in 1877, at the age of 16, he finished school (bachelor of arts) from the ateneo municipal de manila. in the same year, he went to another school to study philosophy and letters at the university of santo tomas. at the same time, he took classes to become a surveyor and assessor at the ateneo. in 1878, he went to the university of santo tomas to become a doctor. he stopped in his studies when he felt that the filipino students were not being treated right by the priests who were also their teachers. on may 3, 1882, he went by boat to spain. in spain, he continued his studies at the universidad central de madrid. on june 21, 1884, at the age of 23, he got his degree and became a doctor. on june 19,1885, at the age of 24, he got another degree in philosophy and letters.