10/09/2026
Congratulations to Ar. Gabriel Formoso! Our 7th National Artist for Architecture!
Gabriel P. Formoso (1915–1996): One of the first 100 licensed architects in the Philippines, Gabriel "Gabby" Formoso was arguably the most prolific architect of the post-WWII boom era. Graduating from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in 1937, he went on to design around 80 major buildings and over 150 luxury residences, making him the preferred designer for the elite neighborhoods of Forbes Park and Dasmariñas Village.Formoso's hallmark style drew from Bauhaus modernism and Brutalism, known for its crisp lines, stark simplicity, rigid geometries, and functional, raw concrete finishes. He founded Gabriel Formoso & Partners in 1973 (known today as GFP Architects). In 1990, he received the United Architects of the Philippines' (UAP) prestigious Likha Award, before being posthumously proclaimed a National Artist for 2025.
Notable Works:
1. The Peninsula Manila (1976): Located at the corner of Ayala and Makati Avenue, its iconic raw-concrete Brutalist facade was originally envisioned by Formoso to welcome international delegates during the 1976 IMF-World Bank Meeting.
2. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Complex (1970): The grand, imposing headquarters of the Central Bank of the Philippines along Roxas Boulevard, showcasing his masterful use of geometric scale and structural expression.
3. Asian Institute of Management (AIM) Building: The highly acclaimed campus in Makati that perfectly encapsulates his philosophy of finding "beauty through structural simplicity".
4. Pacific Star Building: A soaring corporate landmark in Makati City that stands as a prime monument of mid-century corporate Philippine architecture.
5. Club Filipino (1960): The historic recreational clubhouse located in Greenhills, San Juan.
Other works:
- B. A. Lepanto Building, Makati
- United Coconut Planters Bank, Makati
- Dusit Thani (Formerly Manila Garden Hotel), Makati
- PNB Financial Center, Pasay City
- The Heritage Hotel (Formerly The Regent of Manila), Pasay City
- PLDT Complex, Sampaloc, Manila
- Gaisano Capital Building (Formerly La Tondena Building), San Miguel, Manila
- Bellarmine Hall, Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City
- Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, Quezon City
- National Irrigation Administration, Quezon City