Emilio Rodriguez got his education at the University of the Philippines' School of Arts and Trades in Sorsogon. Upon graduation, he was hired by dean Larry Alcala to work as a professor in the college. He drew for Filipino comic books like Tagalog Klasiks and Kenkoy Komiks during the 1950s. He made a graphic album called 'Carlomagno', and made comic adaptations of eleven Bible series, including 'Ang Kasaysayan ni Moises' ('The Story of Moses'). He left for the US because he got a scolarship for the Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan. In the United States, Rodriguez worked for Gold Key and Treasure Chest publications, but soon found other more high-paying jobs in car companies like Chrysler and Rolls Royce, where he designed cars.