President Marcos said the newly renovated Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) stands as a symbol of the nation’s shared identity and readiness to take its place on the global stage.

In his latest vlog, the President said the refurbishment of the nearly 50-year-old convention center reflects the country’s goal of presenting itself as a “modern country, a modern economy.”

“Our culture is our shared consciousness. It is what we share because we are Filipinos,” he said.

“The culture defines what we are as a people, and that’s why it is so important,” he added.

The President said culture serves as the foundation of nation-building, helping Filipinos understand themselves as one people with common aspirations.

“If we can define ourselves as one people, then we can also define the needs of that people and be willing to work together to bring us to the point where we have satisfied the needs of our people. Ganyan kahalaga ang kultura (That’s how important culture is),” he said.

Marcos said the six-month renovation of the PICC is part of the government’s preparations for the country’s chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2026.

“Marami na naman tayong bisita at panauhin na excited nang makita ang ating bansa. At titiyakin natin na maipagmamalaki naman natin ang Pilipinas na kanilang makikita sa kanilang pagdating (We have many visitors coming who are excited to see the country. We will make sure that the Philippines they will see is something they can be proud of),” he said.

The President recalled that the original PICC project was conceived in 1976 to host the International Monetary Fund meeting and showcase the country’s modernization efforts.

“Kailangan natin ipakita that the Philippines has become a modern country, a modern economy (We needed to show that the Philippines has become a modern country, a modern economy),” he said.

“Kulang tayo sa hotel rooms, kulang tayo sa convention center. Kaya noong panahon na ‘yon, hindi lamang ang PICC ang itinayo, ngunit maraming-maraming hotel pa (We lacked hotel rooms and a convention center. So at that time, not only the PICC was built, but also many hotels),” he added.

President Marcos also highlighted the PICC’s role as a cultural landmark, describing it as home to art pieces of national significance.

“Bukod sa pagiging entablado para sa mga international event ng bansa, ang PICC ay tahanan sa mga naglalakihan at nag-gagandahang art pieces… salamin ng ating bansa (Aside from being a stage for international events, the PICC is home to magnificent art pieces that reflect our country),” he said.

Marcos said the renovation restored the building’s original beauty, including its art and design, which had long been neglected.

“Ngayon naayos lahat yan, kaya nakakatuwa makita — parang bago (Now everything has been fixed, and it’s nice to see — it looks brand new),” he added.

Meanwhile, the President said the renovated PICC exemplifies the kind of infrastructure the country should aspire to build—durable, purposeful, and unifying.

“‘Yan ang kalidad ng imprastraktura na dapat matatag, tumatagal (That is the kind of infrastructure that should be strong and enduring),” he said.

“Binuo nang may pagtanaw sa kinabukasan, may malalim na layunin at hangarin — hindi pangsarili, kundi para sa ating bansa (Built with foresight, with a deep purpose — not for oneself, but for our nation),” he added.

According to Marcos, the PICC remains a testament to the enduring vision of creating spaces that bring people together and mirror the Filipino spirit in many forms.

“Gusaling sumasalamin sa ating pagka-Pilipino sa napakaraming paraan (A structure that reflects our Filipino identity in so many ways),” he said.

The PICC, designed by National Artist Leandro Locsin, was inaugurated in 1976 as Asia’s first international convention center. Its recent renovation included structural repairs and modernization ahead of the Philippines’ hosting of ASEAN meetings in 2026.