Breaking Through the Storms: NCES 2025 Continues to Reshape the Core of Nation-Building

As another typhoon batters the country, countless Filipinos once again find themselves submerged in floodwaters—not simply from the rains but even more so from the cracks in systems and structures that have long failed to protect them. Against these challenges, the 21st National Civil Engineering Summit (NCES), organized by the UP Association of Civil Engineering Students (UP ACES), pushes forward despite logistical hurdles brought by the storm. Carrying the “Breaking Grounds” spirit from its first three days, NCES 2025 now unfolds one of its most prestigious events, the National Civil Engineering Symposium, before moving toward the National Civil Engineering Quiz, continuing its drive to reshape the very core of nation-building.

In Photo: The people behind the summit, the UP Association of Civil Engineering Students, during the organization pictorial at Jumpstart 2025.

The Summit officially began last September 19 with Jumpstart, marked by a ribbon-cutting, summit blessing, and the traditional “Grand Pakain.” More than a festive opening, Jumpstart honored the UP Institute of Civil Engineering faculty, staff, and ACES members whose efforts laid the foundations for this year’s summit. It also welcomed participants to the Civil Engineering Exhibit, a two-week showcase highlighting the six core fields of civil engineering through interactive booths that allow visitors to experience civil engineering’s transformative power in both its technical and social dimensions.

In Photo: Summit blessing at Jumpstart 2025 with the Civil Engineering Exhibit at the background.

On September 20, 50 teams from 23 high schools nationwide gathered for the Bridge Building Competition (BBC), constructing bridges from barbecue sticks under material, time, and cost constraints. Teams were judged on strength-to-weight ratio (45%), cost efficiency (35%), design (10%), and craftsmanship (10%), with special awards for People’s Choice and Build Design and Craftsmanship. The competition highlighted the real-world balance between durability, economy, and aesthetics—values essential in building safe and sustainable infrastructure. In the end, one team emerged as champions, the St. Peter the Apostle School Team A, proving that their bridge was truly built to outlast.

During the Weigh-In Phase of the BBC, the High School Career Talks inspired participants to look beyond the classroom as Engr. Johanna Marie Trespeces emphasized in her talk titled “The Heart Within the Hard Hat” that being a true engineer means solving problems that make a tangible impact in society. This is followed by another speech from the November 2024 Civil Engineering Licensure Examination topnotcher, Engr. Josh Andrew Martija, where he said that, “there is no greater pride than creating something safe and lasting that will serve millions of people.”

On September 24, 250 participants were immersed in the world of civil engineering through ImmerCE 2025: Civil Engineering Laboratory Tour and Civil Engineering Career Fair. The laboratory tour opened the doors of the UP Institute of Civil Engineering, giving participants access to six laboratory stations: construction and management, environmental, geotechnical, transportation, structural, and water resources and coastal engineering. With equipment ranging from proctor compaction test apparatuses to water circulation systems, students are provided with the experience and opportunity rarely available to many schools nationwide.

Running alongside the tour, the Civil Engineering Career Fair bridged the gap between university and industry. Participants engaged with more than a dozen of companies through the Job Fair, honed their skills at Gear Up with mock interviews and resume consultations, and listened to Company Talks from GHD and Aboitiz Construction. The fair also featured inspiring Career Talks: from Engr. Joshua Rosendo’s practical roadmap to licensure, to Engr. Lurebe Mae Paña’s call to pursue purpose-driven engineering by being part of non-government organizations.

Today, NCES 2025 moves into its culminating phase as over 2,000 participants gather at the National Civil Engineering Symposium, for a day of discussions on pressing issues in the profession. This year’s program features major talks such as the “The Society’s Backbone: Envisioning Critical Infrastructure for Nation’s Improvement” by Ar. Ryan Chai Cabanez of Palafox Architecture Group, and “In the Flow of Change: Highlighting

Local-based Approaches for Wastewater Treatment” by Engr. Carlito Santos of Uniklean Enviro Construction Corp. Alongside the Symposium proper, company talks under the Career Fair also take place, featuring Review Innovations, Xtructures Engineering Consultants, and JCV & Associates Project Management and Development Inc.

The heart of the symposium is a multisectoral dialogue on affordable housing development, with speakers Dr. Ferdinand Germar (civil engineering perspective), Dr. Dina Magnaye (urban planning perspective), and Engr. Carlo Bongcac (NGO perspective), to be moderated by Engr. Dean Ashton Plamenci. Lastly, the Inspirational Talk, “People at the Core: Reshaping the Nation through Integrated Engineering,” will be delivered by Representative Atty. Chel Diokno (Akbayan Partylist) to reaffirm how engineering is deeply tied to governance, justice, and people’s rights.

Finally, the Summit concludes on September 26 with the National Civil Engineering Quiz (NCEQ)—the largest in its history, with 130 teams from 69 schools. For more than 30 years, the NCEQ has been the premier academic competition for civil engineering undergraduates, and this year it returns stronger than ever. Across three rigorous rounds, students will demonstrate their mastery of computations, critical thinking, and engineering principles. More than a test of technical knowledge, the quiz symbolizes the discipline’s culture of excellence and its commitment to nurturing the next generation of nation-builders.

From laying the first brick at Jumpstart, to bridges built to outlast, to immersive laboratories and career paths, NCES 2025 has already shown how breaking grounds means reshaping the very core of nation-building. And as the Symposium and Quiz unfold, the Summit is set to reinforce that the future of the profession is not only in stronger infrastructures, but in stronger communities—built by and for the people.

For future updates and announcements on NCES 2025, stay connected through its official social media pages: facebook.com/ncesummit and instagram.com/nce.summit.