born in wawa, pilar, bataan, manuel herrera was the second of nine children of jose s. herrera sr., third municipal mayor of pilar ("sheriff at that time") and brigida cruz, both natives of wawa, pilar, bataan. he studied law at manuel l. quezon university while working as a janitor. herrera was known for his generosity towards his fellow "kababayans", his bravery, kindness, nationalism, and integrity, especially as a justice of the court of appeals.