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

PICE held Mid-year Confab at Bacolod City

Over 1,500 members from the construction, consulting, academic, and commercial sector took part in the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) 2009 National Midyear Convention held last June 25 – 27, 2009 at the Bacolod Pavilion Resort Hotel in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.

Hosted by PICE Negros Occidental Chapter, the convention carried the theme, “Civil Engineers Sustaining Infrastructure Development Amidst Global Economic Crisis”. According to PICE National President Venancio I. Besavilla Jr., the convention aims to tackle technical issues involving construction management and engineering, transportation engineering and structural engineering.

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr. graced the opening ceremony and served as keynote speaker. His keynote address was followed by the inspirational talk of Engr. Jose Mabanta, recipient of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) “2009 Most Outstanding Civil Engineer Award”.

Dr. Benito M. Pacheco, officer-in-charge director of the Institute of Civil Engineering in the University of the Philippines College of Engineering, gave an overview of the workshop on the PICE disaster mitigation and preparedness strategies and disaster quick response program.

Other speakers were:

• Dr. Danilo C. Terante, division head of hydraulics and water resources engineering division, Civil Engineering Department, De la Salle University;
• Dr. Renato U. Solidum Jr., director, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology; Mr. Medardo C. Batiller,Operations Manager, Emergency Response Unit Foundation;
• Dr. Masanori Hamada, professor, Department of Civil and Environment Engineering, Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan and former president of Japan Society of Civil Engineers.

The guest speakers discussed topics on engineering technologies related to the five division of PICE such as Construction and Management Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Structural Engineering, Transportation Engineering and Water Resources, and Hydraulic Engineering.

The PICE 2009 National Midyear Convention also featured the PICE Construction Technologies Services and Building Materials, Exhibit, Sports Tournament, Plenary Session, Technical Tracks, Job Fair, and Fellowship. The event was capped with the PICE Building Project Grand Slam Raffle where they gave away laptop bags, traveling bags, DVD players, a fax machine, cell phones, a digital camera, a digital video camera, a laptop and a brand new Nissan Navarra.

For more information about the PICE 2009 National Midyear Convention, contact the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers at (632) 448-7488 to 90, 376-4215 or visit their website at www.pice.org.ph/