Going back in time: Baguio Convention and Cultural Center

Back in the 1970s, the Baguio Convention Center was constructed and designed with an Igorot motif concept in 1977 by the Ministry of Human Settlements, then under First Lady Imelda Marcos.

It served as a venue for gatherings, conferences, graduations, cultural events, and more. The facility was not only a gathering place but a cultural center as it houses a museum that displays many old photographs of Baguio, paintings, and a variety of indigenous artifacts and crafts.

President Ferdinand E. Marcos led in its inauguration during the opening of the World Chess Championship in 1978 between Russian grandmasters Anatoly Karpov and Viktor Korchnoi.

In 2017, the rehabilitation of the Center was affirmed by Councilor Maria Mylen Victoria G. Yaranon. Professionals were welcomed to propose designs and architectural structures on the building that would accommodate around 1,500–2,200 people.

During the term of former Mayor Mauricio Domogan, the Department of Public Works and Highways – Cordillera Administrative Region (DPWH- CAR) allocated 180 million pesos for the proposed renovation of the Baguio Convention Center. They also suggested that when the city’s technical team has created the initial conceptual plan for the project, a joint inspection of the facility with the local government unit be conducted. Due to some problems, the rehabilitation and retrofitting of the facility was continued by current Mayor Benjamin Magalong.

As Baguio shifted to a more technology-based type of governance, the Center was refurbished during Magalong’s administration and now includes art galleries as well as the city’s SMART command center. After being designated as a creative hub by UNESCO, it has also been given a new name: the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center.

This year, as the Summer Capital celebrates the latest edition of the Panagbenga Festival, the Center was once again used as a venue for several events. On February 1, the 12th World Chess Champion Anatoly Karpov returned to the Center after 45 years and shared his experience on the memorable match and even promoted a Movie entitled “Champion of the World” directed by Aleksey Sidorov.

Over the years, the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center has remained one of the city’s historic landmarks and a great venue for various events. – Janthrize Mari Andanan and Manette Sky Agbunag