Building dreams to reality

CEBU, Philippines —  “Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” — Harriet Tubman

Almost always, it’s hard to fathom that success is indeed only a dream away.

But not for Daryl Balmoria-Garcia, her story is one of the profound testaments of turning a childhood’s wild desire to reality.

At 37, Daryl is one of the most sought-after young architects in the vibrant real estate sector in Cebu as well as in other parts of the country.

In fact, she is one of the youngest architects to have been given a certification to practice in the ASEAN region and Asia Pacific.

Daryl established her company, Dream Architects, when she was 24. Since then, she and her team built numerous iconic structures, including the exemplary temple The Church of Jesus of Latter-day Saints (LDS) located along Gorordo Avenue in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City.

Daydreams

Daryl grew up in the neighborhood where the now LDS temple is situated. Before it was acquired by the LDS, the property (which was owned by a wealthy clan in Cebu) was always the subject of Daryl’s daydreams because of its well-manicured and eye-catching landscape.

“When I was young, I would stare at the vacant lot [across where I lived] and told myself, one day I will build something on that lot,” she recalled.

Daydreaming may have entertained her innocent self day after day, but it also built a desire in her heart to become someone who can create a beautiful imagination into reality.

“As a child, I have always wanted to draw and build things. The decision to take up Architecture was born out of necessity,” she shared.

Her daydreaming episodes continued and Daryl decided to pursue architecture despite her parents’ difficulties in sending her to a reputable school.

Inspiration

Her impressive academic performance in high school earned her a scholarship at the University of San Carlos (USC), where she fulfilled her dreams of becoming an architect.

After passing her board exam, Daryl started her journey to create something out of her imaginations, helping developers make their dream buildings into a beautiful reality.

She hopped from one company to another and was able to travel around the country. Until she was hired by Manila-based R+C Architects to represent their presence in Cebu.

This opportunity opened Daryl’s eyes to the colorful opportunities in her profession.

The confidence given to her by her employer inspired her to break the intimidations she would feel in joining the industry dominated by big names and veterans in the sphere of architecture in Cebu.

For her, it only took an inspiration and confidence to do what is expected of her. She delivered without fail.

Big break

What used to be the subject of her daydreams as a child came as Daryl’s big break that changed her life forever.

Her employer R+C Architects entrusted her to take care of Cebu’s big project, which was to build The Church of Jesus of Latter-day Saints (LDS) at the very property she used to dream of building something.

She endured sleepless nights and heartbreaks in order to complete the project. At her age who was a rookie in the profession, Daryl had to give her best, knowing deep inside that the project did not just fall on her lap as a mere coincidence, but rather it brought a deeper message to her on how God honors the innocent desires of a child.

Indeed, the LDS Temple project served as Daryl’s starting point to her journey to success.

“That was by far, the most challenging project I handled at such a young age,” she said.

Aside from LDS, Daryl together with her associates in her company have been the brains behind a lot of building and property projects such as the 40-storey JTower, Jpark Island Waterpark and Hotel, Minglanilla Highlands, among many others.

Coincidence?

After completing her dream project—the iconic LDS Temple, Daryl was encouraged by her employer to start her own firm in Cebu.

“I was challenged by my boss to open my own firm after completing the LDS Temple. I was hesitant at first because I was too young then to venture on my own. I was scared. It took me a lot of prayers before I finally decided to take a risk,” she shared.

In 2010, another dream was born. This time, she opened her own company and she named it after a word that ushered to her a handful of miracles – Dream Architects.

As if previous coincidences were not enough to convince her that planting seeds of “dreams” in her heart could grow and become real, her company’s first project was called “Dream Homes.”

“I took it as a sign. For me, that was God’s answer to my prayers,” she was convinced that dreams do come true.

Thereafter, Daryl lived realizing that there is no coincidence in life. Instead, there are miracles. Every prayer is answered.

Silent giant

Almost a decade of providing exceptional service to its clients, Daryl’s “Dream Architects” grew from 12 partners to now a team of 50 partner architects, a silent giant behind the beautiful buildings and structures that changed the skylines of Metro Cebu and other parts of the country.

An unassuming and low-key architecture firm owner, Daryl is the darling of developers in Cebu whose innovative designs and work ethic surpassed their expectations.

From pocket subdivisions to high rise buildings, huge townships, resorts, hotels and commercial developers, Daryl’s growing team continues to be the silent giant that makes dream developments come true.

“I now feel that I am in this industry.  That all along, this was what I wanted to do my whole life. To be able to dream with clients and then translate that into something tangible and beautiful! All around us, it’s all architecture,” she said.

Philosophy

Daryl celebrates the support of her team, which upholds the philosophy of “connecting people” through designs.

Her company aims to realize every developer’s dream through architecture. Not just making the projects’ visually beautiful but also socially and environmentally responsible.

Daryl respects the law of nature, its role to every life. She is a hardcore advocate of green architecture, no matter what it takes.

This philosophy of connecting people and harmony with the environment is in the very core of the company’s culture, she confessed.

She recently completed Eco Design for Cities and Suburbs at the University of British Columbia and Sustainable Urban Development at the Delft University and Wageningen University.

At present, she is pursuing a master’s degree in business administration. This lady architect-extraordinaire holds eight licenses—-a master plumber, environmental planner, real estate broker, real estate appraiser, a Berde professional and a licensed architect for Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec).

But Daryl is mindful to keep her feet on the ground no matter how high her dreams are taking her and her team in the golden times of real estate industry, even beyond the borders of this country.

“It’s like a performance, as an architect we are only as good as our last project,” she conveyed passion and heartfelt sincerity in the purpose she is given in this life.

From a poor little kid who took delight in dreaming dreams, Daryl eventually witnessed her own wild dreams coming to exact reality.

Onward, Daryl continues to see more dreams unfolding. This time, not only for her own, but dreams of her partners and clients too. (FREEMAN)