Graduation issue Class of 2011

MOFO GRAD ISH-U ld

u Wo

be

of a

THE ILLEST MOST MOTHERFUCKING ISSUE.

Congratulations

SBCA-SOL CLASS OF 2011

IT’S THE SHIT! Me

mo

irs

1

The Red Chronicles Graduation Issue

Dom Clement Ma. Roque, OSB Rector-President

Dear Graduates, It is with distinct pride and pleasure that I congratulate you on the 1st Commencement Exercise of the School of Law. It is indeed a singular privilege for you to be the first graduates of the School of Law since the Commission on Higher Education granted San Beda College Alabang the permit to offer the degree of Bachelor of Laws in 2007.

A distinctive mark of Bedan Law education is the formation of the law students not only in accordance with the best tradition of academic excellence but also in accordance with the Vision-Mission Statement of San Beda College Alabang which is Catholic Christian in principle, Benedictine in orientation and Filipino in character. I am confident that, with your solid training in the law and strong foundation in Catholic Christian, Benedictine and Filipino values, you will easily hurdle the bar exams and that, as future professionals, you will make a difference in our society by being men and women of prayer, work, peace and by pursuing what is good for our people.

I thank and congratulate Dean Ulan Sarmiento, Vice Dean Marciano Delson, Prefect of Student Affairs Bruce Rivera, the faculty members, and the sevice personnel for their unselfish dedication in forming you as Bedan lawyers. I thank and congratulate your parents and guardians for the trust and support they have given you.

Through the intercession of our Lady of Montserrat, St. Benedict, St. Bede and St. Thomas More, the Patron of lawyers, may the Sto. Nino continue to bless, guide and protect you as you prepare for the bar exms and as you practice your legal profession in the future.

Ulpiano Sarmiento III Dean

To my Bedan sons and daughters of Class 2011, my heart swells with pride and happiness as I congratulate you and your parents on this day.

I have full faith in each and every one of you, and I believe that the time you spent in the halls of this institution had equipped and nourished you well enough to traverse the next phase in your life—the 2011 Bar Examinations.

Today, you will reap the rewards of your hard work and perseverance. Your relentless passion for the study of law and your strong faith in God, Almighty, had brought you to this time of thanksgiving and glory. Savor this moment. You all deserve it.

Your professors and I were all witnesses to your arduous journey in the study of law and you are only a few month’s shy of going through your baptism of fire in order to become members of the esteemed legal profession. As a piece of rock bears the brunt of the unforgiving elements of Mother Nature, so shall you undergo the same through your continuous efforts. Have faith and be patient, my children. You will get there in no time.

It is my honor to bestow upon you the privilege to graduate under the banner of San Beda College Alabang- School of Law with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. We, your mentors and professors, as well as your brothers and sisters in this institution, give you our most profound blessings. Make your Bedan family proud.

Congratulations, my children.

Marciano Delson Vice Dean

To the graduates of 2011, congratulations!

Your graduation proves that not only have you survived the grueling hardships of law school, but that you have also earned the honor of belonging to the prestigious circle of San Beda College Alabang – School of Law alumni.

Take pride in your hard-earned education. It is an achievement borne from your blood, sweat and tears, and a culmination of years of patience, work and dedication. It is the solid foundation for your successful future in the field of law, and it will surely see you through your ordeals in the Bar. Most importantly, it is a powerful tool that will help you fulfill your role as a mature and conscientious citizen, and enable you to make a difference for the greater good. Education is, in itself, a potent instrument for change, but in the hands of those who have been trained to think critically and choose responsibly, it can transform the world.

However, do not rest easy on your laurels. Success is measured not by what you have learned, but by how you use your knowledge.

Remember that no matter where you are, or what you make of yourself, you will always bear the mark of a Bedan. Never forget the Benedictine ideals you have learned from your stay with us, and always live by the principle of ora et labora.

March 2011

You Have All The Weapons You Need Atty. Bruce V. Rivera Prefect of Students

A sword is forged from a hideous clump of iron, formless and without worth. It is subjected to extreme heat, melted, and pounded upon relentlessly while in a malleable solid state. There is purpose in the pounding: the seemingly merciless hitting compacts the iron into a formidable metal sheet that, when sharpened, can cut through anything, even other metal objects. The keen swordsmaster knows when the hammering should stop. It is a balance of wisdom and art, inexplicable but to him. Too early, and the sword itself will split when struck for the purpose of splitting.

