List of events at the Philippine Arena

The Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan, Philippines, which is the world's largest indoor arena, is primarily used for large-scale concerts, sports events and religious gatherings with a seating capacity of 55,000. The arena is owned by the religious organization Iglesia ni Cristo (INC).[1]

The Philippine Arena hosted the 2019 SEA Games opening ceremony

INC Centennial events

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The events that took place on the Philippine Arena are a series of activities by the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) as part of their centennial celebration.[2]

Date(s) Event(s) Description
July 27, 2014 Special Worship Service and Oratorio A worship service led by INC Executive Minister Eduardo V. Manalo, along with a large musical composition for orchestra, choir, and soloists.
July 29, 2014 Ang Bayan Mo'y Nagpupuri (Your Nation Praises You) A musical presentation featuring original INC Christian music and the history of the Iglesia ni Cristo.
July 31, 2014 Ang Sugo (The Messenger) A stage play depicting the ministry of Felix Manalo and the history of the Iglesia ni Cristo.
August 1, 2014 Tagisan ng Talino (Battle of Wits) A quiz show which includes Bible and INC history and current events for teens and children categories.
August 2, 2014 Evangelical Mission A Bible exposition for the non-members.
October 31, 2014 INCinema Excellence in Visual Media Awards (EVM Awards) Recognition of the top 20 film entries produced by members worldwide.
November 8, 2014 Kabayan Ko, Kapatid Ko (My Countrymen, My Brethren) An outreach and evangelical mission which provide medical and dental services, groceries, entertainment shows, and bible studies.
November 23, 2014 Songs of Faith, Love and Hope: International Singing Competition Solo singing competition featuring original INC Christian music participated by delegates from different parts of the world.
December 30, 2014 Kabayan Ko, Kapatid Ko: Year-End Concert A pre-new-year concert featuring the accomplishments of the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation and the Iglesia ni Cristo as a whole.
February 20, 2015 Nueva Ecija Ecclesiastical District 85th Anniversary The INC ecclesiastical districts of Nueva Ecija Central, East, North, South, and Aurora, which were formerly part of the once lone ecclesiastical district in the province, gathered for a worship service led by Manalo.
May 19, 2015 New Era University (NEU) 40th Commencement Exercises Baccalaureate service led by Eduardo V. Manalo, NEU graduation from elementary to post-graduate studies across all campuses, and alumni homecoming.
July 25–26, 2015 International Unity Games Members of the Iglesia ni Cristo from all over the globe gathered for the first-ever Unity Games International. Said sporting event marked the end of the centennial year.
July 26, 2015 Centennial Closing Ceremony A worship service led by INC Executive Minister Eduardo V. Manalo, along with a large musical celebration of all INC members from all over the globe.

Sporting events

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Date(s) Event(s) Attendance Notes
October 19, 2014 2014–15 PBA Philippine Cup opening ceremonies 52,612 The first commercial and non-INC event held in the Philippine Arena, it was the largest attendance record for an opening ceremony in PBA history.[3]
December 25, 2016 2016–17 PBA Philippine Cup Eliminations 25,000[4] This was the second time that the PBA games was held in the Philippine Arena.[5]
October 22, 2017 2017 PBA Governors' Cup Finals (Game 5) 36,445 First PBA Finals held in the arena.
October 25, 2017 2017 PBA Governors' Cup Finals (Game 6) 53,642
October 27, 2017 2017 PBA Governors' Cup Finals (Game 7) 54,086
December 25, 2017 2017–18 PBA Philippine Cup Eliminations 22,531
January 15–21, 2018 Galaxy Battles Dota 2 e-Sport Tournaments
February 18, 2018 2017–18 PBA Philippine Cup Eliminations
June 8–12, 2018 2018 FIBA 3x3 World Cup
July 2, 2018 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualification 22,181[6] See also: Philippines-Australia basketball brawl
January 13, 2019 2019 PBA Philippine Cup Opening Ceremonies 23,711
November 30, 2019 2019 Southeast Asian Games opening ceremony
January 15, 2023 2022–23 PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals (Game 7) 54,589 The largest attendance record for a PBA game and for a PBA Finals game
February 24 and 27, 2023 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualification The first FIBA-sanctioned game since the Philippines-Australia basketball brawl.
August 25, 2023 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup opening ceremonies 38,115 The largest attendance record for a FIBA Basketball World Cup game.[7]

Entertainment events

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Notable entertainment events in the Philippine Arena include several concerts.

