Four decades of SM Supermalls and the birth of the nation’s ultimate tech hub. From a humble shoe store in downtown Manila to the Philippines’ most iconic shopping destinations, SM’s 40-year journey tells the story of a retail revolution that forever changed how Filipinos shop, socialize, and embrace technology. But within this grand narrative lies a smaller yet equally transformative tale: the rise of SM Cyberzone, the tech hub that would become ground zero for the Philippines’ digital awakening.

From Shoemart to Supermall: Building the Foundation

The SM story began in 1958 when Henry Sy Sr. opened his first Shoemart store along Carriedo Street in Quiapo, Manila. What started as a simple dream—to sell a pair of shoes to every Filipino—evolved into something far more ambitious. By 1985, SM opened its first “Supermall” at SM North EDSA in Quezon City, sparking what would become known as the “malling phenomenon” in the Philippines.

Malls became part of the Filipino lifestyle, places where families and friends could shop together, dine together, and have fun together in world-class surroundings. But even as SM transformed retail across the archipelago, the company’s leaders recognized that another revolution was brewing—the digital one.

The Birth of Cyberzone: A Lifestyle Store with Vision

In 1998, what would eventually become SM Cyberzone originated as a lifestyle store in SM North EDSA’s Carpark Building. At the time, the internet was still a novelty for many Filipinos, and personal computers remained expensive curiosities for the affluent few. But SM saw the writing on the wall.

The concept was revolutionary for its time: create a dedicated space within shopping malls where technology retailers, gadget stores, and telecommunications providers could coexist under one roof. It featured gadget and technology retailers, concept stores of electronic brands, and telecommunications providers in dedicated areas inside SM Supermalls.

What made Cyberzone different wasn’t just the concentration of tech stores—it was the democratization of technology access. Instead of having to hunt for specialized shops in Manila’s traditional tech districts like Greenhills or Gilmore, Filipinos could now find everything from the latest mobile phones to gaming accessories in the familiar, air-conditioned comfort of their local SM mall.

The Gaming Revolution: More Than Just Retail

As the 2000s progressed, Cyberzone evolved beyond simple retail. The rise of internet cafes, the growing popularity of gaming, and the increasing affordability of personal computers created a perfect storm for what would become Cyberzone’s most significant cultural impact: fostering the Philippines’ gaming community.

SM Cyberzone has been pioneering the community esports scene since 2014, recognizing early on that gaming wasn’t just a pastime—it was becoming a legitimate sport and career path for many young Filipinos. The company built gaming programs that gained recognition across the country from 2016 to 2019, partnering with global esports organizations to bring world-class tournaments to local audiences.

But Cyberzone’s real genius was understanding that community mattered as much as commerce. Today, gaming transcends many borders. From various genres to screens and even devices, it has also taken over the Philippines, with one venue at its heart. Cyberzone has continued to evolve over the years, and what was once known simply as a collection of tech stores has now become a bustling hub that fosters a community of gaming enthusiasts across the console, PC, and mobile gaming spaces.

The Hub That Never Sleeps: Events, Tournaments, and Culture

What sets Cyberzone apart from other tech retail spaces is its role as a cultural catalyst. It is also recognized as a hub for significant gaming and technology-related events. The annual Cyberzone Game Fest, now in its 10th year, has become a pilgrimage site for Filipino gamers, offering tournaments, tech showcases, and community events that span multiple SM malls nationwide.

The Cyberzone Gaming Arena hosts the Cyberzone Challenger Series with tournaments for popular games like Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), Call of Duty: Mobile (CODM), Wild Rift, Tetris, Genshin Impact, and Tekken 8. These aren’t just casual competitions—they’re serious events with substantial prize pools and opportunities for aspiring esports athletes to make their mark.

Recent events showcase Cyberzone’s continued innovation. Cyberzone Mobile Mania, the biggest mobile tech showcase of the year, transformed the space into a venue where mobile deals from various brands happen. It also hosts live tournaments from Mobile Legends and Honor of Kings, encouraging players to showcase their skills against other aspiring players.

Beyond Gaming: The Complete Tech Ecosystem

While gaming might be Cyberzone’s most visible strength, its broader impact on Philippine tech culture cannot be overstated. As the largest chain of IT retail stores in the Philippines, Cyberzone democratized access to technology in ways that weren’t possible before.

