Words The Philippine International Convention Center
Images Patrick Kasingsing
Editor’s note: What follows is an edited press release from the Philippine International Convention Center on the occasion of their 47th anniversary
For nearly five decades, the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) has been an iconic venue and a witness to numerous significant events involving generations of Filipinos, local and foreign dignitaries, and guests who have traversed through its halls and convention centers.
Listening to the stories of individuals who have witnessed the PICC’s evolution, one realizes that every celebration, every milestone, and every important gathering within has its own distinctive story. The Filipino people have a shared history of how the PICC has become what it is today and what it means to the country.
In its 47th year of existence, the story of the PICC is presented through the perspectives of three leading personalities who have played major roles in its development. Leandro “Andy” Locsin Jr, Administrator and Design Consultant of Leandro V. Locsin Partners, shares his thoughts on the architectural landmark. Paolo Valenciano provides his take on the PICC as a live event producer and creative director, while National Museum Director Jeremy Barns emphasizes the PICC’s place in Philippine art, culture, and history.
Locsin, who witnessed the creation of the PICC from a unique lens, first as a son who visited the renowned structure designed by his father, National Artist for Architecture Leandro V. Locsin, and later as a professional with an in-depth understanding of the principles of space and design employed within. He enthuses over the different architectural techniques that make the PICC a masterpiece:
“When you walk into the building, and you approach those steps, you’re compressed by that overhang, by the cantilever. You feel that you’re being squeezed, and the moment you walk through the door, suddenly, the space just explodes into the lobby. This modulation of compression and explosion is an architectural approach that brings incredible drama to a space.”
He also expressed appreciation for the people responsible for diligently maintaining the PICC complex over the years, saying “Hats off to them because they’ve kept the building in such good condition.”
Valenciano, who has experienced the PICC as an event participant and later as an event director, provides a unique perspective on the venue, stating, “When somebody pitches (that this event) is gonna be at the PICC, there is a level of prestige to it. You know that it’s gonna be comfortable for us — the production — because one thing that I really appreciate about this place is that it is very comfortable for production people. There’s a lot of space, it’s pretty to look at, you’ve got the art everywhere.”
Barns sums up the significance of the PICC as part of the nation’s cultural heritage and treasure, saying, “Philippine art is certainly something that Filipinos can be proud of. One really noteworthy example of that is the Philippine International Convention Center.” As part of the institution that declared the PICC and the art within as National Cultural Treasure, Barns continues, “It aimed to establish something truly international. And what is remarkable when it was inaugurated is still there, still impactful, powerful, and accessible.”
The PICC remains a world-class MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Concerts, Exhibitions) destination full of heritage, art, and history. It is both a powerful and accessible experience for Filipinos and its guests, standing as a testament to the best of Filipino creativity, with its own story to tell. You can view the stories of Mr. Andy Locsin, Director General Jeremy Barns, and Mr. Paolo Valenciano on PICC’s social media platforms and on www.picc.gov.ph. •
