A lasting treasure: inside the PICC’s renovation

The intention that inspired her multidisciplinary team, which was involved in engineering, construction, procurement, architecture, interior design, and even finance and accounting, was the sheer dedication to bringing PICC back to its original state.

These technological enhancements—including security, high-speed Wi-Fi and cutting-edge audio-visual systems have truly elevated PICC. Just last September, it was named the Best Meeting, Incentive, Conference, Exhibition (MICE) Venue in the country by the Philippine Tourism Awards, a title it will hold until 2027. The complete technical upgrading now positions the Philippines on the global stage, boasting an official, government-run international convention centre that is both a most-visited National Cultural Treasure—a title conferred to it in 2022, in accordance with the National Heritage Act of 2009—and at par with modern event servicing amenities offered by MICE venues all over the world.

Museum of Masterpieces

The PICC complex is not just an architectural marvel; it houses iconic works by National Artists, including Jose Joya’s abstract painting Pagdiriwang, Arturo Luz’s steel sculpture Grid and concrete sculpture Anito, and carved wood furniture by Napoleon Abueva. All four were also declared National Cultural Treasures, making their conservation a high priority. The artworks, owned by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, are now displayed against backdrops of laser-cleaned walls and revarnished narra panels.

Cruz’s favourite area is the restored Courtyard, which has been returned to its original pebblewash flooring and cleaner condition. The space, which features Luz’s Anito sculpture, adds character to PICC’s brutalist style.

“It’s stark, severe, yet it feels romantic for some reason,” Cruz describes. “When it rains here, it becomes even more sentimental… It’s a very pensive space.”

Reigniting a Fiery Kinship

Beyond the international summits and the upcoming hosting of the ASEAN Summit 2026, the modernised PICC is deeply committed to serving ordinary Filipinos.

“When I was thinking about the PICC’s next steps—post-restoration—foremost on my mind was the goal of reigniting the fiery kinship people feel about and associate with the PICC,” she says.

PICC has served smaller, more personal and private moments. Cruz enumerates poignant examples of tears of joy shed by parents at graduations, at the start of a couple’s journey as husband and wife, and during the oaths taken by young professionals beginning their careers. Recalling that time she took her lawyer’s oath in the Plenary Hall, she says that, to her, PICC has always been “more emotional than physical” and that it is “tied into the core memories of the people”.

When asked what feelings she hopes people can take away henceforth from walking into this cultural treasure, she replies, “national pride”. She aims to strengthen a sense of stakeholdership, encouraging everyone to see the PICC as a symbol of Filipino identity.

From the five-month-long renovation to its reopening one month later, Cruz deems the process challenging indeed, but she credits its success to her “best team” of professionals. She emphasises that when public infrastructure not only works but inspires, trust in government institutions is restored and the people find hope.

“If people can foster and sustain lasting memories of the PICC, both on a personal and patriotic level, our passion in public service will continue burning,” Cruz says. With the renovation, she also sees hope. “This renovated five-decade-old icon will not just continue to be what it is, but to do so much more,” she adds.