Awardees and guests of the “The Filipino Times Watchlist: Watchlist Top Engineers and Architects in the Middle East Awards 2025” held at Radisson Blu Dubai Deira Creek in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Feb. 14, 2025. Organized by New Perspective Media Group, the event honored the outstanding contributions of Filipino engineers and architects in the region, highlighting their vital roles in shaping the region’s infrastructure and development. (NPM Group)
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – The Filipino Times Watchlist: Top Engineers and Architects in the Middle East 2025 celebrated the accomplishments of 126 exceptional Filipino professionals during an awards ceremony and summit held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Feb. 14.
Organized by New Perspective Media Group (NPMG), the event honors the outstanding contributions of Filipino engineers and architects in the region, highlighting their vital roles in shaping the region’s infrastructure and development.
The awardees include architects, civil engineers, chemical engineers, electronics engineers, electrical engineers, and mechanical engineers from Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. The event recognized the extraordinary influence Filipino professionals have in the region, particularly in driving sustainable urban development.
“Platforms that recognize the achievements and significant contributions of Filipinos, such as The Filipino Times Watchlist: Top Filipino Engineers and Architects in the Middle East, support and further encourage our kabayan to excel in whichever field they may be,” Alfonso Ferdinand Ver, Philippine Ambassador to the UAE, said in a news release.
“Beyond honoring their work, these are also celebrations of their individual contributions in reinforcing the immense goodwill of our community in this region, their enduring legacies borne from sheer dedication and hard work of which we Filipinos are well-known for.”
Raul Hernandez, Philippine Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman, said their achievements reflect not only technical expertise but also the Filipino commitment to integrity, professionalism, resilience and innovation.
“From groundbreaking designs to engineering feats that shape skylines and transform cities, their work is a source of pride for our nation, proving that Filipinos’ talent and expertise shine on the global stage,” Hernandez said.
The full list of awardees of The Filipino Times Watchlist: Top Engineers and Architects in the Middle East 2025 in order of their last name by discipline:
Architecture:
Bahala, Rhona
Dicipulo, Antonio
Gaela, Carmelita
Gavino, Jeffrey Carlo
Lago, Cherylliz Anne
Pabalan, Fernando
Pareja, Woderick
Pigao, Bernadette
Quiogue, Kriz Samed
Reyes, Franz Felea
Rigor, Paul Peter Son Rico
Santos, Kenneth Mark
Civil Engineering:
Abad, Charles Concordio
Aldaya, Marichelle
Animas, Jay
Apduhan, Blesil
Bañadera, Joey
Bayot, Erwin
Betita, Alfonso Belito
Borreros, Kristoffer Arnie
Buenconsejo, Glenn John
Cabardo, Jonathan
Castañeda, Jaime Jr.
Castillon, Ronald
Cayaga, Alden
Cayog, John Carlo
Chavez, Anngela
Cocjin, Randy Piniera
Dalupang, Leonides
Dela Peña, Sheryl
De Sesto, Michelle
De Vera, Fredel
Dela Cruz, Pablismer
Delos Santos, Cedrich Joshua Yllana
Diestro, Leonester Villar
Dolozon, John Nielsen
Famorcan, Joeper
Francia, Michael Jeanios
Galeon, Julie Galve
Idos, Paquito
Isla, Romaline
Juntilla, Ace
Labarda, Ahmer
Leaño, Roland
Legaste, Jay-ar
Lopez, Asuncion
Magnaye, Percival
Malaluan, Vanessa Angela
Malayao, Leonel Joseph
Malubay, Raleigh
Manglicmot, Gerry
Mangubat, Williamson
Manqueria, Vener
Marcial, Nathalie
Molbog, Joevince
Navarro, Lorena
Nicdao, Melvin Kieth
Nuque, Sharon
Oligo, Mario
Ortiguerra, Meliza
Pigao, Engersol
Ramos, Raymund Ralph
Rentutar, Rafael Jr.
Ricohermoso, Juanito
Sanchez, Marites
Tampipi, Alberto Jr.
Tan, Dana Lynn
Tejedo, Jundee Mar
Utram, Jojo
Victorio, Vic Allen
Chemical Engineering:
Deauna, Jowy Palma
Dela Cruz, Jolivette Rapadas
Lopez, Florencio Jr.
Soriano, Patrick Luis
Yamson, Rodolfo Jr.
