racoma.com.phJ. Angelo Racoma on technology, economics, writing, problogging, and getting things done

Last February 22nd, I attended the grand opening of Timezone at Trinoma in Quezon City, on the invitation of Visions & Expressions, their PR handler. While Timezone there had been open for a few months now, it’s only now that they are doing their full launch.

Camera bag and kids in tote, we were enjoying the rides and games using the free pre-paid cards the organizers gave us. It was after a bumpy bumper car ride when I got a call from my dad. Apparently someone contacted him using my mobile phone (my alternate mobile phone, which I usually use only for mobile Internet browsing), telling him that it was at the mall’s security office.

I checked my bag and to my surprise, the phone was no longer there. So I called my mobile, and someone answered. True enough it was at the mall’s security office. We were told to ask for assistance from mall security personnel in getting there.

Dropped or Stolen?

My wife and I initially thought I had dropped the phone or left it at the restaurant where we had lunch. But when we arrived at the security office, we were informed that my phone had been recovered from a pickpocket. That group of pickpockets had already stolen a handful of other mobile phones, wallets and purses, when they were spotted by some of their victims. Good thing the other victims were able to alert security personnel, and tailed the culprits until they were apprehended (outside of Timezone).

There were three suspects: one male and two female. One of them was pregnant, seemingly near full-term. The guards say they had been victimizing people at Timezone. Figures, since the place was packed, and stories of thugs taking stuff at arcades and other crowded places are quite familiar to me.

I asked the suspects why they took our stuff. They said they didn’t have money. I asked how they got the phone. The lady said they took it while we were busy enjoying ourselves. I happily informed her that I was on the job, covering an event. And I told her other people have bigger problems than just money. So poverty shouldn’t have been a motivation to steal.

Some thoughts

In hindsight, here are some observations I have about this incident:

• When I asked the Timezone security guard for directions to the mall’s security office he seemed reluctant. And I didn’t even mention anything about lost phones! Perhaps he was aware of the incident, and probably felt culpable for the lax security in the area. The place was swarming with security guards, and yet they failed to apprehend the thieves early.
• Trinoma, like other Ayala malls, doesn’t seem to have high-tech surveillance gadgetry to monitor ongoings at the premises. The security office was very sparse–it was an empty store area at the far end of the mall (right next to the MRT gates). They did have communications equipment like radios, but no other monitoring devices. No wonder they still don’t know what exactly the cause of the Glorietta 2 explosion was!

The security chief told me it was their responsibility to convince us to press charges with the police. But they said that even without the charges, the suspects would be brought to the nearby station and would stay in jail for 36 hours to await formal charges. If none are filed, then they are free to go, but they will have police records.

While I really felt it was my responsibility to file a formal complaint to keep the suspects from being at large (and committing crime over and over again), I took the advice of those close to me who suggested otherwise. Trinoma Mall wouldn’t file the complaint on my behalf, so that I would have to do as an individual. That means I’ll be involved in lengthy legal proceedings, which would probably be more difficult and cost more in terms of money, time and effort than the PhP 6k my phone was worth!

And for some reason I felt that the cure for crime like this is to address it at its roots–poverty and a poor educational system.

Still, I was advised that I could file a formal complaint even after the suspects have been released from police custody.

Timezone Trinoma Launch

At any rate, here’s the Timezone press release, and some photos I took.

At the carousel

At the carousel

View from the top

Balloon ride

Balloon ride

Rides and robotic muppets

Bumper cars

And finally …

Mugshots! (Notice the state of the security office)

Timezone’s Biggest Store Opens at Trinoma Mall

All residents of Northern Metro Manila now have a great, new spot to flock to inside the recently opened largest branch of Timezone in Trinoma Mall. At about 1,300 square meters, this is by far LAI Philippines’ biggest Timezone outlet and is almost 50% larger than the country’s largest outlet at Glorietta 4 in Makati City.

Kids, teens and young adults are guaranteed to have a lot of fun as they experience Timezone Trinoma’s newest, exciting rides like the 6-meter high Ferris Wheel and the 24-Horse Carousel; test their knowledge with the 8-player SuperTrivia mind game; exercise their vocal chords and singing prowess via the Music Zone videoke booths; you can also try their newest games like Dino Duel Masters, Deal or No Deal, Paradise Lost, Tekken 6, Maximum Tune III, Initial D4 and a whole lot more of games and machines from racing, arcade and redemption games that Timezone has long been known for. With the latest machines and games soon to be allocated, things can only get better in Timezone Trinoma.

Timezone is located at the 4th floor near the cinema lobby and the must-see Trinoma rooftop Park. Indeed, this highly accessible and refreshing location creates for a new and wholesome entertainment destination for the entire family.