IN PHOTOS: World's largest indoor arena in Bulacan

MANILA, Philippines — Touted as the world's largest multi-purpose indoor arena, the Iglesia ni Cristo inaugurated the Philippine Arena in a sprawling complex called Ciudad de Victoria in Bulacan on Monday.

The arena boasts of 55,000 seating capacity and sits on a 50-hectare property along the border of Bocaue and Sta. Maria. By seating capacity alone, the Philippine Arena is twice the size of the largest domed arenas in the United States and Europe, according to INewMedia.

It was designed by famed Kansas City-based architecture firm Populous led by Andrew James as senior principal. The firm has been known for being the creative minds behind the Yankee Stadium in New York City and the Wimbley Stadium in London.

A photo of the arena's roof space frame after it was assembled. Andrew James/Populous

"The building’s capacity pushes the boundary of arena design. The form uses geometry to create an elegant appearance while also giving the venue a powerful presence within its setting. Innovative solutions to the technical challenges of size and scale have also moved arena design forward," Populous said in a case study post.

In December 2013, James reported developments at the construction site.

Over the last 18 months, two shifts a day working from 7am to midnight, have kept the construction site buzzing with activity. A constant flow of concrete mixers, trucks with reinforcement steel, semi-trailers with huge pre welded steel components shipped from Korea, and many other trucks with materials and products from around the world have been pushing along a narrow dirt road full of pot holes that provides site access until the proper free-way ramps are completed.

Its structural engineering, meanwhile, was entrusted to London-based BuroHappold, the engineering group behind the Arsenal Emirates Arena in London and the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

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It opened its doors to the public on Monday in a ceremony led by President Benigno Aquino III, who is welcomed by the church's executive minister Eduardo Manalo.

Malacanang said Ciudad de Victoria is set to be a tourism enterprise zone which will see the completion of other structures in the near future, including the Philippine Stadium, New Era University, Eraño G. Manalo Medical Center, commercial shops, hotels and leisure parks.

The Discovery Channel dubbed the newly launched arena as one of the "man made marvels" for being earthquake-proof.

Photos by Malacañang Photo Bureau/Rey Baniquet unless otherwise stated