PICC, Asia’s first international convention center.

The arts scene in the Philippines continues to flourish thanks to a surge in welcoming spaces, but one of the pioneers in providing a home to the best of Filipino artists is the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).

The PICC is a work of art in itself, designed by National Artist for Architecture Leandro V. Locsin. Inaugurated in 1976, it was Asia’s first international convention center and opened many doors for the country to host numerous cultural events, including a range of concerts, dance performances and exhibits.

It has seen the likes of Luciano Pavarotti, Josh Groban and even Janet Jackson perform in its halls. It also housed the works of National Artists such as Jose Joya, Arturo Luz, Napoleon Abueva, H.R. Ocampo, Abdulmari Imao and Ang Kiukok. More recently, the convention center has acted as the backdrop for various fashion shows and editorial shoots, as well as fashion designer Sassa Jimenez’s 10th anniversary collection film.

Over the past decade, Sassa’s works have remained as unique and imaginative as ever, from her newest line to the collection film that accompanied it. Directed by Adrian Calumpang and scored by crwn, the collection film showcases Sassa’s inventive, whimsical pieces, contrasting well against PICC’s sleek interiors and brutalist architecture.

The PICC may be among the Philippines’ more established event venues and cultural spaces, but it continues to stand the test of time by consistently supporting new artistic endeavors and celebrating the best that the Philippines and the rest of the world has to offer.