Born in San Fernando, Cebu, in the Visayas region of the Philippines, Cañete was the youngest of twelve children.

The martial art Eskrima was a tradition in his family, and he began training at age seven under his brother Filemon "Momoy" Cañete. Filemon had learned it from his father, Gregorio, and uncles Gavino, Pedro, and Juancho. Ciriaco Cañete was also trained in other martial arts, including ju-jitsu, boxing, judo, free style wrestling, Shorin-ryu karate, and aikido.

Ciriaco "Cacoy" Canete is famous for fighting over 100 no-rules eskrima matches. He was the preeminent Doces Pares warrior.