Shrek 3 and TriNoma Mall

Posted on May 20, 2007
Filed Under Fun, Parenting and Family, Reviews | Viewed 8356 times

Saturday evening, I (with 4 of my children) went to TriNoma Mall, the new mall owned by Ayala Land located just across SM North. It opened recently—I received different feedbacks from my children who hve been there. I wanted to see it for myself, at the same time watch the movie Shrek 3, hoping that it would not be crowded.

TriNoma Mall. It is the first Ayala Land’s first shopping mall in the North, located in a 20-hectare land, targeting the high-end market with its 550 top brands shop and fine dining restaurants, at the same time offering basic needs of people that are using MRT. It’s a 4-level shopping mall, costingP3.5 billion (a small amount perhaps for a George Lindemann, but a good enough investment for the Ayalas’). I learned from Wikipedia, that TriNoma means Triangle North of Manila. It has 7 cinemas, 8,000 parking slots, 7 water features, including a reverse waterfall. The mall has a Gross Leasable Area of 195,000 square meters, including the adjacent Landmark QC. It opened to the public on 16 May 2007, and the grand opening is planned in June.

I guess it will give SM North a run for its money, or better still, it would capture a portion of SM North’s clients. It was almost crowded when we came, at 6 pm.

It’s a pity that air conditioning was not functioning, we heard that water supply was a problem that day. We went to the upper level for the cinemas, unfortunately, they were closed. Please bear with us, that was posted, air conditioning was not working.

Kinda impressive, a combination of all of the characteristics of the Ayala malls in Makati—a Greenbelt-like open area and small garden in the higher level, a Glorietta-like activity center in the ground floor, McDonald’s and Jollibee facing each other, and all the top brand shops one would always frequent. My guess is that it will not really be high end, like the Podium and the Shangrila Mall. It will have the same B, C and D class clients of SM North and the Block. The only ATM I found was BPI, though it serves Bancnet and Megalink transactions.

Anyway, we did not stay long, as we were afraid we would run out ot tickets for Shrek 3. We hurriedly ordered our Dairy Queen treats, then walked across to the Block—it’s always full of people nowadays. All the restaurants are full, the movie houses, even the activity area. But still, it is much better that being in SM North, where the crowd is almost a Quiapo crowd, each square foot filled with people.

Cinema 4 at the Block. It took me more than 30 minutes just to line up for a ticket. Son J Angelo came with his family and in-laws, so I had to buy 12 tickets in all. As expected, we were not able to get reserved seating in the higher level (sold out), we had to content ourselves in the lower level, free seating. My first time to watch a movie in the Block—the cinema was not as impressive as those of Shangrila, Gateway, and Eastwood, but it was comfortable and clean enough.

Shrek 3. I had very high expectations of Shrek 3—the first two episodes were superb and excellent. Same expectations as those of Spiderman 3. I will not be telling here the story, so as not to spoil the fun of those who plan to watch it. What I can say that it is hilarious and captured the hearts of the audience. I joined the laughter of the other people who were watching. I even laughed at the reaction of the other people. There was never a dull moment for the mixed audience, age 2 to maybe 70+. My 10-year old enjoyed it, and so it seems with all the other children who roared in laughter all throughout the movie.

I enjoyed the movie, animation was flawless, at least musical scoring was great, with the Snow White character a refreshing addition. But it was not within my expectation. Even if I would repeat and repeat watching Shrek 1 and Shrek 2 (I think I have watched these 2 movies more than 5 times each), I would still watch them again. I would watch Shrek 3 for a second time, but would not mind if I do not watch it for a third time. Why? Maybe because I came with high hopes. There was less of Shrek and more of the so many characters, spreading the movie too thin, the new character, supposedly to become new king was simply boring, there was less energy and momentum such that I had less laugh and belly aches than I had with Shrek 1 and 2. The story lines of Shrek 1 and 2 were better thought of thatn Shrek 3. It would have perhaps been better if the 92-minute film been longer.

For the adult watchers, don’t expect too much. Anyway, you will still laugh, kids will still roar in laughter. They are easy to please. But one thing, I admire Fiona’s unconditional love for her Ogre, Shrek.

