Filipino professionals in the Middle East receive recognition for their remarkable achievements and contributions to the region’s growth and development. The Filipino Times Watch List Summit & Awards celebrate their passion and dedication, paving the way for a sustainable future.
The inaugural ‘The Filipino Times Watch List: Top Engineers and Architects in the Middle East’ honored a total of 91 exceptional Filipinos who have made a significant impact on the Middle East’s engineering and architectural scene.
The international summit and awards—held on March 17, 2023, at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Deira, Dubai—recognized Filipino achievers who hailed from four countries in the Middle East including Kuwait (1), Qatar (4), Saudi Arabia (9), and the UAE (77).
Representing the best and brightest of the Filipino talent in the industry, the 91 awardees emerged from seven professions including 16 architects, 8 chemical engineers, 30 civil engineers, 10 electrical engineers, 8 electronics & communications engineers, 1 geothermal engineer, and 18 mechanical engineers.
The nominees for the awards went through a rigorous selection process, with 297 nominations received, and 108 shortlisted based on their demonstrated skill and leadership in their respective fields.
The event gathered esteemed speakers and industry leaders from the Middle East and the Philippines in a series of panel discussions, highlighting the remarkable contributions of Filipino engineers and architects who have helped shape the region’s landscape and continue to contribute to its growth and development through innovative designs and groundbreaking projects.
HE Alfonso Ver, Philippine Ambassador to the UAE, said: “Having overseeing the Philippines’ bilateral relations with the countries in the Middle East and African region for several years prior to assuming my post as Philippine Ambassador to the UAE, I’m very much aware of how Filipinos have helped build this region. From the time Sheikh Zayed, the founding father, established the UAE 52 years ago, Filipino builders, engineers, and architects, helped plan, design, and build the cities of this nation quite literally. The first generation of Filipino professionals, your predecessors, built the foundations of the UAE, and this paved the way for Filipinos to be rightfully recognised, respected, and appreciated by this country, its people, and leaders.”
Dr. Karen Remo, CEO & Founder of New Perspective Media Group—organiser of the event, said: “Filipino engineers and architects are at the forefront of sustainable development in the Middle East. With their exceptional skills and dedication, they have become trusted partners in shaping the region’s future. With the Arab World’s commitment to sustainability and progress, it provides the perfect stage for these professionals to showcase their exceptional abilities and drive for sustainability. As they continue to push the boundaries of innovation and excellence, Arab countries can look forward to a brighter and more sustainable future, fueled by the passion and brilliance of these outstanding Filipino engineers and architects.”
Vince Ang, COO at New Perspective Media Group, commented: “The inaugural edition of The Filipino Times Watch List Summit & Awards served as a testament to the unwavering passion and tireless dedication of the publication in promoting the extraordinary achievements of Filipino professionals. This event takes immense pride in acknowledging the excellence of our Filipino engineers and architects and the indelible impact they have made in uplifting the image of the Philippines, setting a new standard of excellence for generations to come.”
GLORY DAYS NEVER END
In the 1970s, the boom of investments and construction in the Middle East had created a wealth of opportunities for Filipino engineers and architects, and encouraged many to seek employment in the region.
The high demand for skilled Filipino professionals in the region continues to this day, as giga-projects get underway. Since the Middle East is a culturally diverse region that values the skills and knowledge of foreign workers, it has made it easier for Filipino engineers and architects to integrate into the local community and work alongside colleagues from different countries.
Hon. Renato N. Dueñas, Jr., Consul General of the Philippine Consulate Dubai said: “Filipino engineers and architects are some of the most sought-after professionals in the Middle East and for good reason: they are more than capable, hardworking, reliable and highly-motivated. Our engineers and architects have been and continue to be an integral part of the development of this region and they are our country’s pride.”
Another factor is the attractive compensation packages offered by Gulf countries. Filipino engineers and architects are not only highly sought after but also among the most handsomely paid overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) with salaries ranging from AED 10,000 to AED 30,000. This success not only contributes to the growing purchasing power of OFWs but also transforms the narrative of Filipino labor migration.
BREAKING NEW GROUND
The Philippines hopes to bring back the glory of the 1970s when the country was a significant player in global construction. By promoting and growing Filipino construction companies and related engineering services, the country aims to contribute largely to the economic development of Filipinos, bring foreign exchange earnings, and create huge employment opportunities.
A forum at the TFT Watch List focusing on giga projects in the Gulf region discussed the enormous opportunities for renewed business relationships between the Philippines and the Middle East.
Dr. Mary Jane Alvero, Chief Executive Officer – Prime Group, shared that technology is a major factor in making giga projects simple.
“The metro for example is being run without a driver. AI (Artificial Intelligence) will play a big role in making projects simple,” she said.
Orandantes Delizo, Project Manager – Tebodin Middle East, said that the region is working on growth plans that will support robust infrastructure. He revealed that numerous mega contracts are yet to be awarded, across a wide range of sectors including energy, power, water and transport infrastructure, commercial and residential real estate, and industrial developments.
A CUT ABOVE THE REST
The journey to becoming a successful architect or engineer is not easy. The industry is fiercely competitive, but Filipino professionals have proven their mettle, excelling in the region’s challenging environment.
