Philippine Arena open for use by non-Iglesia orgs, officials say

The Iglesia Ni Cristo-owned Philippine Arena will be available for use by interested Filipino and international organizations provided their activities will be in accordance with the Bible’s teachings, church officials said Monday.

“We reserve the right to determine what kinds of activities will be held here based on wholesome Christian principles and values that our church upholds,” Iglesia Ni Cristo evangelist Bro. Bienvenido Santiago Jr. said during the arena's inauguration.

Santiago said the 55,000-seater arena, described as the world’s largest domed indoor arena, was built not only for Iglesia Ni Cristo members but also for the benefit of the Filipino people.

But when Bro. Edwin Zabala, spokesperson for the Iglesia Ni Cristo’s centennial celebration, was asked if they will agree to let other religious organizations lease the arena, he said their officials “will cross the bridge when we get there.”

“Basta ang rule namin ay dapat di nakaka-offend sa katotohanan at mga pangaral ng Diyos sa Bibliya ang anumang activity na dapat gawin doon,” he said.

Zabala added he is not in a position to say whether any organization has expressed interest to use the arena as he is not privy to the discussions on the matter.



Sunday celebrations

The Philippine Arena is considered the centerpiece of the 50-hectare complex called Ciudad de Victoria in Bocaue, Bulacan.

President Benigno Aquino III graced the inauguration of the sprawling property on Monday.

Church members began flocking to the arena as early as 4 a.m., causing the traffic at the North Luzon Expressway to slow down for a few hours.

According to Zabala, crowd attendance for the inauguration surpassed the arena’s maximum capacity.

INC spox Bro. Edwil Zabala: Philippine Arena was filled to its max capacity of 55k during the inauguration @gmanews pic.twitter.com/seSq7VNkRL

— Xianne Arcangel (@xianneangel) July 21, 2014

He said several members had to stay outside the arena for the entire duration of the inaugural program because the venue was already full.

For Iglesia Ni Cristo’s centennial celebration on July 27, tents will be put up outside the arena to accommodate church members who can no longer be seated inside.

The space surrounding the arena, called a “live site,” can accommodate up to 50,000 people.

Zabala appealed to the public for understanding since the grand festivities on Sunday is expected to draw a crowd that is much bigger than Monday’s attendees.

“Sana po hindi mabigla o magtampo sa amin ang publiko kung sumikip man ang daloy ng trapiko sa Linggo… Minsan lang naman po sa isangdaang taon ang mga ganitong selebrasyon,” he said. —KBK, GMA News