April 16, 2009

The Big Dome

Well, one entrance to it anyway. I was just way too near to get a photo that will give a better sense of what this stadium looks like. "The Big Dome" is the nickname of the Araneta Coliseum, probably the biggest indoor stadium in Metro Manila. It is the venue for many basketball games, boxing matches, cockfighting derbies, concerts, prayer rallies, and the annual Binibining Pilipinas (Miss Philippines) beauty pageant. The first really big event that I remember being held here was the 1975 Thrilla in Manila, the final boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier for the Heavyweight Boxing Championship of the World. (No, I didn't watch it. I was too young. And even if I wasn't, I wouldn't have watched anyway. I just can't watch boxing. Sorry, Pacman.)

Araneta Coliseum

19 comments:

  1. Cezar and LéiaApril 16, 2009 at 8:18 PM

    me neither!I just can't watch boxing.
    Beautiful shot Hilda!
    Kind Regards
    Léia

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  2. OlivierApril 16, 2009 at 8:20 PM

    le dôme du grand combat Frazier / Ali, c'est un endroit historique, j'espère qu'il est protégé.
    the cupola of big battle Frazier / Ali, it is a historical place, I hopes that it is protected

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  3. MurciaDailyPhotoApril 16, 2009 at 8:27 PM

    I think the same as you about boxing.
    The ad about paracetamol is in a good place to advertisement. After a boxing match the boxers will need some paracetamol. ;)

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  4. LoisApril 16, 2009 at 8:54 PM

    I'm with you on the boxing Hilda! I can't watch it--too squeamish!

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  5. PaulaApril 16, 2009 at 8:59 PM

    That's an interesting array of activities. Cockfighting AND prayer rallies. Too much!

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  6. GeorgeApril 16, 2009 at 9:07 PM

    I'm not much of a boxing fan either, but it's interesting that so many different types of activities take pace in the dome.

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  7. MissyApril 16, 2009 at 9:23 PM

    There might be a lot of improvement now in Araneta Coliseum. It looks better now :-)

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  8. VPApril 16, 2009 at 10:01 PM

    I remember 'Thrilla in Manila' (I'm old enough) but I'd prefer 'Binibining Pilipinas' any time!

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  9. JamesApril 16, 2009 at 10:32 PM

    Very nice Hilda. I bet lots of good times have been had in there.
    Have you been inside?
    I watched the Thrilla in Manila on tv. but I confess I can't watch cock fighting.

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  10. LowellApril 16, 2009 at 10:50 PM

    I agree re: boxing. This looks to be quite an entrance...someday you'll have to show us the whole thing.

    Human beings do love spectacles (not eyeglasses!)

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  11. HalcyonApril 16, 2009 at 10:59 PM

    I agree with you on the boxing. I don't know why anyone would want to let someone else punch them until they pass out. Or why anyone would want to watch that.
    :S

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  12. AnonymousApril 17, 2009 at 3:53 AM

    Totally with you on the boxing thing too - ugh! I'm not that mad on beauty contests either!

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  13. AnonymousApril 17, 2009 at 6:58 AM

    Boxing is a cruel sport -- a kind of game of cruelty. It works. People get rich. And sometimes people die.

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  14. skywindApril 17, 2009 at 8:46 AM

    Very characteristics of the building. :)
    Health informationHumor & Fun World

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  15. KaoriApril 17, 2009 at 12:17 PM

    I used to live down the road from Muhammad Ali...I've never seen him box though. Maybe I could watch from very very far away :)

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  16. GreensboroDailyPhotoApril 17, 2009 at 1:48 PM

    Hope you have this registered with Skywatch Friday. You've got some sky peeking through!

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  17. Julie ScottsdaleDailyPhoto.comApril 17, 2009 at 5:58 PM

    I cannot watch boxing either. Good photo though! Also, I am glad you enjoyed the door on my site. Thanks for your comments. I did not realize that you could not see people's doors in Manila. Very interesting.

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  18. MarieApril 17, 2009 at 7:05 PM

    Historic place indeed! I don't remember whether I had a TV set at the time but my young husband and I listened to the fight on the radio (we woke up at night).... I did not remember where the match took place.

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  19.  gmirageApril 18, 2009 at 12:22 AM

    Apir! haha boxing isnt for me too but I have witnessed lots of UAAP basketball games there :)

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