Riyadh: Filipino excellence took center stage at The Filipino Times Watchlist Awards 2025, recognizing 71 outstanding Filipino professionals for their contributions to engineering, architecture, and healthcare in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. The event, held at the Crowne Plaza Riyadh Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on June 20-21, was the first edition of the awards dedicated solely to honoring Filipino professionals in both countries.
According to Philippines News Agency, the landmark awards event was organized by New Perspective Media Group, publisher of The Filipino Times, and recognized winners carefully selected by a panel of experts from a competitive pool of more than 800 nominations. These honorees embody the very best of Filipino talent in the Middle East, showcasing excellence in innovation, leadership, and community impact.
Raymond Balatbat, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with concurrent jurisdiction over the Republic of Yemen, congratulated the 71 Filipino awardees. "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," Balatbat said. "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."
The list of awardees of The Filipino Times Watchlist Awards includes top engineers, architects, and healthcare professionals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. Among the honored engineers and architects in Saudi Arabia are Victorino Abejero, Elmer Amador, and Jay Animas, among others. In Bahrain, recognized engineers include William Angelo Conejos Jr., Willard Ganea, and Samer Musa Mohamad. The healthcare professionals recognized in Saudi Arabia include Divina Asug, Sandra Bonayon, and Dr. Bernard Laxamana Carpio, to name a few.
Dr. Karen Remo, CEO and founder of New Perspective Media Group and CEO of The Filipino Times, commented, "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."
