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Post by cowscrubber on Jul 4, 2011 22:56:35 GMT 8
Rizal Memorial Stadium is arguably the better stadium.
The argument of Panaad being in the center of the football capital is not a good one. From what I noticed, most of the people who were live at Panaad Stadium were from outside Bacolod, anyway. And from what I have read in many forums and blogs online, it's easier for people from some provinces to travel to Manila than to Bacolod.
But ultimately, you can't satisfy everyone wherever stadium they hold the matches.
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Post by samhain13 on Jul 5, 2011 0:46:24 GMT 8
FYI, both Bacolod and Rizal matches were hosted by the Philippines. LOL. To be more specific, they were both hosted by the Philippine Football Federation. The Rizal match, however, involved a team (called the Local Organising Committee) assembled specifically to make things run smoothly. Now that that's out of the way, if I may shed some light on a few things: But as a spectator I had mixed feelings about Rizal. I liked that everyone had their own reserved seat. The new seats were uncomfortable but the fact that they were there was a nice touch. But I was in the second to the last row on the right side of the grandstand (facing the pitch) and we had a huge obstruction in front of us that hindered our view of the far side of the field. And the heat was incredible (though in the end, we didn't care). And refreshments during the match were virtually non-existent plus you couldn't bring in a drink you bought outside. And we were aware that "professional cameras", including DSLRs, weren't allowed but we were asked to stow away our little point-and-shoot anyway. Cellphone cameras were allowed though. Panaad had far less stringent rules and existent parking facilities as well as a more breezy location. But no reserved seating meant you had to come really really early to get a good seat. And the pitch was so-so. Plus, you can't deny how much more "into-the-game" the entire city of Bacolod gets. But as the years go by I think Manila would catch on. So right now I was a more comfortable and happier spectator in Panaad, as the experience didn't end past the stadium exit doors. But I prefer the Azkals playing in Rizal due to the excellent pitch. The stadium facilities, rules, and staff just need to work on a few more things. All in all, still a good first-hosting by Manila. Crowd control was handled well and security was great. Traffic sucked but it was nothing unbearable. The inclusion of DSLR (professional) cameras in the list of banned items was not a PFF/LOC decision, as far as I know. They were following a certain set of guidelines, which were stricter than the one they had to implement in Bacolod; that's why the Manila event seemed more uptight. I personally don't get why there's a regulation regarding "professional" cameras; because heck, even if someone gave me the most high-tech/ultra-pro camera, I won't be able to do good stuff with it because I'm not a pro, and arguably, a pro can do more even with the really low-end stuff. I also don't get why people couldn't bring their "baon", especially fluids. But we have to acknowledge that the same guidelines contained the provisions that ensured better security, preparedness for emergencies, and more efficient ticket distribution for the event. I'm confident that had the same guidelines been followed in a Bacolod match, people will pretty much be complaining about the same things. Anyway. For me, the Rizal match was a so-so experience. I wasn't really able to enjoy the game/atmosphere because I was Tweetcasting. What I really enjoyed though, was the two-day build-up (presscons, tour of the vicinity, etc.). It was an amazing experience and I'd love to experience that sort of thing in Bacolod as well. ;D
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Post by Caz on Jul 5, 2011 1:25:02 GMT 8
I do get not allowing "professional cameras", particularly large lenses. It's the same abroad too. But my point-and-shoot Cybershot is far far faaaaar from anything remotely close to being considered a professional camera. And yet security took the trouble to come all the way to my seat to tell me to stop using it. And yet apparently there were people who had DSLRs. Humph. As for not allowing bottled drinks inside, I suppose it's for security. One could easily throw a full bottle out onto the pitch. We were instructed to pour our drinks into a plastic cup before we were allowed re-entry into the stadium at the halftime break. All that being said, while all the security measures may have been overkill, I did feel quite safe during the whole experience. And everyone was feeling high after the game.
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Post by locotes on Jul 5, 2011 1:30:23 GMT 8
My POV from TV? Before I was skeptic about Rizal but after the game I like what I saw at Rizal, the pitch was great. Crowd was same as what we saw at Panaad so that part is even. The camera angle at Rizal was better that what I noticed at Panaad.
Thats a POV from somone who is not from Manila or Bacolod
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Post by Caz on Jul 5, 2011 1:40:57 GMT 8
The pitch looks fantastic in Rizal and it handled the heavy rain really well. That's the major plus point for me for Rizal (and the numbered seating). You could tell the team was really loving the field too. Watching it live you can see how well manicured each blade of grass was. It's that gorgeous. Here's hoping it'll be maintained well.
