MANILA – A new heritage initiative showcasing key landmarks and national cultural sites will be opened to the public soon, as the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHM), National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), and the Bagong Pilipinas movement bring together iconic locations for an exclusive tour and press event today, April 30, 2026.

Dubbed the NHM NCCA & Bagong Pilipinas Heritage Tour, the event kicked off this morning with an opening exhibit held at the Beato Angelico Gallery at the University of Santo Tomas. From 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM, guests and media were treated to displays featuring works and features from the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) . Official remarks and opening messages were delivered by Architect Rodolfo Ventura., Dean College of Architecture, University of Santo Tomas at the venue located at the ground floor of the Beato Angelico Building, College of Architecture.

The program proceeded with travel to the PICC from 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM, followed by a guided tour of the venue until 12:00 noon. The day’s activities continued with lunch held at Max’s Restaurant in Harbor Square.

A major focus of the day’s activities was honoring the legacy of National Artist for Architecture Leandro V. Locsin, whose extraordinary works stand as defining achievements in Philippine design. Locsin’s creations, celebrated for their innovative use of space, natural light, and modernist principles, have shaped the country’s architectural identity. The Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) are among his most iconic masterpieces, recognized not only locally but globally as symbols of Filipino creativity and engineering brilliance. Organizers emphasized that these structures serve as enduring testaments to Locsin’s big contribution to nation-building through art and design.