‘Washington SyCip on Cesar Virata’

Below are Washington SyCip’s thoughtful comments during the launch of my book on August 27, 2014 at the Yuchengco Museum in Makati City, entitled, Cesar Virata: Life and Times during Four Decades of Philippine Economic History (University of the Philippines Press):

I think I have not seen a paperback book as thick as Cesar Virata’s.  It might appear daunting to some people, but I found it quite interesting particularly since Gerry Sicat wrote about Cesar in the context of Philippine economic history.  It is a history that I had lived.  Mentioned in the book are events that I had personally experienced and characters I know.  This made reading about Cesar very personal.

“Early encounters.” My association with the Virata family spans at least seven decades.  I had met Cesar’s uncle, Leonides, in New York City.  Leonides was an assistant to Gen. Carlos P. Romulo who was at the time ambassador to the UN.  

When he returned to Manila, Leonides joined the Central Bank.  He would later join the boards of many companies and become a highly respected member of the business community.

As for Cesar himself, I met him in the classroom – as one of my students in UP’s Industrial Management program.  He was taking graduate courses while waiting for his acceptance at Wharton. 

After he finished his MBA and returned to the country, Cesar joined UP where he became the dean of the College of Business Administration when he was barely 30 years old.

Cesar’s association with SGV was the beginning of a long friendship which continues to the present.  It was in 1956 when Cesar’s father, Dr. Enrique Virata, was designated acting president of UP.  Cesar, then already dean, was not comfortable with the idea of reporting to his father.  His father encouraged him to return to the private sector instead of pursuing a PhD.

Meanwhile, I bumped into Leonides while I was visiting New York and he had relayed Cesar’s quandary.  I, on the other hand, saw it as an opportunity.  Back home, Leonides arranged for me to meet Cesar for me to suggest that he join SGV as head of Management Services, a new division of SGV. 

This was in late 1956.  Besides his role at SGV, he continued to teach in UP and also found the time to marry Joy in December of that year.  Unfortunately I had to interfere with their honeymoon in Baguio as important business matters needed his attention.  Joy has never forgiven me!  I have tried to regain her goodwill by helping the Repertory.

“Virata’s work at SGV.” Cesar did a lot of groundbreaking work in the field of project development.  You must understand that this was in the 1950s and 1960s when the country was viewed as having great potentials for development, but much work was needed in setting up businesses. 

Multinational corporations, multilateral organizations and our own government required consulting services.  With his management and engineering skills, Cesar delivered excellent results with each engagement and earned a reputation for his no-nonsense approach to implementing and executing projects. 

Cesar recognized the enormous opportunities for the country, especially in agri-business where he made lasting contributions to the pineapple and banana industries.

Unfortunately for SGV, it seems that Cesar was destined for a more exciting career path.  Shortly after Carlos P. Romulo assumed the UP presidency, he wanted Cesar back.  In fact, he threatened me – jokingly of course – that if I didn’t let go of Cesar, he would personally demonstrate in front of our building! 

While I agreed that Cesar in academe would benefit many young minds, I also knew that the demand for his competency in the private sector should also be considered. Gen. Romulo and I arrived at a solution where Cesar would work for both UP and SGV.  He taught in UP from 7 a.m. to about 1 p.m.  Then he would go to SGV to work for the rest of the day – and night for that matter.

“The crisis years and transition.” As for that chapter in Cesar’s life with the government, most of you already know and I will not dwell on it.  But I must tell you about the few very tense days before the departure of Marcos to Hawaii. 

Jimmy Ongpin, who Cory had designated as Secretary of Finance, came to my office on Friday evening suggesting that I should have my two close friends, Cesar Virata and Jobo Fernandez, resign from the Marcos government as they lend great credibility to President Marcos. 

I mentioned that if the Central Bank governor resigns it was so easy for President Marcos to appoint another person who could transfer whatever foreign exchange we had to his cronies.  I tried to get hold of Cesar over the weekend but could not contact him.  He was in Imus, Cavite. 

Finally on Monday I did talk to him to see whether we could have dinner together.  He suggested the following day, Tuesday, for dinner at 8:00 p.m. at my home. Both he and Jobo arrived at 8:00 p.m. 

Cesar said that he had told Marcos he was not going to be part of the Marcos government, but Marcos had asked him not to announce this.  Cesar agreed as he was in contact with the US government about the  possible departure of Marcos from Malacañang to Clark, and then to the US.  The question was about the number of people that Marcos could take with him as the US government had limited air transport resources.

A few minutes past 9:00 p.m. my two phone lines rang for Cesar and for Jobo advising them that Marcos had left Malacañang by helicopter.  They both inquired as to whether Gen. Ver had left with Marcos as they were worried about a blood bath should he be left behind. 

A few minutes later their respective staff called back saying that Gen. Ver had also left for Clark.  At that point I took out a bottle of champagne and we celebrated the end of the Marcos presidency.

I would like to say -- and I have said this many times before -- that except for Cesar, there is no other person who went through all the Marcos years without a blemish on his career. 

Cesar has kept his integrity and continues to live his principles to this day.  I can say this because we continue to work together on a number of corporate boards.  The sharpness and brilliance of Cesar continues to have the confidence of the business world.

My email is: [email protected]. Visit this site for more information, feedback and commentary: http://econ.upd.edu.ph/gpsicat/