Shrek photo taken from: http://movies.aol.com/movie/shrek-the-third/21802/main )

Comments

38 Responses to “Shrek 3 and TriNoma Mall”

lady cess on May 20th, 2007 9:56 am

you were in trinoma then you went to the block? argh! nagkrus siguro ang landas natin hindi lang natin alam. went to trinoma too around the same time you were there, kaya lang nahilo kami sa amoy. went to the block to have dinner, at nakita nga namin na ang haba ng pila sa sine – andun pala kayo :). for now, the block muna kami, will go back to trinoma after a month siguro.

sexy mom: interesting, had we been on twitter, we could have known that we were in the same places at the same time. it would have been nice to meet—anyway, PMN lunch meeting will be soon.
amicus curiae on May 20th, 2007 1:20 pm

another spot to look forward to seeing when i get home. when did it open to business? will that be close to west ave., on the southbound side of edsa? any pics? thanks.

sexy mom: for your sake, i updated my post, placed pictures, and wrote some other features of the new mall. soft opening was last 16 may, grand opening in june. must be fully operational when you come for a visit in december.
Belle on May 20th, 2007 2:57 pm

that must be the movie my daughter mentioned over the phone that she wanted to watch tonight with friends. i talked her into watching it tomorrow with her mother, and she listened.

let’s see if i will be roaring inside. hehe.

sexy mom: did you enjoy the movie? you must have first read at least the summary of 1 and 2 before you watched, bt maybe, your daughter has given you a backgrounder already.
ann on May 20th, 2007 3:22 pm

Ang dami talagang malls sa atin pero lagi ring maraming tao. Ang lalaki rin ng malls dito pero pwede kang mag roller skate sa loob sa konti ng namamasyal.

We will just wait for the pirated copy of that movie. Gusto rin yan ng mga kids ko.

Happy weekend!

sexy mom: dami kasi tao dito sa atin! pwede pala pirated dyan sa saudi?
Toe on May 20th, 2007 4:11 pm

When I went to SM North last March, I was so shocked with the density of the people. Ang daming tao sa Pilipinas. But The Block was a pleasant surprise… more breathing room. They were still building Trinoma Mall at that time. I was thinking that hindi pa ba kasya lahat ng malls sa Pilipinas? Hehe… glad you had a wonderful family day Sexy Mom! I wish we could watch Shrek too… but right now, we have chicken pox so we look like Shrek and Princess Fiona.

sexy mom: oh, Toe, i guess the SM North is one of the most dense mall in the land, and it could represent “ang pilipinas”, so crowded!

when you and honey are done with your chicken pox, it will then be the transformation from the ogres to the rightfully “princess fiona and shrek—the man”. i would just like to see a shrek 4 (then it will not be trilogy anymore), wherein they will be finally transformed into real people.
Chateau on May 20th, 2007 5:37 pm

We went to see Shrek 3 at Trinoma last Thursday. The cinema was very nice and comfy – much like Gateway’s – and costs P150 (mas mura than at the Block). Glad the airconditioning was working when we went there. I heard from my sis’ SIL that on Wed, opening day, the a/c wasn’t running at all! And then again on Sat you said…
I like the outdoors, the fountains, and how spacious Trinoma is. The parking is like a maze to me, i’d probably get lost in there LOL.

sexy mom: that is why i am going to give it another try soon. greenbelt is way too far for me.
jhay on May 20th, 2007 6:10 pm

Hmm…maybe I should visit the TriNoma Mall before the new school year opens.

Shrek 3 was a disappointment for me. I came in excited and smiling, went out bored and a bit cheated. My only hope now for a grand summer movie experience is Pirates of the Caribbean.

sexy mom: i didn’t really feel bored, but somehow, there’s just something lacking. and yes—we are rooting for Pirates! hope it doesn’t leave us wanting, like it did for spidey and shrek 3s.
Jane on May 20th, 2007 7:52 pm

Good idea to watch a movie at TriNoMa, para maiba naman…sabay na tour of the place. Can you imagine that the whole of Metro Manila has probably seen Spiderman 3 (except ME!). Will still try to catch it this week. If not, there’s always Pirates 3!

That reverse waterfall is something I gotta see!

sexy mom: now you can see spiderman 3 in comfort! most movie watchers now go for Shrek 3, and a whole lot more are excitedly waiting for Pirates.
vic on May 20th, 2007 8:06 pm

I can’t see much future for indoor malls as the new trend in most cities in north america now shift to power centers where each vendor or outlet have their own free standing store in a group of shopping malls within a confine. shopper can just move from door to door although, not very convenient on a cold wintry season where shoppers switch to indoor malls. the reason indoor mall rentals are much expensive, hence the cost of merchandise. It’s ok on economic boom, but watch out during slow down, they’ll just become a strolling place for shoppers.

