The Philippine World Building and Construction Expo (Worldbex) has certainly come a long way from its earnest beginnings.
Worldbex made its debut 25 years ago—thanks to its founder, Joseph L. Ang and his daring vision that the Philippines was ready for world-class expositions that can even rival those of other countries.
Ang drew inspiration from international exhibits and expositions he attended abroad. He believed that the Philippines has the potential and capacity to thrive given the right platform and opportunities, and this pushed Ang to establish the first ever Philippine World Building and Construction Expo. The year was 1996.
With the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) as its venue, the first Worldbex was a far cry from the 80-booth running rate of local trade shows at that time. Presented in cooperation with the Philippine Institute of Architects and the Philippine Institute of Interior Designers, the show surpassed industry standards with 156 booths and a significant percentage of international exhibitors.
Then President Fidel V. Ramos even visited the event which then prompted Malacañang Palace to declare March 26 to 29—the duration of the show—as “Construction Week.”
The year after its maiden show, Worldbex was held at the World Trade Center Manila.
In 1999, Worldbex presented the first Worldbex Seminars with 600 delegates and the first ever Grand Embassy Pavilion which was supported by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines and the US Commercial Service.
Over the years, Worldbex would continue to blaze the trail with various breakthroughs, milestones, and boundary-spanning achievements.
It cemented its position as the country’s biggest and most comprehensive construction and design expo in 2005. For the first time, Worldbex was held in three venues with the addition of World Trade Center Manila’s extended wing. In 2008, it continued to break new records as it experienced an all-time high in the participation of international exhibitors who hailed from 30 different countries.
Worldbex took a stand and expressed its support to the preservation of the environment. It adapted the theme of “Constructing the Future Green Communities through Efficient Technologies and Materials.”
As Worldbex entered its second decade, it continued to introduce more creative and productive show features such as interschool interior design competition Obra Maestra back in 2011, the Furniture Gallery in 2012, the Delaxx landscaping competition in partnership with Pala as well as the Worldbex Lab in 2015, the City of Tomorrow exhibit in 2016, the Worldbex MiniCons, among others.
As Worldbex celebrates its silver anniversary this March, it looks back to the past and forward into the future to reflect on its many years of service in championing Philippine construction and design.
Not to be missed at Worldbex 2020 is the first Philippine Garden Festival in cooperation with LACISAP; the unveiling of The World, a special installation that will showcase the legacy of Worldbex in the past 25 years; as well as the all-new Allied Arts Pavilion which will feature world-renowned artists such as Ramon Orlina, Joe Datuin, Raul Isidro and Edgar Doctor.
Worldbex Seminars is also set to return with its most number of speakers to date. A total of 18 speakers from seven countries shall come together for this significant event. During the trade show, Worldbex will also be launching its first ever coffee table book.
The 25th Philippine World Building and Construction Expo will happen on March 18 to 22, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at World Trade Center Metro Manila, SMX Convention Center Manila and PICC.