Born to a family of modest means in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Elpidio Quirino was a self-made man of firm determination and burning ambition. While studying in Vigan High School, the young Elpidio taught in Barrio Caparia-an of the adjacent town of Caoayan. He earned enough to finance his transfer to Manila High School, after which he continued to work while studying Law at the University of the Philippines. He was one of the topnotchers of the Bar Examinations of 1915.