The art of sword making is an allusion to your journey in the school of law. You have been subjected to seemingly merciless hammering and pounding, which you have received with mixed reactions. Some accepted with it gusto while others treated it with distaste. It may be painful and you may bruise each time you take a hit. But I assure you that this pounding has left you solid, compact and formidable. As your swordsmasters, we know that at the end of this process you are ready.

Graduates, you wield weapons in yourselves. Each one of you is a sword of San Beda College Alabang-School of Law. You are the product of God’s earth and fire, and the wisdom and art of man. We, your professors, have forged you and release you into the world, knowing that you are ready to scythe through its ordeals. Keep yourselves sharp. You are the only weapon you will need. Now fight!

Atty. Rita Linda V. Jimeno

The Red Chronicles Faculty Adviser

To the Dear Graduates of San Beda School of Law, Alabang, Year 2011: My heart is filled with pride as you march on to commence a new life.

It was a pleasure imparting knowledge to you and a distinct privilege to see you earn a degree that only the best minds and the strong of spirit can ever hope to achieve.

Soon, you will be among my respected colleagues. The one message I want to give you in our parting from the portals of San Beda Alabang is, never lose your moral moorings. No amount of success or wealth can ever equal the happiness that a good name and a good reputation bring. Good Luck to all of you and Congratulations!

To Andrea Joson, John Sy, Melki Maitim, Argel Cabatbat, Adrian Dimalanta, Anna Guzman, TJ Cabasa and General Du, the Red Chronicles will miss you!

Tough Love: A Profile On Dean Virgilio Jara Speaker

Roaring internal voices of doubt and anxiety fill your ears right before his class. During recitation, you attempt to extend the discussion for as long as you can, convincing yourself that the more questions you answer, the better. And after you have exhausted all your efforts and you have given your darn hardest to answer every conceivable enquiry, he asks the most challenging, most mind-numbing question that ultimately leaves you dumbfounded and back at square one. That is just vintage Dean Virgilio “Gil” Jara.

Truth be told, his outward demeanour doesn’t exactly validate his legendary classroom reputation. The revered dean of the San Beda College of Law – Manila actually exudes a really cheerful and charming personality. But make no mistake - he is a no-muss-no-fuss kind of guy. An achiever in every sense of the word, Dean Jara took his pre-law course at the Manuel L. Quezon University, finished his LL.B. degree cum laude at San Beda College, Mendiola in 1962, and placed fifth in the bar exams. He was appointed dean in 1999, and has since become an excellent academician and an amiable leader. In fact, it was during his tenure that San Beda got the highest passing percentage among all other law schools and produced two topnotchers, ending a 43-year drought for the school.

Dean Jara is a professor you will either love or hate. In the academe, he is deemed as persistent and unrelenting. Yet those who have survived him will agree that he is just being cruel to be kind, providing tough love for his students. He serves as a constant inspiration to many, challenging them to think outside the box and to be on their toes every time. It’s no surprise that there was once a student who admitted that the only man whose picture she kept in her wallet was neither her father nor boyfriend, but Dean Jara.

2

The Red Chronicles Graduation Issue

Going All Heart Atty. Sarah Abraham

The Power of Positive Thinking Atty. Amelia A. Calangi

You can’t go wrong with your heart.

Depression and paranoia are the common sicknesses of law stu-

Congratulations, Batch 2011! You are now at the threshold of one of the most breathtaking moments of your lives.

I wish I could describe how the coming months will change you, but there are no words to best illustrate what is ahead. Perhaps I could attempt to describe it, but I do not think any one article could convey what the coming months would be like for you.

Telling you how you should prepare for the biggest exam of our professional dream would be the opposite of helpful. I will not dare discuss the struggles I have encountered in the six months prior to the bar examinations. You are your own person with your own issues; I fail to see how my own obstacles could be of significance to you. My perspective is different from yours. There are things that matter to me but do not matter to you, and vice versa. I am not saying all this to stir paranoia or fear within you.

I am simply in no position to speak of something as big as this. It is, after all, an experience for you to discover by yourself.

