A first look at the newly renovated PICC

Posted on Malaya Business Insight on November 18, 2025

The Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Asia’s first international convention center and a National Cultural Treasure, has reopened following an extensive complex-wide renovation that masterfully weaves heritage with innovation.

The renovation, undertaken ahead of the Philippine hosting of the ASEAN Summit and PICC’s 50th anniversary in 2026, honors National Artist Leandro V. Locsin’s iconic Brutalist aesthetic while incorporating contemporary features for enhanced efficiency and functionality. The upgrades reaffirm PICC’s leadership in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) industry, recognized with the Tourism Award for MICE Excellence at the 2025 Philippine Tourism Awards.

Comprehensive Upgrades

The Delegation Building features a restored 1976 landscape design, expanded entrance for improved circulation, and a revitalized Main Lobby with 3,068 restored droplights, hand-painted metallic ceilings, refinished marble floors, and laser-cleaned concrete walls. The refurbished Delegation Lounge offers enhanced security for VVIP guests, while conference rooms showcase modern touches reflecting PICC’s architectural character.

The Secretariat Building’s meeting rooms, known for distinctive wooden lattice walls, have been updated with LED screens and advanced audio systems for hybrid meetings and multi-session conventions.

The Plenary and Reception Halls retain their iconic identity while integrating expansive LED screens, upgraded audio systems, and dimmable lighting. The Plenary Hall features refurbished woodwork and state-of-the-art acoustics, while the Reception Hall radiates elegance with thousands of polished globule chandeliers and refreshed interiors.

The Courtyard has been transformed into an open-air gallery showcasing 20 APEC sculptures, anchored by National Artist Arturo Luz’s Anito, with restored pebble wash flooring, an infinity waterfall, and a 30-speaker audio system.

A Living Museum

As the most visited National Cultural Treasure, PICC displays over a hundred artworks from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas collection, including masterpieces by National Artists Jose Joya, Arturo Luz, and Abdulmari Asia Imao.

Now open for bookings, the renovated PICC welcomes events of every scale, standing as a proud symbol of Filipino excellence in architecture and hospitality.