He finished his secondary schooling in 1895 at the University of Santo Tomas while remaining “alumno interno” at San Juan de Letran. It was his school records in UST that identified him as “de Manila” thus indicating he was born in the City. He went to Spain in 1896 for the purpose of making the necessary higher studies in preparation for a career. It was in Spain that he decided to join the Capuchin Order. He and was ordained to the priesthood on November 30, 1910.