WORLDBEX 2010 Goes Green

WORLDBEX 2010 has turned green into more than just a color—it has become a goal, a statement and a mission.

In its 15th year anniversary and its grandest show to date, WORLDBEX (Philippine World Building and Construction Exposition), the first and foremost international construction trade show in the country, has adapted the theme “Constructing the Future Green Communities through Efficient Technologies and Materials.” Here, the latest building materials and technology will be showcased from March 17 to 21, 2010 at the World Trade Center, and Philippine Trade Training Center in Pasay City to aid architects, engineers, contractors and interior designers in making better structures that will stand up to the elements.

While this annual world-renowned expo has become the source of the most premium local and international products and services in the construction industry, local architects and building specialists are also looking forward to it because it has become an indispensable source of information for the latest construction trends and developments. This is all because of the highly anticipated WORLDBEX Seminars.

Acclaimed speakers from different parts of the globe who will grace the event include Engr. Sipco de Jonge (Netherlands); Arch. Timothy Wong (Singapore); Arch. Tai Lee Siang (Singapore); Ken Witherell (USA); and Terry Waterhouse (UK).

Meanwhile, local green advocates and experts will tackle a variety of topics: from living stylishly and efficiently in small spaces (by interior design guru Leo Almeria), to proper urban planning that will avert possible disasters (Arch. Felino Palafox, Jr.). Each day from March 18 to 20 will feature four different speakers who will share their expertise.

Who says the Philippines cannot go green? The country’s top architecture practitioners such as Arch. Jun Palafox, Arch. Albert Yu, and Arch. Philip Recto as well as leading interior designers Leo Almeria, Natalia Benitez, Suzet Cocuaco, Lot Hilvano, Wilmer Lopez, Chat Fores Lozano, Roland Laurena, Michael Pizarro, Tessa Prieto Valdez, Maritess Magcase & Rosalie Si, and Hubilla Design Group will show a uniquely local twist to sustainable design at the WORLDBEX’s Architects and Interior Designers Gallery.

Another facet of WORLDBEX 2010 that proves that sustainable development is now a global concern and responsibility is its Grand Embassy Pavilion. With about 28 countries represented, the Grand Embassy Pavilion will include United States of America, Turkey, Thailand, Finland, Syria, Indonesia, Korea, and Malaysia, among others.

WORLDBEX 2010 is sponsored by Boysen Paint, Davies Paint, Hunter Douglas, HCG, Lepanto Tiles, Mariwasa Tiles, WilsonArt, Puyat Steel, Puyat Flooring, and Cubes International.

For more information about the event, contact the Worldbex Services International at (632) 531-6374; 531-6350; 531-5044; 533-6988, fax (632) 533-2026, email: info@worldbex.com or visit their website at www.worldbex.com

RP Architects Held Annual National Convention at CSI Stadia

Architects from Pangasinan, Manila, Baguio, Benguet, Ilocos-Laoag, Cebu, Davao, Batangas and Zamboanga attended the Philippine Institute of Architects (PIA) 76th Annual National Convention held last March 4 – 7, 2009 at the CSI Stadia in Dagupan City, Pangasinan.

Organized by the Philippine Institute of Architects, the event was guided by the theme “Building Quality Architects. The event was highlighted by panel discussions on the latest trends and challenges faced by Philippine architects, exhibit featuring products and construction suppliers, and sports fest.

Dagupan City Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez, PIA National President Architect Benedict Loy, and convention chairman Architect Theresa Velasco led the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the four-day convention.

In her speech, Vice Mayor Fernandez commended all the architects for their efforts and contributions in helping transform Dagupan City as the premier center of the Northern Luzon region. She added that, through the works of architects, Dagupan City can become a clean, green, orderly, healthy and progressive city in the future.

Meanwhile, Architect Loy thanked Vice Mayor Fernandez for allowing them to hold the annual convention at CSI Stadia, which the Belen family owns, and desribed the venue as the “largest, most beautiful and most sophisticated convention center in Northern Luzon."

For more information about the event, visit the Philippine Institute of Architects website, http://pia-architects.org/.