ebu is one of the most developed provinces in the country, serving as the center of trade, commerce, industry and education in the central and southern parts of the Philippines.
It is home to historic sites, centuries-old churches, an international airport, five-star hotels, casinos, white-sand beaches, world–class golf courses, and shopping malls.
Despite Cebu’s stellar performance as an investment and tourism destination, the province’s lack of facilities to host large-scale indoor and outdoor events deterred organizers from holding big projects and expositions in Cebu.
Cebu International Convention Center
But this was until 2006, when the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) opened its doors for the 12th ASEAN Summit.
In 2005, President Arroyo named Cebu as the host of the 12th ASEAN Summit and 2nd East Asia Summit in December 2006, which was later on moved to January 12-15, 2007 due to consecutive typhoons. Since Cebu lacked a standalone facility for conventions and other large and prestigious gatherings, the provincial government had the convention center built at the Mandaue City Reclamation Area in Metro Cebu.
"Despite the initial difficulties encountered by the provincial government in building the superstructure, such as the eight–month building schedule, uncooperative weather, incompetent contractors, and detractors of the project, the CICC was ready for use by December 2006," says Marissa Nallana, managing consultant of CICC.
On the map
A three-storey structure with a gross floor area of 28,000 square meters, the P515-million CICC puts Cebu on the map as a major convention destination in the Philippines, with its sprawling 3.8-hectare complex adorned with lush greens and a majestic fountain.
Designed by architect Manuel Guanzon and made with more than three million kilograms of structural steel, the CICC opens up to a sprawling lobby with sunlight streaming from the sky roof, flanked by a grand staircase.
On the ground floor is the 1200-seater Summit Hall, bordered by a picturesque boardwalk, as well as several meeting rooms, furnished by member companies of the Cebu Furniture Industries Federation.
The second floor features a 1600-seater plenary hall, another 1600–seater exhibition hall. Meanwhile, the basement level houses the restaurant, cafeteria, kitchen, and the specialty shops hall, which can also be converted to exhibition and function rooms.
The CICC is the perfect venue for large-scale events, further cementing Cebu’s role in international trade, tourism and culture. Recently, Cebu’s biggest and most prestigious events have been held here, such as the Philippine International Travel Exchange, the Philippine International Travel Fair, ASEAN Tourism Congress, ICT Congress and Exhibition, and the National Chess Tournament.
This month, from Oct. 16-21, the CICC hosts the "8th Motorshow Cebu International," a much-awaited event for the automotive industry as well as prospective buyers and enthusiasts, and an event that makes optimal use of the convention center’s world-class facilities.
Homecoming
Nallana reveals that the Motorshow Cebu International is not a debut event but a homecoming.
"This is actually the 8th Motorshow Cebu International, but it took a long time for us to return because of a lack of an exhibit venue. Motorshow International is not just a display of cars, but a lifestyle expo, a total motoring extravaganza jampacked with special activities. The CICC is just the right place for an event as elaborate, complicated and space-consuming as the 8th Motorshow Cebu International."
According to Nallana, the Motorshow Cebu International will take advantage of CICC’s various indoor and outdoor spaces to accommodate the show’s different highlights and special events.
"At the main level, the Summit Hall 1 will house the motorshow’s corporate display and sponsor pavilion. Here we will showcase the latest models of cars and vehicles as well as new products, services and related technologies in the automotive and cycle industries," explains Nallana.
For car accessories, Motorshow Cebu International has earmarked CICC’s Summit Hall 2.
"This will showcase automotive parts and accessories, auto gadgets, car care products, maintenance and service equipment, car air conditioning, cycling gear, motorbikes/motorcycle parts, gadgets, bikes and cycle care products as well as maintenance and service equipment, allied industries and services," adds Daisy Carlobos, Motorshow Cebu exhibition manager.
The CICC’s spacious grounds will also play host to other exciting motorshow highlights.
"We have the well-loved remote control races. It will also serve as the start and finish lines of the action-packed treasure hunt and adventure race that will crisscross their way through Cebu’s scenic spots," Carlobos enthuses.
With the CICC now in operation, all roads lead to Cebu as the CICC has bookings for events all the way up to April 2008, bringing more attention to Cebu as a major gateway for business and tourism.
The CICC is indeed a showcase of Cebuano spirit, creativity and confidence. As stated in the marker unveiled by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in Jan. 2007, the Cebuanos’ strength is tested in adversity, and beyond the spectacular structure of the CICC lies the strong and indomitable spirit, the fortitude of the unconquerable soul of the Cebuano people.
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