REYES, YOLANDA D.
APEC Registration No.: PH00001
Date Conferred: 2006-10-01
YOLANDA DAVID-REYES, a Fellow (1991) and the 12th LIKHA AWARDEE (2014), is a multi-awarded architect and Environmental Planner of exceptional initiative, intelligence, and commitment to the profession. She specializes in architectural design and facility planning. David-Reyes has BS degree in Architecture (1975) and MS degree in Architecture (1986) at the University of Santo Tomas College of Architecture and Fine Arts and Graduate School respectively.
She completed her PhD academic units at the School of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of the Philippines. As Dean of the UST College of Architecture and Fine Arts for nine years, she brought into its faculty a deep sense of professionalism that inspired a corresponding studentry commitment to excellence, and under her stewardship, the College was proclaimed “Center of Excellence” (1999) by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
She contributed distinguished service as first woman President (14th UAP President, 1998-1999 and 1999-2000) of the United Architects of the Philippines. Her vision, leadership and unrelenting vigor and zeal, instituted various reforms within the organization and projected the UAP in the international scene with her as first lady-architect to be elected as Chairman of the Architects Regional Council Asia (ARCASIA).
Her indefatigable leadership in ARCASIA, formerly and conventionally dominated by men gave her the most exalted recognition and admiration by the Council. David-Reyes’ deep concern for the advancement of the architectural profession in the local, and international community earned her the trust and confidence of her colleagues. She was given the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Presidential Medal and conferred Honorary Membership in Las Vegas, USA (2006) and later the Honorary Fellow AIA Award in San Francisco (2009), making her the first lady architect awardee in Southeast Asia.
Her strict adherence to the principles of the Architect’s Code of Ethics makes her stand out as a woman of highest singular integrity and honesty. David-Reyes serves as a Member of the Commission on Higher Education-Technical Panel for Architecture Education and the UNESCO-UIA Architecture Education Validation Committee.
The Professional Regulation Commission awarded her the Most Outstanding Professional of the Year in Architecture (2008). As an APEC Architect, she holds the distinction of being listed as the 001 in the APEC Architects Registry Philippine Section. She actively participates in endeavors that promote the community, government and country through architectural projects. Her commendations include Award for Architecture in Design Excellence for the Caleruega Dominican Retreat House located at Nasugbu, Batangas, Philippines by the UAP (1996), Outstanding Kapampangan for Architecture, Province of Pampanga (1993), The Outstanding Thomasian Alumni (TOTAL) Award Architecture given by the UST (2002), Arkitektura-Patnubay Award, Parangal Patnubay ng Sining at Kalinangan (2000), given by the Office of the Mayor, City of Manila, Cultural Award by Australian Department of Foreign Affairs for her to travel to Australia, Dangal Award for Outstanding Achievement by the Faculty Union of UST (1997), Woman of Distinction by the Soroptimist, Pampanga Chapter (1999), First Diamond Award for Architecture by the UST Graduate School (1998), Achiever Award during the UST High School 75th Year Founding Anniversary (2003), and awarded the Most Outstanding Fernandino (Architecture, 2006) by the City of San Fernando, Pampanga.
Brief Summary
Commissioner, Professional Regulation Commission
Commissioner, Professional Regulation Commission, the government agency in charge of licensure examination and practice regulation among all professionals in the Philippines
First Filipino International President: Eastern Regional Organization for Planning and Human Settlements (EAROPH)
First Woman Dean – University of Santo Tomas College of Architecture and Fine Arts
First Woman National President – United Architects of the Philippines (UAP)
First Woman President – Architects Regional Council Asia (ARCASIA)
Vice President – Union of International Architects (UIA) Region IV
Awards – Numerous awards in Design Excellence and Leadership in academia, professional practice and in government both in the local and international arena .
Jury Chair and Member of national and international Design Competitions
