Smart Araneta Coliseum

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Smart Araneta Coliseum
The Big Dome
Former names Araneta Coliseum
Location Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City
Coordinates 14°37′14″N 121°3′12″E / 14.62056°N 121.05333°E / 14.62056; 121.05333Coordinates: 14°37′14″N 121°3′12″E / 14.62056°N 121.05333°E / 14.62056; 121.05333
Broke ground 1957
Built 1958
Opened March 16, 1960
Renovated 1999
Owner Progressive Development Corporation
Operator United Promotions, Inc. (Uniprom)
Scoreboard ADSystems 4-side LED display (Big Cube)
Construction cost 6 million
Architect Dominador Lugtu
Capacity Basketball: 22,000
Concert: 10,000 (Stage Proscenium)
Boxing: 16,500[1]
(Excludes standing room)
Public transit access MRT-3 - Araneta Center-Cubao
LRT-2 - Araneta Center-Cubao
Tenants
NCAA (1960-present)
UAAP (1960-present)
PBA (1975-1984, 1995-present)

The Smart Araneta Coliseum, known as The Big Dome, is an indoor multi-purpose sports arena located in the Cubao area of Quezon City, Philippines. It is one of the largest coliseums and indoor facilities in Asia, and it is also one of the largest clear span domes in the world.

The Smart Araneta Coliseum is mostly used for sports such as basketball, it is the main venue of the Philippine Basketball Association.[2] The Big Dome is also used for boxing, cockfighting, local and international concerts, circuses, religious gatherings, beauty pageants and more.[3]

Its basketball league tenants include the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, and the Philippine Basketball Association.

History

Araneta Coliseum during its construction
The Araneta Coliseum during the 1960s

In 1952, J. Amado Araneta purchased a 35-hectare property in Cubao that is now the Araneta Center from Radio Corporation of America (RCA). The property, which includes the Araneta family home, is bound by Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue, Aurora Boulevard, P. Tuazon and 15th Avenue.

Construction of the Araneta Coliseum was started in 1957 and finished in late 1959 by Arch. Dominador Lacson Lugtu and Engr. Leonardo Onjunco Lugtu, Chinese Filipino Engineers graduated from Mapúa Institute of Technology . From 1960 to 1963, the Coliseum received international recognition and was recognized as the largest covered coliseum in the world. Today, it remains one of the largest clear span domes in the world and the largest indoor facility in Asia with a dome diameter of 108 meters. It occupies a total land area of almost 40,000 square meters and has a floor area of 23,000 square metres.[4]

The coliseum opened on March 16, 1960, with Gabriel "Flash" Elorde boxing for the World Junior Lightweight crown from American Harold Gomes. General admission then was 80 centavos and the reserve section was five pesos.

Among the notable events to take place at the arena were the 11th and 34th FAMAS Awards, the 1975 "Thrilla in Manila" boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, and the annual Binibining Pilipinas beauty pageant. The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) has played about a thousand games at the Araneta Coliseum as of 2008. Other basketball events hosted by the arena were the 1978 FIBA World Championship, a game between the 1978 NBA champions Washington Bullets and a PBA selection in 1979, and the 1982 Asian Youth Basketball Championship where the Philippines defeated China in the final.[5]

In 1981, the original basketball scoreboard and shot clock was replaced with a Seiko brand scoreboard that also displays the milliseconds remaining in a basketball game. In 1983, the basketball court's color scheme was changed from red to yellow.

In 1995, the bulky basketball backboard which was used since the 1970s was replaced with a Hydra-Rib backboard.

In the third quarter of 1998, the Aranetas and Pilipinas Shell (local arm of Royal Dutch Shell) started negotiations for a naming rights deal that would have lasted until 2008. The Aranetas, who wanted to retain their name at the arena rejected proposed name "Shell Coliseum at the Araneta Center". Instead, the parties agreed on signage contract where Shell's name and logo will be painted at the arena's basketball court, a move that was almost shelved due to objections from other PBA teams (Shell owned the Shell Turbo Chargers team then in the PBA).[6]

In July 1999, the coliseum underwent its first major renovation at the cost of P200 million.[7] The coliseum was reopened on November 20, the same year. The major changes made to the coliseum is the renovation of the lower box area, replacement of seats for the patron and lower box sections, and installation of a four-sided center hung scoreboard. In 2003, a LED display was added on the scoreboard.

Araneta Coliseum logo from 1999 to 2011 prior to naming rights deal with Smart Communications.