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Post by locotes on Jul 5, 2011 2:02:45 GMT 8
The pitch looks fantastic in Rizal and it handled the heavy rain really well. That's the major plus point for me for Rizal (and the numbered seating). You could tell the team was really loving the field too. Watching it live you can see how well manicured each blade of grass was. It's that gorgeous. Here's hoping it'll be maintained well. Your right CAZ forgot to mention that part. I was worried when it started to rain hard during 1st half. I thought it would ruin the whole match, based on the rain fall I was expecting the field to be like a mud pit. I was wrong. If that amount of rain happened in our neighborhood for sure "baha na". Kudos to people who fixed the pitch.
I heard some athletes(non-futbolers) based on Rizal complaining coz they were asked to vacant the stadium during the game, well thats another story.
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Post by jhelmmy on Jul 5, 2011 4:03:22 GMT 8
i think one factor why it was held in Manila is because of the added transportation of flying in and out of Manila. so that's one BIG advantage for Manila.
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Post by Caz on Jul 5, 2011 8:32:09 GMT 8
I think with the Azkals' popularity now, hosting in other cities shouldn't be a problem. I mean, with proper talks, the money to bring everything to another city should be easy to find. Local businesses would thrive if there's an Azkals international match in their city. Look at how many people flew to Bacolod, myself included. And yeah, I gave the city a lot of tax money during my stay, haha The thing each city has to do now is give the Azkals a great place to play. Once we have a few more stadia all over the country, organizing a nationwide pro league would be that much easier.
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Post by vimjonk on Jul 5, 2011 11:18:18 GMT 8
i have played in Panaad(am from the Visayas region) but have not played on the renovated Rizal grounds but watching from the TV broadcast, i'd like future matches to be in the Rizal Stadium until they would relay the pitch at Panaad and make it more even and the drainage better. Last Mongolia game, the pitch at Panaad is muddy as hell.
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Post by cowscrubber on Jul 6, 2011 3:19:16 GMT 8
The pitch looks fantastic in Rizal and it handled the heavy rain really well. That's the major plus point for me for Rizal (and the numbered seating). You could tell the team was really loving the field too. Watching it live you can see how well manicured each blade of grass was. It's that gorgeous. Here's hoping it'll be maintained well. Your right CAZ forgot to mention that part. I was worried when it started to rain hard during 1st half. I thought it would ruin the whole match, based on the rain fall I was expecting the field to be like a mud pit. I was wrong. If that amount of rain happened in our neighborhood for sure "baha na". Kudos to people who fixed the pitch.
I heard some athletes(non-futbolers) based on Rizal complaining coz they were asked to vacant the stadium during the game, well thats another story. Actually from what I understood, they were in the other facilities of the Rizal Memorial sports complex, but those facilities were closed off too because of the Azkals match. ;D Haha
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Post by Ka Roger on Jul 7, 2011 18:33:42 GMT 8
I kept thinking if we should be 30,000 seater ones or those of 10k seaters. But my money's on those lesser seaters.
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Post by admiralroy on Jul 8, 2011 3:49:39 GMT 8
what's the deal with the Paulo Alcantara Stadium? Are they seriously going to build that? and where?
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Post by Ka Roger on Jul 8, 2011 10:16:18 GMT 8
well nobody knows nothing. It's still too far off roy
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Post by Caz on Jul 8, 2011 15:34:26 GMT 8
Was that the planned one near mall of Asia? The old Nayong Pilipino site? I can't keep track of all the rumors.
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Post by cowscrubber on Jul 8, 2011 22:00:35 GMT 8
Was that the planned one near mall of Asia? The old Nayong Pilipino site? I can't keep track of all the rumors. I think what you're referring to is the planned "Pagcor city" or "Bagong Nayong Pilipino". If you remember there was a controversial Pagcor project to turn a big patch of reclaimed land into a Las Vegas-style entertainment complex where they also planned to build a monument that will become the world's tallest structure. I did some research a while back and found out that they planned to build a huge football stadium there. I mean one that rivals Indonesia's Gelora Bung Karno stadium. I thought it was cancelled, but further research state that the Bagong Nayong Pilipino will become part of the ASEANA Business Park which is still under development.
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