Top Filipino engineers, architects, and healthcare professionals in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain 2025 revealed
The milestone event, held at the Crowne Plaza Riyadh Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on June 20 and 21, 2025, was the first edition of the awards dedicated solely to honoring Filipino professionals in both Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. Awardees and guests of the TFT Watchlist Awards: Top Filipino Healthcare Professionals in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain 2025
Organized by New Perspective Media Group, publisher of The Filipino Times, the largest international Filipino news media and marketing agency globally, this landmark awards event recognized winners carefully selected by a panel of experts from a competitive pool of over 800 nominations. These honorees embody the very best of Filipino talent in the Middle East, showcasing excellence in innovation, leadership, and community impact. His Excellency Raymond R. Balatbat, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with concurrent jurisdiction over the Republic of Yemen
His Excellency Raymond R. Balatbat, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with concurrent jurisdiction over the Republic of Yemen, shared:
'It is with great pride that I extend my heartfelt congratulations to our esteemed partners in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom of Bahrain participating in The Filipino Times Watchlist Awards: Top Engineers and Architects Awards 2025 and the Top Healthcare Professionals Awards 2025 for Saudi Arabia and Bahrain — an event that honors the remarkable achievements of Filipino professionals in their respective fields. This celebration not only celebrates the remarkable achievements of Filipino talent but also serves as a testament to the deep cultural and creative ties that bind our nations.
'In our ever-evolving global landscape, your groundbreaking work stands at the forefront of innovation and progress. These awards recognize not only your technical expertise and creative vision but also the spirit of resilience and collaboration that defines our cultural kinship. This celebration is a testament to a future where ingenuity knows no borders.
'Congratulations to each honoree, whose success continues to inspire and uplift us all. Together, let us continue to drive progress and build bridges of understanding between our nations. Mabuhay!'
Here is the full list of awardees of The Filipino Times Watchlist Awards: Top Engineers, Architects, and Healthcare Professionals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain 2025:
Engineers and Architects (Saudi Arabia) Recipients of The Filipino Times Watchlist Awards: Top Filipino Engineers & Architects in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain 2025
• Engr. Victorino Abejero • Engr. Elmer Amador • Engr. Jay Animas • Engr. Don Aparicio • Engr. Leo Argoso, Jr. • Engr. Nasser Asain • Arch. Jeoffrey Asis • Engr. Joy Carale Azur • Engr. Emerson Romero Cabrera • Engr. Renato Siquig Camacho • Engr. Zoilo Caringal • Engr. Luisito Carlos • Engr. Carlos Casenas, Jr. • Engr. Edgar Castilla Colmo • Engr. Ernel Tadea Cudal • Engr. Fernando Datu • Engr. Richard De Belen • Engr. Fredel De Vera • Engr. Michael Diwa • Engr. Aliw Carter Elamparo • Engr. Darwin Fernandez • Engr. Aldon Ray Balayo Fortaleza • Engr. Marlon Gacutan • Engr. Mories Galuso • Engr. Jan Michael Ganaban • Engr. Feleo Gines • Engr. Amir-Hussein Sinsuat Kamir • Engr. Brian Lacaba • Engr. Sherwin Ladiana • Engr. Franklin Panaguiton Laru-An • Arch. Renato Lat • Engr. Jay-ar Legaste • Engr. Rogel Limjoco • Engr. Russel Lived • Arch. Jan Marlou Luis • Engr. Lormel Taduran Magistrado • Arch. John Michael Malvar • Engr. Erwin Mandia • Engr. Jeffrey Catapang Manguera • Engr. Johnny Manlangit • Arch. Mario Fabian Manuel • Engr. Rigel Quijada Pelayo • Engr. Rhoel Vincent Rabillas • Engr. Raymund Ralph Zalun Ramos • Engr. Rafael Rentutar, Jr. • Engr. Ricky Salavia • Engr. Rodolfo Saludez Jr. • Engr. Lorenzo Santos • Engr. Franklin Morados Semilla • Arch. Geraldin Suede
• Engr. Gregorio Guamos Tiamson
Engineers and Architects (Bahrain)
• Engr. William Angelo Conejos, Jr. • Engr. Willard Ganea
• Engr. Samer Musa Mohamad
Healthcare Professionals (Saudi Arabia) Recipients of The Filipino Times Watchlist Awards: Top Filipino Healthcare Professionals in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain 2025
• Divina Asug • Sandra Bonayon • Dr. Bernard Laxamana Carpio • Dr. Maurice Joy Cudal • Marie Dahlia Bobbie Fopalan • Paul Reinald Base Garcia • Haidee Haropohop • Maricris Ignacio • Rodemel Mar Maceda • Julius Jude Pastrana Mamaclay • Maykiel Terowa Mauro • Jose Rex Navarrosa • Ana Boy Olimba • Errol Andy Recinto • Dr. Jordan Tovera Salvador • Dr. Ma. Abigail Trinidad
• Glenn Ford Valdez Dr. Karen Remo, CEO and Founder of New Perspective Media Group, and CEO of The Filipino Times
Dr. Karen Remo, CEO and Founder of New Perspective Media Group, and CEO of The Filipino Times, stated:
'Over the years, more and more Filipino professionals have shown the world what it truly means to build, to innovate, and to leave a legacy of excellence wherever they are. Earlier this year, The Filipino Times announced an exciting expansion of the highly acclaimed The Filipino Times Watchlist Awards.
