The 85-year-old Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC) has found its champion in Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso of the City of Manila.
The popular new mayor of the Philippines’ capital city made an agreement with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) to preserve the historical landmark saying it will not be for sale, contrary to earlier reports of its impending sale which surfaced in 2016.
In 2017, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) declared the of the RMSC as a national historical landmark.
The sports complex has been the home of Filipino athletes since it was built by
renowned architect Juan Arellano in 1934.
RMSC also witnessed significant milestones in Philippine sports as the country hosted games of America’s legendary baseball star Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, the second Asian Games in 1954, the 1934 Far Eastern Games, and served as a concert venue for the Beatles in 1966.
“The RMSC will continue to redevelop, as long as it is being utilized as a sports facility… These are Manila’s real treasures,” said Mayor Domagoso.
PSC Chairman William Ramirez praised the initiative of Manila to preserve the sports facility saying, “I want to thank Mayor Isko for having that same vision with the PSC in preserving Rizal Memorial.”
The RMSC will be the site of the Gymnastics Events of the 30th South East Asian Games to be hosted by the Philippines from November 30 to December 11, 2019.
Various efforts to preserve Manila landmarks have been in the works such as the revival of the Metropolitan Theater of Manila, the preservation of the Manila Central Post Office Building, the maintenance of heritage churches and structures of the walled City of Intramuros.
SEND congratulations in the comments below to the City of Manila and the PSC for committing to the preservation of national heritage sites!
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