Inside the renovated PICC: A Filipino architectural landmark restored for the ASEAN Summit

Posted on The Post PH on September 10, 2026

By Janelle Roa Cabrera-Paraiso

From restored marble floors and glowing droplights to modern meeting halls, the Pasay convention center enters its 50th year with a renewed sense of grandeur.

The Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) is ready to welcome the world with a restored look that honors its architectural legacy. Ahead of the Philippines’ hosting of the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits this November, the Pasay landmark has completed an extensive renovation that brings its original design back into focus while equipping its spaces for modern international events.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. inspected the renovated complex on September 3, 2026, reviewing preparations for the regional gathering. The visit offered a closer look at the transformation of one of the country’s most significant convention venues.

Restoring the grandeur of a Filipino icon

Designed by National Artist for Architecture Leandro V. Locsin, the PICC opened in 1976 as Asia’s first international convention center. Its renovation, completed in 2025, preserves the building’s Brutalist character and original architectural details as it marks its 50th anniversary.

Inside, marble floors were refinished, concrete walls laser-cleaned, and the lobby’s hand-painted ceiling restored. The building’s 3,068 droplights were brought back to full brilliance, illuminating the grand interiors that have welcomed generations of delegates and dignitaries.

Original furniture and design elements were repaired while the front lawn was returned to its 1976 landscape design. The restoration emphasizes the craftsmanship and architectural vision that made the PICC a landmark of Philippine modernism.

Historic halls, modern technology

The renovation also introduces practical upgrades throughout the complex. Meeting rooms now feature LED screens and advanced audio systems, while the Plenary and Reception Halls have improved lighting, acoustics, and audiovisual equipment to support contemporary conferences and large-scale events.

The courtyard has received its own refresh with restored flooring, enhanced landscaping, an infinity waterfall, and a 30-speaker sound system. These additions create a more comfortable and functional setting while retaining the venue’s established character.

Art and architecture under one roof

Beyond its conference spaces, the PICC remains a showcase of Filipino creativity. More than a hundred artworks from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas collection are displayed throughout the complex, including pieces by Jose Joya, Arturo Luz, and Abdulmari Asia Imao.

The restored interiors and preserved artworks reinforce the building’s role as both a convention center and a living museum of Philippine art and design.

With the ASEAN Summit approaching, the PICC’s renewed spaces are set to host regional diplomacy while presenting a distinctly Filipino architectural identity. Fifty years after its opening, the landmark continues to serve the country with its heritage intact and its facilities prepared for a new generation of gatherings.

Photos from the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) and Presidential Communications Office (PCO)