The Vitugs

If you are reading this, you are a proud VITUG or a friend of the Vitugs. On behalf of the other Vitugs, we thank you for reaching us.

While this site interests you, It will be more fruitful to learn more from you. As you maybe are aware, the Vitugs started in the beautiful town of Lubao, Pampanga, Philippines, wherein two prominent individuals have handled the highest seat in the Philippine Government. The Vitug Clan is making a list of these individuals, wherein one has been named as Father of the Philippines Photo Journalist, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, a great cinematographer who has been honored in the Hall of Fame. More Vitugs had been and have been actively made names such as reporters, speech writers, politicians, businessmen, and the list goes on and on and they are Vitugs either by blood or by marriage. Not to mention, even people who got tangled with our family considered themselves to be a Vitug.

"Vitug is Norwegian in origin, a derivative of "viteg, vitig" meaning sensible. How did the name become such a prominent last name in a country thousands of miles away? This question may never be answered but we have a few clues of its origins. The Spanish King who was Catholic mandated that all people's in his empire assume last names as it was common in Spain (i.e. Zobel y Ayala was typical as it assumed the mother and father's last names). In many areas of the Spanish empire, many indigenous people took on religious names to connect themselves to their new found religion (i.e. De Los Santos, De La Cruz) and many assumed regionalized last names and more recently indigenous last names.

Our Vitug line is very rich and complex because our origins are directly connected to Spain and France. It's been debated possibly that a Norwegian may have migrated into France then into Spain. Thus making our family line of Scandinavian origin.

Our family history is a direct lineage to Captain Ferdinand Portel of the Spanish Armada who was of French and Spaniard origin. After the defeat of the Spanish Armada in Manila Bay, Portel left for Spain and settled in Barcelona. Our distant relatives assumed the name of Toro whether by marriage or desire for no association to the defeat.

How did we get the name Vitug then? It was stated that the Portels changed their name to Vitug. Thus, being of European origin and prominent stature many others adopted the name within the Region. So it can be debated whether any blood relation exists between all Vitugs.

Those of Vitug blood vary in physical appearance from blue to brown eyes, curly or straight hair, brown or black hair. Our specific line are known for more Caucasian features, pointed noses, wavy curly hair, lighter eyes and fairer skin.

At this point where our family line takes on the name Vitug. If this is correct, our connection to the Vitug clan is through a son, Julian Vitug who was a former mayor of Lubao, Pampanga. A well known philanthropist in the area, he saved lives during the Japanese occupation.

Regardless of physical differences and historical inaccuracies all of us share a rich history. With your stories we can all piece together to create a colorful tapestry of our ancestry."

Tell us about you, what you heard from your folks. We want to hear it as well as other Vitugs in every other part of the world. Pass them on and we will be more prouder to publish them for all other Vitugs to know. Photos will be appreciated.

Latest research discovery 5/12/2008: According to the US Census Record in 1901, families named Vitug who may have migrated to Puerto Rico, changed their name to Velez. (Nativida Vitug De Cordero from Bayamon, PR and Hermigilda Vitug y Lopez of Cayey, PR) and later stopped using the spanish system for surnames dropping "de" and "y." Interesting to know and discover that Velez, Lopez, or Cordero from Puerto Rico can be our distant relatives.