Lacdan family

The Lacdan family was one of the first families who established San Pedro Laguna Philippines around 1848. An aristocratic line of succession from China originally named Dan moved to a province in the Philippines, now Laguna, to escape political oppression. Fuha Dan created one of the first business in laguna from agriculture and trade which marked the wealth of the Dan clan in Laguna. Fuha Dan later married the daughter of a Spanish General; Adelina Crisostimo, who opposed the marriage from the start. General Crisostimo agreed to the marriage of his daughter to Fuha if he denounced his Chinese roots. Fuha agreed and changed his name to Aureliano Dan. Convinced, General Crisostimo blessed the wedding of his daughter. Now becoming members of the Chinese-mestizo minority, they enjoyed relative wealth and power. Aureliano and Adelina brought forth nine healthy children all bearing Spanish names from their Spanish roots.

Family

Around the turn of the first half of the twentieth century the Philippine/American war against Spain broke out. Thus temporarily driving the Spanish out of the Laguna area. However, renewed Spanish military pressure compelled the rebels to restructure their forces in a more cohesive arimanner. Aureliano and his wife took their nine kids along with their servants and fled the town. Afraid of being harmed and prosecuted for the questionable wealth, the Dan clan changed their last names to Lac-Dan, fleeing the town until the war ended. The Lacdan clan abandoned their properties and amassed land while war destroyed their opulant home.

Outcome

The Lacdan clan later returned to their San Pedro, Laguna home, devastated at the sight of destruction. Antiques and precious heirlomes that adorned the house were destroyed and or robbed from the home. Determine to get on his feet Aureliano started his farm again, producing the towns main source of vegetables, fruits and dishes. A born business man, he opened a small stand and sold his products, from here the San Pedro market was born. He moved his family closer to the market, in fact right next to the market where he worked. The Lacdan family constructed a brand new residence which stood in a stately manner, that could be seen from the entrance of town. This home was one of the first sight you would see coming in to San Pedro Laguna. Spanish architecture was the main concept of the house.

Later years

Aureliano died at the age of 92 from lung failure leaving his mass fortune to his wife and children. However, six months after his death, Adelina died also, and the wealth, land and house was inherited by the nine children who all lived on the three story mansion. The children all lived in the house until they got married. Some stayed in Laguna to keep the family business but the majority moved back to Spain.
Tragedy

In 1978 a tragic fire swept the barangay of Purok Dos, the location of the Lacdan Clan house built decades ago. The fire jumped from house to house which later burnt the stately home filled with priceless heirlooms and family portraits. The fire burned the house and the market that Aureliano Lacdan established, all fell to the ground, the aristocratic living came to an end. The stately mansion was never rebuilt, the market was sold to a local business man and the land that the Lacdan clan owned for nearly a century was chopped off to waiting heirs. The prominent names still echo around the town where the Lacdan family made an impact in the development of their small town. A sign of respect, the town of San Pedro Laguna placed the names of their honered men and woman (who contributed to a positive up bringing of their town), on a memorial wall in the middle of the plaza to commemorate the nobles who did so much for the better of their town, and country in world war two.

The end?

Though the aristocratic line of succession to the wealth and power was diminished, remaining clans hope to re-establish the clan into modern times. As of now prominent relatives of Lacdans are the Olivares Clan. A self made millionaire, along with her successful children, who are lawyers, doctors,dentist's, and owners of successful business. Investors in land and trade,.

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