CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan, October 14 (PIA) -- By 2014, Bulacan will outshine the world’s major cities of Los Angeles, London, and Seoul as history is being written here - Bulacan will be the site of the world’s largest dome.

Religious sect Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) funded P9 billion for the building of the said dome named Philippine Arena in Ciudad de Victoria, Bocaue town which is expected to be completed by 2014 for the group’s centennial celebration.

Touted the largest in the world, the Philippine Arena will have a seating capacity of 50,000 to 55,000, a floor area of 74,000 sq m, and an arched roof measuring 36,000 sq m.

Internationally acclaimed builders Populous of Australia, United Kingdom’s Burro Happold, and Hanwha E & C Corporation of Korea started the construction of the fully air-conditioned mammoth which shocked the engineers themselves.

“When INC first contacted us, we didn’t know a lot about the Philippines. We were astonished because the project is ambitious and unusual,” said Andrew James, Populous’ structural design consultant.

The Philippine Arena would be twice bigger than the Staple Center in Los Angeles, California with 21,000 sitting capacity and O2 Arena in London with 30,000 seats. It will also tower three times over the Seoul Olympic Gymnastics Stadium, Korea’s largest indoor arena.

During the recent groundbreaking ceremony, INC Executive Minister Eduardo Manalo said the dome will fulfill the dream of his father and predecessor, Eraño Manalo, of building a facility for the local and international community, “to serve and share God’s blessings.”

“The Ciudad de Victoria where Philippine Arena is being constructed will also be the home to EGM Memorial Medical Center, New Era University Bulacan campus, New Era University Sports Stadium Complex, and EVM Convention Center, capable of holding a wide range of events,” Manalo said.

Governor Wilhelmino Alvarado said the building of the dome in Bulacan is “a wise decision” as developments brought by it “will cascade down to all barangays and will benefit the whole province and the country as well.”

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Philippine Information Agency
World’s biggest dome to rise in Bulacan