Movies like Ice Castles and Cool Runnings teach us that no dream is too ambitious, whether it’s an individual aspiration or a team goal. SM Skating knows this all too well, as it doesn’t let our tropical setting hinder the pursuit of big dreams when it comes to participating and excelling in sports events associated with the Winter Olympics.
Whether it’s figure skating, speed skating, or ice hockey, SM Skating sees to it that its ice rinks in select SM malls are more than just places for recreation. These rinks can be the starting point for young girls dreaming of Ice Castles or a group of friends aspiring to form a global ice hockey team. SM ice rinks serve as the venue and crucial first step to turn these dreams into reality.
SM Megamall opened in 1992 with the country’s first-ever ice rink. What began as a novelty has transformed into Olympic-size rinks at SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia, and SM Seaside City Cebu. These rinks now serve as official training grounds for those pursuing proficiency in Figure Skating, Ice Hockey, and Speed Skating.
As the home to the Philippines’ national teams in figure skating and ice hockey, SM Skating and its ice rinks have played a crucial role in nurturing several multi-awarded athletes in these winter sports over the years.
Notable figures include two-time Winter Olympian Michael Martinez, as well as Isabella Gamez and Alexander Korovin, the first Southeast Asian and Philippine pair to compete in the World Championships of Figure Skating.
Other notable names who call SM Skating home are 2022 National Champion and Junior Worlds figure skater Sofia Frank, 2022 National Medalist and GMA Sparkle Artist Charmaine Skye Chua, and back-to-back National Junior Medalist Cathryn Limketkai.
The Philippines Men’s National Ice Hockey team also took home the gold in Division IV of the 2023 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Ice Hockey Championship—quite a feat for a tropical nation in a team sport competition.
While some may dismiss the idea of seeing the Philippine flag at a Winter Olympics medal ceremony, SM Skating has embraced the challenge, asking ‘Why not?’—and has laid the groundwork for raising that possibility.
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