REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
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PICC reopens to the public after 6 months of restoration; boasts conservation of artworks, state-of-the-art facilities
/ October 1, 2025 01:57 PM
Posted on ABS-CBN News on October 1, 2025
By Job Manahan
MANILA — The Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) on Tuesday reopened to the public following six months of restoration and refurbishment, boasting of state-of-the-art facilities and technology that would make it energy efficient.
The PICC – considered Asia’s first international convention center – upgraded its audiovisual equipment that could be used for international and local events, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro earlier said in a briefing.
Meeting rooms and halls also have huge LED walls and WIFI which allows users to stay connected wherever they are in the PICC.
“Kasama rin dito (upgrades) ang enhanced security systems at energy efficient LED lighting,” said Castro.
PICC General Manager Nicolette Ann Cruz described the PICC as a place of discussion and debate and a platform of celebration.
“But metaphysically, the PICC is not just a heritage infrastructure, nothing unites more than the PICC. (JC) There is no shortage of praise showered upon the PICC and its historical, artistic virtues,” said Cruz in her speech.
“We did this for our country as we should (JC) execution wise it was a challenge from start to finish from its beautiful design – its intensive swatchings, matchups and methodologies, its meticulously selected and spruced materials and its detail-sensitive and highly technical works,” she said.
The PICC chief said this was not just a restoration of physical infrastructure for the natural cultural treasure, this is the restoration of the people’s trust to the government and “beautiful legacies that endure.”
In his keynote speech, Marcos Jr. praised Cruz for completing the renovation in six months.
“You have continued in the tradition of my mother’s construction project which she managed to do in an instant, you have done the same, well done,” he said.
“As we open the newly-renovated PICC, we are revisiting a chapter of our nation’s history, we are gathered in a place where history was written, lives were celebrated, where the future will once again be shaped,” the President said.
“Every hall in this building carries with it nearly 5 decades of stories because within these walls, the world’s eyes turned to the Philippines as we hosted the Miss Universe pageant in 1994, the leaders of the ASEAN gathered 2017 to build the future of our region,” he added.
What makes PICC truly special, he said, was the small and personal moments, the “ones that never made it to the front page.”
“How many parents shed tears of joy as they saw their children with diplomas here, how many young professionals stood tall in this stage to swear their oaths, carrying with them pride and responsibility,” he said.
He also paid tribute to his wife, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, for the rehabilitation of the convention center and her service to the public.
“Through her efforts, providing free medical services through ‘Love for All,’ through breathing life into the Pasig River and now rehabilitation of the PICC, she has shown consistency, determination and optimism. What a lucky man I am,” he said.
“She carries every initiative with full responsibility, always striving to make things better, always mindful of the people it will serve. Truly, I could not have asked for a better partner in this journey of service,” he said.
The PICC – owned by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas – first opened to the public on Sept. 5, 1976 designed by National Artist and Architect Leandro Locsin.
The convention center was commissioned by former first lady Imelda Marcos in 1974, PICC said. It was completed in just 23 months and was considered the “most modern convention center in Asia” at the time.
The former first lady was also in the PICC to witness its opening.
