In the midst of all the Malate area crowdedness, bustle, and city chaos in the urban jungle of Manila is the historic Rizal Memorial. This stadium has hosted countless of events through the years, from a Southeast Asian Games opening ceremony, to concerts of none other than the Fab Four (The Beatles). Before the construction of the Philippine Stadium in Bocaue, Bulacan was finished, Rizal Memorial served as the home stadium for most matches of the Philippine National Football (soccer) Team or more popularly known as the Azkals. Being a big Philippine sports fan, I naturally found my way to the stadium a handful of times to support my national team.
Stadium facilities are in dire need of a renovation. I remember being at the stadium for the Azkals' FIFA World Cup qualifier versus Sri Lanka. Rain started to pour during the match. Despite being seated by the covered grandstand area, we still were affected by the downpour because the roof was leaking! I've also been to the bleachers, and there is only one entrance and exit. Quite the safety hazard, if you ask me. As a former professor and soccer aficionado called it, a "death trap."
I'm giving Rizal Memorial 3 stars simply because of its historical significance, but the two stars are still waiting to fulfilled by an all-out renovation to restore the facility to be at least internationally respectable and at par with modern standards to ultimately bring it back to its once glorious state. read more