Speech by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at the Re-opening of the PICC

Thank you BSP Governor, Governor Eli Remolona. [Please be seated.]

The Excellencies of the Diplomatic Corps; the honorable members of our Cabinet; honorable members of Congress; PICC General Manager Atty. Nicolette Ann Cruz – and congratulations by the way because 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. [applause]

And of course, the guiding light, the inspiration, the – well, she’s not the architect but she was the one who put everything together. And I was commenting to the First Lady, sabi ko – you know when we are going on the tour – I said, “My mother doesn’t need a tour. She invented this.” First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos. [applause]

First Lady Louise Araneta Marcos, who again has inherited [applause] the tradition of very quick construction projects that actually come in under budget. So, that is always something important to her Ilocano husband. [applause]

My fellow workers in government; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

Good evening.

As we open the newly renovated Philippine International Convention Center (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.

Every brick, every beam, every hall of this building carries with it nearly five decades of stories.

Because within these halls, the world’s eyes turned to the Philippines as we hosted Miss Universe pageant in 1994. The leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN gathered in 2017 to build the future of our region.

But what makes the PICC truly special is not only the big moments that made the headlines.

It is also the smaller, more personal moments—the ones that never made it to the front page but stayed forever in the hearts of the people.

How many parents shed tears of joy as they watched their children receive their diplomas here? How many young professionals stood tall on this stage to swear their oaths, carrying with them both pride and responsibility?

How many artists poured their hearts out in music, in dance, in painting, and performances within these walls—only to find that the audience gave them something greater in return: appreciation, encouragement, love even?

And how many couples have begun their journey together, as husbands and wives, while friends and family filled this place with laughter, and tears of joy?

These are the memories that give life to PICC. These are the stories that turn a hall of concrete into a home of the Filipino spirit.

As we look ahead, we recognize the PICC as a symbol of Filipino resilience and creativity. And that is why, with the PICC’s Golden Anniversary in 2026 and, coincidentally, our hosting of the ASEAN Summit, we reaffirmed our commitment to preserving and modernizing the PICC for many generations yet to come.

At the center of this effort is the vision of then First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos. She first conceived of an international convention center for the Philippines, and the artistry of National Artist for Architecture, of course, Lindy Locsin.

His magnum opus has been restored with care and with skill. Its sharp brutalist lines now meet softer tones and warmer light—reminding us that even in strength, we must include grace. Even in grandeur, the Filipino warmth and hospitality must shine through.

The challenge has always been to strike a balance—to honor history, while meeting the demands of the future. And so, we have equipped this architectural marvel with new technologies so it can deliver the very best for our people.

From state-of-the-art audio-visual systems, energy-efficient lighting, complex-wide high-speed Wi-Fi to enhanced security—it is now a venue that will serve both domestic and global needs.

And because we believe that art must live with us, the PICC will also showcase a newly curated art collection, with priceless works from Filipino masters. This features key pieces from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

None of this would have been possible without the brilliance and dedication of experts across so many fields. Their hearts, their minds – their hearts made sure that what we celebrate today that is worthy of the – our celebration today is worthy of the legacy of PICC.

Of course, we must express – I must express my deep gratitude to the First Lady, First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos. [applause] Because through her efforts—from providing free medical services through LAB for All, to 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. [applause]

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. [applause] She [garbled] – that’s one million points. [laughter] That will be my goodwill for a long time to come. [laughter]

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

Support our artists—our painters, our musicians, our performers. For in their creativity, we will find not only beauty, but the very soul of our nation. And beyond appreciation, let us take part in that creation ourselves.

It can be a short reflection written in a notebook, a song hummed at the end of a long day, a painting done by a child, or even a simple story shared with family. Every act of creation—no matter how small—is an act of courage. It is an act of hope.

If the PICC has shown us anything, it is this: That creativity, when nurtured, endures. That artistry, when given space, inspires. And that every Filipino, no matter who or where they are, can bring light, meaning, and beauty to the world.

So, together, let us ensure that the PICC will remain 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 continue to nurture that legacy.

Maraming salamat po. Mabuhay ang sambayanang Pilipino. [applause]

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