One thing I would like to impart is that for the coming months, you might want to be conscious of where your heart is. It has always been my belief that in all our endeavors, we must make sure that our hearts are set on it; otherwise, we should not even bother at all. Now that you are one step closer in claiming the fruits of years of hard work, why not let your heart take full control of your dream? Let it be your compass as you try to find your way in this new chapter of your life. Let it be the link between you and your dream. Yes, all of these may sound overused and unoriginal. But they are overused for a reason.

dents and bar candidates. How to cure them? It’s simple - with positive thinking!

The power of thoughts is a mighty power that is always shaping our lives. It does not matter what your circumstances are at the moment.

Think positively, and expect only favorable results and situations.

As a consequence, circumstances will change according to what we think will happen.

I know what it is like to always hope that everything will turn out alright, but worry constantly because there are lots of books and cases to read and understand. What I do is to always visualize only favorable and beneficial situations. I always tell and convince myself, “I can do this!”, “I will graduate!”, “I will pass the bar exam!” Mantras really do help in having a positive outlook in life. And at the earliest sign of a negative thought entering my mind, I immediately make an effort to replace it with a constructive one. It will try to re-enter, but I always block it out. It is as if there are two pictures in front of me, but I choose to look at the possible positive outcome and disregard the negative one. Well, it is not easy to be positive at all times, but persistence will eventually teach the mind to think positively and ignore negative thoughts. I also disregard any feeling of laziness, or any desire to quit. I believe that if one perseveres, he or she can transform the way his or her mind thinks. So in case there is resistance from within that makes it difficult to replace negative thoughts with positive ones, one should not give up. One should keep looking only at success instead of failure. After all, life is too short to anticipate disappointment.

By thinking positively, law students and bar candidates will not experience being depressed and paranoid. Rather, as positive thinkers, they will cultivate in themselves a feeling of success. They will be sure of getting things done. They will act without hesitation. They will be calm and confident. Their aura, diction and answers – whether during recitations or examinations – will radiate confidence. As a result, they will achieve what they want.

Lion’s Roar 24

When I took the exams last year, I was absolutely convinced that going all heart is the key, and anything less than that would be simply a waste of my time and effort. To use the words of someone who has deeply inspired me, “I’m only doing this once, might as well give it everything I’ve got.” I guess this is the only advice I can give you. And I believe it is the best advice anyone can give.

Thus, the next time someone tells you to think positively, do not think that he/she is saying it just to make you feel better. Take the advice seriously, because positive thinking can help you achieve positive results.

Class of 2010

Photo Courtesy of Google

3

March 2011

A Journey on the Path of the Law Rodolfo Q. Aquino

I

am sometimes asked why at this point in my life I decided to take up law. There are many answers to this question. Some are glib and some are more thoughtful. But all of them are true.

One answer is that I just love to study. Then I sometimes add that attending formal classes is the cheapest form of entertainment. In addition, you learn things of value and sometimes you even get a diploma. I inherited my love of learning from my father. He loved graduations and not just of his own children. When I was a much younger faculty member at U.P., I used to give him my faculty ticket and car pass to graduation ceremonies at U.P. He would drive all the way by himself from Nueva Ecija and back again the same evening to attend U.P. Graduations. He probably was the only one there, aside from the security guards and mani vendors, who did not know any of the graduates.

Valedictorian

Another answer is by quoting Socrates, who said that “The unexamined life is not worth living.”

Is there anything that I had set out to do that I failed to do? I recalled that I had planned to be a CPA-Lawyer in my younger days. In fact, I joined a law fraternity while still an undergraduate at U.P. Because of financial difficulties, I was not able to continue with the Lawyer part of the plan.

I now realized that I often felt out of place at alumni gatherings of my fraternity.

Class of 2011

Still, another answer. As one grows more mature, one starts wondering. What is the purpose of living? If there is a just God, why are there so many people suffering? What is the meaning of justice? Is justice possible? I started thinking about taking up a course in theology, comparative religion, mythology, or even philosophy. Then my wife asked, “Why don’t you just take up law? It is more practical.” You know the old saying: “It only takes a spark to light up an old flame.” Like an old love or an old dream. So, here I am today.

One time, a colleague asked the same question, why at this time, I am taking up law. My answer was that I wanted to know the meaning of justice. He told me a story about the late Senator Jose Diokno, the great human rights lawyer and freedom fighter, as told to him by one of his children.

He said that if any one of his children wanted to follow in his footsteps and become a lawyer, he would support them as long as they took up their law studies in the US. One, he said, cannot learn the meaning of justice taking up law in the Philippines. I hope and I believe that Senator Diokno, if indeed he said this, was wrong. We did, for the most part, learn the meaning of justice in our studies here at San Beda Alabang. It is up to us now to sustain it and practice what we learned as Bedan lawyers.

