Cathedral for the modern age opens in Manila

Construction work on Iglesia Ni Cristo’s Philippine Arena, claimed to be the world’s largest domed arena with its 55,000 seating capacity, has been completed.

Set to be used for Centennial celebrations by Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) on 27th July, the US$175 million indoor arena has been built on a 74,000 metre2 area of land in Philippine’s Bulacan province.

With a seating capacity of up to 55,000 under a 35,948 metre2 roof, the Christian evangelical group’s venue is seen as a modern cathedral – with a capacity larger than a traditional cathedrals and state-of-the-art interior catering for modern churchgoers.

INC General Auditor Glicerio B. Santos recently explained that that landscaping work and other finishing touches are now being done for the “largest theatre in the planet” that would be the center of the INC’s centennial celebrations.

Santos said that the funds spent for the construction of the landmark venu, and for the various houses and buildings of worship of the INC in the Philippines and in other countries, all came from the offerings of Church members.

The Philippine Arena will not only be used for various activities and gatherings of the INC, but will also be open for use to all Filipinos and even to international groups or communities for international gatherings and events.

The venue will be the  centerpiece of a community called Ciudad de Victoria in Bocaue, Bulacan where a hospital that has a 330-bed capacity, a sports complex and a stadium are being constructed. The Bocaue campus of New Era University is also being built in the area.

International architecture firm, Populous has designed the arena with engineers Buro Happold, and construction has been carried out by Hanwha Engineering and Construction Corp. 

19th December 2013 - WORLD’S LARGEST ARENA TO OPEN IN MANILA