State-owned Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) hosted the launching of the biography of its former Chairman, Leonides S. Virata, recently.
Written by Butch Dalisay, the book titled “O, Ilaw: The Life and Legacy of Leonides S. Virata’’ chronicles the professional accomplishments of the former DBP chairman both in government service and in business.
Virata was previously connected with the research department of the Central Bank of the Philippines, before moving to the Philippine-American Life and General Insurance Co. (Philamlife) in 1952 to direct the company’s support for various projects including Far East Bank and Trust Co., Bacnotan Cement Corp. and Manila Medical Services Inc.-owned Manila Doctors Hospital, among others.
After almost two decades in the private sector, Virata was appointed Secretary of Commerce and Industry in 1969 before being appointed DBP chairman in 1970, where he is credited for the shift in DBP’s focus and orientation to support countryside development.