I don’t go to theatre to watch movies anymore, but just download them from internet (free) and watch them at my own free time. Right now i’m downloading Shrek 3 and may take a little time cuz it’s so busy. No problem here, as long as we don’t do it for profit. meaning reproduce and sell them…

sexy mom: i don’t know, economic boom or not, malls have always been there and multiply by the month.

yes, for most movies, we can just download or buy dvds, but for BIG ones, like this one, my family cannot help watch the movie in the big screen.
Em Dy on May 20th, 2007 8:13 pm

I guess we had the same experience. I knew Shrek would entertain me and it did but not as much as the first 2 movies. Laughed aloud with the rest of the audience too but some jokes were not that easy to understand for children, like the bit about Pinocchio and lying.
I have yet to see The Block and Trinoma but your reviews make me interested though I think I would wait until the dust settles in Trinoma. Anton of Awesome Planet also described his experience as a misadventure

sexy mom: i agree, there were some scenes/dialogues which were not meant for the young audience. it seems that the producers just wanted to give a bit of something to each age group in the audience, like, the small ones asked what the burning of the bra was for.
chase on May 20th, 2007 9:14 pm

Hmmm that looks quite huge. Ive been to Podium once and I like it. But I usually hang out in the Greenbelt area when I was in Makati and due to that it was near Dasmarinas Village where I stayed with a good friend.

sexy mom: yes, it is actually huge! bt if you want to come for relaxation, it should either be podium or shangrila mall. there are simply too many people in the other malls.
Alternati on May 20th, 2007 11:48 pm

A third film in a trilogy living up to its expectations is rare. Spiderman 3 really flopped for me… The few exceptions for me are Lord of the Rings (Although, it isn’t really a trilogy, hehe) and The Godfather. Hopefully, Pirates 3 would be great.

I haven’t been to Trinoma yet. I’ll make sure to add that to my itinerary next I visit Manila.

sexy mom: i agree. again, with Pirates, I come with great expectations—my guess is that it will really be great.
mr nice ash on May 21st, 2007 1:52 am

never been to the North lately. I will find a free slot on my calendar and visit TriNoMa. Probably on June after the Grand Opening…

sexy mom: for one coming from the south, it is really just right to come only when the hitches have been taken care of. yes, do visit after the grand opening, in june.
carey on May 21st, 2007 2:53 am

lots of malls sprouting ano? here in bacolod, kaka-open lang nga SM last March. then i saw another one na parang divisoria style yata still under construction.

i did not read your Shrek section, heheheh…i have to watch it pa and i dont want to have some idea about it para may thrill.

sexy mom: i wonder, philippines has really become a mall country! you’re right about not reading the review on shrek. i, too, avoided reading spidey reviews—i wanted to see the movie first.
dangkin on May 21st, 2007 3:08 am

wow! padami ng padami na talaga ang mga malls pala dyan… cguro ang sunod na title ng pinas is “mall capital of asia”? he.he.

sexy mom: tama ka dyan—mall country, mall capital of asia.
Toni on May 21st, 2007 4:23 am

what? again another mall? it seems there are always new malls being built there every year. thanks for the post about it so now i am updated, i just heard about that mall of asia and i guess it’s not the hottest anymore. hubby and i have to catch up on all that malls in our next trip to the Philippines. he saw mega mall and that was already too big for him.. hmmm i wonder how that reverse water fall looks like.. interesting indeed.
p.s. i wanted to check your blog a few days ago and i couldn’t open it ( i used explorer) not sure if this happened to other people too. i thought the blog was sort of down, well it was my browser then.

sexy mom: yes, Toni, another gigantic mall. and when you come for your next visit, there is a lot of catching up to do.
guess what? one of the rare times—when i was trying to go to your site, a message said, “page not found”. will try again later.
Jeric on May 21st, 2007 5:04 am

I’ve never been to Trinoma but I surely drop by. I love Ayala Malls I’m rooting for Shrek 3.

sexy mom: yes, TriNoma for a change. thanks for dropping by, Jeric. it’s so refreshing to find young uns visiting my blogs.
julie on May 21st, 2007 8:45 am

The kids have been begging to go there. But we say, not until everything is cleaned and the dust settled. We don’t want Julian to have his asthma attack when we get home, lol.

We are not big time mall-goers. They would rather we go to UP than go to malls. Reason why they want to go, my eldest passes by that area going to and from school in her school service. Me and the little ones pass by that area thrice a week going to and from Ortigas. They have seen how it was built, since last year. So it is just natural that they want to see the inside. Hmm…maybe one of these days. Do I hear a “Yehey!” in the background?

sexy mom: yes, it was still dusty when we went there, and there was this not so nice smell. maybe, in a few weeks, it will be much better.

my kids, too, have been discovering the natural beauty of UP, we have been there more frequently lately, choco kiss, sunken garden, etc., roddick’s next, i heard it has reopened.
Gina on May 21st, 2007 9:50 am

Wow,another megasized mall! If only people I know here would see all the big giant malls we have in the country, it will put the malls here in Canada to shame! My sisters-in-law would ask me if we have big malls in the Phils. and their eyes would get really big if they saw this one and the new Mall of Asia. I know mine would!
I am looking forward to watching Shrek 3 para naman kumpleto kong mapanood ang all 3 Shrek movies. Tomorrow naman, I’m excited to watch Spiderman 3. They filmed some scenes in downtown Cleveland (Ohio) ,and I saw the area where it was done when we went there 2 wks ago, so that adds to the excitement din.
Kyels on May 21st, 2007 9:53 am

Wow, amazing mall!

