By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Philippine News Agency

In a keynote speech, Marcos emphasized the vision behind the PICC’s creation, noting that his mother, then First Lady Imelda Marcos, first conceived the idea of establishing an international convention center in the country. (PCO Photo)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday led the reopening of the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City, unveiling new state-of-the-art technologies and upgrades.

In a keynote speech, Marcos emphasized the vision behind the PICC’s creation, noting that his mother, then First Lady Imelda Marcos, first conceived the idea of establishing an international convention center in the country.

Serving as a “symbol of Filipino resilience and creativity,” the PICC will also feature a newly curated art collection, showcasing “priceless works from Filipino masters,” Marcos said.

“The challenge has always been to strike a balance, to honor history, while meeting the demands of the future,” Marcos said.

“And so we have equipped this architectural marvel with new technologies so it can deliver the very best for our people, from the state-of-the-art audio-visual systems, energy-efficient lighting, complex wide high-speed Wi-Fi to enhance security, it is now a venue that will serve both domestic and global needs,” he added.

The PICC, considered a National Cultural Treasure, is Asia’s first international convention center and has hosted historic global and local events since its inauguration in 1976.

Its development was spearheaded by then First Lady Marcos, who envisioned the project as part of a broader campaign to project the Philippines as a rising cultural and economic player on the global stage.

Marcos also praised his wife, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, for being at the forefront of the reopening efforts, personally inspecting the improvements and repairs made to the PICC.

He said he would ensure the PICC remains as a “testament to the artistry, ingenuity, and passion of the Filipino people.”

“Let it inspire us to carry forward our heritage so that decades from now, our children, our grandchildren will still look at this place with pride, saying, this is who we are. This is what we can achieve. This is what PICC is, and what it will always be, so long as we’ll continue to nurture that legacy,” he said.

The reopening marks a new phase for the PICC, showcasing modern facilities while preserving its architectural and cultural heritage.

Marking its 50th anniversary in 2026, the PICC is set to serve as the main venue for the Philippines’ hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit.

Marcos reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to preserving and modernizing the PICC for future generations.

“As we reopen the doors of the PICC, let us also open ourselves to a greater challenge, to create, to imagine, and to contribute,” he said.

To maintain its status as a world-class facility, contemporary upgrades were introduced to the PICC’s Delegation Building, Plenary and Reception Halls, Secretariat Building, and Courtyard.

The PICC also features a newly curated selection of artworks from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas collection.

Enhancements were also made to navigation and digital integration systems across the PICC to improve the visitor experience.

Starting October, the PICC is open for bookings for all kinds of gatherings, including global conferences, conventions, meetings, graduation ceremonies, and personal milestones.