First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos paid a visit to the Philippine Institute of Sports Multi-Purpose (PhilSports) Arena in Pasig City on Friday to show some love for the country’s athletes.
“They compete for our flag and country, often with limited support. The least we can do is provide them with what they deserve: world-class training facilities, decent dorms, and a proper space to honor the rich history of Philippine sports,” she wrote on social media.
Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto toured Mrs. Marcos around the facility, formerly known as the University of Life Theater and Recreational Arena (ULTRA), which hosted major sporting events, including the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in 1981, 1991, and 2019.
It was also the venue for the FIBA Asia Champions Cup, the 2015 Asian U23 Women’s Volleyball Championship, the 2022 Asian Women’s Volleyball Cup, the 2024 ASEAN Women’s Futsal Championship, and the 2025 AVC Women’s Volleyball Champions League.
The First Lady expressed her commitment to fulfilling the directive of her husband, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., “to build better facilities and cultivate a deeper respect for the athletes who represent our country with pride.”
Supporters of Mrs. Marcos went on social media to amplify their support for the First Lady’s initiatives.
“Mabuhay po kayo, FL Liza. Your visit gives hope to the sports sector,” one user commented.
“It is nice to see sports is also a priority,” another said.
In December 2024, the Philippine Sports Commission and the Department of Public Works and Highways signed an agreement to build new facilities for national athletes in the PhilSports Complex and the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Malate, Manila.