The 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.

- IRIS GONZALES

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: