The Philippine International Convention Centre (PICC) has yet another milestone as the National Museum of the Philippines has officially declared it a National Cultural Treasure
The National Museum of the Philippines has just declared the Philippine International Convention Centre (PICC) as a National Cultural Treasure on September 27, 2022. Designed by National Artist for Architecture Leandro Locsin, the convention centre is one of the most remarkable architectural sites in the Philippines.
Along with the PICC as cultural treasures are four iconic works of art permanently displayed in and around the area—the Anito and Grid sculptures by National Artist for Visual Arts Arturo Luz; the Pagdiriwang painting by National Artist for Visual Arts Jose Joya; and, the 93 carved wooden benches of National Artist for Sculpture Napoleon Abueva, which can be found around the PICC.
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According to the National Museum of the Philippines, a National Cultural Treasure is “a unique object found locally, possessing outstanding historical, cultural, artistic and/or scientific value which is significant to this country and nation” (Section 3 of Presidential Decree No. 374).
These highly-valued cultural properties are indispensable in the understanding of the history and culture of the Philippines. They are to be preserved and protected by the state through the National Museum of the Philippines by law, through Republic Act (RA) No. 4846 (The Cultural Properties Preservation and Protection Act) as amended by P.D. 374, RA No. 8492 (National Museum Act of 1998), RA No. 10066 (National Cultural Heritage Act of 2010), and RA No. 11333 (National Museum of the Philippines Act of 2019).
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To be considered NCTs, cultural properties have to qualify as 1) historically significant because of their association with prehistoric events and past industries that are the foundation of the Filipino culture, 2) aesthetically significant for their craftsmanship, mode, technical excellence, exquisiteness, expression of skill and quality of design and execution, 3) having research significance and outstanding scientific value because they are provenanced and recovered from a documented context, or 4) as representing aspects of 50,000 years of Philippine prehistory and early history.
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