Interesting Facts about PICC: Why Celebrate at The Philippine International Convention Center

Dare to be part of history by choosing to celebrate your special events at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). In case you are wondering, this structure will be turning 40 on the 5th of September which explains the celebratory ambiance. And, you would not want to miss out on the PICC at its finest.

Here is a run-through of the many reasons why celebrate at the PICC. Read on.

(1) The brainchild of National Artist Leandro Locsin, the PICC was originally designed to hold four-building modules, comprised of the Delegation Building and Secretariat Building along with the Plenary Hall not to mention the Reception Hall.

(2) With a floor area of more than 70,000 square feet, it was built for 23 months particularly completed in 1976.

On September 5, 1976, the PICC, Asia’s first international convention center was officially inaugurated when it hosted the 1976 IMF-World Bank Meeting.

The construction of the PICC Complex was undertaken in a short span of 23 months, from November 1974 to September 1976, with Leandro Locsin as architect, who was subsequently named a National Artist.

(3) An exhibition hall called “The Forum” has been incorporated in the structure back in 2003. Also, there’s the latest addition of two new buildings featuring the Central Bank Museum and the Trade Exhibit Hall.

(4) The PICC takes pride of the grandiose Jose Joya painting at the main lobby entitled, “Ang Pagdiriwang” measuring 5.5m x 7m. This painting is the “largest abstract painting in the Philippines,” measuring 5 meters by 8 meters.

(5) There’s a lot of artworks inside PICC that are created by various National Artists. One of those can be found at the center of the courtyard carved by Arturo Luz which he named “Anito.” A special collection of paintings will also be found at the BSP Museum where you can expect notable art exhibits. Perhaps you might also like the grass-like chandeliers imported from Prague lighting up the Reception Hall.

(6) Remember the canvassing of votes for the Presidential Snap Elections in 1986? It all happened at the PICC right before the EDSA Revolution was undertaken at the aftermath of the COMELEC results.

(7) Just last year, it has hosted the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting for the second time after the 1996 event.

(8) Other popular events at the PICC include the Asia Development Bank’s Board of Governor’s Annual Meeting, 40th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting, and the IMF-World Bank Meeting. And, your event might be slated next to join the roster of historical celebrations at the PICC.

The PICC was the venue of Miss Universe 1994.

What’s more about the PICC? Guests can get a share of smooth internet access with all buildings tagged as wi-fi enabled zones. You can also expect environment-friendly programs featuring energy efficiency, water conservation, and waste management. Feel free to be part of the Green Initiative.

Consequently, bloggers were recently given the chance to tour the entire place days before the celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the Philippine International Convention Center for a heads-up on what guests and visitors can expect from the historical structure.

For bookings and other inquiries, please call 789-4789 (trunkline), 789-4734 to 38 (Marketing), 789-4727 to 32 (Events Management Division), 789-4725 to 26 (Reservations), or visit www.picc.gov.ph. Please like and share their Facebook account, https://www.facebook.com/PICCManila/.

Read: PICC Celebrates 40 Year-Anniversary, Continues To Shine Brighter As National Gem