World-class Iglesia ni Cristo arena rising in Bulacan By Joel C. Atencio

September 13, 2011   //   admin   //   Central Luzon, Featured

MANILA, Sept. 11 – A world-class arena with a seating capacity of 50,000 to 55,000 is under construction on a 52-hectare property owned by the influential Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) at the “Ciudad de Victoria” in Bocaue, Bulacan.
Prof. Medem Fadriquela of New Era University (NEU) High School Department in Quezon City said on Saturday the project is being undertaken by Hanwha Engineering and Construction Corp. of South Korea.
Fadriquela said the Korean firm won the contract to build the multipurpose project located in Barangay Duhat, Bocaue, Bulacan.
The estimated cost of completing the world-class project, to be called The Philippine Arena, is US$ 175 million (about P8 billion).
Fadriquela said that when completed, the 50,000- to 55,000-seat Philippine Arena would be twice as large as the famed Araneta Coliseum (now the Smart Araneta Coliseum) in Cubao, Quezon City which could sit 25,000.
Also known as the Big Dome, the Araneta Coliseum was once widely accepted as the world’s biggest indoor sports venue when it was constructed way back in the 1960s.
When The Philippine Arena is finished, it would be bigger than some of the world’s biggest like New York City’s Madison Square Garden (20,000 seats); Los Angeles’ Staples Center, which is home to multi-NBA champion team LA Lakers (21,000); and the O2 Arena in London (30,000).
The Philippine Arena owners have given the contractors to wind up the project by 2014, in time for the centennial celebration in July that year of the Iglesia ni Cristo, which commands tremendous followers not only in the Philippines but also in many other parts of the world.
Fadriquela said the complex aims to provide a wholesome gathering place for people and a venue for religious, entertainment, cultural and sporting events.
Several prefabricated materials of international standards are being used in the construction of the complex, which also includes a hospital and a university, Fadriquela said.
INC Executive Minister Eduardo Manalo led the groundbreaking in Bocaue last week for an infrastructure program consisting of the New Era Sports Complex, EVM Convention Center, New Era University-Bocaue Campus, EGM Medical Center and Music Center. (PNA Feature)
scs/JCA