Wow Trinoma!

Since its soft opening on May 16, 2007, I've never set foot in Trinoma, which stands for Triangle North of Makati. I initially mistook it to be the "Triangle North of Manila" even if I thought it was wrong because that area (formerly called the North Triangle) is really east of Manila. I guess Ayala found it best to make Makati the reference point because really, it is the center of its business.

I've heard so many reviews about Trinoma, evidently less positive than the initial reviews of the SM Mall of Asia and probably because the view of the Manila Bay is so captivating that all the other inconveniences of MOA when it opened, aside from the parking, can be easily ignored. With Trinoma, the public was let in on an unfinished, still smelling of cement and paint building. And of course, I wondered what view of the Quezon City area would Ayala offer to lure people inside. I've also wondered why a solid wall faces EDSA and the not so pretty sight of the parking lot faces the SM North Edsa. It is probably why I've delayed my first visit to Trinoma. If not for my friend who is from Las Piñas who wanted see it, I would not have been there this weekend.

Both of us being totally new to the place, we found the place confusing. It is a good thing that properly trained security personnel/ushers can be seen everywhere and would cheerfully point you to the right direction. This is one case where you would be relieved that security services were outsourced and thus, properly handled. We took the Mindanao multi-level parking and found our slot, after so many detours. Next, we tried to find the comfort rooms. Again, thanks to the guards, we found it but we could have found our way if there were signs which pointed to the right direction. At that point, I thought that Trinoma could very well be called the "Confusing Triangle North of Makati." The lay-out of the mall resembles that of confusing Glorietta and the center atrium reminds you of Market! Market! About half of the shops are still closed but based on the "soon to open" signs you'll know that it would have most of the stores which I used to go to Makati and Ortigas for.


Me and my friend were still not too impressed until we got to the mall's main entrance. Apparently, we entered the mall from the back. As it turns out, Ayala laid out the plans for Trinoma, placing the main entrance and the viewing deck to have a view of the still lush with trees Veteran's Hospital and Golf Course, with the mountains of Rizal in the foreground. It is such a great idea! It offers a fresh view of Quezon City, far from its image as the site of Payatas or its slums. You can still see the Agham Road blight, if you just look carefully.

More than the great choice for frontage, to me, the brilliance of Ayala Land can be again seen in the water feature which they installed in Trinoma. From the ground floor to the third floor, water flows down in a steady stream starting from the fourth level, transformed into small waterfalls at each level until it reaches the large waterfall in the ground level. From the ponds in each floor, there are pressurized water fountains which sprouts water up the ponds, up to each level, and upstream. The water finds its way up to the 4th level (where the cinemas are) where there is a small lake (still under construction) surrounded by plants and crossed by foot bridges. At night, the water feature of Trinoma is even lovelier and more enchanting - an "attractive nuissance."

I stayed in Trinoma for several hours - almost 8 hours, I think, seeing some friends and familiar faces. My friend from Las Piñas left around 4:30pm and I was joined by another friend shortly after she left. As we left the mall, it became clear why Trinoma faces the corner of Mindanao Avenue and North Avenue. Since you can access the MRT directly through it, and even passengers riding the FX and taxis can use that EDSA entrance, the layout of Trinoma has the effect of directing the crowd away from SM City North EDSA. By positioning its not so pretty parking area to face SM, Ayala's Trinoma was actually graphically showing SM its behind.

Having seen it for myself, Trinoma is certainly a welcome improvement to Quezon City, no doubt. As for me, I'm just so glad I wouldn't have to go that far to get a cup of Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf's chai tea latte. And I have to see that fountain again.