From 2001 to 2008, the highest grossing event at the arena is the boxing fight between Manny Pacquiao and Oscar Larios, earning 96.2 million pesos. A concert by Westlife was attended by 17,887 people and earned 18.5 million pesos, while a Cliff Richard concert earned 17.2 million despite being watched by 5,647 spectators.[5]

On December 2010, the coliseum management installed a giant LED screen nicknamed the "Big Cube" to replace their old scoreboard system that was installed during the 1999 renovation.[8] This screen is much bigger than the former LED scoreboard with a size of 22.22 square-meters. During sporting events, the Big Cube will project everything from stat-video splits, full scoring mode, or full video mode. It can likewise display ticket information from RSS feeds via an internet source. It was used for basketball for the first time during the semifinal round of the 2010-11 PBA Philippine Cup on January 5, 2011.[9]

Prior to the Ultimate All-Star Weekend in July 2011, it was announced that the Aranetas entered into a naming rights deal with Smart Communications, Inc. (a subsidiary of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company), renaming the arena into "Smart Araneta Coliseum". The deal was for five years and includes improvements the arena such as the installation of escalators to improve access in the upper box and general admission areas, and the construction of a parking lot that can accommodate up to 2,000 cars.[6]

Since June 2012, tickets for the coliseum's events can be purchased online through the Ticketnet Online website. The online feature started with the Tears for Fears concert.[10][11]

Usage

The Araneta Coliseum with the "Big Cube" LED display during a PBA game

Sports usage

The arena is primarily the home arena for the Philippine Basketball Association and the UAAP basketball leagues. The facility has also hosted the 1975 Thrilla in Manila, 1978 FIBA World Championship, and the 2007 Philippines World Pool Championship.

It annually hosts every PBA Basketball Championship, NCAA Basketball Championship as well as UAAP Basketball Championship.

The coliseum is one of the three arenas as the main home of the PBA, the other being the Mall of Asia Arena and the Ynares Center.

WWE also hosted a house show at the venue thrice in 2006 and in 2009.

Also the coliseum is currently the secondary venue for the UAAP, after the Mall of Asia Arena.

Entertainment and others

The coliseum also hosts many non-sporting events, such as concerts, shows, graduations, seminars, ice shows, circuses, and beauty pageants.

Local artists play at the coliseum, including Sharon Cuneta, Regine Velasquez, and Sarah Geronimo. It also houses Nora Aunor, Martin Nievera, Gary Valenciano, Ogie Alcasid, APO Hiking Society, Vice Ganda, Daniel Padilla, Toni Gonzaga and a lot more.[12]

Sarah Geronimo is the youngest solo performer to have filled the Big Dome, in the age of 17. It happened in 2005 in her first solo major concert The Other Side.

Some notable international performers include country singer Taylor Swift[13] as part of her Speak Now Tour, The international superstar Lady Gaga perform for the first time as part of her The Fame Ball Tour, Kylie Minogue as part of her Aphrodite World Tour on July 5, 2011, Kelly Clarkson[14] as part of her All I Ever Wanted World Tour on May 1, 2010, Bruno Mars as part of his The Doo-Wops and Hooligans Tour on April 8, 2011, Avril Lavigne as part of her The Best Damn Tour [15] on September 3, 2008, The Black Star Tour[16] on February 16, 2012 and Avril Lavigne On Tour on February 17, 2014, Akon,[17] Michael Bublé,[18] Snow Patrol on August 9, 2012, The Script (2011 and 2013), Incubus(2008 and 2011) and the American Idols LIVE! Tour 2011 for two nights, and the American Idols LIVE! Tour 2012 for one night, September 21, 2012. The coliseum also houses Korean artists like Super Junior's Super Show-the first Korean to perform in the arena, 2NE1, SS501, CNBLUE and Beast.[19][20] K-Pop group U-KISS also had their concert at the big dome and later released into a concert DVD dubbed as U-KISS 1st Kiss Tour in Manila DVD.[21] It was the first time that an international artist released a concert DVD featuring the coliseum. Also The Smashing Pumpkins held their Oceania Tour 2012, it was originally dated August 7, 2012 but due to severe weather conditions in Manila, the gig was rescheduled the next day. Maroon 5 also held in the venue for their Overexposed Tour 2012 last September 18, 2012. Jessica Sanchez and Colton Dixon from American Idol (Season 11) also had a concert here on Valentine's Day, February 14, 2013. World-class performers like Elton John, Sting, Mr. Big, Tears For Fears, Air Supply, Duran Duran, Dionne Warwick, Andrea Bocelli, Donna Summer, Julio Iglesias, The Jackson 5, Hall and Oates, Alanis Morissette, Foo Fighters, Beastie Boys, Eric Clapton, Burt Bacharach, Bon Jovi, Carlos Santana, Rick Astley, INXS, Slash, Cliff Richard, Backstreet Boys, Robin Gibb of Bee Gees, Rod Stewart, Chicago, The Carpenters, Don McLean, Olivia Newton-John, Lionel Richie, The Beach Boys, Tina Turner, George Michael, BUSH, Evanescence, Brian McKnight, Hanson, Lifehouse, Jason Mraz, Craig David, Ne-Yo, John Legend, Pitbull, Gin Blossoms, The Fray, Toto, Simple Plan, Demi Lovato, Foster The People, Panic! at the Disco have already performed at the coliseum. New Wave duo, Pet Shop Boys performed at the venue as part of their Electric Tour on August 6, 2013. Fall Out Boy also performed here again on August 8, 2013 as part of their Save Rock and Roll Tour. The Killers are also scheduled to perform at the coliseum on September 26, 2013 for their Battle Born World Tour.