Need a new smartphone? Cyberzone has dozens of options from every major brand. Building a custom PC? You’ll find everything from motherboards to RGB lighting. Looking for productivity software or gaming peripherals? From parts to accessories, you’ll find everything you need to build the perfect computer set.

With the rise of mobile gaming, thanks to hits like Mobile Legends and Genshin Impact, Cyberzone also caters to the needs of on-the-go gamers, offering stores that feature gameplay-optimized smartphones and accessories. This adaptability has kept Cyberzone relevant as technology trends shift from desktop PCs to mobile devices and back again.

The Social Impact: Building Communities, Not Just Sales

What makes Cyberzone truly special isn’t just what it sells, but what it enables. Cyberzone continues to support gaming communities across all demographics and positively influence the youth’s growing passion in tech and the gaming arena.

The space has become a meeting ground where friendships are forged over shared interests in technology and gaming. It’s where parents bring their children to experience their first gaming setup, where college students gather to discuss the latest tech trends, and where serious gamers come to test equipment before making major purchases.

Cyberzone continues to bring together an expanding tech community at various esports segments in the country, supporting everything from inter-school tournaments to professional esports events. This community-building aspect has made Cyberzone more than a retail space—it’s become a cultural institution.

Innovation in the Digital Age

As SM Supermalls celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2025, Cyberzone continues to evolve. SM Supermalls is launching its biggest and boldest nationwide promotion yet: a 40-day shopping festival filled with thrilling deals, surprises, and exclusive offers across 88 malls from August 1 to September 9, 2025.

This August, Cyberzone is putting the spotlight on community spirit with three major conventions happening across Metro Manila: Northern Playcon at SM City North Edsa, ToyCon Battlegrounds at SM Mall of Asia, and Geek+Pop Prologue at SM Southmall and SM City Dasmarinas.

The events showcase Cyberzone’s commitment to innovation. Northern PlayCon is the ultimate area for everything gaming, featuring the Northern Playoffs, including Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, and a Gamer’s Round Table for free-to-play matches. Meanwhile, ToyCon Battlegrounds brings a competitive edge to geek culture with activities ranging from Tekken 8 tournaments to Beyblade, trading cards, and painting booths.

The Legacy: Transforming Philippine Tech Culture

As we look back on four decades of SM Supermalls and nearly three decades of Cyberzone, the transformation is remarkable. What began as a simple concept—putting tech stores together in one location—became the catalyst for the Philippines’ digital revolution.

Cyberzone didn’t just make technology more accessible; it made it social, competitive, and fun. It transformed gaming from a solitary activity into a community experience. It turned tech shopping from a necessity into an adventure. Most importantly, it recognized that behind every gadget, every game, and every piece of technology is a person with passions, dreams, and a desire to connect with others who share their interests.

As Patrick Pacla, Vice President – Cyberzone Operations and Marketing at SM Supermalls, puts it: “Cyberzone is more than just a place for tech and gadgets—it’s a space where passion thrives”.

Today, as SM Supermalls operates 88 malls nationwide, each Cyberzone location serves as a local hub for its community’s tech enthusiasts and gamers. The concept that started in a parking building at SM North EDSA has become an integral part of how Filipinos discover, purchase, and enjoy technology.

Looking Forward: The Next Digital Revolution

As artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and other emerging technologies reshape our world, Cyberzone is positioned to once again be at the forefront of change. SM has always been more than just malls—we are part of people’s lives and journeys. That’s why we constantly listen, innovate, and evolve, as SM Supermalls President Steven T. Tan notes.

The success of Cyberzone proves that retail isn’t just about transactions—it’s about transformation. By creating spaces where technology becomes accessible, social, and exciting, SM didn’t just change how Filipinos shop for gadgets; they changed how an entire generation relates to technology itself.

From that first lifestyle store in 1998 to today’s network of tech hubs across the Philippines, Cyberzone’s story is ultimately about recognizing and nurturing potential—the potential of technology to bring people together, the potential of gaming to become a legitimate sport, and the potential of retail spaces to become community centers.

As SM celebrates 40 super years and looks toward the future, one thing is clear: wherever the next digital revolution takes us, Cyberzone will be there, ready to help Filipinos power their passions with the latest in tech-assured innovation.

After all, when it comes to technology and gaming in the Philippines, you’ve always got it at Cyberzone. #GotItAtCyberzone #SMTechFair2025 #SMSuper40Years

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