LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte (PIA) -- The provincial government of Ilocos Norte has announced the reopening of the newly refurbished Ferdinand E. Marcos (FEM) stadium in Laoag City.

Named after the 10th president of the Republic, the 12,000-capacity track and field stadium also functions as the province's main social space for all walks of life.

Anchored on its Ilokano roots, one of the main attractions of the FEM stadium is its exterior walls that carry the motif of an “abel”, which is a well-known handwoven cloth in Ilokano culture.

The design showcases the “binakol” or whirlwind pattern, presented in a larger scale and easily recognizable due to its consistent interconnected geometric layout.

The stadium also has an open amphitheater, a state-of-the-art track and field facility, and a swimming pool. This further establishes the provincial government’s aim to boost sports tourism in the region.

In 2023, it was recognized and shortlisted in the World Architecture Festival in Singapore.

Manotoc said there are minor improvements being done to provide better facilities to the stadium-goers.

“We can inform the public that we will be starting to collect entrance fees. We opened it up for free for Christmas. And because we just opened, we need some revenue. I hope people will understand,” said Manotoc.

In addition, the stadium is being lobbied to be the possible venue for the country’s largest sports event- the 2025 Palarong Pambansa. This bid aims to promote the province’s world-class facility and contribute to the growth of the sports tourism program of the country. (MJTAB/PIA Ilocos Norte)