Breakout Philippines Experience in Trinoma Mall: The Zombie Room

Yesterday, I was invited to try by Breakout Philippines along with other bloggers to try their special event called "The Zombie Room" that is available in Trinoma from February 20 to March 22, 2015.  By special, it meant that it only lasts 30 minutes compared to the usual 45 minutes and they offer a special rate of 300 (plus 50 php surcharge) instead of 400 for online bookings.

I was excited since I've always been found of puzzle games since childhood.  In fact, this was not the first time for me.  After, hearing about it from my brother who played the Breakout Philippines' Room 13 with his friends, my cousins and I played Breakout Philippines' Prison Room.

The Zombie Room is located at the Trinoma garden area (outside the cinemas next to Starbucks).  It can accommodate a maximum of 8 players at a time.  As soon as I got there on our scheduled time, I was teamed up with 7 other bloggers.  We were oriented and made to sign a waiver.  We deposited our belongings (everything except our wallet).  Then, we were blind-folder and led across 7 steps and a dark room where an intro story was played.

Orientation with Mr. Adrian Benapayo

Compared to the Prison Room, The Zombie Room is guaranteed to bring more adrenaline rush as there are live moving zombies in the room with you!

Blogger Team

When I was young, my cousins and I used to go through haunted house in amusement parks like Star City and Boom na Boom (now no longer existent) and we'd always find it lame and wondered what the groups ahead of us where screaming about.  Well, last night I finally understood why or how.  As we were led to the dark room blind folder, my co-blogger Athena was so scared and squeezing my hard in fear, she along with the rest of the group were screaming or shrieking.  I couldn't hear the intro and I heard "Kuya, wag po! and some other frightened words.  And, then the game marshall announced that the game has begun and we have only 30 minutes to escape.   I guess Athena was so rattled that when I approached her to ask if they found anything, she was started and said she almost had a heart attack.  It took a few minutes of good breathing before she was able to recover.  As the game progressed, my co-bloggers were shouting from time to time, "Ah hala ayan na yung zombie!"  "Waaaa, ayan ayan na kakainin na tayo" etc.  I'm not sure if everyone was able to grasp that we were supposed to find clues and solve them like a puzzle to escape together.  After 30 minutes, we failed.  As soon as we came out, I asked what stage of completion did we accomplish.  I was told that we reached 50%.   We then, had our group photo taken.

Will I go back and try Breakout Philippines?  Definitely! It's really addictive.  Once you've tried it, you'd want to come back for more.  I realized that each game is a different experience because, not only are the rooms a varying factor, the outcome and experience also depends on the people you play it with.  Having played this the first time with cousins (all 18 of us divided into 3 team challenging each other), I could compare the experience if you've played it with family or friends who you are familiar with from playing it with acquaintances.  I recommend playing it with the former is way better since the game is a puzzle game (on top of the horror factor) which is a test of wits and teamwork.  When I played the Prison Room last year with my cousins, we all failed but accomplished until 80%.  We then discussed the game over dinner and it's funny at how we all got there even though we found different clues or analyzed the clues differently.  Combining everything and analyzing them together after, we could already hypothesize the potential answer. On the other hand, I have to come back and play The Zombie Room or I'll forever be clueless as to what the other puzzle pieces were found by my team mates.

So bring along your friends, family or co-workers and try the The Zombie Room while you can!  With the real live zombies, you'll know what it feels like to fear being eaten alive.  I bet that will really bring out your survival instincts, pump up your adrenaline and push your brain to its maximum.

You can book a schedule at http://www.breakout.com.ph/schedule.  I suggest online booking as it's more convenient.  We've booked several times via this method. 

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Trinoma Food Crawl: 5 Stops and 2 Dishes Each with Yummy Magazine Team around Trinoma Mall

             A few weeks ago, I was invited by Yummy Team (Yummy Magazine and Yummy.ph) for the Trinoma Food Crawl.  We were to sample 2 dishes from 5 restaurants located at each floor of Trinoma Mall.

First Stop: Ginza Bairin (Facebook Fan Page)

         Our first stop started at the ground level for Trinoma Garden with Ginza Bairin.  Before we sample at every restaurant, we were given a short introduction.  I got to learn that they don't do the sesame crushing in Japan where Ginza Bairin originated.

