Rainy Days Won't Stop Your Barkada's Gala at SM Supermalls

Habagat season has this annoying habit of ruining plans right when you're about to head out. One text says "let's meet up," and the next says "ang lakas ng ulan, tara mall na lang." Good thing is that second option isn't really a downgrade.

If you're wondering about things to do in SM the next time the rain won't let up, here's a lineup that turns a soggy afternoon into a proper barkada gala—no umbrella required.

Start the hunt at Gaming Library

Every good game night needs the right game, and Gaming Library is where that search usually ends. It's one of the country's go-to mall shops for tabletop gaming, stocked with everything from strategy games to party games that guarantee chaos within the first ten minutes.

Discover your next favorite board game at Gaming Library. Whether it's the travel-friendly Catan On the Road or the strategy-filled Winds of Numa Sera, there's a game for every kind of barkada.

Not sure what fits your group? The staff actually know their stuff and will ask about your group size and vibe before recommending anything, so first-timers and veteran board gamers both walk out with something worth playing. It's also a solid stop if you're the type who likes browsing shelves slowly, reading the backs of boxes, and debating with your friends about which game looks more fun. Half the experience is in that back and forth before you've even picked anything up.

Play it out at All Aboard XP by Gaming Library

Found something you're dying to try? Skip the trip home. All Aboard XP by Gaming Library is built for exactly that. It is a space where your group can crack open a game and just play, no need to own it first.

Head to All Aboard XP by Gaming Library to learn new board games, challenge your barkada, and spend hours creating unforgettable memories together, rain or shine.

Game masters are on standby to walk you through the rules, which means less time reading instructions and more time actually competing. It's become one of the most loved indoor hangout spots for groups who want entertainment in malls that isn't just shopping. Tables are set up so multiple groups can play at once, which means you might end up trading tips with strangers who happen to love the same game as you. Some of the best barkada memories start with a random table next door getting way too competitive over something like Uno.

Gear up at Gameline

For barkadas whose gaming doesn't stop at the console being off, Gameline is worth the detour. Think of it as one of the better gadget stores in malls if your crew is hunting for the newest PlayStation or Switch release, controllers, or accessories.

Level up your game collection at Gameline with exciting titles like Mouse: P.I. For Hire and Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced. From the latest releases to fan favorites, there's always a new adventure waiting.

Even if nobody's buying anything that day, browsing together is half the fun. It's the kind of window shopping that somehow always ends in someone adding to cart later that night. Keep an eye out too, since gaming retailers tend to run their own mall deals and bundle promos around big releases, so a casual visit might turn into unexpectedly good timing.

Build decks and find your people at Courtside

Trading card games have quietly become one of the most reliable bonding activities for friend groups, and Courtside gets why. It carries trading cards from major franchises, restocks accessories, and keeps its regulars updated on new releases and drops.

Start or grow your trading card collection at Courtside with popular titles like the One Piece Card Game and Cardfight!! Vanguard. Build your dream deck and connect with a thriving TCG community through meetups, leagues, and special events.

What sets it apart, though, is the community. Courtside runs meetups, leagues, and launch events that make it more than just another stop on the mall directory. Whether you've been collecting for years or just picked up your first pack, it's an easy place to meet people who get the hobby, trade cards you've been sitting on, and maybe walk away with that one card you've been chasing for months.

Catch the Pokémon Card Shows this July

If your group has a Pokémon TCG habit, mark these dates. The Pokémon Card Shows are happening July 18 to 19 and July 25 to 26 at SMX Aura, and July 31 at SM Makati Cyberzone.

Bring your best deck and meet fellow Trainers at the Pokémon Card Shows. Trade cards, discover rare finds, and enjoy exciting matches with the growing Pokémon TCG community.

Expect trading, rare pulls, and a whole lot of fellow Trainers comparing collections. It's a solid answer if anyone's asking where to go in Manila this weekend and the weather's against you.

Celebrate anime at Otaku Expo Tanabata Festival

Come August 8 to 9, Megatrade Hall at SM Megamall hosts the Otaku Expo Tanabata Festival, bringing together cosplayers, artists, and anime fans for two days of merch hunting and fandom appreciation.

Celebrate your love for anime at the Otaku Expo Tanabata Festival. Enjoy cosplay, shop for exclusive merchandise, meet fellow fans, and immerse yourself in a weekend of Japanese pop culture.

Cosplay is welcome, but so is just showing up in a graphic tee to browse. Either way, it's a good excuse to gather everyone under one air-conditioned roof and just soak in the fandom energy for a full weekend.

Rain or shine, the fun's still on

If you're driving, most SM branches offer decent parking space. If you're commuting, several SM malls sit close to malls near MRT or LRT stations. This makes gathering the group less of an ordeal. It's also worth having your SM Advantage Card on hand. You'll never know when mall promos might apply, and gaming purchases do add up fast. Hungry after all that browsing? The SM foodcourt is right there, and most branches have cafes with WiFi and pugs if anyone wants to sit and talk before heading home.

The rain might mess with your outdoor plans, but it doesn't have to touch the rest of your week. Between Gaming Library, All Aboard XP, Gameline, Courtside, and the events lined up through July and August, SM Supermalls gives your barkada enough reasons to go all out indoors. 

So next time the clouds roll in, don't scrap the plan. Just move it inside, and let the gala continue.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and X to stay updated with all the latest news and happenings here at SM Supermalls. You can also check the updated entry guidelines and mall hours for 2026 here.

About SM Supermalls

SM Supermalls is evolving—shaping how people live, connect, and experience life today. More than a place to shop, it is the country’s most loved mall and an everyday destination designed around the lifestyles, passions, and needs of Filipino communities, delivering new finds, fresh concepts, and meaningful experiences, All For You.

As one of Southeast Asia’s largest mall developers and operators, with 90 malls in the Philippines and 9 in China, SM Supermalls continues to evolve its spaces, experiences, and partnerships, building destinations that grow with communities and remain trusted, relevant, and loved for generations. Your Most Loved Supermall, SM — All For You.