The enormous efforts over generations of many professionals having greater participation in leadership roles and in public service have shaped societies.  One such inspiring professional is Yolanda David Reyes whose career trajectory is something that is very aspirational. Reyes is widely recognized and revered architect not just in the Philippines but in many countries whose contributions to the profession have reshaped the practice of architecture for the modern epoch.

Armed with an impeccable education, she finished BS, Master in Architecture and PhD academic units in Urban and Regional Planning. She and husband, Romulo, own an Architectural firm with projects on master development of university campuses, mixed-use developments, hospitals, research and religious centers, churches, and residences.

Carving her niche in the academe, she became the first woman to be the Dean of the University of Santo Tomas College of Architecture and Fine Arts for the period of nine years, during which time, the College achieved the status of “Center of Excellence” and proponent of Graduate School’s Distance Learning Program in Architecture.

She sat as a lone representative for Architecture profession in the Commission on Higher Education for over 30 years. Currently, she heads its Technical Panel for Architecture, Interior Design, Landscape Design, Fine Arts and Environmental Planning Education.

She served as a National President of the United Architects of the Philippines, and later on became the first woman to be elected as Chairperson of the Arcasia and as Vice-President for Region IV of the UIA. Indeed a woman of many ‘firsts’ in the field of architecture which is predominantly a male dominated profession.

Reyes was awarded with a Presidential Medal by the AIA and later conferred with Honorary Fellow.  She was bestowed with, among others, the Outstanding Professional of the Year (2008) Award in Architecture, and the 2013 Gusi Peace Prize International Award which she shared with international luminaries.  She bagged the most prestigious Likha Gold Medal Award by the UAP, and the Design Excellence Award for her Caleruega project which has become a centerpiece testament of her architectural savvy.

She is now the Commissioner of the Professional Regulation Commission in charge of the regulation and supervision of 46 professions in the Philippines.  She has oversight responsibility over Licensure Office, Continuing Professional Development, Career Progression and Specialization, APEC/ASEAN Architects, Special Programs such as Outstanding Professional of the Year Award, among others. She is also concurrently sitting as the International President of the Eastern Regional Organization for Planning and Human Settlements.

In her desire to promote a culture of responsible and responsive humanitarian professionals joined by the spirit of cooperation and unity to respond to emergencies and provide assistance in times of crisis to vulnerable people, she initiated the PRC Social Responsibility.  She led Filipino professionals to support victims of disasters and natural calamities and initiated an adopt a community program.  She rallied a funding drive to support the frontline responders with the global Covid 19 pandemic. She operates her YDR Scholarship Foundation sending deserving but financially handicapped students to schools.

With distinguished careers as a private practitioner, academician, philanthropist, public official and international leader spanning almost 4 decades in the areas of professional practice, public policy and governance, Reyes is the proud representation of a Filipino professional in public service.