Former Philippine women’s volleyball team captain Abigail Maraño has embraced life after competition, saying she deliberately prepared for retirement before walking away from the sport that defined much of her career.
The two-time MVP and former De La Salle Lady Spiker recently discussed her transition from professional athlete to corporate employee during an appearance on DWAR Abante Radyo’s Net Flicks.
Maraño said leaving volleyball gave her a different sense of freedom, particularly after years of structuring her life around training and competition.
“Iba ang personality ko sa loob ng court at iba din ang nasa labas,” Maraño said.
She admitted that adjusting to a routine without daily training felt unusual at first, but she quickly became comfortable with her new schedule.
“For some reason, it’s the first time na hindi ako bumangon nang maaga para sa ensayo. Hindi ko na na-feel iyung atleta na parang aabsent ka, na para bang hindi mag-eensayo, parang may kapayapaan ka talaga. Tapos, mas excited ako pumasok sa F2. After two days na wala na ako ensayo, naka-ready na talaga ako to enter the corporate world,” she said.
Maraño said the decision to retire had already been settled internally before she formally ended her playing career.
“Hindi ko na naramdaman iyung excitement na mag-ensayo. Prior to my decision kasi na mag-retire, I made this at my heart already na wala na talaga si volleyball, may kapayapaan na sa puso ko,” she said.
Financial preparation was also an important part of her retirement plan. Maraño said she made sure she had savings, businesses and investments in place before ending her career.
“Bago ako nag-retire, sinettle ko na ang sarili, nakapagpundar na ako, nakapag-ipon na ng mga bagay, nakapag-business na, so iyung plan B ko, hindi puwede iyung pag-retire ko sa volleyball eh wala akong pera, or ubos na,” she said.
Maraño added that she deliberately maintained a manageable lifestyle and directed much of her earnings toward investments instead of significantly increasing her spending.
“So ako, medyo maayos na, saka iyung lifestyle ko, hindi ko din itinaas,” she said. “Iyung pera ko sini-save ko siya sa mga business at investments.”
Among her business ventures are a home-service massage operation, water stations and a pharmacy.
After years of representing the Philippines and competing at the highest levels of volleyball, Maraño is now building her future around a career and businesses she had prepared for while she was still an active athlete. (Adrian Co)
