José Fuentebella

José studied at Colegio de San Buenaventura in Albay. He finished his Bachelor of Arts in Ateneo de Manila in 1902, obtained his Bachelor of Laws from Escuela de Leyes in 1905 and passed the bar in 1906. José practiced law for three years before entering politics at the age of 26.

He was elected representative of Ambos Camarines for the Second Philippine Legislature in 1909. He also served to the Third Philippine Legislature until 1916.

He convinced his father, Mariano Fuentebella, to run for governor of Ambos Camarines in 1912. Together they formed a powerful tandem and were able to obtain benefits for the province from the colonial government. When his father died, although he was in a higher office as a representative, José accepted the appointment as governor to finish his father's term and implement their joint projects.

In 1916, he returned to private practice. But in 1931, he made his return to Senate in 1928 and served two terms (1928-1931 and 1931-1934).

The Senate was abolished in 1935. In the legislative polls later that year, José won a seat in the unicameral National Assembly and served two terms until 1941.

Although the Senate was restored in 1941, José ran for a seat in the Lower House in the November polls. However, the 1st Congress of the Commonwealth of the Philippines did not seat until 1945 as World War II came to the Philippines.

During the Japanese Occupation, from September 1943 to December 1944, José was appointed Commissioner of the 5th Military District comprising the entire Bicol Region. After consulting guerilla leaders, he accepted the appointment from the Laurel government reluctantly and only to prevent more Japanese atrocities.

After the war, he finished his term as representative and successfully defended himself from accusations that he had collaborated with the Japanese.

Crowning his long and illustrious service to the nation, Jose was appointed Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia by then Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay. He exercised deft democracy from 1955 to 1961, a crucial time in Philippine and Indonesian relations. Subsequently, Philippine President Ferdinand E. Marcos appointed him Presidential Adviser on Foreign Affairs.

Jose was an ardent nationalist and founder of the Nacionalista Party in Bicol. He is one who espoused the "Filipino First" policy of then Philippine President Carlos Garcia. One of his greatest achievements as a politician was the extension of the Philippine National Railways to Bicol, establishing Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges in Naga City, and being the author of the "Flag Law".

He died on July 25, 1982.

• Building Institutions: The Fuentebella Legacy by Coylee Gamboa