Filipino optometrist, opened his first clinic in Iloilo City at the young age of 21, a practice that brought him to establish, later, a Sarabia Optical in Escolta where the rich and famous of the nation trooped to for quality eyecare. His clients included former President Manuel Quezon and Trinidad Rizal (Jose Rizal’s sister), whose eyeglass case with the markings "Sarabia Optical" are now on display at Fort Santiago. Dr. Sarabia moved on to establish more Sarabia Opticals nationwide after that.

Dr. Federico was US-trained. He earned his degree at the Northern Illinois College of Optometry and began a career at the Eye Infirmary of New York. He could have opted to remain and pursue his career in the US, but he chose to serve his countrymen instead. He married his childhood friend Rosalia Gonzales and their 13 children were born with "serve above self" qualities running in their veins.  

Since then, three generations of descendants eventually gave the practice and the service of eyecare for the Filipinos a new generation. 

The offsprings which pursued the legacy of Dr. Federico were not only instrumental in making the family name a byword in the local optometry industry. They have developed Sarabia Optical into a brand which has survived and thrived for 100 years.

"I remember Papa would talk about his clients. He had so many anecdotes about his experiences with them, and as we listened to his stories, we not only developed an interest in eyecare. We also began to imbibe his ethics, his values, and his sense of mission," Dr. Antonio Sarabia, one of his children, recalls.

Five of Dr. Federico’s children eventually chose eyecare as a profession, four of them becoming optometrists and one an ophthalmologist. They are Dr. Salvacion Sarabia-Inocencio, Dr. Federico Sarabia, Jr., Dr. Salvador Sarabia, Dr. Antonio Sarabia, and Dr. Jesus Sarabia. Twenty-three grandchildren and two great grandchildren also chose the same profession.

The Sarabia clan

First-born Salvacion began her practice in 1935 and became the first lady chairperson of the Optometry Board of Examiners while Federico Jr. was a topnotcher in the 1949 Optometry Board Exam and held the chairmanship of the board of examiners for three terms. He set up his practice in Makati and Cebu.

Salvador, on the other hand, not only shared his father’s passion for optometry but likewise had a flair for other businesses. He started his practice in 1946 in Iloilo City where he also set up the Sarabia Manor Hotel Corp. and the Rural Banks of Pavia and San Miguel. 

Salvador has five children in the same field. Sandra, Federico IV, Melvin and John Paul are optometrists while Ramon and wife Marsha are ophthalmologists.

Antonio and Jesus settled in Bacolod City. Antonio, a US-trained eye, ear, nose and throat specialist, founded the Bacolod Medical Specialists Clinic and is a director of the Tony Chan Memorial Eye Center while Jesus, a physician, established Sarabia Medico-Optical Clinic with his optometrist wife, Amalia.

Growing up in a family of optometrists and ophthalmologists must have nurtured a sense of family tradition. Some of the Sarabia grandchildren who followed the same career admitted to have initially nurtured diverse interests, but ultimately went on to pursue their respective practice. Some of them, though, were focused on the eyecare profession even at an early age.

Antonio’s son Miguel, for one, cherished a dream to be an eye specialist since seventh grade. "I was never forced by my father into the medical profession," Miguel said. He witnessed how his dad cared for his patients and used his profession to help the poor through charity eye projects. Miguel is now the medical director of Tony Chan Memorial Eye Center, the first and only ophthalmic laser center in Western Visayas.

Vivian, a daughter of Federico Jr., pursued a career in Optometry. She is a respected eyewear stylist and is known as the "optometrist to the stars," consulting for celebrities in cinema and political arena. She was awarded by L’Oreal Manila as one of the 10 Icons for Absolute Excellence in their Field of Endeavor.

The story continues. The family’s fourth generation still carry on their great-grandfather’s legacy — Dr. Anne Anglo-Mirasol who is based in California and Dr. Francis Vincent Sarabia Ong.

They all shared the same vision: quality eye care for generations of Filipinos. The Sarabias did more than continue Dr. Federico’s legacy as they took significant parts in giving optometry in the country a new dimension. They did not contend themselves with being just plain "eye doctors." They have become more than just a "person checking one’s vision, grade and fitted sunglasses." Most of them underwent postgraduate studies and training in specialized fields such as orthoptics, contact lens management and other advance courses.

There is a certain commonality to all Sarabia Opticals, and it goes beyond their simple red signage. There is no written vision and mission statement plastered on the wall of every shop. There is no known operations manual that the Sarabia Opticals share among each other.  There is even no larger-than-life photo of the first Sarabia optometrist. There is no visible recollection of the first Sarabia Optical installed a hundred years ago.  Yet a common culture of customer care and service, coupled with professional competency, permeates within the 38 Sarabia Opticals nationwide. It is almost as if Dr. Federico still stands behind every descendant, mentoring with that same mark of competency and service that brought the most important people of the nation to the first Sarabia Optical.

Yes, Dr. Federico is alive in the Sarabia Opticals. His legacy lives on as his grandchildren and great grandchildren vow to continue the legacy for another hundred year of service to the Filipino people. And they vow to make the future "bright and clear" for the Filipino’s vision.

Centennial activity

A century of service to the eyecare needs of thousands of Filipinos will be celebrated by the descendants of the late Dr. Federico through a series of activities this year.

Dubbed the Sarabia Optical Centennial, the family will celebrate the founding of the first Sarabia Optical 100 years ago. The celebration will be launched through an Eyewear Fashion Show and Exhibit of Memorabilia. Chair of the Centennial is Dr. Christine Sarabia Heras and co-chaired by Francisco Sarabia Jr. and Melinda Sarabia Morales. Other members of the committee are Federico Sarabia III, Sandra Sarabia Gomez, Vivian Sarabia, Francisco Sarabia, Ria Lacson, Sinag de Leon Amado, and Antonella Sarabia Legaspi.

The launching will include the ceremonial kick-off of the year-long activities with cocktails at the Ayala Museum, coupled with an exhibit of Sarabia memorabilia through the century, including photos of famous people in Sarabia eyewear — from President Quezon to popular movie personalities that will also showcase how eyewear has evolved. The exhibit will also be brought to several malls and museums throughout the country.