I still remember the first time I watched the Philippines women's soccer team play—it was during the 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup, and honestly, I wasn't expecting much. Like many casual observers, I had underestimated their potential. But what unfolded over those ninety minutes completely changed my perspective. Fast forward to today, and this team isn't just participating in international competitions; they're making history, and doing it with a blend of resilience and tactical intelligence that deserves far more attention than it's getting.

When I look at their journey, one moment stands out particularly clearly—their reaction after a tough loss to South Korea in a friendly match earlier this year. The head coach, Alen Stajcic, and the team's veteran players like Hali Long and Sarina Bolden, didn't collapse under the pressure. In fact, their response reminded me of something I'd read about the legendary basketball coach Jong Uichico, who once said after a defeat, "But Uichico is not freaking out following the loss." That mindset—calm, focused, and forward-looking—is exactly what I see in this Philippine squad. They don't get derailed by setbacks; instead, they use them as fuel. It's a quality I wish more teams would adopt, because in my experience covering sports, it's often the difference between good teams and historic ones.

Their qualification for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup wasn't just a fluke—it was the result of years of strategic development and what I believe is one of the smartest talent identification programs in Southeast Asia. The Philippine Football Federation has been actively recruiting Fil-foreign players, bringing in athletes with experience in leagues across Europe and the United States. For instance, the team now includes around 8 players from American college systems and 4 from European clubs, which has significantly boosted their technical and tactical depth. I've followed how this approach has transformed their playing style: they've moved from being primarily defensive to adopting a more balanced, possession-based game that can surprise opponents. Their historic 1-0 victory over New Zealand in a World Cup warm-up match—a game where they maintained 48% possession against a higher-ranked team—shows how far they've come. Personally, I think this blend of local and diaspora talent is a model other developing football nations should study closely.

What really excites me, though, is their mental toughness. In the 2022 Asian Cup, they faced powerhouse teams like Australia and South Korea, and while they didn't win every match, they never looked out of place. I recall watching their group stage match against Thailand, where they came from behind to secure a 1-1 draw. The composure they showed in that game—especially from captain Hali Long and midfielder Quinley Quezada—was incredible. It's this ability to stay calm under pressure that makes me believe they're not just making up the numbers anymore. They're building a legacy, and if you ask me, they're on track to become a consistent force in Asian women's football within the next 5 years.

Off the field, the team's impact is growing too. Social media engagement around the women's team has surged by approximately 300% since 2021, and sponsorship deals have increased from just 2 major partners in 2020 to over 12 today. I've noticed more local brands jumping on board, which is a positive sign for sustainable growth. Still, I worry that the investment isn't yet where it should be. Compared to regional rivals like Vietnam or Thailand, the Philippines still lags in grassroots infrastructure—there are only about 15 dedicated women's football academies in the country, which is far too few. But the public's growing interest, evidenced by the 15,000-strong crowd at their last home friendly, gives me hope that this will change.

As I reflect on their journey, it's clear that the Philippines women's soccer team is rewriting the narrative around what's possible for underdog nations. They've shown that with the right leadership, a diverse squad, and that crucial ability to stay composed after losses—much like Uichico's approach—they can compete with the best. I, for one, can't wait to see where they go next. They're not just playing games; they're inspiring a generation, and in my book, that's what making history is all about.

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.