Born in San Miguel de Mayumo, Bulacan on October 7, 1857, Dr. Maximo Viola together with his two brothers lead a battle against the Spaniards and stayed at Biak-na-Bato. He studied Medicine at the University of Santo Tomas and in 1882 went to Spain where he continued his studies and finished his medicine course in the University of Barcelona in the year 1886.

It was also in Barcelona where he met Rizal and with him traveled to different countries in Europe. He was also the one who lent Rizal money to have his famous novel “Noli Me Tangere” be published. When he went back to the Philippines he spent most of his time practicing medicine. But his communication with Rizal didn’t cease until the latter has been exiled to Dapitan.

During the American regime, Viola was kept captive until he met Dr. Preshell, an American who helped him gain his freedom. Viola Spent his last years practicing medicine and creating furniture made from Kamagong. He was given an award in an “exposition” in Manila in the year 1920. He died on September 3, 1933 in San Miguel where he died of cancer.