The Filipino Times Global Student Competitions 2026 stands as one of the most prestigious platforms recognizing Filipino student excellence in design and engineering innovation.
This year’s competition has drawn an overwhelming 237 entries from 45 universities across the Philippines, a testament to the depth of Filipino talent and the growing global relevance of homegrown creativity and technical expertise.
With two flagship categories, the TFT Global Student Design Competition 2026 and the TFT Global Student Engineering Innovation Challenge 2026, the initiative continues its mission of bridging Philippine academia with internationally recognized Filipino professionals making their mark across the Middle East.
To ensure the highest standards of evaluation, The Filipino Times has assembled an exceptional panel of six globally accomplished Filipino architects and engineers, each distinguished by decades of professional excellence, international credentials, industry leadership, and a steadfast commitment to mentoring the next generation.
Their collective expertise reinforces the credibility of the competition and offers student participants the rare opportunity to have their work assessed by some of the most respected Filipino minds shaping architecture and engineering on the global stage.
TFT Global Student Design Competition 2026 Judges
Arch. Christine Espinosa-Erlanda
An internationally celebrated Filipina architect, Arch. Christine Espinosa-Erlanda is among the most influential design leaders in the Middle East today.
As Associate Director at Godwin Austen Johnson, she plays a strategic role in driving design innovation across a broad portfolio of landmark projects in hospitality, residential, educational, retail, heritage, and master planning developments across the Middle East and Asia.
Armed with over two decades of experience and a Master’s degree in Business for Architecture and Design from IE University, Christine is known for blending visionary creativity with strategic design leadership.
Her remarkable list of accolades includes Women’s Executive Empowerment Champion of the Year (ED+I Summit & Awards 2025), Design Middle East 30 Influential Architects Powerlist 2024, The Filipino Times Architect of the Year, Middle East Consultant Woman in Construction – Professional of the Year and recognition among the Top 45 Most Influential Architects in the Middle East.
Beyond architecture, Christine is an accomplished artist and published illustrator, with international recognition in both visual arts and literary illustration.
A passionate mentor and advocate for women in architecture, she serves on advisory boards including Cityscape WIRE (Women in Real Estate) and the Heriot-Watt Architecture Industry Advisory Board, while actively leading mentorship initiatives for emerging architects.
Arch. Woderick Pareja
A highly respected architect and community leader in the United Arab Emirates, Arch. Woderick Pareja brings nearly two decades of extensive professional experience in delivering large-scale architectural projects across Abu Dhabi.
Currently serving as Chairman of the Bayanihan Council Abu Dhabi, Pareja has overseen major projects spanning healthcare, education, religious institutions, commercial developments, retail malls, and high-rise buildings. His expertise covers the entire project lifecycle, from design development to construction execution.
A graduate of Bicol University and holder of a Master of Science in Construction Management from Polytechnic University of the Philippines, he is also a Chartered Member of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).
Recognized as one of The Filipino Times’ Top Engineers and Architects in the Middle East, Pareja later served as a judge for the TFT Top Engineers and Architects Awards 2025, a reflection of the trust placed in his professional discernment and technical excellence.
His leadership extends beyond architecture through key roles in professional and civic organizations, including as former President of the United Architects of the Philippines Abu Dhabi Chapter and past Chairman of the Architects and Engineering Summit.
Arch. Marvin Tejada
A multi-licensed architectural professional and one of the most technically accomplished Filipino architects in Qatar, Arch. Marvin Tejada exemplifies professional versatility and sustained excellence.
An awardee of The Filipino Times Top Filipino Engineers and Architects in the Middle East, Tejada has built an impressive 25-year career spanning architecture, environmental planning, plumbing systems, sustainable design, and specifications writing.
A graduate of Tarlac State University and a topnotcher in the Philippine Architecture Licensure Examination, he holds three professional licenses: Architect, Environmental Planner, and Master Plumber.
His leadership achievements are equally distinguished. As the 9th Chapter President of the United Architects of the Philippines Qatar Chapter, he led the organization to its historic recognition as the 2022 Outstanding UAP Foreign-Based Chapter worldwide.
His affiliations with globally respected organizations including RIBA, AIA International, and numerous sustainability-focused institutions reflect his broad technical authority.
TFT Global Student Engineering Innovation Challenge 2026 Judges
Engr. Leo Argoso Jr.
A specialist in biomedical and medical electronics engineering, Engr. Leo Argoso Jr. represents the cutting edge of healthcare engineering innovation in the Middle East.
Currently based in Saudi Arabia, he is a PRC-licensed Electronics Engineer and a Professional Engineer member of the Saudi Council of Engineers.
His expertise spans medical electronics systems, biomedical equipment commissioning, clinical engineering workflows, preventive and corrective maintenance, hospital systems integration, and ISO 13485 compliance.
Throughout his career, he has held critical technical leadership roles supporting major Saudi hospitals and national healthcare initiatives, including work with NUPCO/Terumo tender committees and medical systems standardization programs.
A recognized leader in overseas Filipino engineering communities, Argoso is actively involved in professional networks including IECEP Inc. and PFRESPI KSA & ME.
Dr. Elvin Fajutagana
An accomplished engineer, project management expert, and academic leader, Dr. Elvin Fajutagana brings an exceptional blend of technical mastery and executive leadership to the judging panel.
A Registered Civil Engineer in both the Philippines and Qatar, he holds internationally recognized credentials as a Project Management Professional (PMP), Fellow of the Association for Project Management (APM), APEC Engineer, and ASEAN Engineer.
He has a Ph.D. in Business Management and Post-Doctorate in Strategic Management and Leadership and currently pursuing PhDDA major in Project Management.
He also serves as President of the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers Qatar Chapter.
Professionally, Dr. Fajutagana serves as Project Manager cum Commercial and Contracts Manager at Al Huda Engineering Works in Doha, where he leads complex engineering operations involving project planning, procurement, cost control, contract administration, and technical oversight.
His career reflects over two decades of engineering leadership across major infrastructure and construction projects in Qatar and the Philippines.
Engr. Rafael Lontoc
A highly accomplished electronics engineer and project management professional, Engr. Rafael Lontoc is a recognized authority in advanced systems engineering and professional audio-visual technology.
Currently serving as Regional Service Manager at Cyviz AS in Dubai, he oversees service operations across the Middle East and Asia, managing mission-critical systems for high-level collaborative environments.
With over 23 years of professional experience, his expertise spans electronics systems engineering, command-and-control visualization systems, AV integration, project and service management, and digital transformation, and his credentials include Professional Electronics Engineer, ASEAN Chartered Professional Engineer, Project Management Professional, and Senior Member of IEEE.
Lontoc is also a respected thought leader and frequent speaker at international engineering forums, where he shares expertise on artificial intelligence, digital workspaces, audio-visual systems, and emerging technologies.
Raising the Standard of Student Excellence
The TFT Global Student Competitions 2026 is more than a showcase of student talent, it is a platform that connects the brightest young Filipino innovators with globally accomplished professionals who have excelled on the international stage.
With judging panels composed of world-class Filipino architects and engineers from across the Middle East, students can take confidence in knowing their ideas are being evaluated through an exacting, globally benchmarked process.
As participants compete across architecture and engineering innovation challenges, they are presenting their vision before industry leaders who understand what it takes to succeed at the highest levels of global practice.
