He was born on November 17, 1917 at Biñan, Laguna. Dr. Umali’s studies made programs of rainfed and upland agriculture, social forestry, and environmental preservation. His search for excellence, The UP College of Agriculture became a leading institution of advanced learning in Asia.
He finished degrees Bachelor of Science in Agronomy at University of the Philippines, College of Agriculture in 1939 at doctorate degrees – Ph.D. in Genetics and Plant Breeding at Cornell University in United States of America in 1949, Ph.D. in Agricultural Education at Xavier University in 1967, Ph.D. in Humanities from Central Luzon State University in 1979 and Doctor of Science at the Ateneo de Manila in 1992.