Dads in the Limelight – Angel “Papi” Santiago

My name is Angel “Papi” Santiago and I am a dedicated husband and father of three living in the DC area. I own an entertainment company and perform at high end social events throughout te capital region as an “MC” or Event Host. For 15 years I was a Director at a large Entertainment Agency and began working from home three years ago to be more invested in raising my young children. This time at home became known as PAPI PRESCHOOL. I stepped down this past year to be a Full Time Stay at home dad and make Papi Preschool priority #1! When I’m not rocking an event or running Papi Preschool, I am usually creating in some way (IG posts, Voiceover work, cooking). You

My family is magical. My wife is a bombshell with a heart of gold who is a Spanish teacher full time. My oldest son is now 12 and is bing home-schooled tris year. He has a YouTube channel and loves to play Fortnite. My middle son is now 6 and loving Kindergarten. He is a huge Dinosaur fan and can accurately identify over 50 types of Dinosaurs! And my youngest, my princess, the boss, she is a trip! Love her energy and most certainly not afraid of anyone pulling one over on her, she is absolutely in charge, and I love it!

My hardest challenge by far has been in the way I speak t my kids. As a vocalist and performer, everything I do is LOUD! I have come to learn that if your always loud, then raising your voice when the moment calls for it, means nothing. I have never one spanked my child so some stearn words need to get the job done for me. Finding my “Dad” voice was a challenge that I feel I have begun to conquer.

ENJOY THIS! EVERY MINUTE OF IT! Most any of us can go out and earn the responsibility and title of “Dad”, the secret is realizing the blessing in being a “Father”.

By making sure that Parenthood comes first and everyone knows it. When my 6 year old was 2 I decided to try and work from home. I didn’t ask, just did it. I got pushback but I knew once I proved this new method, all would be fine, and it was. In the process I showed my employer that Parenthood was much more valuable to me in this time of my life. No apologies necessary!

That Fathers are NOT all made equally. My method is a bit different than fathers I live around so I was ridiculed a bit. No one could understand how I would walk away from 6 figures to “watch” my kids. I’m not a babysitter, it’s called Parenting! It took me interacting with Dads I found on Instagram to realize there are many more Dads like me out there than I thought!

We are going to be misunderstood and labeled incorrectly ALL THE TIME! I’ve come to accept this, while continuously working on breaking every stereotype there is. Soon enough, especially with events like DAD 2.0 SUMMIT, the conversation will change.

I mean, all of it. I’m a visual person and a visual artist so I remember things like a montage. When I close my eyes and think of the last 12 years, three words come to mind, DREAM COME TRUE!