Among his significant works was Efemerides Filipinas, a column on historical events in the Philippines which appeared in La Oceania Española (1892–1893) and El Ideal (1911–1912).

He completed his secondary education at the private school of Juan Evangelista, Hugo Ilagan, and Escolastico Salandanan in Manila.

There he joined Marcelo H. del Pilar, Graciano López Jaena, José Rizal and others in the Propaganda Movement.

He was also the head of the Literary Section of the Asociacion Hispano-Filipina, created to aid the Propaganda Movement where he served as secretary.

[3] Mariano returned to Manila with his wife, a Japanese girl named Okiyo Udanwara (or Udagawa).

[1] According to local historian Rolando Villacorte, his remains were transferred to the Art Deco Ponce family mausoleum in Baliuag Catholic Cemetery.

There, he is interred alongside his wife, brother Jacinto, daughter Maria, and grandson Marianito Ponce Gonzales.