The Pickleball Revolution: How SM Supermalls Is Serving Up a New Way of Life

 

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

The rhythmic pop-pop-pop of a plastic ball against a paddle has become the new heartbeat of the Filipino sporting scene. What began as a rising trend has exploded into a full-scale cultural phenomenon, and SM Supermalls is leading the charge, transforming the retail landscape into the nation’s ultimate sports playground.

A Bold Expansion: Breaking Records and Boundaries

By the end of 2025, SM has cemented its status as the undisputed home of pickleball in the Philippines. Through the SM Sports and Lifestyle Center (SLC), the mall giant achieved a staggering milestone: 61 court locations spanning 25 properties across the country.

This expansion includes 37 permanent courts—the largest inventory among all mall operators—including newly launched professional-grade venues at SM Center Shaw and SM Center Muntinlupa.

"Closing 2025 with our largest pickleball court locations... is evidence that sports remains not just a strong interest, but a new way of life for our customers," says Joaquin San Agustin, SM Supermalls Executive Vice President for Marketing.

Inside the SM Active Hub: More Than Just a Court

Launched in March 2024, the SM Active Hub was born from a vision to provide high-quality, accessible spaces for every kind of athlete. Whether you are a seasoned pro or a "casual pickler" picking up a paddle for the first time, the Hub offers an experience that is as inclusive as it is adrenaline-pumping.

What Makes the Experience "Maxed-Out"?

Modular Innovation: Utilizing a modular court approach, SM meets the athletic "appetite" of its communities with agility and style.

A Court for Every Player: The new SM Center Shaw features three outdoor permanent courts, while SM Center Muntinlupa offers four indoor permanent courts.

Creative Play: SM is redefining sports entertainment with "out-of-the-box" events like Glow Ball, a glow-in-the-dark pickleball twist that turns the game into a neon spectacle.

Skill Building: For those just starting, free coached Pickleball Clinics ensure the next generation of players is ready for the dink.

From Local Friendly Matches to Global Inspiration

The SM Active Hub isn't just about local play; it’s a stage for major competition. In partnership with Toby’s Sports, it hosts the prestigious SM Pickleball Super Series.

Perhaps most inspiring was the Pickleball Power Tour, featuring world-ranked Filipino-American pro-athlete Lauren Mercado. The event was such a massive success in igniting passion among young athletes that a second iteration is already scheduled for the first half of 2026.

The Future: The Road to 80

The demand for pickleball is so intense that SM’s courts remained fully booked through the end of 2025. Never one to rest on its laurels, SM’s upcoming thrust is even more ambitious: building enough permanent courts to increase their inventory to nearly 80 by 2026.

On top of the permanent infrastructure, SM maintains 24 semi-permanent courts nationwide to ensure that every Filipino has a place to play.

Join the Movement

Becoming part of this thriving community is easier than ever. Through the SM Malls Online app, enthusiasts can sign up, discover upcoming tournaments, and unlock exclusive rewards, discounts, and freebies.

As Joaquin San Agustin puts it, "As long as the Filipino desire for community and activity remains ablaze, SM is determined to continually give that passion for sports a home".

Ready to find your game? Download the app and visit your nearest SM Active Hub today.

The Pulse of a Greener Future: How the SM Green Movement is Reshaping the Filipino Tomorrow

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

In the heart of the Philippines’ bustling urban landscapes, a silent but powerful revolution is unfolding. It isn’t just happening in boardrooms or through policy mandates—it is happening in the aisles of your favorite mall, the water flowing through its pipes, and the very sun hitting its roof. This is the SM Green Movement, a bold commitment by SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SM Prime) to transform everyday habits into a systemic shield for the planet.

A Vision Beyond the Mandate

Long before sustainability became an industry buzzword, SM Prime recognized a fundamental truth: true environmental protection cannot be forced; it must be lived. What began as simple, localized actions has matured into a sophisticated, interconnected ecosystem that bridges the gap between corporate responsibility and community life.

By leveraging the massive scale of its nationwide network of supermalls, SM Prime has turned these social hubs into "living laboratories" for sustainability. This "micro to macro" approach ensures that every small act—like a customer dropping a battery into a bin—is scaled into a nationwide impact.

The Three Pillars of Change

The SM Green Movement stands on a foundation of three core environmental pillars, each designed to ensure that the resources of today are preserved for the generations of tomorrow.

