By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
A few days before the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, the International Media Center (IMC) at the World Trade Center in Pasay City held a soft opening on Wednesday.
This venue will cater to the needs of local and international media and is comprised of the following facilities:
- Briefing room with up to 800 pax capacity
- A TV and podcast studio
- Audio booths
- 60 media broadcast booths
- Host broadcast feed with clean video output
IMC Project Manager Mark Friala also shared that creatives, production talent, and broadcast engineers were hired to augment the manpower needs for these facilities and help assist media organizations in their coverage of the regional gathering.
Moreover, the IMC also provides journalists with free food from breakfast to dinner, complemented by coffee, tea, and snacks.
For its part, the Department of Tourism (DOT) also has several booths housed within the IMC, which include a wellness center offering traditional massage; a Philippine pavilion featuring PH tourist destinations on an LED wall; a One Town, One Product exhibit showcasing products from 54 local businesses nationwide; and a Pinoy Kalye section with Intramuros-inspired design.
The IMC is expected to be fully operational from Friday until Wednesday, November 18.
Recently, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. conducted an inspection of the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), which will serve as the main venue for the Summit, and will also host other related events that will enhance ASEAN’s role as a key driver in championing economic growth worldwide.
An infrastructure steeped in history, the PICC previously hosted other prestigious events such as Miss Universe 1994, APEC Summit 2015, and ASEAN Summit 2017.
It reopened its doors in September 2025 after undergoing thorough renovation ahead of the Philippines’ hosting of ASEAN 2026.
The Chief Executive also expressed gratitude to workers, exhibitors, and the organizing team that facilitated the preparations for the ASEAN Summit. (with report from Kenneth Paciente | PTV News)
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