The US$175-million Philippine Arena, which can seat 55,000 people, was hailed as a showcase that will serve as a major venue for concerts and sports events as well as gatherings for its owners, the Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ) sect.
"You have proved that the Filipino can reach great heights, that we can have achievements as lofty as any in the world," Aquino said in a speech to Iglesia members.
He hailed the 15-story structure as "the largest domed arena in the whole world", saying its capacity was "even double that of the Staples Center in Los Angeles, a major sporting and entertainment venue.
The stadium has a floor area of about 99,000 square meters (1.065 million square feet) and a height of 62 meters.
Located in Bocaue town, just outside the capital, the arena's construction is just one of many events marking the centennial of the Iglesia ni Cristo on July 27.
The Christian sect also said the stadium will have a capacity about double that of other popular indoor arenas like New York's Madison Square Garden.
However, the Singapore National Stadium, completed in June, also seats 55,000 people and has been hailed in the press as the world's largest domed structure.
By Ruchi Singh
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
