How to Get to the Mall of Asia Arena?

The SM Mall of Asia Arena hosted its first event on June 16, 2012, when Lady Gaga performed the first of a two-night concert as part of the Born This Way tour. On July 7, it hosted its first basketball game when the PBA hosted a semifinal game between Talk N' Text and B-Meg, and the following week, it opened the 75th UAAP season. For neophyte commuters who may not know how to get there, here are some travel guides.

Via train:

• Take the MRT 3 and arrive at the Taft station. Then take the electric vans with the route stating 'Mall of Asia' and find the Mall of Asia Arena at the left wing of MOA.
• Take the LRT 1 and arrive at either the Gil Puyat or EDSA stations. Then take the electric vans with the route stating 'Mall of Asia' and find the Mall of Asia Arena at the left wing of MOA. If you are coming from Eastern Metro Manila, take the LRT 2 then arrive at the Recto station before moving to the LRT 1 at Doroteo Jose.

Via bus:

• Take the southbound EDSA bus that goes to Baclaran then arrive at the Mall of Asia. Find the Mall of Asia Arena at the left wing of MOA.
• From Makati, take the bus bound for Ayala then depart near the LRT 1 Gil Puyat station.  Then take the electric vans with the route stating 'Mall of Asia' and find the Mall of Asia Arena at the left wing of MOA. 

Via jeepneys:

• From Manila, take the jeepney bound for Taft-Vito Cruz-Buendia then get down near the LRT Gil Puyat station.  Then take the electric vans with the route stating 'Mall of Asia' and find the Mall of Asia Arena at the left wing of MOA. 

Via taxi:

• Take a taxi and then state that you are going to the SM Mall of Asia Arena. The fares will depend on the location you came from. 

The New Araneta

The Mall of Asia Arena near completion
in March 2012

A new Araneta rises near the Manila Bay. The Mall of Asia Arena, the brainchild of SM patriarch Henry Sy, will officially open on May 21, on the night Lady Gaga holds her Born This Way tour. 

The MOA Arena has been in the works since 2010, and the arena's interior was patterned after Atlanta's Philips Arena, complete with plush seating, private luxury boxes and club suites, and accessible facilities such as wi-fi capabilities, state of the art sounds and lights system, and abundance of food kiosks.

The new arena will also play host to both the UAAP and NCAA games, as most of its member schools are situated a few miles from the MOA. The PBA has also entertained talks of holding some games in the new facility. And there are also talks of bringing preseason NBA games to the MOA.

And how about this: the MOA is the closest facility to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, making it easier to hold concerts for international acts due to its close proximity. 

The Mall of Asia Arena is a few walks away from the SM Mall of Asia, and a few minutes' drive from the Bonifacio Global City, Alabang, Makati and Ortigas Central Business Districts.  So if you're a dude from the south, now you will never worry about fuel consumption.

The Smart Araneta Coliseum is arguably one of the most famous facilities in the Philippines. But its reputation as a concerts, sports and events hub may soon be overshadowed by a state-of-the-art arena at the Bay. Sadly, in a few years, we may see the last of the Big Dome, unless drastic changes occur to make it appealing to a younger audience.