MANILA, Philippines – A new, spanking and modern Rizal Memorial Coliseum is set to come off the wraps soon a ranking sports official on Monday, 28 October 2019, said.

Philippine Sports Commission chairman Butch Ramirez said reopening to the public of the new and modern RMC is set Wednesday, 13 November 2019, or just in time for the 30^th Southeast Asian Games slated November 30 to December 11, 2019.

Refurbishing of the old but historic RMC cost the government millions of pesos but Ramirez said its worth every penny of Filipinos as the new RMC will surely please spectators and athletes alike when games begin.

Ramirez added the architect and contractor made it a point RMC will still have with it the original cultural touch and historical beauty.

Ramirez was joined by contractor and architect Gerald Lico when the high-ranking sports official, who also serves chef-de-mission of Team Philippines in the biennial meet, toured sports scribes for a look-see on improvements made on the 85-year old sports facility.

“Ipinakita po namin sa inyo ang mga improvement at status ng mga ipinapagawa nating pasilidad dahil hindi na po natin puwede pa ipatigil o istorbohin ang mga contractors kasi round the clock na ang kanilang mga gagawin sa susunod na mga araw,” said Ramirez.

For his part, Arch. Lico explained 85% of Rizal Memorial Coliseum’s renovation works are already done with courtesy of 285 workers who are working on three different shifts.

Aside from basketball, the RMC has also been designated venue for gymnastics event of the 30^th Southeast Asian Games.

“We are committed to have the venue ready for the SEA Games kasi nakataya dito ang national pride natin. Kung ano pa man ang maiiiwan na kailangan ayusin, then we will come back to finish and complete it after the SEA Games,” Lico said.

Rehabilitation of the Rizal Memorial Coliseum is the first major work done to it in modern times.

It was erected way back 1934 and rebuilt in 1953 owing to damages incurred during World War II.

RMC now smarts with ala-Berlin Stadium looks inside the basketball court but exterior design was greatly preserved as designed by national artist Juan Arellano.

“We retrofitted the facility to maintain its historical and cultural heritage but we assimilated the ambiance of a hotel for the convenience of the athletes and also the public,” Arch. Lico stressed. (Lito Oredo/IAMIGO/CNS)