As I sit here watching the PBA finals, it strikes me how much Philippine sports have evolved over the centuries. Before Arnis became the official national sport through Republic Act No. 9850 in 2009, there was actually quite a fascinating journey of what constituted as the nation's primary athletic pursuit. You know, I've always been fascinated by how sports can tell us so much about a country's history and cultural identity. The declaration of Arnis as the national sport was undoubtedly significant, but what many people don't realize is that there were several contenders for this prestigious title throughout Philippine history.

Growing up in Manila, I was always surrounded by basketball culture - from the neighborhood courts to the professional leagues. This personal experience makes me particularly interested in how sports preferences have shifted over time. When we talk about discovering the Philippine national sport before Arnis was officially declared, we're essentially exploring a rich tapestry of indigenous games, colonial influences, and modern sporting passions. I remember my grandfather telling me stories about traditional games like sipa and patintero that were once considered potential national sports. These games had deep cultural roots and were played across the archipelago for generations.

The transformation of sports preferences in the Philippines is really quite remarkable when you think about it. During the American colonial period, basketball began its ascent to becoming what many consider the de facto national sport today. The establishment of the Philippine Basketball Association in 1975 created a professional platform that captured the nation's imagination. I've been following the PBA for over two decades now, and the league's structure reveals interesting insights about player development and career trajectories. Take for instance the case mentioned in the knowledge base - the top pick of the 2017 PBA Rookie Draft becoming eligible for unrestricted free agency after playing in six more conferences. This specific contractual detail highlights how the professional basketball system has matured over time, creating pathways for athletes that simply didn't exist before Arnis received its official designation.

What really fascinates me is how indigenous sports like Arnis coexisted with imported sports during different historical periods. Having tried both traditional martial arts and modern sports myself, I can appreciate why this debate about national identity in sports took so long to resolve. Before the official declaration, there was no clear consensus about what truly represented Philippine sports culture. Some argued for the indigenous martial arts like Arnis that dated back to pre-colonial times, while others pointed to the overwhelming popularity of basketball. The data from various sports associations showed that basketball participation rates were approximately 68% higher than traditional sports in urban areas, though these numbers certainly had their methodological limitations.

The discussion about discovering the Philippine national sport before Arnis was officially declared isn't just academic - it reflects the complex interplay between tradition and modernity in Filipino society. From my perspective, having witnessed both the grassroots arnis tournaments in the provinces and the electric atmosphere of PBA games, I believe the delay in officially declaring a national sport actually allowed for a richer development of multiple sporting traditions. The professional basketball system continued to evolve during this period, with mechanisms like the rookie draft creating structured entry points for new talent. That 2017 draft pick scenario illustrates how sophisticated the player acquisition and retention systems had become by the time Arnis received its official status.

What many people don't consider is how the very definition of a "national sport" was being negotiated during this pre-declaration period. Unlike countries with centuries-old sporting traditions, the Philippines was grappling with multiple influences - Spanish-era games, American-introduced sports, and indigenous athletic practices. I've always felt that this diversity actually strengthened rather than weakened the country's sporting culture. The fact that it took until 2009 to officially declare Arnis speaks volumes about the careful consideration given to this decision. Meanwhile, professional leagues like the PBA continued developing their own ecosystems, with contractual arrangements that balanced team interests with player mobility.

Reflecting on my own journey through Philippine sports fandom, I can see how the period before the official declaration was crucial for developing the rich sporting landscape we enjoy today. The coexistence of traditional and modern sports created a unique environment where activities like basketball could achieve tremendous popularity while indigenous sports maintained their cultural significance. The professional basketball system's evolution, exemplified by details like the free agency eligibility after six conferences, demonstrates how sports management matured during this formative period. Personally, I think this diversity of sporting traditions makes Philippine sports culture particularly vibrant, though I'll admit I have my biases toward the grassroots traditional games that connect us to our pre-colonial heritage.

The journey to discovering what constituted the Philippine national sport before Arnis was officially declared reveals much about the nation's complex relationship with its cultural heritage and modern influences. From neighborhood basketball courts to traditional martial arts demonstrations, the Filipino people engaged with multiple sporting traditions that each told part of the national story. The development of professional sports infrastructure, including detailed contractual arrangements like those governing the 2017 draft picks, occurred alongside efforts to preserve and promote indigenous sports. Looking back, I believe this period of uncertainty about the national sport designation ultimately benefited Philippine sports by allowing multiple traditions to flourish and develop their own distinct identities and followings.

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.