Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ) Inaugurated World's Largest Dome

The Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) inaugurated on Monday the Philippine Arena -- touted as the world's largest domed arena -- the entire Ciudad de Victoria, and the Philippine Sports Stadium, in Bocaue, Bulacan.

No less than President Benigno Aquino III and Vice-President Jejomar Binay, together with House Speaker Sonny Belmonte, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr., and Bulacan Governor Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado, and INC Executive Minister Brother Eduardo Manalo led the opening of the multipurpose complex and witnessed by more than 50,000 ministers, officers and brethren from the Church.

Built by architectural, engineering and construction firms Populous, Buro Happold and Hanwha, the more than $200 million, 55,000-seater Philippine Arena sprawls on the 75-hectare Ciudad de Victoria, which promises to be a one-stop multipurpose complex and even a tourism enterprise zone
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The Philippine narra inspired, bowl shaped arena stands with two other massive structures, the Philippine Stadium and Philippine Sports Center.

Soon to be built within the complex are the Erano G. Manalo Medical Center and New Era Sports Academy of the New Era University.

In his message, President Aquino said he admires the INC's oneness for the greater good: "Ang INC ay patuloy na kabalikat ng administrasyon sa pagsusulong ng mabuting pamamahala. Ang pagbubukas ng Ciudad de Victoria na may kahulugang Lungsod ng Tagumpay ay sumasalamin sa tagumpay ng Iglesia ni Cristo sa nakaraang 100 siglo."

The President also asked members of the INC to continue contributing to nation building, while thanking the church for its care for others and for supporting his administration's "Tuwid na Daan."

Aquino further recognized the important role of INC in boosting people's faith around the world and for living up to the love and teachings of Christ. Citing a biblical quote about loving one another, the President was greeted with thunderous applause from the brethren.

INC spokesperson Bro. Edwin Zabala, for his part, thanked the partners involved in the development of Ciudad de Victoria, the Philippine Arena alone taking three years to build.

Manalo meanwhile said that the Philippine Arena was built for the "glory of God, for the honor of the country, and the benefit of the Filipino people."

Featured on Discovery Channel’s “Man Made Marvels” in December 2013, the arena’s was built to withstand strong earthquakes and super typhoons. Its design is inspired by narra and banyan trees and with a dome spanning over 3.6 hectares.



(Sun.Star Pampanga)