I must admit that I felt some mild apprehension attending classes where most of my classmates were only as old as, or even younger than, my son. Happily, there was no cause for such. Everyone here treated me with the respect due to my VAT-exempt status, while treating me as one of them. They have all been hardworking and conscientious students and I look forward to continuing with them my journey on the path of the law.

4

to

o Ph fG

yo

tes

ur

Co g le

oo

5

The Red Chronicles Graduation Issue

Life, Love, and Law Noelle S. Gavino

When I started in 2007, there were really no expectations. The plan was just to attend classes,

take the examinations, and graduate. It was as simple as that. I was just focused on fulfilling my dream of becoming a Bedan lawyer.

I remember my first ever recitation. It was Criminal Law 1 under Atty. Amurao. I was shaking on my way to class. I got a 65 for that day. Until the last day of classes in my fourth year, my anxiety never really faded away. Now I know that it never does. And I believe that, in fact, it was what pushed me and kept me going. It was with me through all the recitations and examinations.

I learned not to fight it, but to work with it. I must admit that it is what transformed me into a better student.

Aside from being a proud student, I am proud to be part of the many “Firsts” of our School of Law. Our law school is very young, yet we have already established and lifted our school’s name above the rest. It is a name that can be best equated with nothing less than excellence. In all the activities involving all the other law schools, we continue to be among those on top. We made heads turn when all our achievements screamed: “We are here! This is our time and we will succeed!” It was like the SOUTHERN ROAR! And, by being one of the country’s best, this institution has produced better citizens contributing to the development of the nation. I am sincerely honored to be part of it.

Salutatorian

For me, law school life was never easy. I had to find ways to cope with all the pressure and live up to the expectations of the people around me. I was very blessed because I was not alone. I got to know people who became my most trusted friends in school. Most of the time, they were my lifesavers. To be honest, they were the lighter side of my law school life. I am eternally grateful to have had them with me through the good times and the bad. Through them, I came to realize the value of friendship. My lowest point turned out to be a life-changing blessing as it was the time when I finally found out who my friends really were.

Class of 2011 When all seemed to be unbearable, I always had my family with me. I always found refuge in their unconditional love and relentless support. A significant part of who I am now is because of them. They taught me to never give up and to always be the better person. These are the two traits which I found most useful in law school. The first is mainly for the academic part, while the second one is for everything else. And they taught me well.

My dad always tells me to “Put God first, do your best, and He will take care of the rest”.

Everyday felt like living on a prayer, especially during the fourth year. There were times when I could not finish the reading assignment, but still went to class anyway. More than anything else, I kept my faith in Him.

Again, my dream is to become a Bedan lawyer. It was and still is my life’s number one goal.

But the journey towards that goal proved to be rewarding as well. I feel like I have accomplished more than I could ever imagine. And I am very grateful for having been given numerous opportunities in this institution to prove myself and grow as a better student, citizen, friend, daughter, and servant of God. I am now closing a chapter in my life: my law school life. I will never forget how much it has changed me as a person. The most important thing that I learned is that studying the law is more than just studying. IT IS A WAY OF LIFE.

Pho

to C

our

tesy

of

Go

ogl

e

March 2011

Lessons in Law and Gratitude Sannet Yves Dalisay

That I have finally graduated from law school is still a radical concept.

It was just like yesterday when I first started law school in San Beda College Alabang School of Law. I may have been a happygo-lucky girl back then, but I knew that the study of law required hard work. I knew it required passion, patience, and persistence.

The workload, the manner in which each class is conducted, and the competition that your classmates impliedly pose, are certainly not for the weak, the easily distracted, or for those who do not fully grasp the implication of devoting one’s self to the study of law. Yet I discovered that law school teaches those who dare enter it one important lesson: if you want something badly enough, it will be given to you.

This year has been the most memorable for me. Last year, I was impliedly asked to stay for another year because the professors thought, as reflected by my grades, that I was not ready to leave yet. I was not heartbroken by that decision, because I knew they were right. Instead, I forgave myself, which I think is an important skill I have learned from my stay in law school. I promised that the next school year, I would prove myself by showing that I am finally ready, that I finally deserve to be a Bedan law graduate.