Date(s) Entertainer(s) Event Attendance Notes
April 12, 2015 Super Junior, Girls' Generation, BtoB, Red Velvet Best of Best in the Philippines 20,000 The four South Korean K-pop idol groups were the first international artists to perform in the Philippine Arena.[8]
May 7, 2015 Katy Perry Prismatic World Tour 34,683 The first anniversary of the Prismatic World Tour, Katy Perry was the first solo performer to hold a show in the Philippine Arena.[9]
May 31, 2015 Alliance In Motion Global Alliance In Motion Global 9th Anniversary 30,050 AIM Global broke the record with 30,050 verified participants wearing smiley face masks during their ninth anniversary celebration at the Philippine Arena. A Guinness World Records representative announced the success of the record-breaking attempts during the company's anniversary held at the Philippine Arena on May 31, 2015.[10]
October 4, 2015 Felix Manalo film premiere 43,624 The biographical film about the life of the first Executive Minister of the Iglesia ni Cristo holds the Guinness World Record for "Largest Attendance For A Film Screening" and "Largest Attendance For A Film Premiere".[11][12]
October 24, 2015 AlDub (Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza), EB Dabarkads (Eat Bulaga! hosts) Eat Bulaga!: Sa Tamang Panahon 55,000 Philippine Arena was the venue for the highly-successful special episode of Kalyeserye segment from the noontime variety show Eat Bulaga!, making it the first time a live television event at the arena was broadcast by GMA Network.[13][14]
November 11, 2018 Guns N' Roses Not in This Lifetime... Tour 24,638 Guns N' Roses were the first rock musicians to perform in the Philippine Arena.
December 11, 2019 U2 The Joshua Tree Tour 2019 33,721[15] Irish rock band U2's first time to perform in the Philippines.[16]
December 14, 2019 December Avenue, Ben&Ben, Arnel Pineda Cloudstaff Roar Year-end Party 9,113 Philippine-Australian outsourcing provider Cloudstaff held the first-ever corporate concert at the Philippine Arena, inviting employees and their families to the event that served as their corporate year-end party.
November 17, 2022 Stell of SB19, Zephanie, Janella Salvador Disney+ A Night of Wonder A performance by local Filipino singers was recorded at the Philippine Arena to celebrate the launch of American streaming service Disney+ in the Philippines.
December 17, 2022 Seventeen Be The Sun World Tour 39,480 Seventeen were the first South Korean boy band to stage a concert in the Philippine Arena during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was the group's third performance in the country.[17][18]
March 14, 2023 Harry Styles Love On Tour[19][20] 29,000 The British singer held his first concert in the country in five years.[21][22][23][24]
March 25–26, 2023 Blackpink Born Pink World Tour[25][26] 92,720 (both days) Blackpink were the first South Korean girl group to stage and sell out a multi-night event at the Philippine Arena.[27]
June 24–25, 2023 Bruno Mars Bruno Mars 76,252 (both days) Bruno Mars was the first solo performer to sell out two shows at the Philippine Arena.[28]
August 13, 2023 Tomorrow X Together Act: Sweet Mirage[29] 10,886
August 25, 2023 Sarah Geronimo, Bernard Bernardo, Ben&Ben, The Dawn, Alamat 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup opening ceremony 38,115 [30]
September 30 – October 1, 2023 Twice Ready to Be World Tour[31] 86,930 (both days) [32]
December 14, 2023 Various Asian personalities, including South Korean artists Asia Artist Awards 2023[33] [34][35]
January 19–20, 2024 Coldplay Music of the Spheres World Tour 96,079 (both days) The British rock band's second concert in the Philippines.[36] Jikamarie was the opening act on both dates, while Lola Amour and Dilaw were surprise guests on January 19 and 20 respectively.[37][38] Coldplay were the first Western group to perform two sold-out shows at the Philippine Arena on a single tour, thereby setting the record for the highest attendance ever by any musical act at the arena.[39][40]
June 1, 2024 IU IU H.E.R.E.H. World Tour 37,000[41] IU was the first South Korean solo performer to stage a concert at the Philippine Arena.[42]
October 5, 2024 Olivia Rodrigo Guts World Tour 55,000[43] Silver Star show[44]
October 12, 2024 LANY a beautiful blur: the world tour [45]
November 13, 2024 Dua Lipa Radical Optimism Tour [46]
November 23, 2024 Stray Kids Dominate World Tour [47]
February 15, 2025 Bini Grand BINIverse: The Repeat[48]

