Rizal Memorial Coliseum

Rizal Memorial Coliseum
Interactive map of Rizal Memorial Coliseum
Former namesRizal Memorial Tennis Stadium
LocationManila, Philippines
Coordinates14°33′44″N 120°59′38″E / 14.56212°N 120.99398°E / 14.56212; 120.99398
OwnerCity Government of Manila
OperatorPhilippine Sports Commission
Capacity6,100
Public transit Vito Cruz
 5 

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 53  P. Ocampo
Construction
Opened1934[1]
Renovated1953,[2][1] 1981,[2] 1991,[2] 2005,[2] 2019[3]
ArchitectJuan Arellano
Tenants
Philippines women's national basketball team
Philippines women's national volleyball team
MICAA (1938–1981)
UAAP (1938–2002)
NCAA (1938–2006, 2025)
PBA (1975–1982, 2024–present)
Manila Metrostars (MBA) (1998)
Manila Batang Quiapo (MPBL) (2025–present)

The Rizal Memorial Coliseum is an indoor arena in the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila, Philippines. It can hold up to 6,100 people.[4]

History

The Rizal Memorial Coliseum within the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex was built on the former site of Manila Carnival Grounds[1] in 1934 as a tennis stadium named "Rizal Memorial Tennis Stadium",[2] but was later renamed “Rizal Memorial Coliseum” at an unknown time. It became a primary venue for the UAAP and the NCAA, before moving to much-larger venues such as the Araneta Coliseum.[5] It was one of the buildings that were destroyed during the Battle of Manila of World War II in 1945[1] and was reconstructed in 1953 for the 1954 Asian Games.[1][2] It was also one of the venues of now-defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA) as the home court of the Manila Metrostars during the inaugural season in 1998.

2016–17 demolition plan

Around 2016, there were reportedly plans to demolish the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) announced proposals to convert the venue to a museum building to house the Philippine Sports Museum and the Asian Games Museum in January 2016.[6] In November 2016, then-Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada announced that the city government is making a partnership with businessman Enrique Razon to convert the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (which includes a coliseum) into a commercial center which will include a mall and cinemas.[7] The sports museum plan to convert the Rizal Memorial Coliseum is included.[8] The plan was criticized by various heritage and athletes groups.[1][9] The National Commission for Culture and the Arts also stated that the Estrada local government never consulted the agency regarding the sports venue conversion plan.[10] Estrada defended the redevelopment of the RMSC, said that no one uses the complex anymore and it became old, and antiquated.[1]

In April 2017, the sports complex was declared as a National Historical Landmark by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and an Important Cultural Property by the National Museum of the Philippines ensuring the site's preservation due to the National Cultural Heritage Act.[11] Consequentially the Razon group later abandoned its plans to redevelop the site[1] and the PSC halted its negotiations with the Manila city government on the planned sale of RMSC.[1][12] On August 7, 2019, both the PSC and the Manila City government (now under the administration of Mayor Isko Moreno) agreed to not selling the complex.[13]

2019 renovation

The venue was renovated ahead for its use for the 2019 SEA Games.[14] Renovation work began on July 8, 2019,[5][4] ME Sicat Construction is the contractor for the renovation project which secured its role through bidding.[2][15] The renovation process includes near restoration of the building to its state in the 1930s installing new facilities including the coliseum's first ever air conditioning system while keeping the original look of the building designed by Juan Arellano.[4][14][2][15] Lico and his team used the archival materials by the collectors to restore its original design including from Jorge B. Vargas.[14] The facade of the building was reverted to its gray color.[2] The renovation made its capacity decreased from 8,000[3] to only 6,100.[14][4] After only four months, the renovation was completed on November 27, 2019.[4] The coliseum hosted the gymnastics competitions during the biennial games.[15]

2026 renovation plan

In February 2026, the PSC announced plans to convert the Rizal Memorial Coliseum back into a tennis-dedicated venue.[16]

Architecture and design

Juan Arellano was the architect responsible for the design of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex including the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. The Rizal Memorial Coliseum exhibits an Art Deco style architecture, particularly Streamline Moderne.[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i De Guzman, Nicai (March 19, 2018). "How Heritage Groups and Athletes Fought to Keep the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex Alive". Esquire Philippines. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Sampayan, Jac (September 12, 2019). "Will it beat the SEAG deadline? Inside the Rizal Memorial makeover". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
  3. ^ a b "LOOK: Jaw-dropping rendered images of Rizal Memorial Coliseum". ABS-CBN News. August 24, 2019. Retrieved September 16, 2019. Lico was tasked to return the 8,000-seat Art Deco building to its old glory and, based on the pictures he posted on Facebook, the restoration of the rundown coliseum will make people's jaws drop.
  4. ^ a b c d e Sabillo, Kristine (November 27, 2019). "Architect explains meticulous process behind Rizal Coliseum renovation". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  5. ^ a b Terrado, Reuben (July 8, 2019). "Decades-old Rizal Memorial Coliseum gets long-overdue renovation". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
  6. ^ Oredo, Angie (January 20, 2016). "Rizal Memorial Coliseum, gagawing 'Home of Sports Hall of Famers'" [Rizal Memorial Coliseum will turned into a 'Home of Sports Hall of Famers'] (in Filipino). Balita. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
  7. ^ Clapano, Jose Rodel (November 23, 2016). "Manila to turn Rizal coliseum into mall". The Philippine Star. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
  8. ^ dela Paz, Charisse (December 6, 2016). "Razon group plans to renovate Rizal Memorial Coliseum, add malls". Rappler. Retrieved December 7, 2016.
  9. ^ "Online petition seeks to save Rizal Memorial Sports Complex". ABS-CBN News. December 3, 2016. Retrieved December 7, 2016.
  10. ^ Sembrano, Edgar Allan (November 28, 2016). "Erap plan to convert Rizal Coliseum into a mall scored". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
  11. ^ Sembrano, Edgar Allan (April 24, 2017). "Rizal Memorial declared historical landmark, important cultural property". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  12. ^ "PSC halts sale of Rizal Memorial Sports Complex". Philippine Daily Inquirer. August 2, 2017. Retrieved August 3, 2017.
  13. ^ Terrado, Reuben (August 7, 2019). "Manila not selling Rizal Sports Complex under mayor Isko Moreno". Sports Interactive Network. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
  14. ^ a b c d De La Cruz, Christa I. (November 30, 2019). "The Legacy of Juan Arellano: Saving Southeast Asia's Only Art Deco Coliseum". SPOT.ph. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  15. ^ a b c Dioquino, Delfin (October 28, 2019). "Renovation of Rizal Memorial Coliseum nears completion for SEA Games". Rappler. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  16. ^ Villar, Joey (February 25, 2026). "Rizal Memorial Coliseum turning back to being tennis venue". The Philippine Star. Retrieved February 26, 2026.
  • Media related to Rizal Memorial Coliseum at Wikimedia Commons
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