ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY, Philippines โ Anthony Tario Austria grew up in Buug, a quiet town in Zamboanga Sibugay where his mother worked the rice fields and later took on odd jobs in Malaysia to keep the family afloat.
Life was difficult, but in the middle of poverty, Anthony discovered a gift: drawing. Teachers saw his sketches and encouraged him, planting in him the dream of becoming an architect.
That dream carried him beyond Buug. Austriaโs career began in Saudi Arabia and later in the United Arab Emirates, where homesickness was a constant companion. But the distance also gave him the chance to provide for his family and eventually build them a home back in the Philippines.
โProgress may be slow, and we may stumble along the way, but what matters is that we rise again,โ Austria told The Filipino Times.
Breaking ground in Abu Dhabi
In Abu Dhabi, Austria rose from employee to design manager at Amiral Consultant Engineers, where he stayed for 15 years. The firm, under his leadership, completed landmark projects like the Al Jafri Contemporary Residential Project and a high-rise apartment complex that ranked Amiral among the emirateโs best consultants.
Now co-founder of ATA Architects in the Philippines, Austria balances global and local work. His Abu Dhabi team recently placed in the top three of an international design competition, while ATA continues to take on projects back home.
Recognition followed. When he was named to The Filipino Times Watchlist, Austria said he was caught off guard:
โEven just being nominated felt like an honor. When I received the award, I was genuinely surprised and deeply grateful.โ
For him, awards arenโt just about prestigeโthey represent the sacrifices of family, mentors, and colleagues who shaped his journey.
Looking ahead
Nearly 24 years into his career in the UAE, Austriaโs story has become an inspiration for many Filipinos who left home in search of opportunity. His message is simple: keep going, even when the odds are stacked against you.
And while he has made a name in architecture, his vision stretches beyond buildings. Austria dreams of one day becoming a National Artist for Painting, using art to give back to the Philippines.
โOnce you rise above challenges, no one can pull you down, because time and experience will have proven your strength,โ he said.
From a boy in Buug sketching on scraps of paper, to an architect shaping Abu Dhabiโs skyline, Austriaโs journey is a reminder that even the most humble beginnings can lead to extraordinary heights.
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