Thumbs Up: Kodanda Archery Range at SM Mall of Asia

As best friends for more than 13 years now, we thought we've done everything together -- watch a movie, go to the beach, attend a baptism, get drunk, dance in a concert, name it.

My high school best friends

But shoot arrows together? No, that's not in our Black Book of Things to Do As a Squad. We thought that archery is for the more soshal or sporty group of friends.

Being 'from the South', we're completely fine with just meeting up at 7pm in a new food spot in BF, have a few drinks when someone's heartbroken, or chill in a coffee shop afterwards when were feeling 'Tita.'

In one of our Tita dinners, we've talked about giving archery a try. I tried it last year with a friend, and boy, did we love it. I wrote about my one time, big time experience in Kodanda Archery Range in Makati Park Square here. Coincidentally, my friend Guamela found my blog online when she searched about Kodanda.

She shared the link to our Messenger chat group, and we immediately planned to visit the BF branch. Yes, we're South girls and we thought that should stay here forever. But I found out that there's a newer branch in SM Mall of Asia, and thought that it wouldn't hurt if we get out of Parañaque even for just one, big time.

Thus, last Sunday, Xiju went to Kodanda. Xiju is the name of our high school barkada. It's a short version of XiJuPiaNiGuaMa, which stands for our names -- Sheena, Judy, Sophia, Janine, Guamela, and Marivic. We've been girlfriends since high school and we've been through a lot. We've been through deaths, baptisms, birthdays, anniversaries, breakups, and someday, weddings.

We're the "Girls At the Back," the girls your parents warned you about, the girls whom you don't want to mess with at school. We know each other so well that I was a bit nervous when I brought them to Kodanda.

Getting There

We chose the 11am slot so we can have lunch right after. We met up at the venue and as usual, someone's late. The Kodanda Archery Range in SM Mall of Asia is located at the MoA Arena Annex, or what they call as MAAX. It's this weird looking building in Coral Way, just behind the MoA Arena.

That weird building is MAAX

Once you're at MAAX, at the Ground Floor you will see a pathway between Coffee Bean and Yellow Cab to the parking lot. Kodanda is at the immediate right side.

Kodanda at Mall of Asia Arena Annex

Warming up

When everyone has arrived, we read the archery guidelines on the wall. Basically, no horseplaying (good luck to us), no slippers, and tie your hair up. My crazy friends then started to braid each other's hair. Haha.

How to be Katniss 101

Rules and etiquette

Gearing up

After braiding and taking selfies, Jasmine, the Kodanda staff then helped us gear up. We found out that she's not just an archer and a member of the Philippine team. Moreover, she's an Olympian. Wow.

Learning the Basics

As newbies to archery, we were taught of the basics of shooting. As the only leftie in the group, I was facing on the other side. Another important rule is to respect the other archers and to shut up when shooting (we broke the rule, sorry).

#squadgoals

Shooting arrows

We were given a bow each, taught the right stance, learned the whistle signals, and then we're sent off to the Hunger Games. Even as a second-timer, I needed a refresher. Mental note: I must do this more often.

Pia

Janine

Meng

Mavic

And me

Hitting the target

Well, luckily, I was able to shoot better than them, but they were all good as first-timers. Although there were times when the arrow bounces back or fails to release, we were all just laughing and enjoying our time. For a one-hour sesh, we were able to finish a couple of rounds and even correct our stance.

Taking photos

During breaks (or not), we asked the staff to have our photos taken. We even have a video releasing our arrows simultaneously! Squad goals, indeed, was the proper hashtag for our photos on social media.

Yay!

Resting our bows

We took home our targets and thought of framing them and hanging them on our walls. Our first archery experience in Kodanda is definitely one for the books!

Ke gaganda in Kodanda :P

It was tiring and challenging (especially it requires discipline and focus, which the lack of had us sent out of our classrooms). Yet we enjoyed it a lot because it was something out of our comfort zone, it's something different, yet we succeeded in our first try.