Political events

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Ahead of the 2022 Philippine elections, the UniTeam alliance of presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos and vice-presidential candidate Sara Duterte held their proclamation rally at the Philippine Arena on February 8, 2022. The event was hosted by Toni Gonzaga. The arena operated at half of its capacity at that time due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[49][50]

Yearly events

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Date(s) Event(s) Organizers Attendance
May 20–21, 2017 – April 14–15, 2018 – May 4–5, 2019 – May 13, 2023 Summer Blast x CFO Day Iglesia ni Cristo, Maligaya Development Corporation, Net 25 120,000 (May 13, 2023)
December 29–31 (2015–2020) – December 30–31 (2022–present) New Year Countdown

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Abad, Ysa (January 23, 2023). "The ultimate survival guide to attending concerts in the Philippine Arena". Rappler. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  2. ^ Archangel, Pia (July 27, 2014). "24 Oras: Pagdiriwang ng sentenaryo ng INC, tuloy-tuloy ngayong linggo". YouTube (GMA News). Retrieved July 27, 2014.
  3. ^ Lozada, Bong (October 19, 2014). "More than 50,000 jam PH Arena for PBA opener". Inquirer.net. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  4. ^ Ramos, Gerry (December 25, 2016). "Ginebra-Star Christmas Day turnout falls short of duplicating PBA record at Philippine Arena". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved December 25, 2016.
  5. ^ "Christmas Clasico headlines Philippine Arena twin bill". ABS-CBN Sports. December 24, 2016. Retrieved December 25, 2016.
  6. ^ Dalupang, Denison Rey (July 3, 2018). "Gilas-Australia hostility reaches boiling point with ugly skirmish". Philippine Star. Retrieved July 3, 2018.
  7. ^ Reynolds, Tim (August 25, 2023). "Basketball World Cup sets attendance record with 38,115 showing up for game in Manila". Associated Press News. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  8. ^ Best of Best KPOP Concert 2015
  9. ^ Philippine Arena keeps on breaking records
  10. ^ Most people wearing costume masks
  11. ^ "'Felix Manalo' premiere bags 2 Guinness World Records". entertainment.inquirer.net. October 5, 2015. Retrieved October 24, 2015.
  12. ^ "'Felix Manalo' premiere bags 2 Guinness World Record titles". cnn. Archived from the original on October 8, 2015. Retrieved October 24, 2015.
  13. ^ "AlDub shatters records anew". philstar.com. Retrieved October 24, 2015.
  14. ^ "#AlDub sets new record: #AlDubEBTamangPanahon pulls in over 38 million tweets". Rappler. October 24, 2015. Retrieved October 24, 2015.
  15. ^ "U2 Earn $73 Million from Just 15 'Joshua Tree' Anniversary Shows in 2019". Billboard.
  16. ^ Layug, Margaret Claire (December 12, 2019). "LOOK: Fans came far and wide to see U2 live in Manila". GMA News. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  17. ^ Tuazon, Nikko (December 20, 2022). "SEVENTEEN becomes first K-Pop group to fill up Philippine Arena". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  18. ^ Cayetano, Gabrielle (December 18, 2022). "SEVENTEEN makes history in Bulacan concert: 'Told you we'll be coming back'". GMA Integrated News. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  19. ^ Antonio, Josiah (March 15, 2023). "Harry Styles goes retro in 'Love On Tour' concert in PH". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  20. ^ Lago, Amanda (March 16, 2023). "Love on Tour in Manila: A date with Harry Styles". Rappler. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  21. ^ Reyes, Shiela (March 15, 2023). "Harry Styles helps fan propose to girlfriend during 'Love on Tour' PH concert". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  22. ^ Roque, Nika (March 15, 2023). "Harry Styles to the Philippine crowd: 'Please feel free to be whoever it is you always wanted to be'". GMA Integrated News. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  23. ^ Mantaring, Jelo Ritzhie (March 15, 2023). "Proposal and 6 bananas: How Harry Styles' concert went down at Philippine Arena". CNN Philippines. Archived from the original on December 2, 2023. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  24. ^ Tuazon, Nikko (March 16, 2023). "Harry Styles plays Cupid; helps Filipino couple get engaged". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  25. ^ Nicart, Lyka (March 28, 2023). "Fans show up in full force at Blackpink's 2-day Born Pink Philippine concert". The Philippine Star. