Because of his father's death, his mother had no choice but to send him and his older brother Leon to their grandfather Rev.

[1] In 1894, Melendres attended the Ateneo Municipal de Manila (now known as the Ateneo de Manila University) under the guidance of Jesuit Fathers, finishing both primary and secondary education there until the year 1903 in which he received his Bachelor of Arts degree where he was rated sobresaliente in all his subjects earning him the title of Emperador.

[1][3] Most records during his administration were destroyed during the Second World War, but what remained showed that he directed the building of roads and bridges including the Teresa Highway from Antipolo to Tanay.

His administration brought an end to it by acquiring adjacent land through expropriation proceedings from the landowners.

[5] During his administration, a contagious disease among cattle broke out in the province which caused heavy tolls to farmers.

In response, Melendres took drastic measures against municipal officials who were found negligent in the enforcement of the quarantine rules on animal diseases.

[5] Melendres then joined the law firm of Juan Sumulong, and served as the legal counsel to Rodriguez.

[1][3][4][5] Melendres was chosen as the Delegate for the Province of Rizal, in the 1935 Philippine constitutional plebiscite, held from July 30, 1934, to February 8, 1935.

[5][4] In 1941, Melendres was appointed Judge for the provinces of Leyte, Samar, Bohol and Marinduque but war soon broke out in the country.