Freedom Ring Amphitheater

Completed in 1998, The Freedom Ring Amphitheater in Pampanga, Philippines is a captivating open-air venue nestled in the heart of natural beauty. With its stunning architecture, Birdair designed and built the folded-plate design encapsulating 166,000 sq.ft. of PTFE-coated fiberglass. The venue offers an unparallel setting for concerts, events, and gatherings. Surrounded by lush landscapes and breathtaking vistas, this amphitheater provides an unforgettable space where music and nature come together.

Expo Pilipino was inaugurated on May, 3rd 1998. The guest of honor was President Ramos who acted as tour guide to the guests. Expo Pilipino, an expansive heritage-themed site, wove in dimensions of Philippine history and culture in a mix of open-air museums, pavilions, plazas, performances, and exhibits. A project managed by the National Centennial Commission and the Philippine Centennial Exposition Corporation, the Expo’s overall theme focused on people, places, and events that contributed to molding the multi-faceted character of the Filipino identity. The Freedom Ring, the Expo’s centerpiece, was a 35,000-seat amphitheater for concerts, theatre plays, cultural presentations, and social gatherings. The Ring was designed to exhibit advanced Filipino engineering, where massiveness met buoyancy as meters-high pylons bore the weight and tensile strength of an all weather-resistant fabric roof. In a display of Filipino creativity, the roof’s design was patterned after a fan that shielded the audience and performers from harsh weather conditions, while providing ample ventilation and unrestricted movement.

This remarkable structure combines both form and function, making it a centerpiece of the amphitheater's design. PTFE coating is extremely durable and weather resistant while the fiberglass weave provides the strength and permanence for the material, allowing for a unique and aesthetically pleasing canopy. The translucent quality of the PTFE roof also permits natural light to filter through, creating a visually play of light and shadow within the amphitheater.