[:

Hopefully I’d be able to check it out when I go there again—- to Pinas. Hehe.

SexyMom: the malls sprout at a speed we can’t catch up with. when you come, there will be more to go to.
kimmy on May 21st, 2007 10:17 am

hmm… i plan to watch shrek pa naman. i also have high expectations from this third installment. oh, what the heck, i’ll watch it anyway.

SexyMom: you will like it and still have your laugh, Kim, don’t worry.
Tina on May 21st, 2007 2:41 pm

True, Shrek 3 IS funny, but I feel like the story’s rushed. It’s like you’re at the peak of your laughing experience when suddenly the movie starts moving to the end. I was expecting the new character to sing something given its voice actor…too bad he didn’t. I like Shrek 2 better.

But I still love Puss in Boots.
sasha on May 21st, 2007 3:43 pm

Naku it opened na pala Parang a couple weeks back my sisters and I were talking about when it would open. We’ll go there this weekend to check it out

SexyMom: another place to hang around.
jho on May 21st, 2007 5:00 pm

Mukha naman maganda yung Shrek3. My kids wanted to watch it. We will watch it…at home. Looking for DVD copy of it.

I hope traffic will not be that awful in the SM North and TriNoma area. I haven’t been there though. I heard maalikabok pa daw. Maybe one of these days I will go and check out the place.

SexyMom: maybe in a few more weeks, the dust would have settled, including foul smell in some places.
Thelma Bowlen on May 21st, 2007 5:18 pm

hi sexy mom! =)

bukas na pala TriNoma! kinda far for us since we’re way down south in parañaque but will most likely try to visit it at least once!

and, yes, i loved shrek 3. i felt it was a good way to end the franchise.

SexyMom: but then, maybe, they would think of a 4, 5 and 6?
thysz on May 21st, 2007 6:33 pm

Hi sexymom! I was there kahapon with my housemates and we had fun! the stores in trinoma were big (bench and penshoppe were standouts!) but the aircon problem made us hope walk back to the Block a few hours later (at dun na rin kami kumain!). Trinoma was big and airy (the smell of paint is still in the air! bagong bago talaga!) and the fountains were awesome! Bagong hang-out nanaman ito! haha! See you and the Racoma gang in the future!

PS. We’re gonna watch Shrek pero after the summer classes na. I hope i enjoy it but im more excited at Pirates of the Caribbean 3!

SexyMom: i have felt out of place in my home, i have not even seen Pirates 1 and 2. so, did you like it? did it meet your expectations?
auee on May 21st, 2007 7:27 pm

Ang dami-dami ng malls sa Metro Manila, I haven’t even been to those “new” ones in Makati (I keep forgetting the names).

I really wanted to see them, weird ‘no? Pero pag nagba-balikbayan kami malls are not even on our list to visit.

SexyMom: maybe even if you do not go to the malls, you would still see them from the outside—they are everywhere, esp the major thoroughfares.
annamanila on May 21st, 2007 7:45 pm

Oh another gigantic mall. Hindi ko pa nakita ang Mall of Asia ha. Pilipinas, hindi mukhang mahirap. haha And yes, at least three have blogged about Shrek. Parang tuloy feel ko I am in the barrio .. malayo sibilisasyon. hehe Well, makikita ko rin yan .. i mean Trinoma. Pero, hindi pa man pagod na ako ah. hahaha Glad you had fun, Dine.

SexyMom: gusto mo, punta tayo?
haze on May 21st, 2007 8:45 pm

Mall is enormous ! Wow I’ve been waiting for Shek 3 kaso we will have the French version I am sure! I would like to watch it in Original Version sana! Shrek is the all time fave of my children and it’s already in their DVD collections !

SexyMom: sana talaga, you can get it in the original version.
Girlie on May 21st, 2007 11:05 pm

i still have to check out the mall, pero true, mixed ang crowd dyan, i guess the c and d crowd will just make tambay there, and they will still buy in good old SM.

