He died on March 8 at the age of 61 after a battle with cancer.
But his father, Antonio Cabangon Chua—who served as ambassador to Laos and built his wealth from scratch through the school of hard knocks—believed his son needed to learn and earn things the hard way.
He sent him to the United States right after earning his degree in business administration from De La Salle University.
“He never asked me for anything,” said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in his eulogy. “When things were going poorly, all he did was to help, all he did was to be a friend. Basta nandito ako. Not because he was in it for something, but because he wanted to be there…he enjoyed the fact that he was a friend.”
Edgard the gasoline boy
While in the United States, from 1986 to 1990, he was tasked with managing two gasoline stations, rolling up his sleeves and buckling down to work daily—which also meant serving as a gas attendant and convenience store clerk, hardly the kind of job a magnate’s son would typically do.
“He lived a full life rooted in hard work and strong faith,” wrote AC Cabangon, Edgard’s son, on Facebook.
Law to business leadership
From there, Edgard set his sights on becoming a lawyer, enrolling at the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law upon returning to the country. But as his responsibilities within the ALC Group grew more demanding, he dropped out in his third year to help his father, “Amba,” steer the family business empire to greater heights.
So when Amba sadly passed away on March 11, 2016, Edgard was more than ready to take on the reins as chair.
“I've had the privilege of knowing Edgard Cabangon for over two decades,” shared Ed Cordevilla in a statement. “I've witnessed how familiarity blossomed into friendship, ultimately evolving into a lasting kinship.”
Stronger media presence
Under his leadership—conservative but always with an eye toward opportunities—the ALC Group bolstered its presence in media, particularly broadcasting.
In addition to controlling Aliw Broadcasting Corp.—which operates radio stations 97.9 Home Radio and DWIZ 882—as well as the print titles Philippines Graphic and BusinessMirror, the Cabangons formed Nine Media Corp. in 2010 to acquire the stake held by Solar Entertainment in RPN 9 in 2014.
Thus, in 2015, CNN Philippines was born under a brand licensing agreement with Turner Broadcasting Corp. However, after nine years, with management citing mounting accumulated losses of more than $89 million or P5 billion, CNN Philippines would cease operations. The closure resulted in 300 job losses.
Still, unhampered by this setback, the ALC Group launched in June 2023 Aliw Channel 23, a digital broadcast television and free-to-air station.
At the blessing of the station’s studios, Edgard said: “Today, we have come together to commemorate the inauguration of the Aliw Channel 23 studio, a symbol of our dedication to delivering meaningful and accurate content to our viewers. This new facility will serve as a hub for creativity and innovation, enabling us to continue our mission of providing high-quality programming to our audience.”
During the subsequent official launch, he further said, “This achievement fills me with confidence that my father, the late Ambassador Antonio Cabangon Chua, would have been proud to witness the expansion of the business he established. Serving the Filipino people has always been his vision, and establishing a broadcasting channel was one of his aspirations for the ALC Group. I am certain he would be delighted to see this dream become a reality.”
The programming of Aliw Channel 23 is focused on news, public service, and entertainment.
“Edgard is like a bustling train, relentlessly in motion—balancing a mountain of paperwork, participating in company meetings, and attending social gatherings, all of which he considers part of his responsibilities,” Cordevilla continues.
“So, when Edgard's train pauses for you, you know it’s something truly special; it’s a clear sign that you hold a significant place in his heart.”
Steady, measured expansion
Eternal Gardens, the memorial park and death care unit of the ALC Group, also saw steady growth under Edgard’s leadership.
This included the expansion of its Lipa, Batangas property, continued development in Naga, Santa Rosa, and Cabanatuan, the opening of mortuary chapels in Balagtas, Batangas, and the launch of Eternal Paw Crematory in Baesa, Caloocan for pets.
On the property development front, Citystate Properties opened new phases of Sandari Batulao, a mountain wellness community in Nasugbu, Batangas, and launched Sandari Calatagan, a beachfront and hillside mixed-use leisure development also in the province.
Gencars Makati, an established Isuzu dealer, was named Dealer of the Year in 2022. In February, Edgard relinquished his directorship in Citystate Savings Bank, following CS Capital Investment of Singapore’s acquisition of a 26.3-percent stake in the lender late last year. He was succeeded by William Matthew Cabangon, president of AAA Securities and a third-generation family member.
“Boss Edgard, I will never forget your kindness,” shared former longtime DWIZ radio broadcaster Marou Pahati Sarne on Facebook. “Thank you for your friendship. Your laughter will always resonate in my mind. Rest now in God's loving embrace.”
A saga of success
Edgard was born on April 9, 1964. His father, Antonio L. Cabangon Chua—who later married Bienvenida Cabangon, née Angeles—lost his father of affluent means during World War II, having been tragically killed by the Japanese. He would then be raised alone by his mother Dominga, from whom he would name the string of buildings he would eventually build in Makati and Pasig City.
Impoverished and left with “nothing but the clothes on their backs,” Dominga and Antonio lived with wealthy relatives and, like a tale straight out of a telenovela, his mother would be unfairly treated as a mere servant.
Yet, preferring “dignified poverty over abject security,” Antonio took on odd jobs—from fish vendor to shoeshine boy—vowing “never to go hungry again.”
When Dominga saved enough to open a modest sari-sari store, it helped Antonio finish his studies and become a Certified Public Accountant. He later ventured into jeepney operations and pawnbroking—the seeds of what would become a conglomerate.
It was the promising start of a humble man who would rise to the pinnacle of the business world, as Nick Joaquin wrote in A Saga of Success, and eventually enter the halls of power both here and abroad.
Dominic Edgard Angeles Cabangon is survived by his loving life partner, Sharon Tan, and his children: Dominga Maritoni, Giannina Eunice, Dannica Nicole, and Antonio Carlos.
He was laid to rest beside his father at the San Felipe Neri Catholic Cemetery in Mandaluyong City. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
Features Reporter
