GFP as a firm began with the vision of institutionalizing and building further on the legacy of Filipino Architect Gabriel Formoso’s successful personal practice, hence his initials that the company bears up to this day.
Gabby started his practice in 1939, and is one of the first 100 licensed architects in the Philippines. Among his designs are well-known landmark buildings in the Makati Central Business District during their time, with most surviving up to this day. These include the Asian Institute of Management building, the Bank of America–Lepanto building, and the Manila Peninsula Hotel, as well as major structures in Manila such as the Central Bank of the Philippines complex along Roxas Boulevard.
Gabby’s single proprietorship practice evolved to a professional partnership with the formation of Gabriel Formoso and Partners in December 1973, with Susana S. Castillo, Jaime C. Marquez, Ricardo S. Dela Rosa Jr., Severino C. Villarama and Rodolfo V. Lameyra as founding partners—all homegrown associates who were chosen on the basis of merit and in recognition of their honesty, dedication, fortitude, strength of character, design acumen, and compromising standards for quality of work.
Through the years, other associates were elevated to partner status for manifesting the same virtues. Except for Angel E. Sancho Nakpil who was invited to the firm, other associates who eventually were made partners in later years included Jose Mendoza, Augusto G. Iral and Teodoro H. Narciso. Lina A. Quijano, the firm’s comptroller, was made principal. Similarly, partners who became managing partners are Susana Castillo (from 1991 to 1996), Ricardo Dela Rosa (from 1997 to 2009) and Teodoro Narciso (2010 to 2015).
In August 1979, the firm’s name was changed to GF & Partners (GFP). Gabby continued to strengthen his personal career, and together with it the collective reputation of the firm. Among the most important recognitions he received was the 1979 Outstanding Architect of the Year Award from the Professional Regulation Commission, the 1977 Patnubay ng Kalinangan Award from the Commission on Arts and Culture, the 1974 Most Outstanding Alumnus Award from his alma mater University of Santo Tomas, and an Honorary Lifetime Individuals Membership from the Architectural Center Club Inc.