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  26. ^ Ysa Abad, Vixey Lema (March 29, 2023). "BLACKPINK brings incredible energy in historic 'BORN PINK' PH shows". The Philippine Star. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  27. ^ Bernardo, Jaehwa (March 29, 2023). "Blackpink: Philippines is 'one of the loudest crowds'". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  28. ^ "Bruno Mars adds second night to Manila concert". GMA News. April 29, 2023. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  29. ^ Bernardo, Jaehwa (August 17, 2023). "Tomorrow X Together concludes tour with fun, fiery PH concert". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  30. ^ Uson, Melanie (August 25, 2023). "Sarah Geronimo, Ben&Ben, and more headline the 2023 FIBA World Cup opening ceremony". Philstar Life. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  31. ^ Santiago, Erwin (October 2, 2023). "10 Things We Love About TWICE's "Ready To Be" concert". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  32. ^ Villaruel, Jauhn Etienne (October 10, 2023). "Recap: TWICE's 'Ready To Be' concert is a 'love letter' to Filipino ONCEs". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  33. ^ Saulog, Gabriel (December 15, 2023). "15 Highlights From The 2023 Asia Artist Awards — SB19, NewJeans, Stray Kids, HORI7ON, And More". Billboard Philippines. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  34. ^ S. Bravo, Frances Karmel (December 15, 2023). "K-Celebs on red carpet of Asia Artist Awards 2023". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  35. ^ Bernardo, Jaehwa (December 18, 2023). "RECAP: 9 favorite moments from 2023 Asia Artist Awards". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  36. ^ "Coldplay is coming back to the Philippines in January 2024". GMA Integrated News. June 12, 2023. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  37. ^ "Jikamarie to open for Coldplay's 'Music of the Spheres' sold-out tour in Manila". Manila Bulletin. December 8, 2023. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  38. ^ Llemit, Kathleen (January 21, 2024). "Filipino band Dilaw performs 'Uhaw' at Coldplay concert". The Philippine Star. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
  39. ^ Philippine Concerts [@philconcerts] (November 24, 2023). "Next Stop: PILIPINAS! Coldplay will be the first band to hold two sold-out shows on Jan. 19 and 20, 2024 at the Philippine Arena by @livenationph" (Tweet). Archived from the original on January 18, 2024. Retrieved January 18, 2024 – via Twitter.
  40. ^ Touring Data [@touringdata] (February 7, 2024). "Music of the Spheres, @Coldplay" (Tweet). Archived from the original on February 8, 2024. Retrieved February 8, 2024 – via Twitter.
  41. ^ "IU Delivers Unforgettable Show in Manila, Promises to Return Soon". 한국아이닷컴 (in Korean). June 3, 2024. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  42. ^ Hicap, Jonathan (January 17, 2024). "K-pop star IU to hold world tour at Philippine Arena". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
  43. ^ Severo, Jan Milo. "'Miss So Filipina': Olivia Rodrigo proud Filipina in sold-out 'Guts' Philippine concert". Philstar.com. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
  44. ^ "Olivia Rodrigo To Bring GUTS: World Tour To The Philippines This October". Billboard Philippines. September 10, 2024. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  45. ^ "LANY to hold Manila, Cebu concerts in October". GMA News. March 5, 2024. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
  46. ^ Sharpe, Josh (May 28, 2024). "Dua Lipa Reveals Dates for Asia Leg of Radical Optimism Tour". BroadwayWorld. Archived from the original on May 29, 2024. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  47. ^ Bernardo, Jaehwa (November 25, 2024). "Stray Kids ignite PH Arena with explosive 'dominATE' concert". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  48. ^ "BINI to hold 2025 concert at Philippine Arena". GMA Integrated News. November 21, 2024. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  49. ^ Abarro, Mico (February 10, 2022). "Marcos Jr. thanks Toni Gonzaga for hosting UniTeam proclamation rally". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  50. ^ Patag, Kristine Joy (February 8, 2022). "Away from home towns, Marcos-Duterte kicks off grand 'UniTeam' campaign at giant arena". The Philippine Star. Retrieved October 6, 2023.