INC’s Philippine Arena is ‘world’s largest domed arena’

The Iglesia Ni Cristo has inaugurated the Ciudad de Victoria (City of Victory) in Bulacan, which includes the giant Philippine Arena, touted as the world’s largest domed arena with a 55,000 seating capacity , and celebrated its centennial celebration on July 28 to showcase the church’s discipline and influence and, at the same time, setting another world record for largest choir.

The Philippine Arena and Ciudad de Victoria is the centerpiece of the many centennial projects of the Church, the growth of which had been described as phenomenal by observers.  From a handful of members when it was registered in the Philippines on July 27, 1914, the Iglesia Ni Cristo has now expanded to more than 100 countries.  Its members now come from 110 races around the world, scattered across six continents

  President Benigno S. Aquino III leads the singing of the Philippine National Anthem during the Inauguration of Ciudad de Victoria (City of Victory) in Bocaue, Bulacan on Monday (July 21). Ciudad de Victoria is a 50-hectare tourism enterprise zone established by the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) in time for its centennial celebration on Sunday (July 27). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

About 140 hectares in total land area have been acquired in Bocaue and Sta. Maria in Bulacan for the future expansion of the tourism enterprise.

The Iglesia Ni Cristo said only voluntary offerings from its members caused the construction of the Philippine Arena, an architectural marvel that had been already featured by the Discovery Channel in December 2013.

 “This is the largest theater on the planet,” said INC General Auditor Glicerio B. Santos Jr. “This was built not only for the members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, but for all the people.  Kaya nga natin tinawag na Philippine Arena.  Kung pag-aari man ng Iglesia ito, ang makikinabang, ang Pilipino (That is why it is called Philippine Arena.  Even if this is owned by the Iglesia Ni Cristo, Filipinos will benefit from it),” he said.

The Philippine Arena was designed and built to withstand strong earthquakes and super-typhoon winds, and has in fact withstood the 150 to 185 kilometers per hour winds of typhoon Glenda (international name Rammasun) that slammed Metro Manila and nearby provinces, including Bulacan, on Wednesday, July 16.

The Philippine Arena’s design was inspired by the narra tree (the Philippine’s national tree) and the root of the banyan tree with a dome spanning over 3.6 hectares.  It has been hailed as a modern marvel of architecture and engineering.

Populous, one of the largest architecture firms in the world was responsible for the Philippine Arena’s concept design.

Populous is an architectural firm specializing in the design of sports facilities and convention centers as well as planning of major social events.

It has designed sports stadiums and arenas all over the world, including such globally prominent facilities as the new Yankee Stadium in New York, Wembley Stadium in London, Stadium Australia in Sydney, Wimbledon Centre Court, Minneapolis' Target Field, San Francisco's AT&T Park, Chicago's United Center arena, Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Pittsburgh's Heinz Field, Houston's Reliant Stadium, Arsenal's Emirates Stadium, and now the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.

Populous, in its website said, “The new Philippine Arena pushed the boundaries of Arena design.”

“This vast scale creates technical challenges, especially as it is a one-sided bowl.  It is difficult to have 50,000 people with one focal point, give everyone a good view, and create a sense of atmosphere. The tight compact bowl shape helps achieve this with its saddle bowl form, high in the centre and dropping at the flanks. Strategically placed video boards also help with atmosphere and provide additional viewing,” it said.

Populous said the Arena’s capacity was its challenge.   It had been master planned to enable 50,000 people to gather inside the building and a further 50,000 to gather at a ‘live site’ outside to share in major events, it said.

“Another challenge is to retain intimacy and make sure the arena never feels empty. The lower bowl will be the most frequently used part of the building and the design allows for easy separation of the lower bowl from the upper tier, by curtaining with acoustic and thermal properties.

“The building has also been designed to cope with large numbers arriving for an event simultaneously. People will be redirected immediately they enter the front door to avoid major circulation build ups,” Populous explained.

 President Benigno S. Aquino III as he accepts the first copy of the Philippine Arena Coffee Table Book, which was presented by Brother Eduardo Manalo, INC Executive Minister during the inauguration of Ciudad de Victoria in Bocaue, Bulacan. (Photo by the Malacañang Photo Bureau)

The arena will not only hold major church gatherings, it will also operate as a multi-use sports and concert venue, capable of holding a range of events from boxing and basketball to live music performances. There are clear sightlines from every seat on each tier, even for various arena configurations such as church ceremonies, boxing, tennis, concerts or indoor gymnastics.

Inside the Philippine Arena, there is a clear "line of sight" for every seat from each tier, even for various arena configurations such as church ceremonies, boxing, tennis, concerts or indoor gymnastics.  The whole arena will also be completely air-conditioned.

Buro Happold, a British professional services firm, did the structural engineering of the arena, while the Korean firm, Hanwha Engineering & Construction, was the construction firm that completed the project.

Soon, the Iglesia Ni Cristo will also cause the construction of an 11-story 1,000-bed hospital, the Erano G. Manalo Medical Center, and the New Era Sports Academy of the New Era University, in the vast Ciudad de Victoria.

The INC has contracted the multi-awarded PWP Landscape Architecture to do the site development of Ciudad de Victoria, particularly the areas surrounding the Philippine Arena.

PWP Landscape Architecture did the landscape of the National September 11 Memorial Museum (also known as the 9/11 Memorial and 9/11 Museum) in New York which was built to commemorate the September 11 attacks of 2001 in the United States.

INC Executive Minister Eduardo V. Manalo led the groundbreaking ceremony of Ciudad de Victoria and announced the construction of the Philippine Arena in August 2011.  (INC/RJB/SDL/PIA-NCR)