Vargas Museum

Jorge B. Vargas Museum & Filipiniana Research Center simply called the UP Vargas Museum, started the building construction which would host the UP Vargas Museum in 1983. The museum building was inaugurated by former President Corazon Aquino on February 22, 1987.
It is known for its collection of the paintings of Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo, Juan Luna, Fernando Amorsolo, and Victorio Edades. It is located at the  UP Diliman campus which houses the collection of stamps, art, coins, personal papers, library, and memorabilia of Jorge B. Vargas which he pass-on to the university.

The Jorge B. Vargas Museum and Filipiniana Research Center is an institution for Philippine art and culture. Based in the University of the Philippines Diliman in Quezon City, its main concerns are research, curation, and education. 

JORGE B. VARGAS Jorge B. Vargas (1890-1980) was the first executive secretary of the country, and he held this post during the Commonwealth period. Vargas, who was born in Bago in Negros Occidental, 1890, was valedictorian in his Rizal Insitute high school class. Vargas studied at the University of the Philippines, where he was the managing editor of the College Folio.

This school organ was the first to be established by the University. He graduated in 1910 with an AB degree. In 1914, he graduated from the University of the Philippines and received his Law degree. He was also admitted as a member to the Philippine Bar that year.

Vargas served in the government. From 1917 to 1918, Vargas was the Speaker of the House Sergio Osmea. He then became the Secretary of President of the Senate in 1919. He was also director, secretary and chair of many agencies, including the Bureau of Commerce and Industry and Bureau of Posts.

He was elected Executive Secretary of President Manuel L. Quezon in 1935. He was appointed Mayor of the new City of Greater Manila during the Pacific War and was responsible for declaring Manila an open-air city. He was the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Philippines from 1943 to 1945 under Jose P.

Laurel. Apart from his public service activities, Vargas also played a major role in Philippine sports and Scouting. Vargas was also a founding member of Philippine Amateur Athletic Federation. He was vice president of Far Eastern Athletic Federation and president of Asian Games Federation.

His Philippine team participated in numerous international sporting events. He was also the first Filipino to join the International Olympic Committee. Vargas, a pioneer in the world of Scouting, was also one of seven founders of the Boy Scouts movement. Vargas was an active member of the Boy Scouts International Committee and later became the Chief Scout and President of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines.

He is the only person who has held dual roles. Vargas, who served as the University of the Philippines s Board of Regents member from 1961 until 1965 was named the Most Distinguished Alumni of the University of the Philippines. He was an avid collector and was the first president and charter member of the Philippine Booklovers Society. His collection of stamps, coins and art as well as his personal papers, memorabilia, and library were donated to Vargas' Alma Mater, the University of the Philippines, on March 1, 1978.

In 1919, Mr Vargas married Marina Yulo and had eight children with her. In 1956, he married Adelaida Pea a. In 1980, he died. COPYRIGHT VARGAS Museum 2021