As time passes by, we find that it is inevitable for our favorite things and places to lose their appeal aesthetically, functionally, and safety-wise. Albeit widely known as a world-class facility built with international standards in mind in the late 70s, our 50-meter pool eventually encountered infinite pain points that became hazardous to our Members. The cracks that formed over time were caused by [it] being built directly on soil with insufficient subgrade. Its weakened foundation left a gap between the pool’s slab soffit and the earth, creating cracks as it tried to weather storms and other natural forces. Thus, it is only timely that we address these concerns and update its design and add necessary safety configurations this 2022. However, as excited as we were to offer a new look to this Club staple, letting go of its original structure and facade was not easy.
A dive into history
The year 1976 sparked a fresh start for the Manila Polo Club. With the fast-paced modernization of Metropolitan Manila, then Board President Ramon T. Batungbacal saw the need to rehabilitate some amenities and add contemporary concepts to the Club. He spearheaded the renovation and construction of facilities within MPC, with the 50-meter pool being one of the significant projects undertaken at that time. This was the perfect addition to our 1950’s-built 25-meter pool that was loved for over a quarter of a century since the time it was launched.
Our 50-meter pool proudly housed some of the best talents the Philippines has ever had. In the year 1983, we witnessed an unforgettable feat in the world of swimming, with a number of our young MPC tankers representing the Philippines in international competitions.
We were graced by remarkable performances from Christine Jacob, Rene Concepcion, Christina Bautista, Joyce Beltrano, Dodo Gonzales, Patricia Buenaventura, Adele Velayo, and Lee Concepcion. These young athletes were able to bag their own share of achievements across different Southeast Asian Tournaments, such as the 1982 Southeast Asian Age Group in Singapore, Asia Games in India, SEA Games in Singapore, and the SEA-Age Group Swimming Meet in Jakarta Indonesia.
In fact, during the Asian Games in India, four of the six swimmers who represented the country, MPC’s Christine Jacob, Patricia Buenaventura, Christina Bautista, and Joyce Beltrano, broke the Philippine record in the 400-meter freestyle relay, clocking in 4:14:68, beating the previous record of 4:12:0.
The Manila Polo Club produced the most outstanding age-group swimmers of their time. As the Club provided the metro’s finest facilities, we remain grateful that it was utilized by young athletes to develop serious skill, monitor progress through the years, and foster an environment of sportsmanship and camaraderie amongst each other.
Different strokes for different folks
With its rich history and proven functionality, our 50-meter pool remains to be a notable feature within our community. Although change might evoke feelings of sadness and nostalgia, we would like to move forward in light— and appreciate our revamped pool as a tribute to all the great memories and accomplishments made here.
With its upgraded attributes, we aim for it to continue to be a place to hone skills of newfound talents, keep athletes safe and comfortable throughout their regimens, and be home to all our passionate swimmers. We look forward to reopening our pool and celebrating fresh beginnings that make way for new memories with each other.