Cesar Virata facts for kids

Quick facts for kids His Excellency Cesar Virata KGCR
Virata in 2019
4th Prime Minister of the Philippines
In office July 28, 1981 – February 25, 1986
President	Ferdinand Marcos
Deputy	José Roño
Preceded by	Ferdinand Marcos
Succeeded by	Salvador Laurel
3rd Director-General of the National Economic and Development Authority and Minister of Economic Planning
In office 1983–1984
President	Ferdinand Marcos
Preceded by	Placido Mapa Jr.
Succeeded by	Vicente Valdepeñas Jr.
Secretary/Minister of Finance
In office February 9, 1970 – March 3, 1986
President	Ferdinand Marcos
Preceded by	Eduardo Romualdez
Succeeded by	Jaime Ongpin
Member of the Regular Batasang Pambansa
In office June 30, 1984 – March 25, 1986
Constituency	Cavite
Member of the Interim Batasang Pambansa
In office June 12, 1978 – June 5, 1984
Constituency	Region IV-A
Personal details
Born	Cesar Enrique Aguinaldo Virata (1930-12-12) December 12, 1930 (age 94) Kawit, Cavite, Philippine Islands
Political party	Independent (1986–present) KBL (1978–1986)
Spouse	Phylita Joy Gamboa
Children	3
Alma mater	University of the Philippines Diliman University of Pennsylvania (MBA)
Awards	Grand Cordon, Order of the Rising Sun

Cesar Enrique Aguinaldo Virata was born on December 12, 1930. He is a well-known Filipino leader and businessman. He served as the fourth Prime Minister of the Philippines from 1981 to 1986.

Today, he is the corporate vice chairman of the Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation. The business school at the University of the Philippines Diliman is named after him. It is called the Cesar Virata School of Business.

Early Life and Education

Cesar Virata studied at the University of the Philippines Diliman. Later, he went to the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. At Wharton, he learned about American industries like steel and cars. He also took courses in money and banking.

He realized that some things he learned at Wharton did not quite fit the situation in the Philippines. This helped him understand how to apply his knowledge to his home country.

Government Service

Cesar Virata held important roles in the Philippine government. He worked under President Ferdinand Marcos.

Finance Minister

From 1970 to 1986, Virata was the Finance Minister. In this role, he managed the country's money matters. He helped make decisions about the economy.

Prime Minister of the Philippines

Virata during a cabinet meeting in 1983.

Virata became the Prime Minister of the Philippines in 1981. He served until 1986. During this time, he was also the Finance Minister.

As Prime Minister, he led the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). NEDA is the main group for planning the country's economy. Virata was the third person to lead NEDA.

After the 1986 People Power Revolution

Cesar Virata and his wife Phylita "Joy" Gamboa Virata at a memorial in 2013.

After the 1986 People Power Revolution, the government changed. Salvador Laurel took over as Prime Minister on February 25, 1986. This happened when Corazon Aquino became president.

However, the job of Prime Minister was soon removed. The 1987 Philippine Constitution made the President both the head of state and the head of government.

Academics

Before working in government, Virata taught at the University of the Philippines Diliman. He was the dean of the College of Business Administration. On April 12, 2013, the university renamed the school after him. It became the Cesar E.A. Virata School of Business.

Some groups did not agree with this decision. They protested the renaming. After discussions, the university decided to keep the name.

Family and Personal Life

Cesar Virata is married to Phylita Joy Gamboa. She is a well-known stage actress. They have three children:

• Steven Cesar, who is a businessman.
• Gillian Joyce, who is an educator.
• Michael Dean, who is a doctor.

Virata is the grandnephew of Emilio Aguinaldo, the first president of the Philippines. He also enjoys playing tennis. His uncle, Leonides Sarao Virata, also served in government. He was the Secretary of Trade and Industry.

Biographies

Cesar Virata's life and his impact on the Philippine economy have been written about in books. One book is "Cesar Virata: Life and Times Through Four Decades of Philippine Economic History" by Gerardo Sicat. Another book, "Philippine Politics and the Marcos Technocrats," also talks about him.

Honors

• Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun (2016)
• Most Distinguished Brother, Pan Xenia International Professional Foreign Trade Fraternity

See also

• Prime Minister of the Philippines
• National Economic and Development Authority