1. Circularity in Waste Management

The waste pillar is no longer just about disposal; it’s about circularity. Through SM GUUN, the movement’s circularity platform, SM works with recycling partners to divert plastics, paper, and compostables away from landfills and back into the productive economy. It is a reimagining of "waste" as a resource.

2. Pioneers of Water Stewardship

Water is the lifeblood of our communities, and SM Prime’s stewardship is anchored in resilience. As a pioneer in the retail space, SM Supermalls introduced early sewage treatment plants and low-flow fixtures, creating a blueprint for how massive commercial spaces can recycle water and reduce consumption across the archipelago.

3. The Power of the Sun

Energy efficiency and renewable generation converge to prove that climate action and comfort can go hand-in-hand. A shining example of this is the 100MWp milestone celebrated at SM City North Edsa, marking a massive expansion of solar capacity across malls nationwide. This clean energy supports both the environment and the everyday experiences of millions of mallgoers.

A Shared Journey for Every Filipino

At its core, the SM Green Movement is about people. It is a shared journey that requires the collective action of partners, tenants, employees, and the millions of Filipinos who walk through SM’s doors every day.

"The SM Green Movement reflects our vision to scale simple, everyday acts into systemic impact," says Joaquin San Agustin, SM Supermalls Executive Vice President for Marketing. "By advancing energy, water, and waste initiatives together in our malls, we safeguard communities and build a more sustainable future." 

As the movement continues to grow, it lays the foundation for a future where sustainability isn't an "extra" effort—it is a part of everyday life. From the smallest island to the largest city, the SM Green Movement is empowering families to take part in simple acts that ensure shared prosperity for centuries to come.

The Digital Graveyard Reclaimed: How Cyberzone is Leading the Charge for a Greener Tomorrow

 Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

For too long, our old lives have been gathering dust in the dark corners of our homes. That cracked smartphone from three years ago, the tangled nest of frayed charging cables, and the ancient tablet that will never power on again—these aren't just clutter; they are a silent environmental ticking clock. But a movement is stirring within the halls of SM Supermalls, turning the tide against the rising sea of electronic waste. 

Through a powerhouse partnership between Cyberzone, SM Cares, Smart Communications, and PLDT Home, the act of "throwing away" tech has been transformed into a mission of restoration. 

A Monumental Achievement: 14,000kg and Counting

The numbers speak of a community that was waiting for a solution. Since the nationwide rollout began in June 2024, the results have been nothing short of staggering: 

14,327 kilograms of electronic waste have been successfully diverted from landfills. 

89 SM Supermalls currently host these vital lifelines for the planet. 

69 dedicated drop-off points are located directly within Cyberzone areas, making disposal as easy as shopping for a new upgrade. 

This isn't just about cleaning out drawers; it’s about a systematic shift in how we live. Instead of allowing hazardous materials to seep into the earth, these collection bins ensure that every circuit board and battery is properly segregated and handled responsibly. 

Why It Matters: Beyond the Gadget

As technology evolves at breakneck speed, the "old" is often forgotten. Patrick Pacla, Vice President for Cyberzone Operations and Marketing at SM Supermalls, emphasizes that being a tech destination comes with a profound responsibility. 

“Everyone has a role to play, and Cyberzone is committed to making it simpler and safer to do the right thing, so tech does not end up harming the planet.” 

This initiative, rooted in the #TechWeLikeZoneWeLove promise, proves that convenience and sustainability can coexist. By placing these bins in the heart of the mall experience, Cyberzone has turned a complex environmental problem into a simple, everyday habit. 

A Future Without Waste

The journey doesn’t end at 14,000 kilograms. This vision for an #SMWasteFreeFuture is built to grow. As new SM Supermalls open their doors, the network of e-waste collection bins will expand alongside them, ensuring that the next generation of tech users has a clear path toward responsible consumption. 

What can you do today? Don't let your old electronics become a burden to the earth. The next time you head to Cyberzone for the latest gear, bring your "digital graveyard" with you. 

Find a bin: Look for the dedicated collection boxes at participating SM Supermalls and Cyberzone branches. 

See the impact: Curious about where your old tech goes? Watch the journey here. 

Stay informed: Follow SM Cyberzone on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates on their green mission. 

Together, we can ensure that the technology we love today doesn't become the waste that haunts tomorrow.