The General Aniceto Lacson Ancestral House in Talisay City, also known as the Malacañang of Negros, on Tuesday, Nov. 5, was donated to the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) that is set to fully restore the important historic landmark to its former glory.
The heirs of Lacson signed the deed of donation at rites held at its grounds on the 126th Cinco de Noviembre anniversary of the Negrense revolutionary forces’ uprising that led to the surrender of .the Spanish colonizers.
Jeremy R. Barns, NMP Director-General, said an initial P20 million has been allocated for the start of the renovation work that could last two to three years.
“We are going to do a full and proper restoration of the house…We are going to do it carefully, meticulously and as perfectly as we can,” Barns said.
The Gen. Aniceto Lacson Ancestral Home.*NMP Facebook page photo
The ancestral house served as the seat of the Cantonal Republic of Negros that was established after the Spaniards surrendered to Negrense forces led by revolutionary leaders Lacson and Gen. Juan Araneta.
Lacson became the president of the short-lived Cantonal Republic of Negros.
The house built in 1880, also called Casa Grade, was the Malacañang of Negros and is considered one of the grandest ancestral houses in the Philippines, Lacson’s great granddaughter Anna Balcells said.
Balcells, president of the Gen. Aniceto Lacson Ancestral Home Foundation Inc., said “In preserving this historic landmark, we give this House as our best gift to Negros and to the Filipino people”.
“This ancestral house will now serve as a source of inspiration, a window into our shared past, and a place where future generations can come to know the life and legacy of Aniceto Lacson,” she said as she thanked First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos and former Rep. Francisco Benitez for helping make it a reality.
The ancestral house was donated by the Javellana-Claparols, Claparols-Balcells, Medina-Claparols and Claparols-Rosello families, descendants of Gen. Lacson , to the NMP.
By entrusting this historic landmark to the NMP, the Lacson heirs are ensuring its preservation and allowing future generations to connect with an essential piece of the nation’s past, the general’s great grandson Michael Claparols said.
Restoration efforts will protect the house’s architectural integrity and historical value, safeguarding it against time and environmental decay, he said.
The NMP will rehabilitate, repair and sustainably maintain, manage and develop the General Aniceto Lacson Ancestral House, in line with a Master Plan to be formulated for the purpose for the benefit of present and future generations of Filipinos, Barns said.
It will be preserved as an ancestral house-museum and preeminent landmark of the history and cultural heritage of Negros and the wider Philippines, the deed of donation states.
The National Historical Commission of the Philippines declared the General Aniceto L. Lacson Ancestral House a national historic landmark in 2002.
Barns thanked former Rep. Benitez, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority director general, for the initial funding to kick off the urgent repair of the house.
Benitez thanked the heirs of Lacson for the donation, the NMP for taking on the preservation of the ancestral home, and Mrs. Marcos for her help.
He also cited the presence of members of the Lizares and Diaz families, descendants of Gen. Simon Lizares and Don Julio Diaz, who also fought for Negros’ independence who were present at the donation rites on Tuesday.
The Diaz, Lizares and Lacson families (l-r)*
“What we have before us is not just a heritage site that is a testament to patriotism and the fervor for our desire for independence…Cinco de Noviembre lies as a moment in Negrense history where Negrosanons were able to do what was not possible in Intramuros, which is the surrender of Spanish forces to Filipinos,” Benitez said.
Dr. Ivan Henares, UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines secretary general, said he is working for the inclusion of the Negros Sugar Heritage Trail, which the Gen Aniceto Lacson Ancestral House will be part of, in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
“By preserving this ancestral home, we honor General Aniceto Lacson and all the unsung heroes of Cinco de Noviembre. We ensure that their story remains alive – not just in books or celebrations, but in a tangible, living space that allows us to step into our past, even as we look toward our future,” Talisay City Administrator Jose Jonathan Ealdama, who represented Mayor Niel Lizares also said.*