The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-06-12

audience, and just as modestly he re-
ceived Judge shepard's comment as
he awarded the prize:
Yet, they tell us the rights of free
dom and citizenship are not to be ex-
tended to that country
Confidence in Himself.
IT knew that would get that prize"
said Lacson. after the exercises, with
a simple confidence in himself. which
was not even tinged with egotism. II
have never competed for anything yet
and failed. l believe that work will ac-
complish much II a man has the desire
to exert himself. 1 believe, with one Of
your English writer's, in developing an
infinite capacity for taking pains And
so I decided TO enter the competition
for those prizes last summer, and have
since been preparing my theses. Because
did this. l knew that 1 would win, and
for no other reason
Roman Jose Lacson y de Paula-the
sufflX being according to the Spanish
custom. the family name OF the mother
was born on the Island Of Negros, In
1884. After the Spanish war he came. in
company with three other Filipinos. to
the United States, and entered the Col
lege Of Santa Clara, Cal. He had already
won his baccalaureate degree from the
famous old Ateneo de Manila, and pro-
ceeded to take a course in English and
other studies leading 10 the masters de-
gree. Although he was handicapped by
his lack Of knowledge of the language.
having devoted all his attention during
his undergraduate years TO classical IAN
guages and French. he learned English
with such facility that at the end Of his
/ first year he won in competition the gold
medal given for paper In English on
| Christian doctrine. During his second
year he captured the honors in chem
istry, political economy, and astronomy,
and was given the degree Of master OF
arts. He was urged TO go to Leland
/ Stanford University. but Washington
/ had fascination for him; he knew that
/ the Jesuits. who had educated him at
/ home, had a university here. and So
| after two years in California, he came
/ 10 Georgetown TO win the doctorate in
| philosophy, and become also a bachelor
OF laws.
Was Fond of Athletics.
During his collegiate career, Mr.
Lacson has been very popular He is ar
| enthusiastic admirer of the various ath-
1 letic teams of the college, had some
| ambition to be pitcher on the post,
! graduate baseball team. and trained fol
| some time on the cinder path with the
! track team. When asked why so many
| foreigners came to America TO study
! he answered:
Perhaps because they may Obtair
| degrees here more quickly and moro
/ easily than at hOme!"
But that was not your reason" was
urged.
NO" he said, I'VE realize In the Phil
! ippines that we must be prepared e
understand and appreciate the new con,
ditions which have come. and that +,
why many Filipinos have come here as
students"
| DR.. Lacson will remain here unit
December. and after qualifying for the
| bar will sail for his home.
! A compatriot Of Lacson. In birth Il
not in blood. who received the degree
/ Of master Of laws from the Georgetown
Law School last Saturday evening, was
a distinguished looking fellow who wore
a robe with the hood Of a master OF
arts. This was Antonio Opisso d'Ycaza
a descendant of a Philippine branch OF
the old Ycaza family OF Bilbao. Spain
/ that received its coat Of arms IN tho
Moorish wars celebrated by washington
/ Irving For nearly a century tliis family
/ has lived In Manila, and so its members
may be looked upon as FiIpinos, al
! least in environment and education.
Mr.. Opisso. who has practiccd law ir
/ the District for the past year. received
! the degree Of bachelor Of arts from the
Ateneo de Manila IN 1897. Taking n
| postgraduate course at the Universe. -
OF ST. Thomas, in Manila. he received
| the degrees Of master Of arts and mas