Philippine Arena Owned By Iglesia ni Cristo The problem its like an strategy to promote? and not Arena, why? because the stadium is not in t...
Philippine Arena Owned By Iglesia ni Cristo
The problem its like an strategy to promote? and not Arena, why? because the stadium is not in the center . can you imagine Boxing if the stage not located in the midle?
As a prelude to its 100th anniversary next week, the influential Iglesia ni Cristo formally opened its Philippine Arena, with an estimated 50,000 INC members attending the unveiling of the marker at the multi-purpose complex.
INC Executive Minister Bro. Eduardo V. Manalo, together with President Benigno Aquino III and Vice President Jejomar Binay, led the ceremony at the more than 50-hectare Ciudad de Victoria
The construction of the Philippine Arena, which allegedly cost more than $200 million with its own exit at the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx), is said to be able to withstand an 8-magnitude earthquake.
Aquino presided over the opening on Monday of what is billed as the world's largest indoor stadium, erected by a politically-influential religious sect.
The Philippine Arena, which can seat 55,000 people, was hailed as a showcase that will serve as a major venue for concerts and sports events as well as gatherings for its owners, the Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ) sect.
"You have proved that the Filipino can reach great heights, that we can have achievements as lofty as any in the world," Aquino said in a speech to Iglesia members.
He hailed the 15-story structure as "the largest domed arena in the whole world," saying its capacity was "even double that of the Staples Center in Los Angeles," a major sporting and entertainment venue.
Ground-breaking was in July 2011 for the stadium, which has a floor area of about 99,000 square meters (1.065 million square feet) and a height of 62 meters, and the facility was formally completed this month.
Located in Bocaue town, just outside the capital, the arena's construction is just one of many events marking the centennial of the Iglesia ni Cristo on July 27.
The Christian sect also said the stadium will have a capacity about double that of other popular indoor arenas like New York's Madison Square Garden.
However the Singapore National Stadium, completed in June, also seats 55,000 people and has been hailed in the press as the world's largest domed structure.
The Iglesia ni Cristo sect wields considerable political influence in the Philippines as its members, believed to number about three million people, vote as a bloc for whoever their leaders endorse.