Special Katsudon Set (395 php)

          We were served two sets.  The first one is the classic Special Katsudon Set which I've tried during my visit at Ginza Bairin at UP Town Center.

Rosu Katsu Curry Set (375 php)

         I've tried and liked the Menchi Katsu with Curry Cheese Set before.  But, this simple and traditional Rosu Katsu Curry Set is better if you want to appreciate katsu for what it is...

       

       from the perfect crunchy breading to the lean Rosu meat with mallow softness.  You can choose your curry sauce to be mild or spicy.  If you want to play it safe, choose the spicy because they have chili powder on the table anyway.

Black Sesame Ice Cream and Green Tea Ice Cream

         For dessert, we had their Black Sesame Ice Cream and Green Tea Ice Cream.  I really can't choose between the two as both are very delicious!

Second Stop: Hanamaruken Ramen (Facebook Fan Page)

Our Host DJ Suzy of 89.9

      Hanamaruken Ramen is a franchise from Osaka Japan.  This can only be found at the second floor of Trinoma Gardens.

 

         I've been wanting to revisit Hanamuraken Ramen to try more of their offerings so I'm so glad that my wish was granted.  (Read about my first visit to Hanamaruken Ramen here)

Signature Happiness Ramen (480 php)

        Of course, the Signature Happiness Ramen is a must-order in every visit!

Drunk Man Rice Bowl (240 php)

         It's my first time to try the Drunk Man Rice Bowl.  It's a rice bowl topped with kakuni or fatty pork cubes, double fried eggs, red chili and green onions.  It was a glorious bowlful of flavorful fats that is mashed well with the fieriness of the red chillis.
 

Iced Green Tea (80 php)

        The Iced Green Tea is a refreshing, light and fragrant (not flowery) drink which excellently resets the palette.  I'll definitely order this on every visit from now on.

Third Stop: Mango Tree Bistro  (Facebook Fan Page)

      Mango Tree Bistro is more casual and affordable than the Mango Tree I've tried at BHS Central but their Thai dishes are also as authentic.  It is conveniently found on the third floor of Trinoma Mall.

Gai Tha Krai Yang (330 php)

Grapow Moo (380 php)

          The serving is great and the food is affordable.

Fourth Stop: Wee Nam Kee (Facebook Fan Page)

       I actually just found out  that there's a Wee Nam Kee on the fourth floor of Trinoma Mall. 

Hainanese Chicken Curry Sharing (368 php)

        I've loved the Hainanese Chicken Curry the first time.  It's so good that I don't think that my sentiments for it will ever waver.

Salted Egg Chinese Style Fried Chicken (295 php)

         The Salted Egg Chinese Style Fried Chicken is another dish I'd want to have as much as I can.  it so comforting and satisfying to munch on.

 Check out my more extensive food review on Wee Nam Kee Here

Final Stop: Pearl River Cafe (Facebook Fan Page)

           Located on the outdoor area of the fifth floor of Trinoma Mall is Pearl River Cafe.  It's my first time to try it so I'm quite estatic.  It serves authentic Chinese cuisine.

Steamed Crab Roe and Shrimp Shaomai (99 php)

       We tried a couple of their specially made dimsum.

Steamed Bun with Custard Paste and Salted Egg (65 php)

           I'm quite impress with the quality and even more thrilled that they are offered at an affordable pricing.

        So that concludes our Trinoma Food Crawl.  But, believe me there are so many more I have yet to try there like Katsu Sora for one.

Tous Les Jours Opens at Trinoma

Tous Les Jours opens at the lobby level of Trinoma in Quezon City.  The store marks the opening of its 14th store in the Philippines.

I'm glad we were invited to witness the opening celebration.

As opening guests, we were given the chance to have a bread buffet.  While the first 100 customers were given a free heart-shaped cookies without any minimum purchase requirement.

If course, we picked our usual favorites and tried new ones too.

We also watched a decorating demo by the Zombettes' Ornusa Cadness and Sanya Smith together with TLJ's esteemed cake decorating specialist, Kelly Mambong.  They successfully decorated the Tous les Jours Rose Inspiration Fresh Cream Cake with ease.

Like the Jazz Mall branch, this also has a cafe-style dining area.  This is very convenient since it's near the Trinoma drop off point so you can chill there while waiting.

With more branches, Tous Les Jours freshly baked breads are more accessible to its growing number of loyal customers.

