In the history of Philippine business, few names resonate as powerfully as Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco Jr. and Ramon S. Ang. Their story is one of power, vision, loyalty, and strategic succession—leaving a lasting legacy at the helm of San Miguel Corporation, one of Southeast Asia’s most diversified conglomerates.
Danding Cojuangco: The Kingmaker and Industrialist
Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco Jr., born into political and agricultural privilege, quickly rose through both political and business ranks. A close ally of former President Ferdinand Marcos, Cojuangco was both a politician and an entrepreneur. His controversial acquisition of San Miguel Corporation in the 1980s, funded partly through the Coconut Levy Fund, became a matter of national debate, legal battles, and political tension.
Despite the controversies, Cojuangco proved himself an astute businessman. Under his leadership, San Miguel Corporation expanded aggressively into new markets, diversifying from food and beverage into infrastructure, power, and telecommunications. His strategic foresight turned SMC into a regional powerhouse.
The Rise of Ramon S. Ang: The Engineer Turned Tycoon
Ramon S. Ang started as a mechanical engineer with a keen business acumen. His early ventures included automotive and industrial trading, but his real rise began when he joined San Miguel Corporation in the 1990s. Known for his analytical mind and sharp instinct, Ang quickly earned Cojuangco’s trust.
By the early 2000s, Ang was appointed President and COO of SMC. He spearheaded massive diversification efforts, leading to the company’s expansion into energy, oil refining, infrastructure, and more. In 2012, he became Vice Chairman, and shortly thereafter, President and CEO.
A Powerful Partnership
Cojuangco and Ang’s partnership was built on mutual respect. While Cojuangco was the political strategist and power broker, Ang was the executor and visionary behind San Miguel’s business transformation. Together, they managed to grow the company exponentially, aligning it with the future of Philippine development.
Cojuangco’s decision to hand over the reins of San Miguel to Ang was a calculated move—one that ensured continuity, stability, and bold leadership. In the years following, Ang would continue to reshape the company in his own image: daring, expansive, and risk-tolerant.
After Danding: Ramon Ang’s Era of Expansion
Following Cojuangco’s passing in 2020, Ramon Ang solidified his leadership at San Miguel. Under his command, the company launched some of the country’s largest infrastructure projects, including tollways, airports, and energy ventures. Ang also orchestrated the consolidation of San Miguel’s assets and expanded its footprint across Southeast Asia.
He has since been credited with modernizing SMC’s operations and integrating sustainability into its long-term vision.
Legacy of Vision and Power
The story of Danding Cojuangco and Ramon Ang is more than a business tale—it is a blueprint of succession, trust, and leadership evolution in a volatile political and economic environment. From Cojuangco’s kingmaker roots to Ang’s engineering-driven empire building, their legacy continues to define corporate Philippines.
San Miguel Corporation stands as the monument to their ambition, foresight, and enduring partnership.
The partnership between Danding Cojuangco and Ramon Ang wasn’t just about business—it was about legacy. Their journey is a rare example of how trust, vision, and strategic succession can shape the destiny of a nation’s most powerful conglomerate. As San Miguel Corporation moves into the future, it does so with the imprint of two visionary leaders who transformed ambition into empire.
