Julia Vargas

Julia Vargas de Ortigas y Camus (April 21, 1881 – April 15, 1969) was a Filipina social worker and philanthropist. As the matriarch of the prominent Ortigas clan, a notable family in the Philippine business sector, she played a vital role in shaping their legacy. She is known for her anti-tuberculosis work in the Philippines and was responsible for the establishment of Quezon Institute, the hospital arm of the Philippine Tuberculosis Society. The institute was one of the first healthcare institutions that provided essential care and support to those affected by the disease in the Philippines.

Biography Vargas was born to a well-off family on April 27, 1881 in Santa Cruz, Manila. She was the daughter of Eduardo Vargas, a Spanish naval officer and Filipina Amalia Camus. Later, Vargas married Francisco Ortigas Sr., who established the Ortigas & Company Limited Partnership. Julia and her husband were noted for developing the 4,033-hectare property they owned in Manila, which now hosts several business districts in Manila, including the Ortigas Center and Greenhills in San Juan. The couple had seven children, including the Eduardo Ortigas y Vargas.

Vargas became noted for her involvement in social work. She was an active member of the Philippine Tuberculosis Society (PTS) for 30 years.

The Julia Vargas Avenue, a 2.3-kilometer arterial road that passes through Metro Manila's Ortigas Center, was named after her.