cuenco was born in carmen, cebu on january 16, 1888, to mariano albao cuenco (1861–1909) and remedios lópez diosomito. he studied at the colegio de san carlos of cebu, where he graduated in 1904 with the degree of bachelor of arts. he finished law in 1911 at the escuela de derecho (later became the manila law school) and passed the bar examinations in 1913.