The Kodanda experience made us think of other ways to bond -- try escape room games like Breakout or Mystery Manila's, or other sports like ice skating. 

After being humans surviving in a zombie apocalypse, we turned into zombies hungry for humans. We had a great lunch and an even a greater dinner with Sheena -- who is seriously a South girl and must stay there. Lol.

What a Sunday with my favorite people on earth. Thanks to Kodanda for giving us an experience that I know for sure we'll discuss in our Tita dates forever.

Xiju forever!

Kodanda Archery Range is located at 111A Mall of Asia Arena Annex (MAAX) Building,

Coral Way cor. J.W. Diokno Blvd., Pasay City.

Open Monday to Sunday, from 10:00 am - 10:00 pm.

Php 580.00/person for a one-hour session

JMCS

Thumbs Up: Kodanda Archery Range

Finally. Norman Reedus, Jennifer Lawrence and I have something in common.

We can shoot arrows. Yup, I can hit the target with a bow and arrow! Well, almost. 😊

With just an hour of archery lesson at Kodanda Archery Range, I was able to know the basics of this soshal sport.

Yes, I proved that even us "jejes" can pull this off! All it takes is P500 for a one-hour session and you'll be able to learn what to do and what not to do when zombie apocalypse comes. Worth every peso, right?

It's not in my bucket list, but learning this unusual sport is something I'm proud of. For a lefty like me, it's already an achievement if I learn a new sport. I remember how hard it was to play table tennis back in college when all of my classmates were right-handed.

Pogi 'no? 😜 Photo by Roanne Duran of roanniduranni.blogspot.com

What can you expect from a one-hour sesh at Kodanda? 

First, you'll know what is your dominant eye. You'll also be introduced to the gears that you have to use and you can use them for free. They have pads for the arm, the hand, and the chest.

Archer mode on! Photo by Roanne Duran of roanniduranni.blogspot.com

Second, you'll learn the different signals used by the instructor on when to get your bow, when to shoot, and when to retrieve your arrows.

Third, you'll be able to shoot arrows in varying distances. You'll start with a short range target. When you've mastered it, you can try long range target where a balloon is placed on the bull's eye for more excitement.

Fourth, you can watch other archers and ask them for tips.

Finally, you get to take home your paper target for your family and friends to see. "Look, Ma. I hit the bull's eye. I can save this family!"

Have I told you yet that archery is fun? Photo by Roanne Duran of roanniduranni.blogspot.com

What not to expect

One of the rules in archery is to be respectful to those who are still playing. Since its a sport that involves concentration and focus, horse playing is not allowed in the range. Channel your inner civilized self first before you enter the range, I suggest. Again, it's a sport that values respect and upholds discipline.

What I learned in my One Time, Big Time experience in Kodanda

1. If you did not hit the target on your first try, you can always get the arrows back and try again. Nobody gets it right the first time, so just enjoy and give it your best shot.

2. Don't be afraid to ask questions. As for me, my right arm got bruised because my stance was wrong all the while! My trainer told me to change my stance and since then, I kept hitting the target. Haha.

3. Take it easy; don't get all pissed off when you can't do it.

Tips

The best time to go to Kodanda is during off-peak hours, which is basically before 5PM. Students and employees go there after school/office hours to release their stress. They are open everyday, yep, Monday to Sunday from 10:30AM to 7:30PM.

Kodanda is located at the basement of Makati Cinema Square in Chino Roces Ave., Makati City. It's just a jeepney ride away from the MRT Magallanes Station.

Kodanda Archery Range in Makati Cinema Square. Photo from lilmisswonderwoman.com

Give it a try and I swear you'll enjoy it! Bring your BAE, your friends, your crush or even your entire family over!

And when the zombie apocalypse comes, or a real-life Hunger Games happens, I know you'll thank me that I shared this with you.

And, you're welcome. :)

Like Kodanda Archery Range on Facebook or follow them on Instagram. They also have a shop where they sell all things archery.

What does Kodanda mean, you ask? Find out for yourself.

J.S.