Aniceto Lacson

Summary

Aniceto Ledesma Lacson (April 17, 1857 – February 3, 1931) was the first and only president of the Negros Republic from 1898 to 1901. He is notable for leading the Negros Revolution along with Juan Araneta. He is also an essential figure amongst Negros Occidental's landed gentry where he not only contributed significantly to the burgeoning sugar industry, but also helped shaped the political landscape of the province during his time.[1]

Aniceto Lacson
1st President of Negros
In office
November 5, 1898 – April 30, 1901
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byMelecio Severino
(as Civil Governor)
Personal details
Born(1857-04-17)April 17, 1857
Molo, Iloílo, Captaincy General of the Philippines
DiedFebruary 3, 1931(1931-02-03) (aged 73)
Talisay, Negros Occidental, Philippine Islands
CitizenshipPhilippine
NationalityNegrense
Political partyKatipunan

Early life edit

A Filipino statesman of Chinese-Mestizo origin,[2] Lacson was the fifth son of eight children of Lucio Petronila Lacson and Clara Ledesma Lacson of Iloílo who migrated to Negros when he was still young (1860s).

His early education began under private tutelage in Molo, Iloilo. He later studied commerce at the Ateneo Municipal de Manila, where his classmates included future general and comrade Juan Araneta, José Rizal, and other Filipinos who later fought in the Philippine Revolution. While a student in Manila, he had the opportunity to meet the co-founder of the Katipunan, Andrés Bonifacio, with whom he had a secret blood compact. He was the only Negrense who had this honor and consequently became a member of the revolutionary society.

Of those siblings, he is the brother of Domingo Lacson Sr., the founder of Sta. Clara Estate Inc., and Don Mariano Lacson, who is famously known for building the iconic Lacson Ruins of Talisay City, which is also located very close to Aniceto's Casa Grande Mansion. Altogether, they are part of the rich history of sugar barons in the Western Visayas Region.

The Republic of Negros edit

The Spanish Governor of Negros Island, Isidro Castro, surrendered to forces under Aniceto Lacson and Juan Araneta at Bacolod on 6 November 1898. The Cantonal Republic of Negros was established with Aniceto Lacson as its president from November 27, 1898, until March 4, 1899, when the Negros revolutionaries surrendered to the United States General James Francis Smith. The government lasted for three months and four days.

Properties edit

When his father became bedridden, Lacson took charge of all the work in the haciendas and did much to improve the properties. As a result, through his efforts his father became one of the richest men in Negros and the Philippines. When the time came to divide his father's properties, his other brothers chose the best haciendas. He, for his part, chose the uncultivated ones. Thus, he received more land from his father than his brothers. Through hard work, he improved all the land and turned it into one of the best producing haciendas in Negros.

In the later 19th century, a Swiss businessman by the name of Luchinger decided to sell his vast properties in Matabang, Talisay, which he earlier purchased from Nicholas Loney, the biggest sugar cane producer in Negros at that time. It was offered to Aniceto Lacson, but he did not have enough ready cash. Luchinger was willing to sell it on installment but Aniceto's father Lucio refused as the venture appeared risky. Aniceto negotiated with Luchinger to agree to sell it to him without guarantor. Knowing that Aniceto was hardworking, honest and followed through with his business commitments, Luchinger agreed.

His Mansion in Talisay City,Negros Occidental, popularly known as Casa Grande, is owned by his descendants the Claparols family.

Family edit

 
Rosario Araneta, a descendant of the elite Araneta Clan of the Philippines. She is the first wife of Aniceto Lacson.

Aniceto first married Rosario Araneta, a direct descendant of both the Kabungsuan royal family of Mindanao, and the elite Araneta clan of the Philippines. Rosario is the daughter of Patricio Cabunsol Araneta and Leoncia Araneta, with whom he sired eleven children. They were:

  1. Jesusa, the eldest, married Jose Maria Arroyo y Pidal, her second cousin. Jesusa and Jose are the grandparents of Atty. Jose Miguel Arroyo, husband of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
  2. Emilio and
  3. Clotilde, both of whom died at an early age.
  4. Carmen, married Ricardo Claparols, a Spaniard and business visionary
  5. Enriqueta, married Domingo Lacson II, son of Domingo Lacson Sr.
  6. Isaac, who became governor of Negros, then congressman and senator of the Republic married Carmen Paterno;
  7. Mariano, married Lilia Montilla;
  8. Perfecta, married Santiago Franco;
  9. Jose, died young;
  10. Aniceto, Jr., married Aurora Lacson, a cousin; and
  11. Dominador, married Visitacion Lacson, another cousin.

With his second wife, Magdalena Torres, a Spanish Mestiza, he had 10 children. They were:

  1. Resureccion, married Carlos Sackermann;
  2. Margarita, a former Miss Negros Occidental, married William Gemperle;
  3. Leonila, married Angel Gamboa;
  4. Leoncia, single born 6 December 1903 died 29 June 1981;
  5. Nicolas, married Amparo Lacson, sister of Arsenio Lacson, Mayor of Manila, parents of the famous and controversial Rose Lacson of Perth, Australia;
  6. Juan, married Reymunda Villareal;
  7. Jose, married Estelita Adrias;
  8. Lucio, a Marine Engineer married to Consuelo Flores;
  9. Luis, married Lily Distajo;
  10. Consuelo, married Sebastian Corro, a Spanish Mestizo.

Ancestry edit

Family of Aniceto Lacson
Lorenzo Lacson
Juan Lacson
Josefina Cuaño
Domingo Lacson
Manuela Dominga
Lucio Lacson
Fernanda Petronila
Aniceto Lacson
Clara Ledesma

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Foreman, J., 1906, The Philippine Islands, A Political, Geographical, Ethnographical, Social and Commercial History of the Philippine Archipelago, New York: Charles Scribner's Sons
  2. ^ The Chinese in Negros - Page 50

External links edit

  • Lacson Clan Website Hall of Fame
  • Lacson Clan Website
Political offices
New title
Republic established
President of the Republic of Negros Succeeded by
Melecio Severino
as Civil Governor of Negros Island