His maternal grandfather who was the village teacher taught him reading, writing, and arithmetic. He showed such intelligence that he was transferred to a school owned by Simplicio Avelino and he worked as a helper in exchange for free board and lodging. Later, he moved to another school owned by Fray Valerio Malabanan.
He went on to college at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran in 1881. He tutored students to support his board and lodging. In 1887, he finished the degree Bachelor of Arts (Bachilles en Artes) with highest honors and the title Professor of Latin.He then studied law at the University of Santo Tomas and received his degree in 1894.
While Mabini was studying law, he became a member of the La Liga Filipina. When the Philippine Revolution broke out on August 23, 1896, Mabini did not immediately support it. It was only after the execution of Dr. Jose P. Rizal on December 30, 1896, that he gave his wholehearted support to the cause. It was also at this time that he contracted an illness which paralyzed his legs for the rest of his life. The Spanish authorities suspecting that he was connected with the reformists arrested him on October 10, 1896. But seeing that he could not even move his lower limbs, they released him and sent him instead to the San Juan de Dios Hospital.
In 1898, President Emilio F. Aguinaldo asked him to be his chief adviser. He drafted decrees and proposed a constitution for the Philippine Republic. He made the plans for the revolutionary government. For these, he was called the “Brains of the Revolution.”
On January 2, 1899, Mabini was appointed Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the newly independent government of President Emilio F. Aguinaldo. On January 23, 1899, he was appointed to the Cabinet of the First Philippine Republic.
He negotiated for peace with the Americans but the talks failed. Mabini then rallied the people and supported war against the Americans. However, on December 10, 1899, some Macabebe Scouts who had allied themselves with the Americans led them to his hiding place in Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija. On December 11, 1899, he was captured and was imprisoned in Fort Santiago. He was released on September 23, 1900.
In 1901, Mabini was exiled to Guam but returned to the Philippines on February 26, 1903, after taking an oath of allegiance to the United States. The oath, however, did not stop him from continuing his work for the country’s independence. Three months after his return to his homeland, he died of cholera on May 14, 1903, in Manila.
A patriot, statesman, lawyer, teacher, and an intellectual paralytic, Apolinario M. Mabini is remembered and honored today for his love of country, his courage and strong will, his love for the poor, and his love for education. May his example inspire all our youth in the country today.
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