Jorge Bartolome Vargas Celis

Jorge Bartolome Vargas Celis was a prominent Filipino lawyer, diplomat, and youth advocate who played significant roles in Philippine politics and sports administration during the 20th century.

Jorge Bartolome Vargas Celis Biography

Born on August 24, 1890, in Bago, Negros Occidental, Philippines, Vargas excelled academically from an early age. He graduated as valedictorian from Negros Occidental High School in 1909.

Vargas pursued higher education at the University of the Philippines, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1911 and a Bachelor of Law degree with honors in 1914.

His career in public service began shortly after being admitted to the Philippine Bar in 1914. He was appointed as a law clerk for the Philippine Commission in 1915 and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming chief clerk of the Department of the Interior by 1917. In 1936, President Manuel L. Quezon appointed Vargas as his executive secretary, making him the first person to serve in this position in the Philippines.

Vargas's political career took a controversial turn during World War II. When Japan invaded the Philippines in 1941, he was initially appointed as secretary of the Department of National Defense and mayor of Greater Manila. As the Japanese occupation began, Vargas became chairman of the Japanese-sponsored Philippine Executive Commission in 1942. He later served as the regime's ambassador to Japan, a role that would lead to significant criticism and ostracism upon his return to the Philippines after the war.

In addition to his political career, Vargas was deeply involved in sports administration. He was a founding member of the Philippine Amateur Athletic Federation (now the Philippine Olympic Committee) in 1911 and served as its chairman from 1935 to 1955. Notably, he became the first Filipino member of the International Olympic Committee, serving from 1936 until his death in 1980.

Vargas was also passionate about scouting. He became a charter member of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines in 1936 and served as its president and chief scout from 1949 to 1961. His contributions to scouting earned him numerous awards, including the Bronze Wolf, the highest distinction of the World Organization of the Scout Movement.

Throughout his life, Vargas received various honors for his service, including the Grand Cordon (1st Class) of the Order of the Rising Sun from Japan in 1943.

Jorge B. Vargas passed away on February 22, 1980, in Manila, Philippines, at the age of 89. His legacy remains complex, marked by his significant contributions to Philippine sports and scouting, as well as the controversy surrounding his role during the Japanese occupation.

Jorge Bartolome Vargas Celis Conclusion

In conclusion, Jorge B. Vargas was a multifaceted figure in Philippine history, whose career spanned law, politics, diplomacy, and sports administration. While his actions during World War II remain a point of contention, his contributions to Philippine sports and scouting have left a lasting impact on the country.