Filomeno Orbeta Casenas

Filomeno Orbeta Casenas
Member, 4th Philippine Legislature and 5th Philippine Legislature
In office
1916–1922
Member, 9th Philippine Legislature
In office
1931–1934
Personal details
Born April 15, 1888
Jagna, Bohol, Captaincy General of the Philippines
Political party Nacionalista Party
Spouse(s) Micaela Abrea Lloren
Religion Roman Catholic

Filomeno Orbeta Casenas was a Boholano politician from Jagna, Bohol.[1] He was a member of the House of Representatives of the Philippines in the 4th, 5th and 9th Legislatures in 1916–1922 and 1931–1934.

Biography

Filomeno Orbeta Casenas's parents, Catalino Casenas[2] (November 25, 1864 – March 12, 1925) and Buenaventura Orbeta (July 12, 1866 – February 10, 1926), came from a well-to-do family in Cebu.

Catalino Casenas was a businessman who taught English to locals. During the Philippine Revolution, his house was burned down by revolutionaries. For safety reasons, the whole family moved to the mountains in Cabungaan.[3] His family returned to the town once the hostilities ceased.

In 1904, Catalino was one of the few literate people in the community, and was appointed as Justice of the Peace in Jagna. However, he kept this position only for two years. He then became involved in local politics, and was elected as the first Mayor of the city of Jagna.[2]

He had five siblings: Agustin, Catalina, Jose, Maria and Vicenta. The family provided three provincial governors (Filomeno, Agustin, and Jose) – the only family to do so in the history of Bohol.

Early training

As a child, Filomeno lived with his uncle, Rev. Fr. Filomeno Orbeta, a disciplinarian who was the parish priest in a neighbouring town, receiving instruction in both religion and basic schooling.

When he was old enough, he went to the Seminario de San Carlos in Cebu City to study for priesthood. The revolution interrupted his studies and he was sent back to his family in Jagna. When the revolution ended, he returned to school to resume his studies.

In college, he joined both the student organization and the debating team, where in an inter-class competition, he won the coveted Gorordo Gold Medal for excellence in oratory.

The following year, he teamed up with Jose Briones of Cebu (who was later elected a Representative and Senator) to represent their school in an oratory competition against Saint Tomas University in Manila. They won a pair of gold medals. He then completed his training as a priest, graduating with the highest honors.

Change of heart

At the time of his graduation, he was still two years younger than the required age for ordination. He decided to take on law, and enrolled at the Colegio de Derecho on Manila, where he obtained his bachelor's degree. During this period Filomeno fell in love with a woman, choosing to leave the priesthood, a decision that upset his parents.

References

  1. ↑ "141 Jagnaanons get recognitions.". Bohol Sunday Post. 8 October 2006. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
  2. 1 2 "Previous Capitan/Presidente/Mayors". Jagna. Retrieved 2013-05-06.
  3. ↑ "Cabungaan". Jagna. Retrieved 2013-05-06.
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