Marcos gushes over PICC renovation: How quality infrastructure should be

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said the recently-completed renovation of the Philippine International Convention Center is a testament to what public infrastructure should be – modern, sturdy, and built to unite a nation and uphold its interests.

In his latest BBM vlog uploaded on his social media accounts, Marcos spoke fondly of the refurbished PICC ahead of the country’s hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations next year.

He said the repairs are not just to physically restore the landmark – but are tangible efforts to promote Philippine history, culture, and Filipino excellence.

“Yan ang kalidad ng infrastruktura na dapat matatag, tumatagal. Binuo na may pagtanaw sa kinabukasan,” the President said.

(That should be the quality of infrastructure that is sturdy and lasts for a long time, and constructed with the future in mind.)

“May malalim na layunin at hangarin, hindi pang-sarili, kung di para sa ating bansa. Nagbubuklod ng tao at hindi lugar ng hidwahan,” he added.

(It has goals and aspirations that are not for one’s own interests, but for our nation. It unites people and is not a place of conflict.)

Marcos said the renovated PICC, apart from being a venue for the ASEAN summits, reflects the Filipino culture in so many ways.

This is because the PICC is home to several beautiful art pieces, paintings, and sculptures of national significance.

“Our culture is our shared consciousness. It is what we share because we are Filipinos. The art form that we share, that is a Filipino art form. The way that we do our work, the way that we are with each other, that culture, that is our shared consciousness. So, it’s very, very important for us para malaman natin, ano ba ang pagka-Pilipino, ano ba ang Pilipino,” he said.

(Our culture is our shared consciousness. It is what we share because we are Filipinos. The art form that we share, that is a Filipino art form. The way that we do our work, the way that we are with each other, that culture, that is our shared consciousness. So, it’s very, very important for us to know what is being Filipino, what a Filipino is.)

He added that culture does not only define Filipinos as a people – it is also essential to nation-building.

“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. Ganyang kahalaga ang kultura (That’s how important culture is),” the President said.

In late September, the Marcos family led the reopening of the PICC which was shut down for repairs ahead of its 50th anniversary and the 2026 ASEAN Summits.

“Kaya marami na naman tayong bisita at panauhin na excited nang makita ang ating bansa. At titiyakin natin na may pagmamalaki naman natin ang Pilipinas na kanilang makikita sa kanilang pagdating,” the President said of the upcoming ASEAN Summits.

(We will have many visitors and guests once more who are excited to see our country. We will make sure that we can be proud of the Philippines that they will see when they arrive.)

Marcos said he was pleased with the results of the major renovation, which was personally supervised by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.

His mother, former First Lady Imelda Marcos, was also happy that the PICC is in pristine condition once more.

“Ito ang tuwa, sabi niya, meron pa siya, tinutukso pa kami. Sinasabi niya, ‘Aba, sino ba nagtayo dito?’ Di siyempre, sasabihin namin, ‘Mom, ikaw ang naglagay nito.’ Aba, sabi niya, ‘Maganda ha?’” the President said.

(She was happy and she was teasing us. She said, ‘Who built this?’ Of course we would say, ‘Mom, you did.’ She replied, ‘It’s beautiful, isn’t it?) — JMA, GMA Integrated News