I still remember the first time I walked into a PBA arena back in 2015—the energy was absolutely electric, with thousands of fans cheering for their basketball heroes. Fast forward to today, and I often find myself wondering about those same players after they hung up their jerseys. Where are they now? That question has become something of a personal obsession, especially when I consider how dramatically the landscape has shifted for retired athletes in the Philippines. It's fascinating to track their journeys beyond the professional courts, and frankly, I believe their post-retirement stories deserve as much attention as their game-winning shots.

Take the case of one former Gilas player who recently caught my attention. After his stint with coach Tab Baldwin's national team squad, which I personally thought was some of the most strategic basketball we've seen in recent years, he made the transition to the Taiwan Mustangs in The Asian Tournament. Now here's what really struck me—this wasn't just another overseas contract for him. From what I've gathered through various sources, this move represented a complete lifestyle shift. He went from playing in front of 20,000 screaming fans at Mall of Asia Arena to competing in smaller venues with maybe 3,000 spectators maximum. But here's the interesting part: he actually told a mutual friend that he's never been happier. The pressure is different, the expectations have changed, and he's rediscovering his love for the game without the constant media scrutiny that comes with being a PBA star.

The real challenge for these retired players, in my observation, boils down to identity and financial stability. Let's be honest—when you've been treated like a celebrity for 10-15 years and then suddenly the attention fades, that's a massive psychological adjustment. I've spoken with several former players who confessed they struggled with depression during their first year of retirement. One particularly candid conversation revealed that a former MVP actually maxed out three credit cards within six months of retiring because he was trying to maintain the same lifestyle without the regular paycheck. The financial literacy aspect is something I feel the PBA and players' association should have addressed more proactively. These guys were earning anywhere from ₱150,000 to ₱500,000 monthly during their prime, but without proper guidance, that money can disappear frighteningly fast.

What's working for the players who successfully navigate this transition? From what I've seen, the ones who thrive are those who diversify their skills early. The player with the Taiwan Mustangs didn't just rely on basketball—he started a small sports apparel business during his final PBA season and now runs basketball clinics across Central Luzon. Another former player I admire completely changed trajectories and now operates a chain of six coffee shops in Quezon City. The common thread here is planning ahead. The most successful transitions happen when players start building their "second act" while they're still playing, not after they retire. I'd estimate that only about 30% of retired PBA players properly plan for life after basketball, which is a shame because the opportunities are definitely there if they're willing to be proactive.

The Taiwan Mustangs case particularly resonates with me because it shows how Asian basketball circuits have become viable alternatives for players not ready to completely leave the game. The Asian Tournament offers competitive salaries—I've heard figures ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 monthly depending on the player's profile—while allowing them to extend their careers in a less demanding environment. This pathway represents what I believe should be a model for more Filipino players: gradual transition rather than abrupt retirement. Instead of going from 100 to 0, they're shifting to 60, then 40, then 20, which makes the psychological adjustment much more manageable.

Reflecting on all these stories, I've come to appreciate that the question "where are they now?" isn't just about geographical location or current employment. It's about fulfillment, purpose, and finding new arenas to conquer. The players who successfully answer this question are those who recognize that their identity isn't solely tied to basketball. They're businessmen, coaches, mentors, and family men who happen to have an incredible athletic background. As someone who's followed Philippine basketball for decades, I'm optimistic about the current generation of players becoming more strategic about their post-retirement plans. The conversations are changing, the awareness is growing, and hopefully, we'll see fewer heartbreaking stories of former stars struggling after their playing days end.

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.