A few years back, the province of Cebu nurtured a dream of having an international multi-use center. For a number of reasons, the Megadome was shelved. It took history, a confluence of time, events, needs, people, all coming together to rescue that dream, reshape it, and challenge the right people at the right time to believe in that dream again, and build on it.

   When President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo decided that Cebu was to be the venue for the 12th ASEAN Summit in December, Cebu responded to this supreme compliment by seizing the opportunity of a century, and the dream evolved into the CICC.

   And so, on the morning of 7th April, 2006, the province witnessed the groundbreaking of the Cebu International Convention Center, the CICC.

   Even at the start, the question was never whether it should be built, but rather if it could be finished on time. - Governor Garcia at that time said, We can, and we will.

   Arch. Manuel Guanzon so eloquently captured the essence of that dream.

   The CICC slowly took shape; with more than 3 Million kgs of structural steel forming the solid, strong structure supporting 27,000 square meters of floor area on 38 hectares of total land area, and 30,000 square meters of site development.

   Towards the finishing stage, with the ASEAN Summit looming in the near future, even President Arroyo scheduled inspection tours of the CICC, and came out visibly impressed.

   The CICC was not without its own problems. Lack of time - the Province only had 8 months to build the superstructure, uncooperative weather, and even incompetent contractors. There were also stringent government procedures to comply with.

   To make matters worse, there were detractors, doubters and unbelievers who insulted the Cebuanos' intelligence and deep sense of responsibility.

   Through all these, Gov. Garcia stood her ground, and did not allow the baseless insolence and criticism of her political opponents to dampen her spirit and resolve. She staked her name and continued to reaffirm her vow to deliver, with the full and unqualified support of Vice-Governor Sanchez, and the City of Mandaue, led by Mayor Teddy Ouano.

   And so, in less than 8 months, Cebu has accomplished this monumental feat. Credit must be given to the contractors, all the people who labored behind and for the completion of the CICC, because in spite of all the problems and challenges they faced, they were able to deliver.

   On December 6, 2006, a ceremony was held to signify that the Province of Cebu was about to claim its prominent place in the history of the ASEAN, and announce to world that the CICC was ready for the Summit. This was the official light-up of the CICC and the ASEAN ceremonial routes participated in by the cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapulapu. The festive event was capped by a spectacular fireworks display.

   A few days after, on December 8, 2006, His Eminence Ricardo Cardinal Vidal celebrated mass at the CICC, culminating with the blessing of the facility. All the Cebuanos collectively held their breath in anticipation for the start of the ASEAN Summit.

   But nature intervened and interrupted the euphoria, excitement, anticipation of all Cebu, and unleashed a storm that forced the postponement of the Summit to January, 2007.

   The Cebuanos'strengths are tested in adversity. The CICC is a showcase of Cebuano unity, and competence. For beyond this spectacular structure, lies the strong and indomitable spirit, the fortitude of the unconquerable soul of the Cebuano people. The CICC is a testimonial to the Cebuanos' spirit, and so it is stated in the marker that was unveiled by no less than President Arroyo herself, last January 12, 2007.

   In the evening of that same day, January 12, 2007, the grand opening ceremony of the ASEAN Summit was held at the CICC, a colorful and very festive presentation highlighting the different cultures of the ASEAN nations.

   There are three levels at the Cebu International Convention Center. The ground floor lobby is pristine and sun-lighted and opens to a grand staircase. Most of the meeting rooms and the Summit Hall are located at the ground floor. During the ASEAN Summit, the lobby and the rooms showcased world-class furniture from Cebu's premier furniture manufacturers led by the award-winning designer Kenneth Cobonpue of the Island Craft of the Philippines.

   Seventeen member companies of the Cebu Furniture Industries Federation provided the furniture and accessories.

   The Summit Hall was transformed into an elegant round-table conference room with world-class conferencing facilities, and an adjoining dining area during the 2nd East Asia Summit with the 16 ASEAN and Asia-Pacific leaders.

   Outside the Summit Hall is a picturesque board walk.

   The Second Floor features the Plenary Hall and another Exhibition Hall, and the room which was furnished for the President of the Philippines during the Summit. The Signing Ceremony and the major press briefings during the ASEAN Summit were held at the Plenary Hall. It has a seating capacity of 1500 persons.

   At the Lower Ground Floor or Basement level of the CICC are located the restaurant, cafeteria, Kitchen and specialty shops hall, which can also be converted to exhibition or function rooms.

   The CICC is indeed a showcase of the Cebuano spirit, creativity and competence. It has brought more attention to Cebu, putting it in the map as a center for international trade, tourism and culture in the region, and even in Asia.

   After the ASEAN Summit, the CICC has been busy with conventions and exhibits. The Center began accepting events in March, 2007, and has bookings all the way up to April 2008.