Regulations, restrictions, prohibitions—whatever “-itions” the Philippine government throws at the airsoft community here, it still keeps growing. It can no longer be denied that airsoft here has indeed reached mainstream level, with players encompassing a broad spectrum of socio-economic classes. While others still frown at the trend of “cheaper guns for the masses”, a large majority has become accustomed to having a bevy of Toms, Dicks and Harrys in every game.

Of course, with the growing number of players, come increase in demand for airsoft guns, gears and gadgets; and where there is demand, there will be supply, or suppliers. The Philippine airsoft scene has been witness to the sudden “airsoft shop boom” in the country. Although cannot be compared to Mongkok in Hong Kong, as these Philippine shops still belong to the “cottage industry” class, more and more are riding the airsoft shop bandwagon.

So, how do shops here differentiate themselves from each other?

Most well known (generally the bigger ones) airsoft shops in the country have evolved from being a friendly neighborhood store to become multi-million peso enterprises, slowly shedding off its “airsoft spirit”. Most first time walk-in customers are usually left off on their own, browsing through the many selections a particular shop offers… not really knowing where to start. Lucky for returning customers as they, more often than not, receives better attention from shop clerks.

This is where Storm Airsoft Shack differs from the rest of the local airsoft retailers here in the country. Being an airsofter himself, Joey Rivero, more known to the Philippine airsoft scene as “Storm”, makes sure that the airsoft spirit of camaraderie and friendship, will not be limited in the battlefields alone, but out of the skirmish arenas, as well.

We had a tete-a-tete with the man himself, and here are the excerpts of our chat with him.

Popular Airsoft: Hi, Storm. Foremost, please tell our readers and us a little something about yourself.

Joey Rivero aka "Storm": Hello, Airsofting World. I’m Joey “Storm” Rivero, your regular airsoftin’ nut—owner and operator of Storm Airsoft Shack and the Strikezone Airsoft gamesite both located at Metrowalk Ortigas Center here in the Philippines… and of course one of your avid readers (Popular Airsoft Magazine).

You have been playing airsoft for quite some time now. What prompted you to open up your own airsoft shop?

Yep, been playin’ and been with the local airsoft community here for some time now. As an airsofter, I have always been very particular with the gears and equipment I use. I always ensure that my gear and equipment do not hamper with my performance during game days. I also have naturally been helpful with fellow airsofters on and off the field with regards to queries regarding what best equipment to use, what’s new, what’s hot, etc. A lot of times, fellow airsofters look into having me get ‘em this and that. I started off selling a few stuff here and there… doing meet ups with buyers… then in a  jiffy, what do you know! I was already receiving a lot of orders for a lot of different stuff—from upgrade parts, accessories,  AEGs, gears, uniforms etc. So, I decided on putting up an airsoft shack—as I call it, ‘coz it is just a small shed with a variety of airsoft essentials—where people could just come over, rather than always having to meet up with me somewhere... Basically, that was how Storm Airsoft Shack or SAS started.

How long has Storm Airsoft Shack or SAS been operating?

SAS is very young. The shack itself has been operating for a little over a year now. Although I have been an airsoft trader, well, for over three years, I guess.

What services do you offer?

SAS supplies performance parts, essential gear, choice AEGs—both high-end and practical selections. We also have a lot of authentic, locally-made and some Class A repros, all of which I deem functional and practical for our fellow airsofters. Basically, most of the stuff we sell are what we recommend either for performance or practicality.

SAS also is a haven for custom-built performance parts, such as locally manufactured MOSFET systems, precision barrels, HOP-UP enhancers and high-performance batteries, etc.

One major service we provide is gunsmithing. SAS has been very particular on the quality and satisfaction of its customers, especially on all AEG services from upgrades,  modification and repairs. I, together with my chief ‘smith Jason Borja, always make sure that every AEG we service won’t be coming back for a return job.

SAS has been considered by most airsoft enthusiasts as being unique. They say that the atmosphere here is less “business-like”. Is that a strategy to differentiate your shop from the rest?

Well, having an active airsofter to staff SAS is definitely an advantage, as they know what our fellow airsofters need, and the most important thing is that, they are capable of offering expert advice and properly addressing queries, as well as no-BS selling. I mean, you do not make someone buy things that you deem are not needed on the field. We always treat our customers as our brothers (or sisters)-in-arms in airsoft. I actually envisioned the shack to be de-commercialized, a hang out joint for fellow airsofters to exchange stories about past games and skirmishes. That way, people who were not able to play on the weekend prior will have a chance to get updated of the latest goings-on by hanging out in SAS. I believe that is the most important thing—an airsoft shop run by airsofters, for airsofters. I am just happy to be regularly surrounded by common friends.

Oh, I believe you have already seen how the shop transforms into a hangout bar (chuckles).

I noticed that your shop is located in a very popular night spot and party place—the Metrowalk. Does that help your business?

Well, somewhat yes it does help the shop. A lot of walk-ins, aside from regular customers, now patronize the shop. But, I think the main advantage of SAS is being in Ortigas area. It is a very strategic location, being right smack in the middle of NCR, accessible to northern and southern Manila area and even the eastern parts. Just within striking distance, if you know what I mean…

Also, of the shops that we have visited, SAS boasts of a 24/7 speedball arena, Strike Zone. Are you positioning to be a one-stop airsoft shop, where clients can try out or instantly play with the products they are buying?

Being an airsoft nut, the staccato of an AEG is always music to my ears. Hahaha! So, I worked on having a skirmish site right beside SAS, but of course, to also cater to players within the area—call center agents, corporate communities and weekend warriors within striking distance. We actually envision Strike Zone to be a premier speedball-type CQC gamesite within the city thus, expect more development this coming new year…

Currently, it’s actually very heart-warming to see kids with their families playing here, Newbies start off here while its not uncommon to see airsoft veterans playing and helping out their new brethren. There is a lot in store for Strike Zone this coming year.

Could you describe to us the make-up of your client base? Who buys from SAS? and what do they usually buy?

Hmmm, well I would say a wide majority of our clients are from offices nearby, residents within the area and of course, regular veteran airsofters. There are also quite a number of friends from far areas such as Tuguegarao and Bataan in northern Luzon, and Laguna and Cavite in the south, who frequent the shop. There are also a large number of father and son/family clients that we take care of. Purchases differ from the more practical ACM guns, while other go for authentic gear. Others go for performance parts while all of them avail of our gunsmithing services. I guess it’s more of who is manning the shop. Thus, good reputation and character is very important.

You are a very active proponent of airsoft pistol speed shooting. How do you make it more appealing to a lot of airsoft players out there?

Being a former IPSC shooter, I have always enjoyed practical shooting. In that same token, I wanted our fellow airsofter discover the sport too. There are a lot of former and even active real steel shooters in our ranks, thus we have been organizing small practical shooting events in the area using GBBs. It’s becoming more popular now.

To further bolster the new section of airsofting, I have joined and supported a popular call of forming a local airsoft pistol shooting organization. We are still working on it—inviting support and hopefully have it fully organized early next year.

Lastly, since it’s the “buying season” for most airsofters in the Philippines—with Christmas bonuses, and such--what would you recommend would be a best buy for them?

Well for beginners, I’d recommend they get some good ACM AEGs first. Good quality, perfect power factor, ready to rock-and-roll out of the box. It would be practical for them to start off with that, especially if they are still getting the feel of the sport. For veterans, well, they’ve been into airsoft long enough to know what they want, hahahaha! It really depends what they fancy.