Born of Chinese and
Tagalog parentage, he completed his education at the University of Santo Tomás, Manila. In August 1896 he was mayor of Cavite Viejo and was the local leader of the
Katipunan, a revolutionary
society that fought bitterly and successfully against the Spanish. In December 1897 he signed an agreement called the Pact of Biac-na-Bató with the Spanish governor
general. He agreed to leave the Philippines and to remain permanently in exile on condition of a substantial financial reward from Spain coupled with the promise of liberal reforms. While in
Hong Kong and Singapore he made arrangements with representatives of the American consulates and of Commo.
George Dewey to return to the Philippines to assist the United States in the war against Spain.