Electronics Engineering:
Agnes, Genesis
Batoon, Heherson
Capuno, Maricarl
Gasangue, Mark Nhel
Garcia, Garry
Lao, Leo Vincent
Lontoc, Rafael
Maglaque-Arcega, Ma. Elisa
Perez, Jeejay Al
Valeros, Leif Marvin
Electrical Engineering:
Cabalse, Manny Boy
Casao, Elmer
Castulo, Rodrigo Jr.
Cupido, Leo
Diaz, Aruel
Genove, Elmer
Guillermo, Alfie
Hipolito, Marlon
Laguerta, Venerando
Lingcaso, Norberto Jr.
Oyao, Jalan Nicolas
Paloma, Victor
Perez, Ken Anthony
Pineda, Lesley Ariel
Rances, Melanie
Recto, Roanne Joy
Saragpon- Guillermo, Rocil May
Sayaman, Ian Waldy
Tangcogo, Jose
Vergosa, Enrie Andy
Villa, Eryl
Mechanical Engineering:
Aguado, Leonardo
Basario, Kristian
Beltran, Arlan
Calingasan, Clyde Bienson
Calma, Sonny
Defensor, Pasciano
Delgado, Domingo Jr.
Ingal, Juanito Jr.
Malagapo, Eduardo
Mamayog, Shayed
Orticio, Felizardo Jr.
Parubrub, Cipriano
Perpetua, Jed Gregorio
Pineda, Lloyd Christian
Ramos, Reynald
Regalado, Henry
Reyes, Jaime III
Rosete, Francis Louie
Serben, Michael
Valero, Jeffrey
Zamora, Jayson
Dr. Karen Remo, chief executive officer and founder of NPMG and publisher of The Filipino Times, said the publication “is committed to empowering Filipinos worldwide, and this event is a testament to their invaluable contributions.”
“The engineering and architecture sectors in the Middle East have greatly benefited from the talent, resilience, and expertise of Filipino professionals. We are proud to provide a platform that fosters peer-to-peer recognition and celebrates work excellence, leadership, professional success, resilience, and community service,” Remo said.
Consul General Marford Angeles of the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai, said initiatives like The Filipino Times Watchlist are crucial in recognizing and amplifying the impact of overseas Filipinos who excel in their respective fields.
“By celebrating the achievements of our engineers and architects, we not only acknowledge their hard work but also encourage others to push the boundaries of their capabilities,” he said.
“Through your efforts, you have raised the bar for what Filipinos can achieve globally, and we are incredibly proud of all that you have accomplished. Your success not only uplifts the standing of Filipino professionals in the Middle East but also inspires others to follow in your footsteps. We also commend The Filipino Times for consistently championing Filipino professionals and providing a platform to celebrate their accomplishments,” John Rio Bautista, Labor Attaché of the Migrant Workers Office-Dubai and the Northern Emirates, said.
“These professionals are true trailblazers, pushing the boundaries of innovation and sustainability in the Middle East. Their exceptional work continues to transform the region, and we are thrilled to recognize their achievements, which inspire others to follow in their footsteps,” Vince Ang, chief operating officer of NNPMG and general manager of The Filipino Times, said.
The engineer-judges who helped determine the awardees were Sheryl De La Peña immediate past chapter president of the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers-UAE and Sr. Quantity Surveyor and Contracts Administrator at Distance Studio Consultants; Marlon Hipolito, 2025 chapter president of the Integrated Institute of Electrical Engineers of the Philippines-UAE and Project Manager at Watermaster LLC; Rafael Lontoc, chair of the Philippine Professional Organization-UAE, Adviser to the Institute of Electronics Engineers of the Philippines-UAE Chapter, and Regional Support Manager at Cyviz AS; Florencio Lopez Jr., 2024 chapter president of the Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers-UAE and Senior Process Engineering Specialist/Chief Engineer at ADNOC Borouge; and Leif Marvin Valeros, chapter president of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of the Philippines-UAE and Technical Support Engineer at Keri Systems Middle East FZCO.
Architect Woderick Pareja, past chapter president and adviser to United Architects of the Philippines-Abu Dhabi and Project Management Consultant/Technical Advisor at Obermeyer Middle East GmBH, was also one of the judges.
The Philippines’ Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac was a guest speaker.
The Filipino Times Watchlist: Top Engineers and Architects in the Middle East 2025 Awards and Summit is supported by RLC Residences, Kings Medical Center, and Elite Retreats Tourism as support sponsors, and is powered by The Filipino Times, the largest international Filipino news media and marketing agency globally. (NPM Group)