BIOGRAPHY

José Paciano Garcia Laurel, Sr. was born on March 9, 1891, in Tanauan, Batangas, to Sotero Laurel, Sr. and Jacoba García. He grew up alongside his four siblings—Rosario, Maria Paz, Alberto, and Nieves—and went on to pursue an impressive education, earning a law degree from the University of the Philippines, a Master of Laws from the University of Santo Tomas, and a Doctorate of Law from Yale Law School. Laurel married Pacencia Hidalgo, and together they raised a large family of eight children: Jose B. Laurel, Jr., Jose S. Laurel, III, Sotero Laurel, II, Natividad, Mariano, Rosenda, Potenciana, Salvador, and Arsenio. He lived a life dedicated to learning, family, and service, leaving a lasting mark on Philippine history before his passing on November 6, 1956.