After this, he became a teacher, a cattle dealer, a tobacco merchant between Cebu and Manila, and later a contractor of public works.

It was during this time that he befriended many Filipino patriots, including José Rizal, who advised him to study engineering in Belgium.

He was arrested and imprisoned, since the Spanish authorities suspected many people of the revolution and he had in his possession Jose Rizal's Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, but he escaped.

[1] At the Imus Assembly on December 31, 1896, Evangelista had submitted his draft of a constitution as requested by both Magdalo and Magdiwang factions of the KKK.

He planned and built forts and barricades in Bacoor, Binakayan, Cavite Viejo, Munting-ilog, Silang, Dasmariñas, Imus, Salitran, Lumang-bayan, and Noveleta, to serve as protection against Spanish forces.

"[1] Aguinaldo himself publicly recommended Evangelista to head the revolutionary government that would be established in lieu of the Katipunan, for he was "the most educated" in the organization.

5659, passed on December 18, 2008, by seven lawmakers, sought to rename the Alabang-Zapote Road in Las Piñas to General Edilberto Evangelista Avenue for the latter's fearless exploits during the Philippine Revolution.