'Responding to overwhelming public demand and aligning with international best practices, The Filipino Times Watchlist Awards was launched on a per-country level before progressing to the regional competition. This significant move ensures a more localized and inclusive approach in recognizing the top Filipino engineers, architects, and healthcare professionals in the Middle East. The winners from each country will then advance to compete in the regional round—The Filipino Times Watchlist Awards in the Middle East.
'To our awardees: may this honor remind you of your responsibility to pay it forward. Mentor the next in line. Pass the baton of knowledge. Keep raising the bar—not just for yourself, but for the Filipino name that you carry with pride.' Vince Ang, COO of New Perspective Media Group and General Manager of The Filipino Times
Vince Ang, COO of New Perspective Media Group and General Manager of The Filipino Times, added:
'We stand at a pivotal moment in the engineering, architecture, and healthcare sectors, where Filipino talent continues to make a profound impact. With the expansion of The Filipino Times Watchlist Awards to Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, this event is more than a celebration—it is a testament to the resilience, creativity, and dedication of our professionals who are shaping skylines, building infrastructure, and transforming healthcare systems across the globe.'
The awardees were selected through the rigorous review and expert insights of an esteemed panel of judges, including:
• Arch. Jan Marlou A. Luis, Technical Architect & Technical Team Leader, Cube Metal Industries; Chair, Philippine Professional Organization – Western Region Saudi Arabia; Chapter President, United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) KSA Western Region Chapter (2019-2022) • Engr. Victorino Abejero, Managing Director, GulfTIC Certification LLC; Founding President of the Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers (IIEE) UAE Chapter and served as Governor of the IIEE Foreign Region • Engr. Jay-ar Padernal Legaste, Lead Civil and Structural Engineer, Branch of Sinopec International Petroleum Service Corp.; Founder, Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers – Eastern Province Saudi Arabia (PICE-EPSA) scholarship program • Engr. Erwin Mandia, Design & Estimation Supervisor, Al Shahin Metal Industries; President, PICE Riyadh and Vice-Chairman, Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines (ASEP) Riyadh • Engr. Renato S. Camacho, Consultant Senior Mechanical Engineer, DAR ALRIYADH; Chapter President, Pambansang Samahan ng Inhenyerong Mekanikal (PSIM) – KSA Chapter • Engr. Leo R. Argoso, Jr., Medical Device Engineer, Abdulrehman Algosaibi G.T.C (L.L.C); Member of Board of Trustees, Institute of Electronics Engineers of the Philippines KSA CRC • Dr. Jordan Tovera Salvador, Assistant Vice-Dean, Development and Community Partnership; Chairperson, Quality Assurance and Accreditation Unit; Assistant Professor; Nursing Education in the College of Nursing; University Mentor, Teaching and Learning for Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia; Resource Speaker, Nursing Profession for Ministry of Health (MoH) • Rodemel Mar Maceda, Director of Nursing Excellence, Ministry of Defense Health Services – Nursing Administration; President, Filipino Nurses Society in Saudi Arabia (FILNASA) • Julius Jude Pastrana Mamaclay, Administrative Staff/Translator, Philippine Embassy Manama; President, Philippine Nurses Association of Bahrain (PNAB) • Jose Rex N. Navarrosa, Head, Quality and Academic Accreditation Unit, Department of Respiratory Care, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University; Founding President, Philippine Society for the Advancement of Respiratory Therapy; Immediate Past President, PPO-SA Council 2024
• Maricris B. Ignacio, Hospital Nursing Supervisor, Almana General Hospital – Al Ahsa; President, Filipino Nurses in Arabia (FiNA)
This year's awards were made possible through the generous support of sponsors, including its Silver Sponsor: Ayala Land and DMCI Homes, and its Support Sponsors: Arthaland, Sun Life, and Philippine Airlines.
The Filipino Times Watchlist Awards continues to spotlight the best and brightest of the Filipino workforce abroad, providing a platform to celebrate professional excellence, leadership, and community service in the global arena.
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