By Jose Paolo S. dela Cruz
“I love this country. I could have gone to Australia or any other country in the world after my exile, but I chose to return to the Philippines because I want to be part of its legacy and history.” — Danding Cojuangco Jr.
Businessman, kingmaker and basketball aficionado Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco Jr., passed away yesterday, June 16, at the age of 85.
As chairman and CEO of San Miguel Corp., Cojuangco was best known for his role in growing one of the country’s leading breweries into one of its largest conglomerates, with business interests in infrastructure, power and food industries.
June 10, 1935 to June 16, 2020 / Photo by Jo Avila
In 2004, Cojuangco was recognized as one of PeopleAsia’s very first “People of the Year” awardees, alongside former US President George W. Bush, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and then-presidentiable Fernando Poe Jr.
Speaking then to contributor Scott Garceau, Cojuangco spoke of his dreams for the country. “I want to see it grow into something world-class, just like what we’re trying to do with San Miguel. I want to do this for all my countrymen, but more personally for my grandchildren, because I do not want them to go through what I have gone through in the past.”
A self-professed “farmer at heart,” Cojuangco also revealed to PeopleAsia in a 2003 interview with Joel Salud that prior to rising as one of the country’s most prominent business figures, he was suddenly thrown into the spotlight when his father and “idol” passed away when he was just 16 years old. “I tried to fill the void but at my age then, the shoes were too big to fill. It’s hard to take charge when the first thing people will say is: Sino ba itong musmos na ito (Who’s this kid?)? That’s why I consider myself fortunate that I have gone this far.”
However, the young businessman and new head of the family persevered, until he finally found his place in the sun through the decades – along with that of San Miguel’s more than 70,000 employees, to date.
Aside from his business acumen, Cojuangco was also known for being a political force to reckon with, having founded the Nationalist People’s Coalition in 1992. He ran for president under that banner in the same year, vis-a-vis the late Miriam Defensor Santiago and Fidel V. Ramos, who would later become the country’s 12th president.
“I love this country. I could have gone to Australia or any other country in the world after my exile, but I chose to return to the Philippines because I want to be part of its legacy and history,” he also said, referring to his years of exile from 1986 to 1989, in the aftermath of the People Power Revolution, which resulted in the ouster of the late President Ferdinand Marcos.
Basketball is yet another of Cojuangco’s passions, having owned three teams under the Philippine Basketball Association, namely San Miguel Beer, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, and the Magnolia Hotshots.
In a tweet released at 8a.m today, the PBA honored Danding by saying: “Chairman and CEO of San Miguel Corp., politician, diplomat, businessman, team owner, sports patron…Thank you for your countless contributions to the PBA and Philippine sports! Our prayers and condolences to his family and loved ones. Requiescat in pace!”
Malacañang, through Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr., also expressed sympathies for the well-loved businessman. “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Mr. Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco, Jr.,” Roque said. “In these trying times, Mr. Cojuangco’s SMC has been a reliable partner of the government in mitigating the impact of the COVID-19 by providing support and assistance to frontliners and vulnerable sectors. The Palace offers its fervent prayers for the eternal repose of the soul of Mr. Cojuangco as we convey our heartfelt condolences to his family, colleagues, friends, and loved ones.”
According to Forbes.com, Cojuangco, as of June 16, had a net worth of $1.1 billion, and was ranked as the 16th richest Filipino.
