He graduated from the University of Santo Tomas medical school and practiced medicine in his hometown of Sagñay.
He was elected to the 7th and 8th Philippine Legislature as a representative of Camarines Sur and served two terms from 1925 to 1931.
He also proposed a hospital to be set up in each municipality and led medical missions in Camarines Sur.
His early musical compositions, presented by nephews and cousins, were staged in the towns.
Manuel stepped away from the public limelight to continue his medical practice, but politics never left him and he remained an adviser to his brother Jose.