Religious and others

Tha Big dome also hosted a praise & worship concerts like Citipointe, Israel Houghton, Parachute, Don Moen, Darlene Zschech & The Hillsong Worship Team, Sonicflood, Planetshakers, and Hillsong United.

The Big dome is also the venues of religious gatherings like the anniversary celebration of Christ's Commission Fellowship, Iglesia ni Cristo, Jesus Miracle Crusade, Shalom CCFI (Every Holy Week) and Victory Christian Fellowship,[22] and different talent search finales, like Pilipinas Got Talent, Philippine Idol, Starstruck, and recently, Artista Academy (which held its one-time grand audition[23] at the coliseum).[24][25][26]

Attendance records

On May 19, 2013, the third game of the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals between the Alaska Aces and the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel set the all-time basketball attendance record of 23,436,[27] which broke the previous record of 23,108 set 11 days earlier that featured the semifinals series doubleheader between Alaska vs. San Mig Coffee and Barangay Ginebra vs. Talk 'N Text.[28]

Notable events at the Araneta Coliseum

Sports events

Regular events

Entertainment events

  • FAMAS Awards of the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences:
    • The 11th FAMAS Awards on April 14, 1963
    • The 34th FAMAS Awards on May 18, 1986

Concert events

See also

References

  1. "The Big Dome". Araneta Coliseum. Retrieved 2011-03-31. 
  2. http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/big-dome-still-main-pba-venue-but-moa-arena-an-alternative-option
  3. http://www.smartaranetacoliseum.com/2006/corporate.php
  4. Henson, Quinito (2008-11-19). "Mecca of sports". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 2011-07-24. .
  5. 5.0 5.1 Henson, Quinito (2008-11-19). "More on the mecca". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 2011-07-24. 
  6. 6.0 6.1 Juico, Philip Ella (2011-07-20). "Araneta Coliseum, now Smart Araneta". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 2011-07-24. 
  7. Coliseum History
  8. The Big Cube at the Big Dome, by Patricia Bermudez-Hizon, Yahoo Philippines News, January 5, 2011
  9. Nelson Beltran (2011-01-03). "Big Dome launches Big Cube in PBA semis". Philstar. Retrieved 2011-01-03. 
  10. TicketNet Online: Skip the Line, Go Online
  11. Getting a ticket, Jeffrey Valisno, BusinessWorld Online, August 23, 2012
  12. http://cerphin.net/balita/Ogie-Alcasid-successfully-stages-TwentyTwenty-at-the-Big-Dome/artikulo/31991/
  13. ABS-CBN News http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/entertainment/02/19/11/taylor-swift-manila-concert Retrieved July 13, 2011
  14. Manila Bulletin http://www.mb.com.ph/node/255730/kelly-clark/Retrieved September 1, 2011
  15. The Filipino Web http://thefilipinoweb.com/music/avril-lavigne-in-manila-the-best-damn-tour/ Retrieved July 13, 2011
  16. Yahoo OMG! Philippines http://ph.omg.yahoo.com/avril-in-manila/ Retrieved February 16, 2012
  17. Philstar.com http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=474348&publicationSubCategoryId=70 Retrieved July 13, 2011.
  18. Manila Bulletin http://www.mb.com.ph/node/154494 Retrieved July 13, 2011
  19. Manila Bulletin http://www.mb.com.ph/node/305730/from-japan- Retrieved July 13, 2011.
  20. Pulp Magazine http://pulpmagazinelive.com/main/?p=859 Retrieved July 13, 2011.
  21. Philippine Star http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=578764&publicationSubCategoryId=70 Retrieved July 13, 2011
  22. http://www.ccf.org.ph/ccf-turns-silver/
  23. Tempo: Artista Academy: P20M await winners
  24. ABS-CBN News http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/video/entertainment/06/12/10/12-performers-pilipinas-got-talents-grand-finals Retrieved July 13, 2011.
  25. "Starstruck winners known today". Manila Bulletin. March 12, 2006. 
  26. PhilStar.com http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=252603 Retrieved July 13, 2011
  27. Alaska-Ginebra Game Three sets new all-time Araneta Coliseum basketball attendance record, InterAKTV, May 19, 2013
  28. BA sets all-time Araneta Coliseum record with San Mig Coffee-Alaska, Ginebra-Talk ‘N Text twinbill, Rey Joble, InterAKTV, May 9, 2013
  29. Mauricio C. Martelino

External links

Preceded by
Roberto Clemente Coliseum
San Juan
FIBA World Championship
Final Venue

1978
Succeeded by
Coliseo El Pueblo
Cali
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