Online Reign: DMZ Archery sweeps the center stage

The silence that goes with the arrow as it cuts through the wind… the calm flight as it travels towards the target. It all deviate the noise it makes through social media that has been gathering thousands of people into a certain place. Where is it?

The Newbie

There are a lot of archery ranges here in the Philippines that has been around for years; Gandiva, Benel and Kodanda to name a few. Until last October 2016, a new range set its bows and arrows on the stage.

The DeMilitarized Zone Archery.

Hidden away from the buzz of the busy streets and towering buildings in a city, DMZ offers its service at #18 Mystic Rose Drive Sanville Subdivision Project 6 Quezon City. Fully air-conditioned, there will be no room for heat and sweat; clients will surely have no doubt for comfort.

Their soft opening rate of 199ph is inclusive of unlimited use of arrows, bows, gears and a target paper for over an hour. It also includes a simple, non-technical demonstration of playing basic archery for beginners so that they could fire well and have fun.

Basic Olympic bows from 16-20 pounds.

“We just wanted people to be aware and to experience Archery in an affordable price.” (Gusto lang naming maging aware and ma-experience ng tao ‘yong Archery sa affordable na price.) said Ma’am Lara Jay Law, one of DMZ’s owners.

It extended up to an 18-meter shooting distance and a 5-meter secondary room for an extra space. Overall, the newly established range covers up to 28 persons at once but not before DMZ hits an astounding amount of followers which started last December 2016.

The Online Domination

      DMZ started its facebook page earning 800 facebook followers in September prior to its opening day. Its first week of service received one hundred people a day and it keeps on for months. November and December came; more and more people rushed into and more and more people liked and followed its page. In its fourth month, the ten thousand followers grew wild and increased in massive unexpected numbers. Hence, it boosted the number of clients 2 times from the expected count.

“It seems like it is cool…” (Parang cool kasi sya eh.) Sarah Chavez, a client in DMZ commented in an interview while she and her boyfriend wait in line for their turn.

A tourism student from the University of the East named Laurence Guevarra admitted that the first time he saw the posts online, he thought that it seems fun at DMZ. He even looked on videos in YouTube for it.

Majority of the clients were pulled in to the place because of its page. Their impression always goes down to fun, cheap and new.

As of today, DMZ reached 31,819 likes and almost 32,000 followers ranking as the 2nd most followed archery range here in the Philippines in a span of 4 months, not that far apart to Kodanda Archery on the first spot with 32,200 likes and 32,197 followers which has been running for years.

Each day, DeMilitarized Zone Archery gains hundreds of followers. Each day, it reaches hundreds and hundreds of people.

What makes their arrow sharper than the others?

“3 A’s. Affordable, Ambiance, Accomodating.” Shyle Anonas, a regular client answered.

A clamor will eventually hit the walls of the place as group of friends, family and lovers cackle while playing the board games which serves its purpose to all the patient customers waiting for their turn.

Video clippings of Olympic Archery competitions flashes all through out the day for all interested lads out there. Music calms the soul as they wrap the place with ‘feel good’ melodies.

The place itself is instagrammable with walls painted artistically with cool arrows and their huge logo.

“They teach better here.” (Mas maganda yong turo dito.) shared Diane Mesa who experienced Archery prior to DMZ.

The place has its detailed and clear manner of briefing the beginners. With Sir Zander as the Head Coach who was a former Philippine Team member, it is guaranteed that the clients get out of the most of their first arrow.

Celebrities visit DMZ too, from time to time. A few of them are Michael Pangilinan, Kelly Day and Duncan Ramos.

Kelly Day in DMZ Archery Range.

Kelly of Girl Trends even had this video posted, inviting everyone to try archery at DMZ.

The Experience

“I did not noticed the time because it was so much fun.” (Hindi ko napansin yong oras kasi sobrang saya.) uttered Joshua Gutierrez, a high school student who came with his sister and cousins including Laurence Guevarra who already visited DMZ for the second time.

Clients shooting for the first time. 

Cousins claimed how they never felt embarrassed for not hitting the target here at DMZ. They claim that it was more fun in here.

“The excitement I felt from the first time I came here amplifies as I revisit the place.” (‘Yong excitement na na-feel ko nong una, mas nadadagdagan pa pag pumupunta ako.) Laurence gladly shared.

Playing archery is a good stress reliever and having great coaches helps the clients direct their stress well through shooting.

Robby, Joshua and Laurence’s family, loved how detailed and specific the coaches were. He praised how proper and well organized DMZ is.

Coach Jerick giving detailed demonstrations of the basics. 

People leave the place with big smiles on their faces. Hitting the target or not, it doesn’t matter.

Happy clients retrieving their arrows.

Marc Law, Lara Jhay Law and Zander Lee Reyes: The pillars of DMZ.

They may not know it, but what they shared is not just the experience to hit but also the passion of simply seeing your arrows fly.