KATLENE O. CACHO / Editor
EVEN before she became one of Cebu’s most sought after architects today, Daryl Balmoria-Garcia once dreamed to design the project located across their house.
The property she was referring to was where The Church of Jesus of Latter-day Saints (LDS) Temple now stands along Gorordo Avenue in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City.
“It all started with just a dream. I was young. I stared at that vacant lot and told myself I will one day, help build that project,” said Garcia, describing LDS Temple as the project that gave her a “big break” in her career.
Being the lone representative of their company in Cebu, Garcia said, she shed all sweat and tears and endured sleepless nights to help complete the project.
Hard work and dedication were her keys to success.
“That was by far, the most challenging project I handled at such a young age,” she said.
Garcia graduated from the University of San Carlos (USC) in 2003. After taking the board exam, she took her first corporate job in Islands Souvenirs that allowed her to travel around the Philippines. Later on, she worked for Manila-based R+C Architects as the firm’s representative architect 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,” said Garcia. “It took me a lot of prayers before I finally decided to take a risk.”
In 2010, Garcia opened Dream Architects. Coincidentally, her first residential project was called Dream Homes owned by the Duranos, a project she got through referrals.
“I took it as a sign. For me, that was God’s answer to my prayers,” she said.
Garcia’s name became popular in the real estate industry after her innovative designs and work ethic impressed industry players. From 12 architects, her company has grown to 50 partner architects working together to handle various projects around the country from horizontal and vertical residential developments to townships, commercial, mixed-use developments and resorts.
Garcia’s team is known for its innovative designs. Her design philosophy is “connecting people and realizing dreams through architecture.” She advocates green and sustainable design principles in all her projects. She strongly believes in working with nature and with modern innovations in construction methods and materials.
Garcia currently holds eight licenses as a master plumber, an architect, an evironmental planner, a real estate broker, a real estate appraiser, a Berde professional and a licensed architect for Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec).
She recently completed Eco Design for Cities and Suburbs at the University of British Columbia amd Sustainable Urban Development at the Delft University and Wageningen University. Garcia is also currently eyeing a master’s degree in business administration.
Garcia’s licenses in Asean and Apec mean she can collaborate or do business in the area of architecture in these regions. This lady boss said they are now working on various projects overseas.
What was your first job?
I became a project architect for Islands Souvenirs after taking the board exam. But I had taken jobs even before that. When I was in high school, I became an assistant of my oil painting instructor so I could get lessons for free. In college, I was a working student. I was accustomed to working and really working hard to achieve success.
Who inspired you to get into business?
After the LDS Cebu Temple project, R+C Architects inspired me to open my own office here in Cebu to cater to their Visayas and Mindanao projects. They saw in me the capabilities to handle projects on my own with the LDS project being one of the most difficult projects they had handled. And I handled it well.
When did you realize this was what you were meant to do?
As a child, I always wanted to draw and build things. The decision to take up architecture was born out of necessity. I feel now that I am in this industry, that this was all along what I wanted to do in my whole life—to be able to dream big with the clients and then translate these dreams into built environments. All around you, it’s all architecture. From your home to schools, restaurants, hospitals, resorts, it’s all architecture. I feel the importance of my job to be able to craft such environments that can greatly shape how people live and work. Whenever I see our designs come to life, and then people use them and see that they enjoy being there, for me, it’s enough affirmation to dream a little bit more.
Why did you pick this type of business or industry?
I wanted a job that will let me be creative and technical at the same time. When I entered the university and took up BS Architecture, it was a point of no return. I needed to finish it, as I was a working student and did not have the luxury to change my mind.
Where did you get the training you needed to succeed?
I credit my work training to my working student years in the USC as part of CNMS-OMI, the network service providing arm of the university. Also, with R+C Architects, it is because of their belief in me that I was able to forcibly open my own architectural firm. They gave me wings to fly and I hope I have made them proud.
How many times did you fail before you succeeded?
For me, this is a daily struggle—to keep up with all the challenges we are facing. It’s like a performance, as an architect we are only as good as our last project. We strive to make each and every project count. I cannot count the number of times I failed, because I never keep track of them. I take the challenge head on. I do my very best, and if my best was not good enough, I may cry a little bit but I always make sure to get back up and become better and stronger. For me, preparation is the key. So when opportunities come, we are always ready.