He was called the Sublime Paralytic because at a young age, Apolinario Mabini had caught an illness that caused him to become paralyzed in the lower limbs. This didn't stop him, and he still went on to become the Brains of the Philippine Revolution. Due to his brillant mind, he went on to be noticed by Emilio Aguinaldo. He became Aguinaldo's adviser while Aguinaldo was president during and after Aguinaldo's Revolutionary Government.