I still remember the first time I saw Yoyoy Villamin play live. It was 2012, and I was sitting in the upper box section of the Araneta Coliseum, watching what would become one of the most memorable PBA games of that season. The arena was electric that night - the kind of atmosphere that makes your hair stand on end. Villamin, then playing for the underdog team, was having what sports commentators would later call his "breakout game." He scored 28 points that evening, but numbers don't really capture how he completely dominated the court. There was this particular moment in the fourth quarter where he executed a spin move so smooth, followed by a fadeaway jumper that seemed to hang in the air forever before swishing through the net. The crowd went absolutely wild, and I found myself jumping to my feet along with thousands of other fans. That's when I truly understood why people were starting to whisper about this player becoming something special.

What made Villamin's journey to legendary status so remarkable wasn't just his raw talent - though he certainly had plenty of that. It was his incredible work ethic and basketball IQ that set him apart. I've followed his career closely over the years, and what always impressed me was how he continued to evolve his game season after season. He wasn't content with being just a scorer; he worked tirelessly on his defense, his passing, his leadership. By his fifth season in the PBA, he was averaging 22.7 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game - numbers that put him in the conversation for MVP that year. I remember interviewing his former coach once, who told me Villamin would often be the first to arrive at practice and the last to leave, sometimes staying for hours after everyone had gone home to work on specific aspects of his game.

This dedication to continuous improvement is something that current Philippine basketball could really learn from, especially when I think about the challenges facing our national team. Just the other day, I was reading about how GILAS Pilipinas will only have a short preparation for the 2025 Southeast Asian Games, and head coach Norman Black plans to augment it with once a week practices once the team is formed. It made me think about how different things were in Villamin's era, when players had more time to develop chemistry and refine their games through extended training camps. The current situation reminds me that we need to find ways to maximize limited preparation time, much like how Villamin had to adapt his training methods during the pandemic when facilities were closed and team practices were restricted.

There's a particular quality that separates good players from true icons, and Villamin had it in spades - that intangible ability to rise to the occasion when it mattered most. I'll never forget game 7 of the 2018 PBA Finals. His team was down by 3 with less than 10 seconds left on the clock. Villamin grabbed a defensive rebound, dribbled the length of the court, and sank a three-pointer as time expired to send the game into overtime. The incredible part? He was playing with a sprained ankle that should have kept him sidelined. That game ultimately went to double overtime, and his team won the championship. Moments like that are why people still talk about Yoyoy Villamin PBA legacy years after his retirement. He wasn't just playing basketball; he was creating memories that would last lifetimes.

What I find most inspiring about Villamin's story is how he maintained his humility throughout his career. Despite all the fame and accolades - and there were many, including 4 PBA championships and 2 MVP awards - he never lost sight of where he came from. I had the privilege of meeting him briefly at a basketball clinic in 2019, and what struck me was how patiently he worked with young players, correcting their form, offering encouragement, sharing stories from his own journey. He told them that talent might get you noticed, but character is what keeps you in the game. That philosophy seems to be missing from some aspects of modern basketball, where flashy plays often get more attention than fundamental skills and sportsmanship.

As I reflect on Villamin's impact on Philippine basketball, I can't help but draw parallels to the current state of our national program. The challenge facing GILAS Pilipinas with their limited preparation time for the 2025 Southeast Asian Games reminds me that we need to develop players who can adapt quickly and make the most of every practice session. Villamin would have thrived in such an environment because he understood the value of focused, intentional training. His career teaches us that while natural talent is wonderful, it's the dedication to continuous improvement and the ability to perform under pressure that truly defines greatness.

The legacy of Yoyoy Villamin PBA journey continues to influence new generations of Filipino basketball players. Just last week, I was watching a college game where a young prospect made a move that was unmistakably inspired by Villamin's signature spin-and-fadeaway. It brought a smile to my face, seeing how his impact continues to shape the game years after his retirement. True basketball icons never really leave the sport; they live on through the players they inspire and the memories they create. Villamin's story isn't just about statistics and championships - though he had plenty of both. It's about passion, perseverance, and that special magic that happens when extraordinary talent meets unwavering dedication. And that's why, even today, basketball fans throughout the Philippines still speak his name with reverence and admiration.

LIGHTING, LIGHTING, AND MORE LIGHTING
People are typically drawn to bars solely based on their atmosphere. The best way to knock your next commercial bar design out of the park is using the perfect amount and type of lighting. Use standout light fixtures as their very own statement piece, track lighting for adjustable ambiance, hanging pendant lights over tables, and ambient backlighting to display the alcohol. Bartenders need to serve and customers need to order, so make sure it’s just functional as it is attractive. 

CHOOSING YOUR BARTOP
What may seem so obvious, is often so overlooked in commercial bar design- the material of your actual bartop itself. While we realize stone and marble are as classy and elegant-looking as can be, the reality is that they just aren’t your best option for a durable and long lasting bartop. They crack, have no grip, and break way too many glasses. Opt for a high-quality wood bar instead. Oaks, maples, mahoganies, and ashes are sturdy and provide your customers with a firm grip for their glasses. 

THEME 
In a sea of millions upon millions of bars, how can you make your commercial bar design stand apart from the rest? The answer is to pick a unique, centralized theme and run with it. Whether it’s your next sit-down restaurant bar design, or remodeling the small, locally-favorite gem, you have to find out what your clientele wants. Survey the neighborhood of your establishment and find out what the demographics are there. Maybe a gritty, western bar would be a hit. Or maybe a more modern, sleek design is what’s missing in the area. Whatever theme you decide upon, hit it out of the park with the perfect lighting, wall art, music, and furniture. It’s all in the details. 

THE GUIDE TO YOUR NEXT RESTOBAR 
You’ve got the food, you’ve got the restaurant, you’ve got the customers, now all you need is a beautifully designed bar to top it all off.  Small bar designs for restaurants have a tendency to be a little thrown together and incohesive with the rest of the establishment. Stay on brand- create consistency with tying in the same color scheme, furniture, art, and overall ambiance of the pre-existing restaurant. Make sure the placement of your bar makes sense as well, have it in a place where it’s visible and easy to navigate but not in the way of servers and other guests. If the bar is going to serve food, be sure to consider the location of the kitchen to not obstruct traffic flow. Consider all of these small tips as you work through your next restaurant bar design. 

SPACE CONSTRAINT 
It’s no secret that bars have the reputation of being a little cramped, and in some cases- way too cramped. Consider all of the space constraints while designing your next commercial bar design and we can change that bad rap that bars have been holding for far too long. First and foremost, be sure to measure your bar, barstool, cabinet, and equipment height. Generally, a bar is 42” in height while a stool is 30” in height. Also be sure to allow at least 3’ of space between the bar and the alcohol for the bartender’s functionality and efficiency. Consider multiple register and drink-making stations for bartenders as well. Allowing 2’ between patrons is going to give them enough space to eat and drink, and most importantly, simply be comfortable. All of these considerations are especially helpful if it is a restaurant bar design, where the space is even more valuable.