SM Active Hub marks First Anniversary with Nationwide Day of Movement

SM Supermalls marked the first anniversary of SM Active Hub with a nationwide activation across its malls, transforming them into the largest playground in the country and the biggest shared space for movement in one synchronized day.

Play goes full throttle at SM City Clark as families dive into the energy of SM Active Hub with movement, fun, and connection in one space.

Launched a year ago, SM Active Hub set out to change how people experience malls. Not just as places to shop, but as spaces to move, connect, and live fully. This vision scaled across the entire network.

Kids take the lead at the Push Bike Competition at SM City Bicutan during the nationwide celebration of the SM Active Hub anniversary.

On April 11, SM Active Hub brought “One Day, Every Mall, One Movement” to life. From sunrise to sunset, malls nationwide hosted runs, rallies, and free-play sessions, turning SM into the largest playground in the country for one synchronized day. Main celebrations took place at SM Mall of Asia and SM North EDSA, anchoring a coordinated, high-energy experience across the country.

Energy spikes at SM City La Union as players bring the heat to beach volleyball, powering the momentum of SM Active Hub.

SM maximizes every space to build the largest playground in the country, where movement is shared and accessible. Across its malls, Filipinos engage in running, pickleball, ice hockey, figure skating, basketball, volleyball, biking, and football, drawing both seasoned athletes and first-time participants.

Momentum builds at SM Mall of Asia as runners take over the bay during the SM Active Hub anniversary weekend, turning every stride into a celebration of movement.

Running remains a core pillar. In 2026, SM activates 24 malls with dedicated running paths, supported by 45 running clubs and 55 running events. What used to be solo is now social. Partnerships continue to scale the platform, with Runrio leading the Philippine Marathon Majors, including the Manila leg and the 42-kilometer EDSA Marathon on Independence Day.

 

Pickleball and fitness racing expanded the ecosystem. SM Active Hub featured 12 permanent and 13 semi-permanent pickleball courts, accelerating one of the fastest-growing sports in the country. SM North EDSA hosted the Toby’s Pickleball Superseries, while SM Mall of Asia staged fitness racing events for both competitive and casual participants, with both activations happening on April 11 as part of the anniversary.

Future football stars take the spotlight at SM City Laoag as kids bring energy and skill to the game.

The platform now operates at national scale, connecting thousands of participants, partner brands, and sports communities. This drove repeat participation, longer dwell time, and deeper engagement across malls.

Intensity peaks at SM Mall of Asia as athletes push limits in fitness racing, driving the competitive spirit of SM Active Hub.

The anniversary highlighted “Free Play, Full Fun,” opening activities to families, barkadas, and walk-in mallgoers with no barriers to entry. During Free Play Weekend on April 11 to 12, malls nationwide hosted pickleball, running, bowling, table tennis, Zumba, karatedo, chess, dance fitness, karate, biking, football, basketball, volleyball and taekwondo, turning everyday mall visits into active, shared experiences.

 

SM Active Hub sustains the momentum beyond the anniversary, with sports activations continuing throughout the summer across all SM Supermalls. A full calendar of runs, pickleball sessions, fitness classes, community tournaments, the Groove Dance Showdown, and Summer Sports Clinic keeps the platform active and accessible, driving repeat visits and sustained engagement while positioning SM as the go-to destination for movement and play during the season.

Game on at SM City Lipa as NU Lipa basketball players lead the action with speed, precision, and control on the court.

SM Supermalls continues to evolve the modern third space, integrating retail, wellness, and social connection into one ecosystem. For Gen Z and Gen Alpha, participation is social, shareable, and community-driven.

A pickleball tournament brought the heat to the courts at SM North EDSA, rallying players and spectators for a full day of fast-paced action.

“This is movement at scale,” said Joaquin San Agustin, Executive Vice President for Marketing, SM Supermalls. “We design spaces where communities gather, stay active, and experience life to the max.”

Free Play Weekend ran alongside the anniversary activities.

Precision and discipline take center stage as young athletes showcase taekwondo at SM City Masinag.

As part of its Here to Move campaign, SM Active Hub welcomed Canadian National Champion and PPA Tour athlete Mackonner Dy for a multi-mall tour from April 9 to 12, reinforcing its push to grow pickleball in the Philippines and expand access to international-level play.

All smiles as Canadian National Champion and PPA Tour athlete Mackonner Dy joins Pickleball for Kids at the pickleball court of SM City Sta. Mesa during the SM Active Hub Anniversary.

SM Active Hub extended beyond the mall through the SM Malls Online app, its official digital companion. Users accessed event schedules, registered for activities, unlocked rewards, and stayed updated on runs, pickleball sessions, and fitness events across all SM malls. It centralized the experience, turning every visit into a connected, on-demand journey.

Announcing the official Philippine National Volleyball Team lineup for the 2019 SEA Games

Philippine volleyball fans, are you ready for this year’s SEA Games in Manila?

The Philippine national men’s and women’s volleyball teams have released their official line-ups for the games, featuring a pool of talented professional and competitive players. Here is a look at our Volleyball representatives eyeing a podium finish in the regional meet.

MEN’S NATIONAL VOLLEYBALL TEAM
Joining the men’s national volleyball team are talented players who have made their mark in the sport. Headlining the team is a powerful trio collectively known as BAE (a playful acronym of their surnames), and their team captain John Vic de Guzman.

Men’s national volleyball team captain John Vic de Guzman is a stellar pro athlete with the PLDT Home Fibr Ultra Fast Hitters. He shot to prominence through his winning collegiate career, leading De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde to an NCAA championship in Season 92, as well as earning the MVP honors along the way.

