Life and Adventures of Architect Gilbert Yu

It is my honor and delight to be able to tell the story of renowned Filipino-Chinese architect Gilbert Yu, the man who designed some of the most iconic developments in the country.

I had the pleasure of writing his first-ever biography, a chronicle of his life and times, The Life and Adventures of Architect Gilbert Yu. He has now retired, but in the book, I did my best to capture his journey from the beginning, all the way to retirement and his many adventures in between.

By the time this column comes out, the book will have already been launched, in an event held yesterday, Aug. 20, at Diamond Hotel Philippines, a sprawling and iconic hotel that is part of Arch. Yu’s massive and diverse project portfolio. Other projects in his portfolio include the Ever Gotesco Mall, Isetann Recto, Landmark Makati, Insular Life tower and many, many more.

It was through The Philippines Yearbook chairman and CEO Grace Glory Go and The STAR’s Associate and Lifestyle editor Millet Mananquil that this commissioned work came to me.

They brought Arch. Yu and me together so that we could meet and discuss the project. When we met, he told me that he wanted to tell his story so that he could share the lessons with future architects.

Hearing that, I didn’t hesitate to accept the project because it is an inspiring success story.

As I said in my preface to the book, I love success stories because they are testaments to the strength of the human spirit and the endless possibilities of dreaming and striving to make these dreams come true.

Allow me to share portions of the book:

The Life and Adventures of Architect Gilbert Yu tells the inspiring journey of a young man who dared to dream and persevered through life’s challenges to achieve those dreams.

It offers an inside and intimate look at an extraordinary success story that began with the most humble of beginnings.

A Filipino-Chinese born and raised in Manila, Yu would become not just one of the country’s most prominent and successful architects of his time, but also an enduring pillar of Philippine architecture. His story is a timeless blueprint for triumph, shared prosperity and lasting success.

Preface

“Every life is a story, shaped by the time and circumstances one is born into, and built through dreams, struggles, triumphs and lessons.

“For some, there comes a moment when they are ready to share what lingers most in the labyrinth of memories – for the record, for posterity, or simply because the heart insists on telling what it remembers.

“Gilbert Yu, a Filipino-Chinese born and raised in Manila who rose to become one of the country’s most renowned architects, is one such man.

“As a journalist covering the country’s tycoons, billionaires and businessmen, I am no stranger to success stories. But Gilbert’s journey stands out because his success was built from scratch – earned through sheer determination and hard work. It is raw, unfiltered and courageously told.

“Even at the peak of his success, Gilbert faced unimaginable challenges – including a harrowing kidnapping and detention incident in China, which he reveals for the first time here.

“This indeed is a success story, but not just about the iconic structures he built or the accolades he earned. His success lies in his unwavering belief in possibility, the magic of dreaming big even when you have nothing – much like an architect envisioning a space on an empty blueprint.

“In telling Gilbert’s story, I pieced together memories of his struggles and the triumphs that made him one of the most respected architects of his time.

“I interviewed him over the course of several months. I also spoke with his wife, Tina; his brother, Sergio; his children, Terence, Gibson and Gina; as well as his clients and employees.

“These interviews appear throughout the different chapters. More than anything, this book celebrates Gilbert’s life – a life that continues to inspire.

“As Joan Didion said, we tell ourselves stories in order to live. Through stories such as this, may we find meaning, strength and the courage to keep building our own.”

Photographs that defined eras

But the book is not all text. My narrative is accompanied by photographs by award-winning documentary photographer Jes Aznar, with lighting direction provided by FAMAS award-winning director Victor Tagaro, as well as photographs provided by Arch. Yu’s companies.

There are also photographs of some of his projects across the decades – the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. These projects are more than just towering structures, malls and condominiums, but serve as a testament to the evolving urban landscape in the Philippines.

In the 1980s, he designed projects that helped a growing metropolis find its footing. The 1990s marked a period of bolder ideas – taller buildings and bigger shopping places, and in the 2010s, he introduced new ways of home ownership through his game-changing build-to-own system.

But the book isn’t just about architecture and neither is it just for architects. It is really a story of persevering through life to fulfill one’s dreams.

The book will be available in select bookstores and online outlets soon after the launch.

I hope you will enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed putting it together.

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Email: [email protected]. Follow her on X  @eyesgonzales. Column archives at EyesWideOpen on FB.