Celebrations come in many colors. My favorite is gold!

Gold was also the favored hue of Cañizares Architects Design Co. (CAD Co.) as it marked 50 abundant years of architectural history at the Citadines Cebu City ballroom at Base Line Center. Prominent guest was Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama, joined by friends, clients and suppliers.

Renowned architect Jose Mari Cañizares founded the company and like all early starters, included family and friends as valued clients. Lady Luck smiled on him, as his first residential project was honored with the 1978 Bahay Filipino Award, for innovativeness using a coral facade. Since then though, he has stopped utilizing coral, as harvesting this is adverse marine life.

More awards followed in both local and global stages. In 2003, the Professional Regulation Commission gave him the Outstanding Professional of the Year award. He was also elevated to fellow for his contributions to Architecture by the United Architects of the Phils. This was followed in 2008 as an Apec architect conferment, which enables him to provide architectural services throughout the Asia Pacific Region.

Since 2016, he has become a Registered Asean architect, that allows him to collaborate with other Asean architects in their respective countries.

A proud achievement was pioneering in beach resorts, which included Pulchra, Badian Island Resort, Bohol Beach Club. In time, his projects expanded to include malls, hotels, condos, schools, banks, townhouses etc.

As part of his initiative to give back to his community, architect Mari excelled in church building, such as the Mactan Sto. Niño church, interestingly shaped like Magellan’s helmet, the Alliance of Two Hearts Parish and the Redemptorist Church expansion.

His love for trees led to this philosophy: “Structures should be in harmony with its natural environment.” This valuable advice he inherited from his late mom, Remedios Cañizares, Cebu Garden Club president for a long time.

On the subject of his mom, Mari credits his resounding success to the three women in his life: Mom Remedios, mother-in-law Carmen M. Rodriguez, and supportive better-half, Marilou.

Here’s a toast to another 50 years, architect Mari and family!