REMEMBERING BOSS DANDING

Today would’ve been the 90th birthday of the late Ambassador Eduardo (Danding) Cojuangco and he continues to be remembered by those whose lives were touched by the man fondly known as Boss Danding. In his home province of Tarlac, a tribute to his timeless legacy will be made at the Maria Cristina Park, Old Capitol Building, Tarlac City, today starting at 5:30 p.m.

Boss Danding’s daughter Lisa and outgoing Tarlac Governor/Tarlac City Mayor-elect Susan Yap are organizing the celebration. “It is our hope that through this commemoration, especially for the younger generation of Tarlaquenos, Ambassador Cojuangco’s life and legacy will continue to serve as a beacon of inspiration,” said both prime movers. “His efforts have significantly contributed to the social and economic development of Tarlac and his deep compassion for the welfare of Tarlaqueños remains evident in the many programs and opportunities he initiated.”

Boss Danding’s achievements in business, politics and sports were pervasive and impacted the entire country. As a philanthropist, he dedicated himself to others. In 1992, Boss Danding aspired to become President with the motivation to serve his countrymen in the best way he could. To this day, many political observers wonder how a Boss Danding presidency would’ve transformed a divided society and a fractured economy into a united, vibrant and progressive nation. He could’ve been the best President the Philippines never had.

In sports, Boss Danding’s accomplishments were legendary. He’s the only Asian inducted into the Australian Horseracing Hall of Fame. As a breeder, his thoroughbred Manila topped the 1 1/2 mile Breeders Cup Turf at Santa Anita, California, in 1986 and won nine major US races before retiring to stud at a syndicated price of $20 million in 1987. Another of Boss Danding’s horses Kapalaran won four races in Australia in 1987. Manila and Kapalaran were two of several horses to proudly boast of Boss Danding’s Filipino heritage. Other horse winners with a Filipino ring to their name included Barkada, Pasikatera, Palaban and Tarlac. In 2016, his three-year-old colt Prized Icon scored an incredible come-from-behind win at the Group 1 level Victoria Derby in Melbourne.

In basketball, Boss Danding took the Philippines to several international championships as the sport’s godfather, including the Jones Cup titles in 1981 and 1985, SEA Games gold medals in 1981 and 1983 and the FIBA Asia crown in 1985-86. His support to sports also encompassed equestrian, bowling, golf, volleyball and boxing.

He was called Boss Danding by those who admired and respected him for what he stood for, what he lived by and what he believed to be his philosophy in life – to give of himself so that others may benefit in the task of nation-building. As an acronym, Boss was fittingly coined for Bawa’t Oras Sama Sama, his motto in proclaiming the significance of teamwork, unity and solidarity.

There is no greater Tarlaqueño than Boss Danding who gave so much of himself to his province and country. Tarlac will always be grateful to Boss Danding who brought honor and pride to all Filipinos. When Boss Danding passed in 2020 at 85, he left behind a legacy that will forever inspire Filipinos to excel in their fields of endeavor, give back to the country selflessly and proudly declare to the world pride in their heritage.

2025-06-09T16:36:09Z