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TriNoma Mall: TriNoma Merry Musical Lights Show and College Reminisce

Last Saturday November 23, 2013, I had one of the most memorable moments of my life.  I reunited with my two seatmates, Eric and Chez, from my college ACTONEA class after many years.  Eric is my closest guy buddy since college days.  I wouldn't have survived college without him.  As for Chez, uhm... regretfully, we didn't get along till a few years back and I think we've gotten well enough since.  As the two were kind of close, we decided to spontaneously meet up for the first time as a three-some.  We ate dinner at Yoshinoya and spent hours updating each other about what happened to us during college and beyond.  It is such an amazing sensation to laugh about our hardships and share our realizations.  

I can't believe Eric still remembered how much of a klutz I was back then. =( I borrowed his work sheet to "double check".  Then on the day of our submission, I brought mine but forgot his!  So, I had to head home to get it. @_@  Good thing, that guy does not know anger and instead laughed about it. >.<

After which I invited them to accompany to watch the TriNoma Merry Musical Lights Show.  Despite the long walk, these two gentlemen gladly abide after bribing them with alcohol lol. XD  But, kidding aside... even though these guys look too cool, they are really nice and warm-hearted.  I'm lucky to be fated to meet them as they are a few of the greatest guys I've ever met.  With their wisdom and kindness, I consider them my trusted friends and more importantly, my mentors in different aspects of life.  

According to TriNoma's fan page, the show's schedule is at 7 pm, 8 pm and 9 pm from today until Jan 5, 2013.  We arrived there a bit later than 9 pm but we made it.  

There were Christmas Lights draped all over the TriNoma Gardens with glowing orbs.  Music with gleeful high tones were played as the lights changed colors and in rhythmic pattern.

Due to the limited area space, it was not as awesome as the one in Ayala Triangle Gardens.  But, if you're in the area then take the chance to watch.  It's a good thing there's not much of a crowd during our visit as it was not as ventilated as I expected. 

It only lasted around 10 minutes.  But the lights were left on for another 10 for picture taking purposes.

Watch my TriNoma Merry Musical Lights Show video preview above

As expected, the guys did not appreciate the show.  And, it turned out that the ramen restaurant we were supposed to visit was still closed so they were a bit bitter and teased about it.  To uplift our spirits and to make up for such bullying haha, Chez offered to treat us and as expected, Eric chimed in.  We then hopped our way to Gerry's Grill until wee hours beyond my curfew. XD 

Overall, it was tons of fun! =D  I hope we get to do it again soon.  But, it may take many years again as these guys are too busy and mature as they focus on their careers and preparation for marriage haha. Time sure flies by so fast whew!

Gadgets Magazine Blogfest 2.0 at Trinoma Activity Center

It's only been a few months since we started blogging so when we heard that the Gadgets Magazine Blogfest 2.0 will be held at Trinoma Activity Center, we thought it was a good opportunity to meet fellow bloggers.

Although there were a lot of tempting booths, we never had the time to check the out because we arrived fashionably late.

The talks have already started so we missed a few.  When we arrived Kiva, a loan institution, demonstrated the vital role of social media in its operations.  Through its Facebook, it has kept the public updated with its projects and showing how their clients have progressed from their loans.  After that Coca-cola discussed blogging as a medium in sharing the Corporation Social Responsibility activities of good companies.  They also introduced the Good Blog Award.  The main message of the talks is the bloggers can be social agents of change.

The buffet was opened while Mr. Noel Cabangon played his guitar and sang local songs.  I got the food because Kurt was enjoying the show so much he didn't even mind the food at all.  I've never seen him that excited about shows before.  (see Kurt's video recording below)

A glance at the buffet table made me realize that the food were from Contis.  There were shanghai bites, beef strips, pancit and sweets.

After dinner was the raffle that everyone was waiting for.  I was the first to get picked out and I won an ASUS Cleaning kit.  I haven't figured out what's it for yet but it has some brush and a small spray bottle.  Kurt won a case of canned Sprite.  Some of the prizes were bigger and better like speakers.  The grand prize was an one of ASUS new monitors.  It must have been awesome!

After the program, I met some of the bloggers from Blogger Manila and the founder himself, Mr. Jonel Uy.

Overall, the event was a success.  There were a lot of bloggers that participated and we got a FREE Gadget Magazine and some Coca-Cola products too.