Philippines has announced that 87 per cent of the construction work had been completed on its country pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai and was on track for handover in March next year.

 

Designed by Budji+Royal Architecture+Design and curated by Marian Pastor Roces, the 1,386-sq-m facility reimagines the Filipinos as a coral reef, interconnecting not only with each other but also with the world.

 

The Philippines Pavilion aims to focus on dedicated collaborations or “bayanihan”—which has been greatly visible with the collective efforts between the Philippine team, the UAE-based construction team, as well as other multi-cultural and multinational entities, both in the Philippines and Dubai, said Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (PDTI) in its statement.

 

Bangkóta will deploy leading-edge art, architecture, and design to highlight the progressive development of the nation, as well as tell the untold story of Filipinos in an engaging and interactive platform, it added.

 

Announcing the project progress, Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (PDTI) and commissioner general secretary, Ramon Lopez, said: "I am immensely proud of our team for their efficiency and hard work. Their sheer determination to showcase the beauty of the Philippines through our pavilion has made it possible for us to be on time for its unveiling at the upcoming Expo 2020."

 

"The pavilion’s concept, including the materials to be used, has been well thought of by the creators, a reason it became easier for the team to go ahead and build the design. While recent restrictions brought about by the pandemic posed a challenge, they also unleashed within the team their resourcefulness and creativity — allowing them to pull such magnificent work without any delays," he stated.

 

According to him, Bangkóta highlights the country’s passion for sustainability - sourcing the majority of its materials from the local markets of the UAE that are recyclable.

 

"Such readily available materials are among the contributing factors that led to them staying on track of their schedule despite the movement restrictions caused by the pandemic," stated Lopez.

 

Lauding the Filipino team, Omar Shehadeh, Chief International Participants Officer, International Participants at Expo 2020 Dubai, said: "The sheer passion of the people behind the Philippines Pavilion is truly commendable, and I am honoured to have witnessed their creativity and hard work coming to life through Bangkóta. I am confident that Filipinos in the UAE will be further proud of their identity once they get to witness what the Philippine team has prepared for them in the upcoming Expo 2020."