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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