Courtesy Call to the New Philippine Ambassador

On the 5th of August 2015, the UAP Brunei Chapter paid a courtesy call to the new Philippine Ambassador to Brunei, His Excellency Meynardo LB Montealegre. The new ambassador is the 9th envoy to the Sultanate since full diplomatic relationswere established between the two countries on 1st January 1964. Ambassador Montealegre presented his letter of credence before His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, at Istana Nurul Iman on 21st May 2015.

The eight representatives of the Chapter present during the courtesy call were led by 2 members of the incoming Executive Board, Nina Torregosa, Chapter Secretary, and Romeo Nabong II, Director for Committee on Education. Also present were 4 Chapter members and 2 inductees who recently passed the architects licensure examinations.

The Ambassador congratulated the new board passers as well as commended the Chapter for its effort in giving assistance to licensure examinees. The Ambassador also engaged the group in an informational discussion on the traditional Bruneian architectural design elements and its similarities and/or differences with the Philippine design elements.

Third Secretary and Consul, Mr. Melvin Almonguera, and Administrative Officer and Attache, Mr. Rodolfo Gaspar, also joined the meeting to discuss possible assistance that the Chapter can extend to a project of the Embassy.

The group gave a brief overview of the Chapter activities for the year which includes the architectural sketch walk for the World Architecture Day celebration and a talk on preservation and conservation of architectural heritage, on top of technical product presentations that is made available for the Chapter members.

In closing, the Ambassador called on the Chapter to remain true to its name as 'United Architects' and to continue to work towards its goals and to contribute to the relations between Brunei and the Philippines.