The Venue For Maine Mendoza’s MEGA Cover Shoot is a National Cultural Treasure

How often do you set your foot on a National Cultural Treasure?

The Philippine International Convention Center or PICC—Asia’s first international convention center—which also happened to be the location for MEGA’s November 2022 cover shoot with Maine Mendoza, was named a National Cultural Treasure this year.

In case you missed it, last September 27, 2022, the official public declaration and unveiling of the marker as National Cultural Treasure of the PICC Complex and its four intrinsic artworks took place at the quintessential Main Lobby of the Center. The event was timed to coincide with the 46th anniversary of the country’s premier events venue.

Made by the greatest

The PICC Complex, designed by National Artist for Architecture Leandro Locsin, together with the painting Pagdiriwang by National Artist for Visual Arts Jose Joya, the sculptures Anito and Grid by National Artist for Visual Arts Arturo Luz, and the carved wooden furniture by National Artist for Sculpture Napoleon Abueva, were collectively declared as National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines, by virtue of the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009.

A National Cultural Treasure is defined as “a unique object found locally, possessing outstanding historical, cultural, artistic, and/or scientific value, which is significant to this country and nation,” according to Section 3 of Presidential Decree No. 374. These treasures are entitled to priority government funding for protection, conservation, and restoration, preserving them for the benefit of future generations.

The PICC is considered by many as Locsin’s “magnum opus.” Built on reclaimed land with a total area of 12 hectares, the Center is one of his biggest projects. As with the other Locsin-designed structures within the CCP Complex, the PICC is considered as one of the iconic examples of Philippine Brutalist architecture. He used the concept of floating planes for the massive concrete sculptures, visually suspending the buildings above the ground.

The hall of fame

Architect Locsin’s deep interest in art led him to commission Modernist artworks to complement the architecture of the PICC. These artworks are intrinsic to the Center and have been on permanent display since its inauguration in 1976.

Joya’s Pagdiriwang is recognized as one of the largest abstract murals on display in the country. Located at the Upper Lobby, the immense artwork measures 7.7m x 5.5m.

Abueva, who was tapped by Locsin to create functional sculptures for his buildings, designed the carved-wooden furniture found around the lobbies and hallways of the Center. To date, there are 93 pieces of these narra benches.

Luz, another frequent collaborator of Locsin, made two giant sculptures for the PICC: the metal octothorpe-shaped Grid mounted above the twin staircases of the Plenary Hall and Reception Hall Lobby, and the concrete 10.28 meter-tall Anito located at the Courtyard.

With the structure held to the greatest esteem, the PICC has played an important part in the country’s rich culture and history. Its declaration as a National Cultural Treasure definitely sets the bar even higher as the premier setting for all.