THE AQTIV GAME OF PLAYING BOW AND ARROWS

Inspired by the mechanics of typical gun shooting range and her love for archery that she acquired during her college days in UP Los Baños, Ms. Krizia Chu-Tranquilino, the owner and the General Manager of the Oculus Archery introduced the Aqtiv Archery by raising the level on how to play the bow and arrow. 

AQTIV archery opens on 30 January 2016 with Mayor Carlito dela Cruz or Porac, Pampanga as guest of honor to  the ceremonial ribbon cutting.

Aqtiv deviates from the game of hitting conventional stationary targets to a fun-filled way of shooting arrows on through moving objects or moving targets. In the new game, the stationary circular archery target (bull’s eye) is attached on target hidden behind moving objects. The game will require you to move around from one bull’s eye target to another, most of them are hidden behind swaying obstacles or that the target itself would sway back and forth as if it is trying to avoid getting hit. The degree of difficulty would trigger your adrenaline rush and make the game of shooting arrows a very challenging sport to play.

Aqtiv designed some of the targets by hiding them from your aim then reappear as if teasing your line of sight. Interestingly, the mechanism employed in hiding and moving targets uses no electricity or battery. It simply utilizes the earth’s gravity and the kinetic energy of pendulum-like weights - the first of its kind in the game of archery you can find in the country. 

The latch of the obstacle board is opened by stepping on this pedal-and-cable-operated mechanism. A line is drawn indicating where the cable is buried stretching towards the hanging board. When released, the obstructing panel will sway open from side to side and you have to shoot the target fast before the swaying stop and block permanently the target.

Future designs will include more targets that will sway away from your aim. Aqtiv is open to suggestions, such that we, who attended and covered the launching of Aqtiv Archery last week, suggested the putting up of a running or flying figures of animals as targets. I also suggested the optional use of native Aeta’s bow and arrow to promote the cultural heritage of Pampanga. Who knows, your suggestion could be what Aqtiv is mulling about.

The archer’s challenge is closely simulating to when engaging in pistol firing range. The player has to move, pause, aim, and hit those targets under time pressure. One has to complete the course in two minutes by moving on foot from one target to the next target, or adjust the playing time to 3 or 5 minutes depending on the mission’s level of difficulty. Competition can be done by ranking scores computed based on number of hits or the total length of time used and multiplied to 100 or use the formula of [number of hits/time] x [100].    

Featured target boards that were installed during the launching of Aqtiv Archery were figures of monsters on the wall. Player has to win and/or survive the game by shooting the monsters and kill them by hitting each dead spot marked with the usual archery bull’s eye target.  Aqtiv also provides costumes and headgear, and the player is encouraged to wear them to feel more of becoming a fighting archer. The themes and targets will change periodically. 

Some of the headgear provided by Aqtiv to participating archers

To begin with, visitors who are beginners to archery are encouraged to play the regular archery range with stationary targets at the Oculus Archery to learn the basic of target shooting using bow and arrow.The bows and arrows are authentic though beginners are not provided yet with the professional type of bows. One has to start pulling the string and arrow designed for beginners.

Children aged 7 and above are welcome to play the game as long they possess the strength to pull the string properly, and enough attention span to last a minimum of 30 minutes of staying in one shooting position.  There is no maximum age limit as long the elderly person is still capable to perform the same requirements of strength and attention to withstand. Playing archer must combine basic archery skills with agility and hand-eye coordination, and stamina to run through in the maze, and patient enough when shooting moving or hiding targets under time pressure.  

Regular archery range with stationary targets at the Oculus Archery - highly suggested to beginners in archery before trying Aqtiv game.

Shooting lessons for beginners is also offered. You can avail of 30 minutes archery lesson for P250.

Some restrictions are imposed in the archery arena, such as that players are not allowed to wear jewelry, loose or sharp hard objects, or keep valuable items in pockets, as these might be thrown away or cause unnecessary distractions, injury or mishaps. 

Appropriate footwear is also required, such as wearing sneakers or any pair of sport shoes.  Wearing slippers and sandals are not allowed. Wearing of high heels or office leather shoes is not advisable. Only the bows and arrows provided by Aqtiv are allowed inside the arena.

Rate for Aqtiv Archery is P250 per attempt but you can also avail of the Archery Package at P400, which includes a 30-minute session for Target Archery.

Youtube: How to play the game of AQTIV Archery

You can now play the game in the labyrinth-like arena of Aqtiv Archery within the compound of Oculus Archery at the Sandbox in Alviera, Porac, Pampanga. 

You can book a game in Aqtiv Archery by visiting the Sandbox on Tuesdays to Sundays from 9:00AM to 5:00 PM. Booking details are available on http://www.alviera.ph/ and on http://www.facebook.com/AlvieraPH. 

For more info, email info.alviera@gmail.com or contact 0917-803-3099 / (045) 432-0014.

Aqtiv Archery was launched last week (30 January 2016) and operated by the Oculus Archery. It can be found in the Sandbox in this sprawling 1,100 hectares of Alviera in Porac Pampanga, master-planned and developed by the Ayala Land in partnership with Leonio Land.

Other than archery, visitors to the Sandbox will find more adventurous games and fun. Thrill-seekers can have the Giant Swing, the country's tallest swing at 10 meters high that will surely give that exhilarating  swing through the air.

You can also scale the 15-meter tall Adventure Tower through Wall Climbing, Rappelling, and Free Fall. Reach the top and get the best views within and around Alviera. 

The Sandbox also offers ATV and mini-ATV rides. 

ATV adventure is among the exciting rides you can find in the Sandbox

The Avatar-One, the first roller coaster zipline in Asia  that brings daring visitors 180 meters up and down glides while hanging through the lines and curves.

There is a themed kiddie playground with picnic areas, mini-golf, a courtyard and an open field for field sports and other outdoor activities.

Aerial Walk is not just about being up in the air walking along the stretches of ropes. Here, the skywalker is engaging lots of challenges and excitements that you will feel victor after accomplishing one whole course.   

House Rules - A must read before trying any ride or game.

The property will have residential communities, shopping and dining establishments, offices, and academic institutions as it becomes the new regional growth center of Luzon. Other attractions to be launched this year include a 3-hectare Urban Karting, Airsoft, and Paintball facility together with the opening of restaurants. Watch out also for the upcoming exciting signature events such as the summer music and camping festival, the Brightscape Campfest.

The Sandbox's open-space parking is so wide to accommodate all the cars. The place is quite remote that you have to bring your car to get here. 

Some tricycles from Porac, and occasionally from Mabalacat,  can also be hired for those who commute their way to the Sandbox of Alviera. The tricycles are waiting along the road nearby the  main entrance of Alviera to transport commuting visitors back to Porac and Mabalacat.