I used to take bowling as my college PE and I think I’m actually pretty decent with it. How about you? It’s your chance to show your stuff by going on a bowling! Seriously, it does a lot to take stress away, bond over knocking things over with a large ball and rent smelly shoes.

Okay, maybe not the last one. But now’s a great time because SM Bowling Centers all over the Metro gives you a chance to participate in SM Bowling’s Red Pin Strike Out; a nice contest where you can win instant prizes you can share with your date.

Just participate in one regular bowling game with a date and you automatically qualify for the SM Bowling Red Pin Strike Out.

Twenty pins are set up for each lane, with each one having a red pin in random positions. When the Red Pin is at the “one” position (at the head of the pyramid), it’s called a Red Pyramid. You or your date must be able to strike the red pyramid to advance and win a prize.

It gets slightly complicated though: there are two stages for the you to be eligible to pick a prize: the Red Pyramid and the Red Pyramid Strikeout. During the first stage, you and your date will need to topple the red pin in his or her lane.

Striking out or toppling all the pins at the second stage grants you one prize from SM Bowling and its sponsors.

Prices are pretty reasonable: P200 per game off-peak, P250-300 per game peak hours. Technically, you can play with as many people as possible per game.

Try to bring your own bowling shoes  so you look like you’re an expert – though chances are, if you have a pair, you already do bowl regularly. If not then at least bring your own socks – buying one will cost you at least P50. It would look good if you advise your date to bring one too.

SM Megamall at 633-7052
SM North EDSA at 441-1802
SM Cebu at (032) 232-0295
SM Fairview at 939-5025

Don’t know how to bowl? Try these lessons for yourself before showing the moves to your date.