The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) Board of Governors held its regular board meeting at Gallery 01 of the Likhang Filipino Exhibition Halls on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, marking a deliberate shift from the traditional boardroom to a venue the agency now wants to position as both a cultural and commercial space.
The meeting was presided over by CITEM Executive Director and Board Vice Chairperson Leah Pulido Ocampo.
The session was also attended by Government Service Insurance System President and General Manager Jose Arnulfo “Wick” Veloso, Chief of Staff Atty. Khristine Jane “Keij” Ejercito, Agriculture Undersecretary Philip C. Young, Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Director Arlexandria Louise F. Carino, Interior Department Assistant Director Maria Angela Monica Salud B. Mamuyac, and Tourism Department representative Atty. Bernadette Basa.
CITEM said the move was meant to demonstrate the versatility of Gallery 01 and allow the board to directly experience the operational potential of the newly opened space.
By staging the meeting inside the gallery, the board linked policy discussions with the actual use of the facility, reflecting a broader plan to transform CITEM’s base into a more dynamic and revenue-generating platform for the Philippine creative sector.
The agency said that in just five weeks since its launch, Likhang Filipino has generated more than PHP 8 million in revenue.
That early revenue performance, according to CITEM, points to strong market reception and suggests that a permanent showroom for Filipino export products can be commercially viable.
The board also discussed further refinements to the exhibition halls so they can serve as a permanent and world-class showcase for local micro, small, and medium enterprises and heritage-driven brands.
CITEM said the operational scaling is intended to give Filipino craftsmanship a more stable home while also testing whether the gallery’s infrastructure can meet the standards needed for international trade briefings and high-level government functions.
The agency said the alignment between the board and CITEM leadership is part of a wider strategy to sharpen the Philippine brand through facilities that reflect both the country’s economic ambitions and its creative identity.
As part of that push, Gallery 01 has also been opened for external bookings.
CITEM said the venue is designed to host art exhibitions, corporate activations, and official functions in a setting rooted in Filipino heritage.
Organizations interested in booking the space may coordinate with the Likhang Filipino Events Management Team through CITEM’s official contact channels.
Detailed information on venue capacity and amenities is available on the CITEM website.
