This week, I take a moment to celebrate someone whose quiet brilliance helped shape one of the most meaningful projects of my life. Iris Gonzales—journalist, columnist, editor, and now published author—has just released The Life and Adventures of Architect Gilbert Yu, a biography that promises to inspire generations of Filipino architects. The book launches today at the Diamond Hotel in Manila.
I first met Iris, who was then covering the business beat in mid-2019, when I was writing Behind the Red Pen: My Adventures with FVR. I had been searching for someone trustworthy to edit my memoir, and my good friend Jessica Tumnob recommended her. We met over lunch at Mary Grace in Greenbelt 3 Makati, and I remember telling Iris two things: first, I wanted her to improve my writing, not overhaul it; and second, I needed her to preserve my voice. She more than delivered. For the success of that book, I owe her a debt of gratitude.
Recently, in one of our chats after she was appointed editor of The Philippine Star’s Business Section, Iris asked if I had plans to write a second book about the late President Fidel Ramos. I confided that, given the demands of my current work, carving out time for another book would be a challenge. Still, I couldn’t help but ask: if I do decide to pursue a sequel, would she be willing to be my editor once again? She readily said, “Of course.”
Working with Iris was a masterclass in editorial precision and quiet empathy. She understood the rhythm of my thoughts, the weight of my memories, and the tone I wanted to strike. As the pandemic unfolded in early 2020, our collaboration continued—mostly over emails, always with mutual respect. She never imposed; she refined. And in doing so, she helped me tell my story with clarity and heart.
She now lends her editorial brilliance to the biography of celebrated architect and developer Gilbert Yu, whose pioneering vision has shaped the Philippine skyline for over three decades—transforming both its commercial and residential landscapes.
The Life and Adventures of Architect Gilbert Yu offers readers an intimate portrait of a Filipino-Chinese visionary who rose from humble beginnings to become a pillar of Philippine architecture. More than a chronicle of buildings and blueprints, the book serves as a roadmap for triumph, shared prosperity, and enduring success.
What makes Iris’ storytelling so compelling is her ability to balance journalistic rigor with emotional resonance. Her column Eyes Wide Open in The Philippine Star explores the intersection of business and politics with sharp insight and fearless honesty. She brings that same lens to Yu’s biography—probing, yet generous; factual, yet deeply human.
Iris is a graduate of 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. Her credentials are impressive, but it’s her humility and dedication that truly define her.
Thank you, dear friend, for being part of my journey—and congratulations on your new chapter!
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