Of architects and storytellers

Last week was a reunion of sorts with people I have met and covered during my early career as a journalist and with whom I have kept in touch with through the years, well into their retirement and mine as well.

- MARIANNE GO

Retired architect Gilbert Yu, now 83, was among those I had met and covered in the early 2000s, or 25 years ago, during my stint as a trade and industry reporter. Architect Yu was at the peak of his career and was a strong advocate for the protection of property rights of buyers, stories of which I wrote about as a reporter.

Somehow, through the years, we lost touch until he reached out a couple of years ago to meet up and get to know his son Terence, and for me to introduce him to Iris Gonzales, who was then my business section reporter covering the private sector and SEC/PSE beat, and who would eventually bring pen to paper to chronicle the stories he had to tell—his life and adventures, as he and his sons transitioned to a new phase in their lives.

Even then, Gilbert was already bursting with eagerness to proudly talk about the accomplishments of his children—his daughters, sons—Terence and Gibson, and grandchildren. He had also decided, even then (at possible consequence to himself), to talk about his kidnapping and detention in China, all of which is now properly chronicled in his recently launched book, "The Life and Adventures of Architect Gilbert Yu," written by Iris.

At the launch last week, and appropriately enough, at the Diamond Hotel which he helped design, Gilbert happily shared and signed his "passion project" book, surrounded by his family, friends, colleagues, architect friends, classmates and various individuals who truly know him, such as Grace Glory Go, who is a family friend.