Cuenco family of Cebu
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"The Cuenco family is a well-known political family in Cebu, Philippines. Since the 1800s, the Cuenco name has been part the colorful history and lore of this island in Southern Philippines. Members of the Cuenco family have been involved in Philippine politics, literature, journalism, as well as the Catholic religion." - Cecilia Manguerra Brainard, Filipino-American Writer (who is also related to the Cuenco blood).
The Cuenco's are prominent and legendary in Cebu City. The family patriarch, Mariano Jesus Cuenco, served in the Senate before martial law and was president of the upper chamber from 1949-1951. Today, Antonio Cuenco continues the political blood of his ancestors as the Congressman of the 2nd District of Cebu City.
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[edit] History
The Cuenco family is referred to as a powerful family in Cebu City, just like the Medici during the medieval ages, some of the Cuenco members have been involved in politics and religion.
The beginnings of this powerful political family can be traced back to Mariano Albao Cuenco, a poet and teacher from Capiz, who married Remedios Diosomito. Remedios originally came from Naic, Cavite, but attended school in Cebu. The couple settled first in Carmen. They later lived in Leyte, but returned to reside in the famous Parian district of Old Cebu. They had 16 children, of which only four survived to adulthood. Jose Maria Cuenco, Mariano Jesus Cuenco, Dolores Cuenco Borromeo, and Miguel Cuenco. Most of their children died in infancy; a son Jaime died when he was older.
At the turn of the century, shortly after the Philippine American War, Mariano Albao worked as a Clerk of Court to the American Judge Carlock. He also wrote and founded the Imprenta Rosario where he and his family published several newspapers. He later ran for governor, but lost. His children went on to be powerful figures in politics and religion.
After Mariano Albao died, his wife Remedios took over the management of the Imprenta Rosario and is technically the First Woman Publisher of Cebu.
[edit] Cuenco Members In Politics
- Mariano Albao Cuenco † - Born 1861; died 1909. Poet, journalist, grammarian. Born in Kalibo, Capiz on Dec. 8, 1861. Attended Normal de Manila and taught in public schools in Sogod and Catmon. In 1889, moved to Baybay, Leyte to do business. He returned to Cebu, settling with his family in Colon Street, Parian. He became a journalist, writing for various papers. He started the Imprenta Rosario press. His pseudonym was "Asuang." Ran for Cebu governor but lost. Died on July 9, 1909.
- Mariano Jesus Cuenco † - Born 1888; died 1964. Member of the Philippine Assembly 1912-16; 4-term Cebu Representative, 5th district; 2-term Cebu Governor; Senate President and Cabinet Member; Philippine Legislature [Senate]; In office as a Senator 1912-1928, 1941-1964. Born in Carmen on January 16, 1888. Like his father, mother, and siblings, he was also a writer and publisher. He founded the bilingual newspaper, El Precursor (Ang Magu-una), which ran from 1907-eve of World War II. In 1947, he founded The Republic.
- Miguel Cuenco † - Born December 15, 1904; died June 20, 1990. Representative, 5th district, Cebu; National Assembly [House of Representatives]; In office as a Representative 1931-1941, 1944-1946, 1949-1965.
- Manuel Cuenco † - Cebu Governor, In office as a Governor during the 1950's.
- Antonio Cuenco - Representative, 2nd district, Cebu; House of Representatives; In office as a Congressman 1987-1998, 2000 - Present.
- Nancy Cuenco - Representative, 2nd district, Cebu City; House of Representatives; In office as a Congresswoman 1998-2001.
- James Anthony Cuenco - Chief legislative staff officer; Office of father, Rep. Antonio Cuenco, House of Representatives; In office up to present.
- Marjorie M. Cuenco - Supervising legislative staff officer III; Research and Reference Bureau, House of Representatives; Up to present. Lawyer.
- Ronald R. Cuenco - Councilor; Cebu City; In office as a Councilor 1992-2001; Consultant/ Office of the Mayor of Cebu City/ Market Affairs 2001-2003.
[edit] Cuenco Member In Religion
- Jose Maria Cuenco - Roman Catholic Archbishop of Jaro, Philippines. Born in Carmen, Cebu Province on May 19, 1885, died October 8, 1972. Jose Maria was in Washington D.C. as a Pensionado in 1906, when he contracted typhoid fever and almost died. During his long convalescence, he began to read the lives of saints and decided to become a priest instead of a lawyer. Ordained a priest in Cebu on June 11, 1914, he went on to become Archbishop of Jaro, Iloilo. As a publisher, he founded El Boletin Catolico and Veritas, an English-Spanish weekly.
[edit] Sources
- Cuenco, Jose Ma. (1972). Archbisop Cuenco Autobiography. La Editorial, Inc..
- Mojares, Resil (1975). Cebuano Literature: A Survey and Bio-Bibliography with Finding List. San Carlos Publications.
