We had the honor of attending the book launch of “The Life and Adventures of Architect Gilbert Yu” by award-winning journalist Iris Gonzales. The event was held at the iconic Manila Diamond Hotel, a fitting venue given that it’s one of the most iconic developments designed by the man himself. The book celebrates Architect Yu’s extraordinary journey, a man who built his life from zero to skyscrapers and has become an enduring pillar of Philippine architecture.

The book traces Architect Yu’s incredible journey from the most modest of beginnings as a sari-sari store owner’s son in Manila to becoming one of the country’s most prominent architects and developers. His is a timeless blueprint for triumph, shared prosperity, and lasting success, proving that a life built on vision and perseverance can transform the impossible into reality.

A Man with Three Essential Lessons

With over three decades of practice and landmark contributions to the Metro Manila skyline, Architect Gilbert Yu is now inspiring the next generation of designers with the wisdom he has earned firsthand. He distills his career into three essential lessons for aspiring architects and future practitioners.

Lesson 1: Architecture Goes Beyond Design
For Architect Yu, architecture is far more than just creating structures. “Architecture is not just about designing structures—it’s about building lives,” he said. He believes that every structure must be designed with excellence, serve a purpose, and be built for permanence, creating spaces that stand the test of time and enrich the lives of those who inhabit them.

Lesson 2: Architects Must Be Knowledgeable in Business
Yu believes architects should understand property value, project feasibility, and market trends to ensure success. “Architects must also be development consultants, not just technical people,” he noted, urging schools to integrate business and entrepreneurship into architectural education.

Lesson 3: Architects Must Be Forward-Thinking
A great design, according to Architect Yu, is one that anticipates the future. He urged designers to create structures that can adapt to shifts in landscapes, lifestyles, and technology. This forward-thinking approach is what enables his projects to remain relevant and valuable for decades.

A Life Built from Zero

Architect Yu’s personal mantra beautifully summarizes his philosophy: “Zero plus zero plus zero equals 100.” This powerful statement represents how he started with no knowledge, no experience, and no resources, yet built a thriving career and a legacy of landmark projects through sheer determination and resilience. “A project starts from zero before becoming an iconic landmark,” he shared, reminding us that every great achievement begins with a single, dedicated step.

The launch was made even more inspiring by the words of those who have been touched by his journey. Dr. Judelio Yap, the school president of Chiang Kai Shek College, shared that Architect Yu’s story is a “story of resilience, vision, and unyielding passion.” He added, “His story proves that success isn’t about where you actually started; it is about the values that you carry and the life that you carve along the way.”

Dr. Judelio Yap shared how Architect Gilbert Yu’s journey came full circle—from his roots to designing a college building at his alma mater’s Narra campus, a project he took on pro bono. It’s a powerful testament to giving back and the values that build not just structures, but a life of purpose.

And for the students of his alma mater, FEU Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts, Dean Architect Isaiah Israel Susi remarked, “Architect Yu’s story will continue to inspire our students in FEU, not only through the buildings he helped shape but through the journey he undertook to build his life.“

His son, Daniel Terrence Yu, also shared the lessons he has learned from his father’s journey, from his humble beginnings to his success as an icon of Philippine architecture.

The younger Yu shared how his father’s super power is not just being a good architect, but being a good storyteller. Through his stories—from his early beginnings to who he is today—he taught him everything about life. “Life doesn’t have to be perfect to be successful, most of the time, it is messy, sometimes chaotic, it is in the unpredictability of life that gives us a sense of adventure.”

Architect Gilbert Yu’s legacy is a testament to the idea that a great architect is more than just a master builder of skyscrapers; he is a cultural icon who builds not only with concrete and steel, but with integrity, compassion, and a profound love for his community. His unwavering belief in what is possible has made him a true visionary, and his life story—a blueprint built on resilience and purpose—will undoubtedly continue to inspire future generations to come.

The Life and Adventures of Architect Gilbert Yu is now available in bookstores nationwide.

About 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, Architect 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.

About Architect Gilbert Yu
Architect Gilbert Yu is a respected Filipino architect and developer best known for creating quality residential projects in prime locations.  Starting from humble beginnings as one of nine children of a sari-sari store owner, Yu worked his way through school and became a licensed architect in 1970. He co-founded G&W Architects, which delivered several landmark developments in Bonifacio Global City,  including Sapphire Residences, Kensington Place, Grand Hamptons, and Blue Sapphire. Throughout his career, Architect Yu has been an advocate for housing affordability, high construction standards, and consumer protection in the real estate industry.

About the Author: Ms. Iris Gonzales
Iris Gonzales is a journalist and columnist for The Philippine Star.  Her thrice-weekly op-ed column, Eyes Wide Open, explores the intersection of business and politics in the Philippines. She graduated from the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication in Diliman and earned her master’s degree in journalism as a Konrad Adenauer Fellow at Ateneo de Manila University.