I had fun watching shrek 3, tawa din ako ng tawa, pero grabe ang tawa ng dalawang kiddos ko

SexyMom: my 19yo son was there the other day, he watched a movie. he said the movie houses are ok, pretty much like those in Gateway (P150/)
The Unlawyer » New Philippine Malls Benefit From Blogger Buzz on May 22nd, 2007 1:23 am

[...] what was billed as a soft opening by Ayala Malls officials last Wednesday, and almost immediately, bloggers filled the blogosphere with their words and pictures – and videos too – about their experiences in [...]
Rach on May 23rd, 2007 10:48 am

Hi Dine. Sorry, I’ve been absent for a while. I was a little preoccupied … watching Prison Break on DVD.

I really have a lot of catching up to do. I’ll make it up to you soon.

We also watched Shrek 3 several days ago. I enjoyed Shrek 1 & 2 more than the 3rd one but it was still worth watching on the big screen because of Yohan.

Haven’t been to that new mall yet since it’s quite far from our place. Thanks for sharing those photos.

Take care!

SexyMom: thanks Rach. glad Yohan enjoyed the movie. will i see you – PMN lunch?
MrsPartyGirl on May 24th, 2007 2:55 pm

hi sexy mom, i got to watch shrek just last sunday. i’d have to agree with you, the movie was fun fun fun! its witty and contemporary, as the shrek franchise is known for. however, at the end of the movie i found myself asking: “yun na yun?”. shrek 1 would still be my fave of the three. btw, sleeping beauty stole the show for me, hehe.

habol, i miss SM

SexyMom: thanks, Meeya. same here—sleeping beauty was simply hilarious, i can imagine myself doing the same at times, simply dropping of to zzzzzzzzz.
iTuner on May 27th, 2007 11:03 pm

Me and my friend went to Trinoma to watch Shrek 3, pero yun nga naabutan namin na may problem ang air-conditioning ng mga cinemas. Medyo mainit nga ang buong mall and amoy cement pa. So we went to The Block.. Sobrang haba ng pila. Last full show na naabutan namin and it was at Cinema 7. Hay… No Choice tlga kami, and pangit ng CINEMA 7 sa SM North Ewan ko lang sa ibang cinema dun, But I must say it was really not a good experience… Ang labo ng screen, ang dumi pa nung white cloth kung san prinoproject yung images… (sorry di ko alam tawag dun) and Stereo lang ang sound at ang mahal pa. Di na talga kami manonood dun, But last thursday night (24th). Pagbalik namin sa trinoma… Bukas na mga sinehan… Yahoo! P150 lang and we watched Pirates 3 at Cinema 7. Yun ang masasabi kong true cinema experience with THX sound. Cheers!
vk on June 4th, 2007 2:41 am

Sexy mom,

Sorry to ask this, when we’re in phils. last 2005, we had to sleep in manila for a day for our flight to back here,

While staying at the hotel we asked in the reception if we can go shopping, and they brought us, I don’t know what is that store, what I know that is Makati-Ayala,
Sorry to say, I was not able to stay at manila…..

They brought us this place: Glorietta, I think, I just remember while reading your post……
I have still the picks, when I paid the jacket, Sascha kissed me.

And I was a little sad with my Man, kasi he allowed the kids what they like…..

What makes me surprise, the light jacket of Sascha which he likes very much is worth 18,000 pesos, and SALE to 9,000, in our money 150euro, when in Germany this is already cheap, but imagine in Phil’s…...the brand is Lacoste….

I was pity with my niece, because she said to me, “Auntie, that is almost a month for me to work………with stress and gross pa…..where as sascha, jacket lang……..

maraming mayaman talaga sa Manila…....and the salary there is high?…..

ang laki ng Mall ano? imagine 20 hectares?.....hope to see this….....

SexyMom: true, VK, but sad. P9,000 is already the salary of an ordinary employee here, which you say goes for a bargain in germany. and there are plenty of jobless people, and underpaid people. but of course, we cannot always compare, what money in germany can buy in manila.

yes, they are gigantic malls, sprouting all over manila and even in the provinces. who would say that the filipino people are suffering when one sees these gigantic malls.
Bryan Aizon on July 2nd, 2007 8:45 pm

COOL ng Cinema nio damn!
Transformers, Mirror, CPK–A Weekend of Fun at TriNoma Mall : The D Spot on July 15th, 2007 5:57 am

[...] The Block in SM North, we went to TriNoma, to see for ourselves what changes have come up since our last visit two months ago. Indeed, a lot of change—so many restaurants have opened up, and so have a lot [...]
niah on September 21st, 2007 8:11 pm

Hey much were the movie tickets?