Born
on Christmas day, Dec.25 1939, Emmanuel “Mamie”
Lacson is considered one of the country’s premier breeder
and became the founding father of two important breeders’
associations in Negros. He spent his primary and secondary
education in Ateneo de Manila and finished his B.S. degree
in Agriculture, majoring in Animal Science, in Xavier University
(Ateneo) Cagayan de Oro. It was during his Xavier days that
he fancied gamefowl breeding. And together with his dorm-mate
fellow Negrense, Alex Montelibano, a respected breeder himself,
started a backyard breeding experiment in the hidden grounds
of Xavier. After graduation, Mamie was influenced by his two
uncles, Don Ramon Lacson and Don Basilio Lopez to go into
serious gamefowl breeding. His first breeding farm was situated
in his own sugarfarm in Hacienda Zaragoza, Maao, Negros Occ.
But was later transferred to the mountains of Mambukal, a
private estate owned by his wife Nena, as advised and layed
out by his close friend, the legendary Harold Brown. He came
to know Harold in 1964, and became his mentor ever since,
a relationship that lasted them a lifetime. Mamie’s
breeding program was coursed thru the close guidance of Harold,
he had acces to Harold’s best broodyards. He came to
know a lot of great American breeders in the likes of Curtis
Blackwell, Johnnie Moore, Johnny Jumper, Oscar Akins, and
Bill Baumgarner thru Harold’s network. These breeders
became the source of Mamie’s broodstocks and later made
up the genes of Circle L bred fowls.
In
1966, Mamie together with a core group of 7 elite breeders
and cockers formed Bacolod City Combine, they actively fought
mains throughout Luzon, Visayas & Mindanao. The group
was composed of Hector Lacson, Lito Lacson, Mamie Lacson,
Batchoy Alunan, Monong Monfort, Nene Ledesma, & Peping
Coruña. They became part of the Philippine team that
fought against the formidable Duke Hulsey during the 17-cock
Main in Araneta coliseum dubbed as “Duke Hulsey vs the
Philippine Selection”. Of which Duke won 11-6 using
Hatch-Butcher-Claret crosses better known here as the Lemons.
In
1974, Mamie & Hector Lacson organized a group of active
breeders in Negros and formed the UNITED NEGROS BREEDERS ASSN.
or UNEGBA, these comprises 14 combines, which started the
1st derby circuits in Bacolod. The venue was in Don Carlos
Montilla Stadium in Bacolod, under the management of Negros
Sportsmen, of which Mamie assumed the post of Pit Manager.
It was really a gentlemen sport during this era. The highlight
of Unegba came in 1977, when they hosted the 1st Western Visayas
International Derby. Legendary breeders from the U.S. came
in full force, among them are Harold Brown, Oscar Akins, Jimmy
East, Joe Goode, Billy Ruble, Ray Alexander & many others.
Mamie during this time, hosted Harold Brown and Richard Bates,
the latter conditioned and handled the Red Fox entry in Mamie’s
conditioning stable. Don Ramon Lacson in tandem with Jimmy
East won solo the said derby. Mamie with Harold & Bates
ended 1st runner up in this tightly contested derby.
In
1980, the 1st NATIONAL BREEDERS 6-STAG Derby was held in Teresa
Square Garden, which was hosted by Eddie Araneta (Liza Galore)
and Esting Teopaco (C.A.T. Stinger). It was the 1st stag derby
ever held in the country. Stag screeners include Sen. Monching
Mitra, Eddie Araneta, Esting Teopaco, & Capt. Ben Rodriguez.
Mamie’s entry the “Black Stag” , a show
of Blueface Mclean Hatches and Hatch Greys won the said derby
with a perfect 6-0 score.
In
the same year (1980), Mamie became the founding father of
NGBA (NEGROS GAMEFOWL BREEDERS ASSN) together with 7 breeding
stalwarts of Negros namely: Freddie Yulo, Alex Montelibano,
Tony Trebol, Rudy Tinsay, Jr.Cuaycong, Itoy Sison, & Mom
Varela. Mamie was elected as 1st President of NGBA, a position
he held for 2 consecutive terms. The group organized &
initiated the 1st stag derbies outside Manila. Its main objective
is to protect & promote the rights and welfare of all
the breeders especially the small breeders. These paved way
for the upliftment of quality grade fowls among the backyard
raisers.
In
1992, Mamie together with Itoy Sison, Freddie Yulo, &
Otic Geroso founded GFBAN (GAMEFOWL BREEDERS ASSN OF NEGROS).
Mamie became the 1st President of the group for 2 terms again.
They carried over the same objectives of NGBA and was even
more compelled to help out the small breeders. At present
GFBAN holds the most number of active breeders in Negros,
majority of which are backyard breeders. The pioneering spirit
of Mamie coupled with his organizational vision and compelling
drive has truly paid off as evidence by the success of the
two Breeders Associations whom he founded.
In
Jubilee Year 2000, on a Good Friday, Mamie was taken by His
Creator while serving as a lay minister in Queen of Peace
Church, Bacolod city. It was no coincidence that he was born
on a Christmas day and died on a Good Friday, he carried the
name “Emmanuel” or God is with us. Up to the time
of his demise, he served as the head of GFBAN’s advisory
group. And helped organized other breeders association in
the country as well. His breeding legacy lives on thru his
son, Joey, who is also currently serving as a Director of
GFBAN.
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