In his early teens he was sent to Manila to study in the San Juan de Letran College. Later he went to the University of Santo Tomas, where with his unusually brilliant intellect, he made a good impression on his professors. He received the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy in 1855, Bachelor of Theology in 1859, Licentiate in Philosophy in 1860, Licentiate in Theology in 1862, and Doctor of Theology and Doctor of