Marcelo Nubla

Marcelo Nubla
Born	(1898-09-12) September 12, 1898 Manila, Philippines
Died	November 12, 1985(1985-11-12) (aged 87)
Occupation(s)	Attorney, entrepreneur
Known for	Director of China Banking Corporation, Nobel Peace Prize nominee (1973)

Kao Tsu-chuen (; 12 September 1898 – 12 November 1985), widely recognized as Marcelo Nubla, was a prominent Chinese–Filipino attorney and entrepreneur who held the position of director at the China Banking Corporation. In 1973, he earned a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Early life

Marcelo Nubla was born in Manila to parents Manuel Nubla and Tang Kin, both originating from Fukien. He completed his elementary education at the Anglo-Chinese School in Manila and pursued secondary studies at St. Joseph's College located in Hongkong.

Education

His legal education commenced at The University of Hong Kong between 1917 and 1918, after which he transferred to the University of the Philippines Manila from 1918 to 1920. He ultimately graduated with a law degree from Philippine Law School in 1922. Continuing his academic journey, he undertook postgraduate law programs at Georgetown University, achieving both a Master of Laws and a Doctor of Juridical Science by 1923 and 1924 respectively.

Legal career

Following his successful completion of the Philippine Bar Examination, Nubla practiced law across the country. He acted as legal counsel for the Chinese Consul General as well as for the Chinese Nationalist Party, representing major cases within Philippine courts. As one of the founding directors of China Banking Corporation, he served as vice-chairman from 1955 until 1980 and subsequently as chairman from 1981 through 1984.

Nubla also held leadership roles in significant Chinese-Filipino organizations. Notably, he presided over the Chinese Community responsible for managing the Manila Chinese Cemetery and the Philippine Chinese General Hospital. His contributions extended to acting as legal advisor to the Chinese Consulate-General, co-chairing the Philippine Chinese National Salvation Association, chairing various committees including those on foreign affairs and aviation, and serving as honorary secretary of the Philippine Chinese General Chamber of Commerce.

Personal life and family

He was married to Maria Lourdes Dee Limgenco (1904–1961), daughter of Chinese financier Antonio Limgenco. Together they had seven children:

• Maria Gloria (Sis. Helena; 1928–2014), who became a member of the Religious of the Good Shepherd.
• Jesus Venancio "Jesse" (1929–1992), who later relocated to the United States.
• Grace Maria Pilar (born 1930), married to Manuel Tan Liao.
• Michael (born 1931)
• William (born 1934)
• Concepcion (Sis. Joseph Lourdes; born 1936), who joined the Maryknoll Sisters.
• Charles Vincent (died 1948), who passed away in infancy.

Marcelo Nubla passed away on 12 November 1985 at age 87 and was interred at the Manila Chinese Cemetery. Actress Coney Reyes is among his great-grandnieces.

Honors

In 1973, Filipino politician Jose Roy nominated Nubla for the Nobel Peace Prize, recognizing his emphasis on eradicating "selfishness" and "greed" as sources of conflict and his advocacy for peace through their removal. He became only the second Filipino to receive such a nomination following diplomat Carlos P. Romulo in 1952.

Posthumously, in September 2018, he was honored with the Manila Cathedral Award. The accolade was presented by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle alongside Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban and accepted by his grandson Johnny Nubla-Liao.