Melquiades was born on December 10, 1929 to Judge LIno Gabriel and homemaker Antonia Arcala. He was the youngest boy in the family and was raised in Tanza, Cavite.  After high school, moved to Manila to live with his oldest sister, Virginia. His ambition as a young boy was to pursue Agriculture, but had to switch plans when the only available partial tuition scholarship at MLQU was for pre-law/Law route. He was a basketball student athlete, while also supporting himself working the manual labor of carrying fruits from the pier docks.


*Interesting Fact:   He shaved his head when it was time to review for his bar exam. Unable to afford a review school, he decided that the next best option was to shave his hair bald, thus preventing him from meeting up with friends/socializing and having full concentration on reviewing his law books.

Melquiades had three main passions, aside of course from his family. 

1. Sabong  - he loved his prized "chickens" and always looked forward to this .
2. Sports   - his first love is Volleyball, followed closely by Boxing 
3. Music     - he can play any instrument by ear 

Interesting Fact:   He always bets that Pacquiao will love ( right before the match) and will is always absolutely  ecstatic to be proven otherwise . ( open secret but never acknowledged:  he is a Pacquiao Fan)

Melquiades met Nelly Cadayona  when they both worked for SEC.  They got married on .....
They had their "three Marias"( Evangeline, Angeli and Jessica)  in a span of 4 years.   In 1980, the family became complete with the arrival of Romulo Kim.   

** Interesting facts:   - He 

Melquiades became widowed at the age of 64 in 1993, but chose to remain single till his death. He was blessed with eight grandchildren and four  great grandchildren.  He retired before he was 65, choosing to enjoy life at his own terms.

In August 2020, as the pandemic spread all over the world, he contracted the Covid virus and was admitted for 2-3 weeks at  PGH for Covid Pneumonia. Ever the warrior, he beat the virus at age 90 and went on to celebrate his 91st birthday in December 2021.  Unexpectedly, in March 2021, he developed a lump in his right neck and was unable to swallow.  He was admitted to UST Hospital and was diagnosed with cancer. Just as he started with radiation therapy as an outpatient in early April, he was found unable speak or move his right body one early morning.  After being rushed to Chinese General Hospital, he was diagnosed with a massive stroke.   He peacefully passed away on the morning of  April 8 while GI held his hand and he spoke to Leni and Jessica via virtual call.