MANILA, Philippines—Calvin Abueva has been out of the PBA since June of 2019 and he admits that lengthy suspension has hit him greatly, both financially and personally.
To alleviate his problem, The Beast decided to put his love of cooking to good use and opened a restaurant, which has also been helping him cope mentally.
In an interview with Sports Page, Abueva said that it’s always been his hobby to cook and why not turn that pastime of his into something that could be his temporary means of livelihood.
“Matagal ko nang hilig ang pagluluto and nahiligan ko ‘to lalo na may experience ako at alam ko kung ano ang papatok,” said Abueva. “Nakakuha rin ako ng konting budget para mapakain at masustentuhan ang pamilya ko.”
(I’ve liked cooking for a long time now and I’ve had many different experiences when it comes to food so I know what will be a hit for consumers. I found a bit of a budget so that I could feed my family and support them financially.)
Abueva’s “Dampa ni The Beast” restaurant in San Juan has been his source of income amid the COVID-19 lockdown in the country since March.
As a restaurant, the business is able to operate until 12 am so it can provide food for medical frontliners who go home late.
Abueva acknowledged that 2020 has been rough for him as he remains suspended from the PBA, but he has realized that basketball isn’t everything.
“Alam niyo namang may problema ‘tong year na ‘to and kailangan kong ibangon ang sarili ko hindi lang sa basketball kundi pati pamilya ko,” said Abueva. “Kailangan mo silang ibangon kasi dito ka kukuha ng lakas para makapaglaro at makapagumpisa ng bagong buhay.”
(You all know that this year has been a problem and I have to lift not only myself up in terms of basketball but my family as well. You have to carry them up because they’re your source of strength to play and start anew.)