Bryan Bagunas is a collegiate MVP and Japan-based pro player. Bagunas led the Bulldogs to two UAAP championship runs and finished his storied collegiate career with two MVP titles. The 6-foot-5 athlete portrays his power on the court through his long wing-span and powerful spikes, taking his talents not only to the Philippine national team, but also to the Oita Miyoshi Weisse Adler volleyball club in Japan.

Alnakran “Ranran” Abdilla is a standout pro from Tawi-Tawi, Mindanao. He is a BS Criminology graduate from DLSU-Dasmarinas, where he helped the team win three national championships from the Private Schools Athletic Association, two from the National Capital Region Athletic Association, and three from the Universities and Colleges Athletic Association. He currently plays in the Premier Volleyball League for the Philippine Air Force, in which he also serves as an airman 2nd class. Folks in his hometown of Bongao revere him as a hero and a role model for the youth.

Marck Espejo is the country’s first ever “Mr. Volleyball,” proving himself a force to be reckoned with. Espejo’s crowning achievement is winning the Most Valuable Player in Ateneo de Manila University’s three consecutive championship seasons from UAAP Seasons 77 to 79, along with Rookie of the Year, Best Attacker, Best Server, and Best Scorer awards.
Together with Bagunas, Abadilla, Espejo, and De Guzman, the Men’s National Team, coached by Dante Alinsunurin, is completed by these talented players:
Francis Saura – Philippine Air Force
Kim Malabunga – Philippine Air Force
Ricky Marcos – Sta. Elena-NU Bulldogs
Esmilzo Polvorosa – Cignal HD Spikers
Jessie Lopez – Philippine Air Force
Ave Joshua Retamar – Sta. Elena-NU Bulldogs
Rex Intal – Cignal HD Spikers
Mark Alfafara – PLDT
Jack Kalingking – Philippine Navy
Joshua Umandal – PLDT


WOMEN’S NATIONAL VOLLEYBALL TEAM
The star-studded and jam-packed women’s team is headlined by the best and brightest volleyball stars of this generation. Led by Coach Cesael delos Santos, the team hopes to earn home court advantage as they look to bring back the glory days of Philippine volleyball. Some of the headliners are:
Aby Maraño
A champion professional and collegiate MVP, women’s national team captain Aby Maraño plays with a burning passion under the mantra Beast Mode Don’t Care, or BMDC. Maraño shot to fame in her college days playing for the De La Salle University Lady Spikers, where she helped the team win an impressive three consecutive UAAP championships, earning two MVP awards along the way. Maraño has also had a successful pro career thus far, winning six championships in the Philippine Super Liga, five of which were with the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers. With this dazzling resume of accolades under her belt, Maraño will be looking to lead the team in dominating the field at the 2019 SEA Games this November.

Alyssa Valdez, affectionately known as “The Phenom,” is one of the most popular athletes of her generation. She’s best known for her time as a star player of Ateneo de Manila University during her college days, where she unceasingly led her team to two UAAP and two Shakey’s V-League championships, as well as numerous individual awards for her amazing play, including three MVP awards. Valdez has also been a standout in donning the Philippine tri-color in international tournaments, as well as in her pro career, leading her current team the Creamline Cool Smashers to two Premier Volleyball League championships in 2018 and 2019.

Majoy Baron is another champion pro and collegiate MVP.  She is truly unpredictable when she starts hitting it out on the court. She led the De La Salle University Lady Spikers to three consecutive UAAP championships, where she also won individual awards because of her commendable performance. Baron’s pro career is also flourishing, helping take the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers to five PSL championships, including the recently-concluded 2019 PSL Invitational Conference, in which she also won MVP. Baron is not new to international volleyball tournaments—just recently, she was named the Best Middle Blocker in the ASEAN Grand Prix held in Thailand and the Philippines.

Jia Morado is an award-winning pro MVP and former college standout who has previous experience representing the Philippines in the SEA Games. During the recently concluded 2019 ASEAN Grand Prix, Morado made noise by setting the pace for the national team during its five-set victory against Vietnam. Netizens praised her outstanding performance, with some describing her playmaking as a “game changer.” Her pro career with the Creamline Cool Smashers has seen incredible accomplishments so far, with two Premiere Volleyball League championships playing for the club.
Completing the promising women’s national volleyball team in the 2019 SEA Games are:
Rhea Dimaculangan – Petron Tri-Activ Spikers
Ces Molina – Petron Tri-Activ Spikers
Eya Laure – Foton Tornadoes
Kalei Mau – F2 Logistics Cargo Movers
Mylene Paat – Cignal HD Spikers
Jovelyn Gonzaga – Cignal HD Spikers, PacificTown-Army
Maddie Madayag – Choco Mucho
Mika Reyes – Petron Blaze Spikers
Dawn Macandili – F2 Logistics Cargo Movers
Kath Arado – Generika-Ayala Lifesavers
Cheering as Sambansa in the 2019 SEA Games
Now that we know who will represent the Philippines at the SEA Games this November, don’t be shy to show your support! Both the men and women’s teams have been busy preparing with the help of various organizations and companies such as Rebisco, and they will need all the support they can get from their Filipino fans as our players look to play their best against the top talent of Southeast Asia and bring home the gold.

The volleyball tournament of the 2019 SEA Games will be held from November 28 to December 10 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Rizal Sports Complex, Manila.
For more info and updates on the Philippine national volleyball team, follow Rebisco Pilipinas on Facebook (facebook.com/RebiscoSambansa/), and on Twitter and Instagram at @RebiscoSambansa.