Gandiva Cafe & Archery Range

Last week, I had the privilege to try archery for the first time. It was a teambuilding event organized by some of my team mates. We arrived at Gandiva Archery Range half an hour before our reserved slot. When we arrived, we saw small kids who were practicing. Nanliit ako sa galing nila! As if naman may ililiit pa ako?!

I am not the sporty type. I’m not good in any sport that involves a ball. Sports that require hitting a target is something I’m not good either. Basically, I suck in all kinds of sports! But after reading The Hunger Games, I developed a fascination with archery. Since then, I put archery in my bucket list.

Anyway, they geared us up after we signed a waiver. Initially, only six from our team were allowed entry because there were other guests using the range. I volunteered to be part of the first group! Excited lang! :p We were all given a bow and four arrows. We were then briefed on the rules inside the range. We were told that when we’re done releasing all four arrows, we need to wait for the instructor's signal (through a whistle) before we can retrieve our arrows. We then need to wait for another signal before we can proceed with shooting.

The instructor taught us the correct stance, the right way to hold the bow, the proper way to load the arrow and how the string should be released.

Instructor: Ma’am, abot dapat ‘yung dulo ng arrow sa chin.
Me: Ok.
Instructor: Ma’am, huwag masyadong mahigpit ang hawak sa string. Hirap na hirap kayong mag-let go e. Let go niyo lang!
Me: Ah, para lang palang ex-boyfriend!
Instructor: Mismo!
Me: Akala ko Katniss Everdeen for a day ako, Elsa pala! *insert Let It Go music here*

When I posted this photo on my Instagram account, people noticed that I had my game face on! Actually, nakasimangot ako kasi wala akong matamaan! :p


It was definitely not easy. First, the bow is heavy. Well, it’s probably not. But because I’m petite, the weight was a little unbearable for me. I was also having a hard time keeping my left hand (the one holding the bow) steady.

The following day, para akong na-stroke! I could not use my left arm. So if you’re planning to try this, don’t forget to warm up. I actually did, but the bow is just too heavy for me. Some of my team mates had bruises after the session. Ang intense!!! But despite the pain, I still want to try this again!


I kept on laughing when I had a closer look at my target. I kept on asking myself why most of my shots landed on the lower left part of the target. Siguro kasi ayun lang ang abot ng height ko?! I know it wasn’t great. But I was jumping out of joy when I finally hit the yellow spot! Woohooo!!!


I was informed that Gandiva’s charge is PHP980/person. It already includes 1 hour use of range and archery equipment. But because we came in a group of 12, we were charged PHP700+/head. I initially thought, “1 oras lang?!” E ayun pala, ngalay na ngalay ka na sa 1 oras. :p I know it is a bit expensive. But ironically, I am already planning to go back! Hihihi!


Gandiva Cafe & Archery Range
Unit 703-705 One Corporate Center
Julia Vargas Ave. cor. Meralco Ave.
Ortigas Center, Pasig City