Aniceto Lacson

Aniceto Lacson
1st President of Negros
In office November 5, 1898 – April 30, 1901
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	Melecio Severino (as Civil Governor)
Personal details
Born	(1857-04-17)April 17, 1857 Molo, Iloílo, Captaincy General of the Philippines
Died	February 3, 1931(1931-02-03) (aged 73) Talisay, Negros Occidental, Philippine Islands
Citizenship	Philippine
Nationality	Negrense
Political party	Katipunan

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]

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

Lacson began his early education under private tutelage in Molo, Iloilo, and later pursued commerce at the Ateneo Municipal de Manila. His classmates included notable figures such as Juan Araneta and José Rizal, who, like Lacson, would later fight in the Philippine Revolution. During his studies in Manila, Lacson met Andrés Bonifacio, co-founder of the Katipunan, and entered into a secret blood compact with him. This honor made Lacson the only Negrense to become a member of the revolutionary society.

Of his 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 located near Aniceto's Casa Grande Mansion. Another sibling, Rosendo Lacson, was a signatory to the ratification of the brief Cantonal Republic of Negros which concluded shortly after the Negros Revolution.

Altogether, they are part of the rich history of sugar barons in the Western Visayas Region.

The Cantonal Republic of Negros (November 27, 1898 – March 4, 1899) was a short-lived revolutionary government established on the island of Negros in the Philippines. Following the surrender of Spanish Governor Isidro Castro to forces led by Aniceto Lacson and Juan Araneta at Bacolod on November 6, 1898, the Cantonal Republic was founded with Lacson serving 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. Throughout it's short existence, The Cantonal Republic of Negros had gone by several names:

1. Negros Canton (Hiligaynon: Kanton sg Negros; Cebuano: Kanton sa Negros; Spanish: Cantón de Negros) - Initially used within the framework of the First Philippine Republic.
2. Federal Republic of Negros (Hiligaynon: Republikang Federal sg Negros; Cebuano: Republikang Federal sa Negros; Spanish: República Federal de Negros) - Used under U.S. protection.
3. Federal State of Negros (Hiligaynon: Estadong Federal sg Negros; Cebuano: Estadong Federal sa Negros; Spanish: Estado Federal de Negros) - Another name used under U.S. protection.
4. Republic of Negros - The name used after the protectorate was annexed to the Philippine Islands, according to historian Gregorio Zaide.

Situated in front of the old Bacolod City Hall, the Fountain of Justice is a historic landmark in Bacolod, Negros Occidental, Philippines that commemorates the Spanish surrender to Gen. Aniceto Lacson's forces during the Negros Revolution. It is also the location of where José de Luzuriaga's house once stood.

On November 6, 1898, during the Negros Revolution, Luzuriaga's house served as the site of the surrender of Bacolod by Spanish authorities to the Filipino forces led by Gen. Aniceto Lacson. Luzuriaga also served as a mediator between the two sides.

Colonel Isidro de Castro, the Spanish governor of Negros, signed the surrender document on behalf of the Spanish forces.

Today, the Fountain of Justice is a vibrant spot for recreation, political events, spiritual gatherings, and cultural celebrations. Illuminated at night, it serves as a popular venue for rallies and protests and hosted Bacolod City's 66th Charter Anniversary celebration.

Lacson National Highway, known locally as Lacson Street, is the primary thoroughfare in Bacolod City, named in honor of Gen. Aniceto Lacson for his contributions to the province. It has been central to the city’s development and economic growth.

Originally a non-concrete road lined with vintage houses, Lacson National Highway transformed into a major commercial and business hub during the mid-20th century sugar industry boom. Landmark buildings such as the Philippine National Bank’s seven-story structure, the Coca-Cola plant, and Robinson's Place Bacolod, marked Bacolod's rise as a modern city.

Notable townships and developments, including Sta. Clara Estate owned by Aniceto's brother Domingo Lacson Sr., and Capitolville by industrialist Alfredo Montelibano Sr., further enhanced the area’s prominence.

Economic challenges in the early 80s led to revitalization efforts, including the introduction of the Masskara Festival and a surge in new businesses and developments. Today, the highway is bustling with BPO centers, condominiums, commercial establishments. Key venues such as Chicken House, Bob's Cafe, Calea, Felicia's, Inaka, and Bar 21 offer iconic Bacolod cuisine and desserts, contributing to the street’s vibrant atmosphere. L'Fisher Hotel also stands out as a prominent local hotel.

Lacson National Highway also serves as the main thoroughfare for lively celebrations like the Masskara Festival and Bacalaodiat, reflecting its vital role in Bacolod’s cultural and economic life.

When his father fell ill, Lacson took over the management of their haciendas and significantly improved the properties. His efforts helped make his father one of the wealthiest men in Negros and the Philippines.

When the time came to divide the properties, his brothers chose the prime haciendas, While Aniceto, on the other hand, selected the uncultivated ones. This choice allowed him to acquire more land, which he diligently developed into some of the most productive haciendas in Negros.

In the late 19th century, a Swiss businessman named Luchinger decided to sell his extensive properties in Matabang, Talisay, which he had previously acquired from Nicholas Loney, a major sugarcane producer in Negros. Aniceto Lacson was interested but lacked immediate cash. Although Luchinger was open to selling on installment, Lacson’s father, Lucio, found the venture too risky. Aniceto, however, successfully negotiated with Luchinger to purchase the property without a guarantor, leveraging his reputation for hard work and reliability.

Lacson’s mansion in Talisay City, Negros Occidental, known as Casa Grande, is now owned by his descendants, the Claparols family.

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, died young
3. Clotilde, died young
4. Carmen, married Ricardo Claparols, a Spaniard who's son Jaime Lacson Claparols, later founded the JRS Express in 1960
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
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
5. Nicolas, married Amparo Lacson– the sister of Mayor Arsenio Lacson; they are the parents of Australian-Filipino socialite, Rose Lacson, of Perth, Australia
6. Juan, married Reymunda Villareal
7. Jose, married Estelita Adrias
8. Lucio, married Consuelo Flores
9. Luis, married Lily Distajo
10. Consuelo, married Sebastian Corro, a Spaniard

• Negros Revolution
• Republic of Negros
• Fountain of Justice
• Isaac Lacson
• Arsenio Lacson
• Eugenio Jose Lacson
• Lacson Ruins
• Lacson family of the Philippines
• Ancestral Houses of the Philippines
• List of Political families in the Philippines

• Lacson Clan Website Hall of Fame
• Lacson Clan Website