He was born on April 10, 1886 in Matimbo, Malolos, Bulacan. At the age of 16, he was accused of a plot to kill the parish priest who collected expensive church fees from the people. He established many Katipunan chapters in Bulacan.

He was among the revolutionaries who left their homes in Bulacan and brought their respective families to the forest when the revolution began. He headed the 6,000 strong Filipino army that marched in the parade at the inauguration of the Philippine Republic on January 23, 1899. He was also one of the revolutionary leaders who fought the Americans. He died on December 5, 1928 at the age of 62.