The latest results from the Philippine Regulation Commission (PRC) serve as a stark reminder of the daunting task at hand. The passing rate for the Architect Licensure Exams was a mere 57%, with 39.34% for Civil Engineering and 60% for Mechanical Engineering. These numbers indicate that the path to success is a gruelling expedition.
Pursuing a career in the Middle East, renowned for its high-profile mega-projects showcasing revolutionary engineering and futuristic architecture, is no easy feat. With a diverse community of nationalities from across the globe, the industry becomes even more fiercely competitive.
The presence of Filipino engineers and architects in the Middle East highlights their perseverance and determination to carve out a place among the very best the Philippines has to offer. The influential role of these professionals extends beyond design and execution, covering policy creation in the region’s engineering and architecture industries.
OPPORTUNITIES WITH AI
The TFT Watch List Summit also discussed how Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the engineering and architecture industry in the Middle East, offering a range of opportunities to enhance work and capabilities.
It tackled on the constant evolution of the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry towards the fourth industrial revolution or Industry 4.0 and how new technologies such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are to be adapted.
Dr Rajkumar Muthusamy, Senior Robotics Scientist – Dubai Future Foundation, said that AI is a fundamental component of Industry 4.0 and through its applications, companies are finding effective solutions, meeting their demands at a faster pace, and tackling larger and more impactful challenges every day.
James Roy Jimenez, Senior Architect and BIM Manager – Zublin Constructions, emphasized that AI is an exciting technology and integrating it to build in the AEC industry is something to look forward to.
Woderick Pareja, AE Senior Architect – Obermeyer Middle East, commented: “We need to check what are the technologies we need to adapt,” as large collaborative research is still necessary for development projects despite the significant potential to boost services within the AEC industry using technologies like AI.
NET-ZERO JOURNEY
Another topic discussed during the Summit was how retrofits aimed at improving energy efficiency can become a natural progression for the UAE Real Estate and Facilities Management (FM) sectors if implemented effectively.
Most Arab countries, including the UAE, are now focusing on sustainability programmes. The UAE declared 2023 as the “Year of Sustainability” to focus on promoting sustainable development and environmental conservation. In addition, the country will host the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) in November 2023 where the UAE will mobilize action around a “major course correction” to accelerate emissions reductions while ensuring energy security.
With initiatives like these, the engineering and architecture industry in the Arab world is set to embrace the concept of net-zero buildings and gear up for their transition to eco-friendly construction.
Kirby Zalameda, Design Director of Architecture – DLR Group Middle East, said: “Net zero is basically a new project, that is why a lot of these guidelines have been set up. A lot of these new rules initially started with the context of primarily addressing new buildings at play. But they are catching up in a sense that there is already the retrofit action. Retrofitting is actually a very big phenomenon right now.”
Manosh De, Urban Planning Expert – Dubai Municipality, commented: “When you think about retrofitting, you need to also think about whether the architectural landscape contributes to the image and identity of the city. So, within that context, if you ask how long should a building last, yes it may last long but ‘is it worth keeping’ should be the next question. And sometimes, while it is easy to maintain a building and just fix it from the inside, if externally it does not add the value that you need, perhaps there is a case that it will fall down.”
Christine Espinosa-Erlanda, Associate Partner – Godwin Austen Johnson & Architects, highlighted: “For the next 20-30 years, we’re going to be designing more sustainably compared to recent strategies that we have done previously. In the next years I see that everyone will be interested in living sustainably. At the end of the day no one will thank us for designing a building or designing a masterplan that is badly placed, so I think it’s up to us as engineers and architects, or architects and engineers to be able to add sustainability in every aspect of our design.”
OVERCOMING CHALLENGES
Everyone who focuses on complex projects knows that challenges change from one project to the next. Beyond that, it’s pretty much all about what’s going on in a project. In fact, the challenges arise even before a project starts.
The panel speakers tackled the ways to overcome such challenges in project management issues through enhanced monitoring and measurement.
Emelyn Martinez, Managing Director – Qualis, pointed out that managing a project is all about having a clear plan and set objectives with regular monitoring.
“We have to always focus on details. I believe as technical architects and engineers, focusing on details is an important trait. If we have problem, focusing on the problem will help us solve concerns,” she said.
Leonester Diestro, Asset Lead Retail Delivery Manager – Majid Al Futtaim Properties, underscored the importance of communication to establish a clear understanding of what the goal is.
“One thing I learned doing these days is you need to tip down to the level of these workers. Most of the workers here are struggling with communication side. Make friends professionally and have a goal, that is to make it on time,” she noted.
Maynard Theodor Saga, Project Manager – Traxon Technologies, highlighted that leadership is also a collaboration with the whole team, regardless of position.
“Befriend them, go to the site, bring samosas and chai, have a connection. We are human first, we need to interact. Don’t think that you’re a project manager and are higher over them. Go beyond your description to gain the trust of these guys and they will be responsible in finishing the project,” he said.
The first ever “The Filipino Times Watch List: Top Engineers and Architects in the Middle East” did not only celebrate the exemplary contributions of Filipino engineers and architects to their respective industries but it also served as a unique platform for them to exchange knowledge, experiences, and ideas with industry experts and peers. It also provided an opportunity for professionals to learn about the latest developments in their fields and explore new avenues for growth and advancement.
The Filipino Times salutes all Filipino engineers and architects who continue to play major roles in shaping the landscape of the Middle East. Mabuhay kayo!
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