PICC Is On Track to Reopen in October 2025

Posted on Esquire.ph on August 8, 2025

Its rehabilitation blends heritage and innovation.

To many Filipinos, the acronym PICC brings back a flood of memories: college graduations filling the famous Plenary Hall, week-long business conventions at the Delegation Building, or elegant weddings celebrated in the Reception Hall. For others, it’s a familiar sight on television, the backdrop for global leaders during Philippine-hosted functions. This is the Philippine International Convention Center, a world-class facility that has been a home for local and international events since September 5, 1976. Now, this architectural icon is undergoing a significant renovation to usher in a new chapter, blending its storied past with a forward-looking vision.

After being temporarily closed for five months, the PICC is on track to reopen in October 2025, ready to once again host celebrations, partnerships, and dialogues.

The Restoration of the PICC

The comprehensive restoration of this Natural Cultural Treasure was prompted by two major events scheduled in 2026: its 50th anniversary and the Philippines’ hosting of the ASEAN Summit. The project, guided by months of meticulous planning, expert consultations, and conservation studies, aims to honor the vision of its designer, National Artist for Architecture Leandro V. Locsin.

The PICC’s brutalist design, characterized by bold, massive concrete blocks and raw, exposed finishes, is being brought back to its original glory. Through the work of skilled artisans, the concrete’s original grains and textures, which had faded over time, are being revitalized, once again showcasing the structure’s imposing strength.

This brutalist aesthetic is artfully contrasted with softer elements throughout the complex. Warm wooden rails and floors, along with elegant lighting, complement the concrete and bring life to the expansive spaces. This “play on juxtapositions,” as described by Atty. Nicolette Ann P. Cruz, the PICC’s General Manager, is a central theme of the renovation.

“Every form and feature of the PICC is a play on juxtapositions,” Cruz states. “Through the renovation, the PICC hopes to bring both physical and sentimental appreciation of this historical and cultural masterpiece to new heights.”

The PICC is also a showcase for priceless works of art. While many pieces were temporarily relocated, four permanently installed cultural treasures remain on-site, including National Artist Jose Joya’s “Pagdiriwang” and two sculptures by National Artist Arturo Luz, “Grid” and “Anito.” These works are being protected with strict conservation protocols during the renovation. Upon its reopening, the PICC will also debut a newly curated art collection featuring key pieces from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, solidifying its status as a museum of art.

General Manager Cruz concludes with a vision for the future, highlighting how the renovation will “harmoniz[e] heritage with innovation and align preservation with progress.” She adds that the project will be “more evident when the works are unveiled: light contrasted with shadow; lines softened by curves; coldness tempered with warmth. But into the boldness of Locsin’s brutalism will be woven threads of Filipino warmth and hospitality. When we reopen our doors, we will welcome the world into a 50-year vision of lasting genius and artistry.”