Virata legacy: A family’s enduring influence
Marking a significant milestone in their ongoing effort to reconnect and strengthen their family legacy, the Virata clan is set to hold their fourth largest reunion yet.
With 135 confirmed attendees, representing the three major branches of the family–Mariano, Pablo, and Jacinto–this gathering promises to be a momentous occasion, says Dr. Annebelle Aherrera, a seventh-generation Virata.
The reunion, hosted by the descendants of lawyer and Dr. Melquiades Geluz Virata Sr. from the Mariano branch, builds upon the success of previous gatherings.
The first-ever Virata reunion, held virtually in 2022 due to the pandemic, drew 89 participants. Subsequent reunions in Silang, Cavite (2023, 50 attendees) and Sto. Tomas, Batangas (2024, 100 attendees) laid the groundwork for this year’s expanded event.
The fourth reunion will be held on March 30 at the Social Hall of Ayala Greenfield Estate.
“This reunion is a celebration of our heritage,” says Aherrera. “We aim to strengthen the bonds that unite us and recognize the contributions of the Virata family to the nation and the global community.”
Family tree
The focus of the 2025 reunion is the continued development of the Virata family tree. It was initiated in 2022 by Rufino Virata (a descendant of Melquiades Sr.) who, together with other Virata family members, started using a genealogy software to set up the Virata family tree. All these through the vision of Cesar Virata, the oldest in the clan at 94. This ambitious project aims to trace the origins of the Virata lineage and understand its evolution.
“Family reunions offer a chance to strengthen bonds, reconnect with loved ones, and share stories,” says Aherrera, spokesperson for the organizing committee. “This year, we’re taking a deeper dive into our history, asking: Who are the Viratas? Where did we come from? And where are we today?”
The origins of the Virata surname remain a subject of historical exploration, she says. Wikipedia links the name to King Virata from the Hindu epic Mahabharata. He was the king of the Matsya Kingdom, in whose court the Pandavas spent their years in exile. King Virata joined the Pandavas in the great war.
However, historical records suggest the surname’s adoption in the Philippines may trace back to the 1849 Spanish Order for standardized naming or, alternatively, to a surname change during the 1896 Philippine Revolution.
According to Forebears, the site that provides data about the distribution of surnames around the world, the surname Virata ranks as the 217,420th most common worldwide, with a significant concentration in the Philippines, particularly in the Calabarzon, NCR, and Bicol regions. The surname is also present in the United States and Canada, reflecting the family’s global reach.
Genealogical research has identified Domingo Virata and Kapitana Mauricia from Imus, Cavite, as the progenitors of the three main branches. Current records list 1,685 Virata descendants up to the sixth generation, with many more seventh and eighth-generation members yet to be documented.
One of Aherrera’s more intriguing ancestors was Melquiades Sr., Aherrera’s grandfather and son of Rafael Virata. Melquiades Sr. had a large family, fathering 13 children with four wives and leaving behind 54 grandchildren.
His first wife, Genoveva Medina, bore him four children and 27 grandchildren. A grandson from this branch, Benjamin, handles the RBV Plastic Manufacturing Corp.
His second wife, Teodorica Jaoleco, was Aherrera’s grandmother. From this union came Aherrera’s mother, Corazon, a prominent anesthesiologist; her uncle, Jose “Pepe” also a doctor and dentist; and her aunt, an engineer.
The third wife, Patrocinio Mora, had only one son, Manuel. Sadly, five of Manuel’s eight children have passed away, and the remaining three reside in the US and are unable to return home. The only representatives from that line will be the grandchildren, whom Aherrera, an OB-GYN and women wellness advocate, delivered.
The fourth and youngest wife, Corazon Dionisio, had five sons, all of whom live in the US, except for Melcor Virata, who remains here. Melcor manages the Virata Button Corp., a business founded by Melquiades Sr.
Other families
Aherrera recalls piecing together the family history: “Growing up, I would hear my mother mention the names of the children from the first, third, and fourth wives. Eventually, I realized they were my mother’s half-brothers. I was shocked. How did I find out? Just last year, actually, when I met the other families. It’s funny how I learned. Such a small world. Melcor Virata, the son from the fourth family, was a neophyte in my then-future husband’s fraternity, Sigma Rho, when I was a freshman at UP (University of the Philippines). He was tasked to deliver a flower from his ‘master’ (my future husband). Melcor knew I was a Virata.”
Members of the Virata clan have diverse professional backgrounds. Notably, the family includes prominent figures such as Cesar Enrique Aguinaldo Virata, the fourth prime minister of the Philippines and former minister of Finance, and is the grandnephew of the first president of the Philippine Republic, Emilio Aguinaldo. Cesar hails from the Mariano Virata branch. Still sharp as a nonagenarian, he is the corporate vice chair of the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. The Cesar E.A. Virata School of Business, the business school of UP, is named after him.
Leonides Sarao Virata (Cesar’s uncle) was a respected economist, banker, and former government official. His son, Luis Juan “Buboy” Virata, is known in society for his art collecting, a trait inherited from his mother, the late socialite Bebe Lammoglia-Virata. Buboy is chair and CEO of CLSA Exchange Capital Corp., and a major shareholder of Amber Kinetics Philippines Inc. Aherrera’s aunt, Josefina Virata Sevilla, was the country’s first female electrical engineer.
Aherrera explains, “I’m bringing this up because I hope other families, perhaps, will be inspired. I’m simply very proud that we consistently gather to build our family tree. As Cesar Virata said, the purpose of these reunions is to become acquainted with our relatives, fostering mutual support. He emphasized that by understanding each other’s businesses and professions, we can assist one another in the future.
In his own words, ‘Ang laking Virata ay maraming professional—naging guro, doctor, abogado, engineer, negosyante, nagsilbi sa gobiyerno’ (The Viratas had many professional roles–teacher, doctors, lawyers, engineers, businessmen, and served in the government). ‘Simple lang ang mga Virata. Marurunong mag-impok, matulungin, at masunurin sa aral ng Diyos’ (The Viratas are simple. They are good at saving, helpful, and obedient to God’s teachings). Lastly, he says, ‘Ang tatak Virata ay laging tumutulong sa pagunlad ng ating bayan (The mark of the Viratas is helping in the development of our country).’”
