Cojuangco

The Cojuangco (Pampangan: [koˈxwəŋku] or [koˈwəŋku]; Chinese: 許寰哥; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Khó͘-hoân-ko; Min Nan Chinese pronunciation: [kʰɔ˥˧huan˨˦ko˦]; Tagalog: [koˈhwaŋko]) clan is a prominent Filipino family descended from Co Yu Hwan (許玉寰; Khó͘ Gio̍k-khoân), who migrated to the Philippines in 1861 from Hongjian Village, Jiaomei Township, Zhangzhou, Fujian.^[1] He was commonly called Khoân ko (Brother Khuan) or Khó͘ Khoân ko / Khó͘ Hoân ko (Brother Kho Khuan) among Hokkien Chinese Filipinos, and the latter was Hispanicized as Cojuangco (Spanish pronunciation: [koˈxwaŋɡko]). He adopted the Christian name José Cojuangco ("El Chino" José) in 1865 when he moved to Bulacan.^[2]

The Cojuangco clan is among the most powerful and influential families in the Philippines, exercising economic control over several banks (such as Bank of Commerce) and trade houses, notably the sugar trade (Hacienda Luisita and Central Azucarera de Tarlac).^[3] The clan has at various time been highly involved in Philippine politics, with several members having entered public office in both local and national positions.