THE MAN BEHIND THE DREAM

CAPTAIN JOHN B. LACSON

Founder, Iloilo Maritime Academy

09 MAY 1898 - 15 JUNE 1992

Captain John B. Lacson, the man behind making the maritime profession honorable and noble.

In 1944, Capt. Lacson became a U.S. citizen and adopted the name John B. Lacson. He resided at San Juan, Puerto Rico, a US territory at that time. Histories recorded that Lieutenant Juan B. Lacson also took command of the coastguard-manned army vessel FS-273 in September 1945.

When the war ended, Captain Lacson went home to the Philippines and committed himself into making young boys realize their dreams of following his footsteps and be at sea. He founded the Iloilo Maritime Academy (IMA) in 1948. He also served as a harbor pilot for twelve years in Iloilo City.

Capt. Lacson is remembered for his intellectual prowess as a teacher, a master mariner, and a port pilot.

He was blessed with 6 children. Four girls and two boys. His youngest daughter, Mary Lou, succeeded him in the leadership position at IMA. Eventually the school carried his name, a tribute by Mary Lou to forever honor the captain.

He died on June 15, 1992, leaving a legacy that has changed the lives of thousands of Ilonggos. He paved the way to make Iloilo a global supplier of word-class seafarers. He gave countless maritime practitioners the privilege of travelling the seas, seeing the world, and providing well for their families.

THE WOMAN BEHIND THE DREAM

DR. MARY LOU LACSON

Chairman of the Board of Trustees and President Emeritus

In 1969, Iloilo Maritime Academy (IMA) experienced a period of labor unrest. The beleaguered Captain called on his youngest daughter, Mary Lou to assist him. She was supposed to give it a try for only one year, but she never left. Her commitment to the school her father founded continued.

The union during that time was undermining the legitimate power of the administrator. It was difficult for Capt. Lacson to fully grasp the rising union power and student activism, with their perceived rights. In March 1972, Mary Lou took off her father’s burden. She conducted dialogues and meetings with the union members. She was able to make the labor leaders cooperate with her and bring back peace to IMA.

The entry of the young president began the transformation of the Iloilo Maritime Academy into a more progressive institution. Her management style won the hearts of people under her. New campuses were acquired, and structures were constructed. New programs were introduced, and methods and standards of instructions were improved.

The institution battled for accreditation and recognition in the national and international arena. These had to happen if the institution has become a leading institution in quality education. Her promise of giving the management of IMA a try for a year became a commitment for Mary Lou until the today.

THE LEGACY LIVES ON

DR. RONALD RAYMOND LACSON SEBASTIAN

Chief Executive Officer, JBLFMU

Presently JBLFMU is led by the young grandson of Capt. John B. Lacson, Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Ronald Raymond Lacson Sebastian. He takes pride with JBLFMU’s Integrated Management Policy focusing on Quality, Health, Safety and Environment. His leadership has navigated the university into active observance of disaster risk and reduction management protocols, protection and preservation of the environment projects like the Iloilo Bike Festival, Guimaras: Bike Paradise of the Philippines Project; Padyak Series in Guimaras: Kalikasan, Kaligtasan and Kalusugan, Paraw Regatta Festival and many more. He is also currently the District Director of the Coast Guard Auxiliary District Western Visayas.

Dr. Sebastian, over the years, has received a number of citations and awards in behalf of JBLFMU, attributed to his vision to upholding the school’s motto: “We Lead. We Excel: The Lacsonian Legacy”.