The Philippine Technological Council - Women Engineers Network Middle East and North Africa (PTC WEN MENA) Chapter convened its first General Online Meeting on Saturday, October 3. The assembly gathered 44 Filipino women engineers across Qatar, the UAE, Oman, and Saudi Arabia, along with national advisers and officers from the Philippines.
The meeting commenced with an invocation led by vice chairperson Engr Maria A Michelle Revillosa, offering prayers for divine wisdom, unity across disciplines, and success in empowering Filipina engineers throughout the region.
Chapter chairperson Dr Anne Binondo then chaired the meeting. In her welcome remarks, Dr Binondo greeted all advisers, national officers, and delegates across Mena, emphasising the power of unity and calling on members to lend their voices in building a collaborative, supportive, and transformative network for Filipino women engineers on the international stage.
A highlight of the orientation segment was a presentation by Dr May Rose Imperial, Adviser and former Chairperson of PTC WEN (2022-2023), who outlined the network’s foundational identity, organisational scope, and long-term strategic blueprint through 2030.
Dr Imperial clarified that PTC WEN does not operate as a separate or competing entity against existing Engineering Professional Organisations (EPOs). Instead, it serves a complementary function, addressing gender representation, professional advocacy, and career development aspects often overlooked within traditional discipline-specific societies.
Dr Juana "Jane” T. Tapel (2014-2021 PTC WEN Chairperson, Adviser, and INWES APNN Chair) congratulated the MENA Chapter on establishing its first official international presence, inviting members to participate in upcoming international conferences in Taiwan and global forums hosted by the International Network of Women Engineers and Scientists (INWES).
Engr Emiliana "Emie” P. Dela Cruz (Immediate Past Chairperson) reminded participants that every woman engineer’s voice matters. She urged members to continue lifting one another, reject "crab mentality,” and embrace international opportunities such as the ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organisations (AFEO) Women Engineers Summit. Engr. Jhoanna B. Soriano (Current PTC WEN National Chairperson) commended the Chapter Chairperson for her dedication to bringing the Mena charter to fruition, encouraging all officers and members to lead with passion, embrace innovation, and build a supportive community that inspires future generations of Filipina engineers.
Chairperson Dr Binondo reflected on the chartering ceremony held on August 5, 2026, during the 20th International Conference of Women Engineers and Scientists (ICWES20) cum 10th Philippine Women Engineers and Scientists Summit (PWESS10) at Clark, Pampanga. PTC President Engr. Federico Monsada, and was witnessed by PTC WEN Founding Chairperson Dr Lydia Tansinsin. She also shared on the Middle East-based recipients of the 2nd Batch of the Inspiring Filipina Engineers Award, recognising their outstanding professional contributions across the Gulf region.
The assembly also featured a Virtual Meet-and-Greet segment, giving each participant a chance to give a short self-introduction. The exchange showcased a diverse cross-section of expertise—residing across the Gulf region.
Through a nomination and consensus process, the general assembly elected the core executive officers of the PTC WEN MENA Chapter for 2026–2028, ensuring multidisciplinary expertise and broad regional representation across the Mena region: Chairperson Dr Anne Binondo (IECEP UAE); vice chairperson Engr Maria Michelle Revillosa (PICE Qatar); secretary Engr Sonia Buscano (PICHE Oman); treasurer Engr Imelda Alumbro (IIEE Abu Dhabi); auditor Engr Ruby Bendanillo (PICE-UAE); and media relations officer Engr Pamela Joy Carreon (PICE-UAE).