MARIANO ABELLA

(1860- )

Provincial Governor

Lawyer and Member of the Malolos Congress

 

 

     Son of Manuel Abella, who belonged to one of the most prominent families of Bicol, Mariano Abella was born in Nueva Caceres, Camarines Sur, on September 25,1860.

      He first studied in the seminary established in his town. At the age of 12, he enrolled as an intern of the Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Manila. After receiving his bachillerato in 1879, he pursued a law course at the University of Santo Tomas. However, the pressure of attending to the family’s agricultural concern made him stop and go home. After four years, he resumed his law studies at UST, graduating in 1889 He then open a law office in his province.

       Desirous of excelling in his areas of interests, he embarked for Spain in 1890 and, from there, proceeded to France, Belgium, Germany and Italy. He stayed abroad for several years. He returned to the Philippines on board the ship Montevideo, accompanied by the illustrious brothers Juan and Antonio Luna, on April 27,1894.

        Abella served as a justice of the peace and a judge of the court   of First Instance. He was with the judiciary when the Philippine Revolution flared up.

         With so many intrigues and suspicious flying around, coupled with the ire of some people who envied his position, he was arrested and imprisoned in Bilibid with his father before the Cry of Pugad Lawin. Fortunately, he escaped death in 1897, unlike his father and brother Domingo, who    were executed along with others. They are now known as the “Bicol martyrs.”

         His known patriotism brought him to the Malolos Congress, representing his province. He became a member of the committee on message on September 17,1899.

          Abella became provincial governor in December 1898, serving as such until February 1900. That same year, he co-founded the Federal Party. He sat as governor for two more terms, the last starting in 1907.

 

 

 

 

Encoded by:

Carol M. Cueto

 

      

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