I consider myself an average law student: I attend my classes as religiously as possible, study my lessons to the best of my abilities, pray that I will be asked only of things that I know, and reward myself afterwards. I have made mistakes, big and small, all of which have taught me a lesson or two. I had considered giving up at one time or another. I had questioned whether or not I belong in the profession I badly want to be part of. I even doubted whether or not I was really meant to stay in Beda.

With renewed passion, I studied my subjects (even some of those which I had already passed) as if I were studying them for the first time. The diligence I had exerted this year far exceeded that which I had exercised in the previous years. There is now a sense of humility, because I know my limits and the dangers it can afford me.

I also relearned to talk to God, as if we were friends who had not seen each other for quite some time. I tell Him my woes and ask Him to guide me so that I will not go astray again. It was also during this year when I finally realized what I want to become. One day, while being amazed by the brilliance of my professors, I realized that I wanted to become a Bedan lawyer, a lawyer who is Godfearing, modest, and yet, the best in the profession. This realization propelled me to exert all possible efforts to make this year my finest one to date. That my hard work has finally paid off humbles me.

Indeed, prayers to the Almighty and support from family and friends helped erase the doubts from my mind. However, I think it is essential that the law student must believe from the heart where he or she is supposed to be, and that law and studying it in Beda is the right thing to do. I am lucky enough to have made that realization, and every time I face difficulties, I am comforted by the thought that I am where I am supposed to be.

I am and will forever be grateful to Beda. The legal knowledge, skill and training that its professors have imparted to me are immeasurable. Beda has also slowly and gradually molded and inspired me to be the person I am today. It accepted me, challenged me, and now claims me as one of its own. San Beda College Alabang School of Law is where my heart belongs, and because of this I will always strive to make it proud.

Desire Daphne Yu

Never did I dream of becoming a lawyer.

Yes, I know that raised your eyebrows. Maybe you’ll say that if that’s the case, then I don’t deserve to graduate. But I shall prove otherwise. Despite aspiring for some other career path, I was somehow led by God to what He wants for me. Because of some personal reasons, I was not able to take up the course I really wanted, but this led me to take up law. I literally woke up one day and said to myself, “I will take up law”.

As I entered law school, I was surprised that it was not as easy as I thought it would be. I may look weak but I never turn my back on any challenge, so I did the best I could. During my freshman year, I was the only one who successfully passed Criminal Law I in our class.

That gave me enough strength to sustain me until my senior year. Moreover, I received a Dean’s List Award twice. All that assured me that I should continue what I was doing, and that I was doing it right. I encountered countless challenges in law school, but with countless prayers, God saw me through each and every one of them. Law school taught me not only the law, but also how to live, to fight and to survive. I have my friends to thank for making law school a heavenly hell.

My study of law was a family sacrifice. I thank my family for their unconditional love and support and endless patience and understanding. I know I have been very difficult to deal with. I have missed many family lunches and dinners. I was insensitive and irrational at times. But despite the monster I had become, they continued to love me as their baby. My family is the reason for my dream of becoming a lawyer. On my graduation day, I am happy to have made them happy and proud. This is for you.

Now, there is nothing I desire more than to become a lawyer.

6

The Class of

2011

Photos by Chuck Valerio

That in a

all things God may be glorified.

11

The Red Chronicles Graduation Issue

On Graduation Day Andrea Joson Associate Editor Emeritus

Although they say that for

As this is my last article, I hope to share with all the seniors the same inspiration my parents had given me through these law students, passing the words by Jackie Olson, as they have helped me see what’s truly bar is still the ultimate pin- important: nacle of success, earning the “LLB” is already an impor- I wish for you to always see the goodness in this world, tant milestone passed, wor- To do your part in helping those less fortunate, thy to be considered as part To walk hand in hand with those of less talent, of one’s greatest academic To follow those with more knowledge, achievements. There is this And to be an equal with those who are different. brief sense of complacency that graduation can bring, and it may come either from the simple fact that all those grueling I wish for you to find your special purpose recitations, midterms and finals in school are finally over, or in this world so full of choices, the deeper feeling that we’re halfway through to our dreams and to help lead those who stray. of becoming lawyers.

I wish for you to become your own individual – Though it’s been difficult to rejoice, knowing I have friends To set yourself apart from those who are the same. and other people who will be left behind, I’ve realized that there are more important reasons to be happy on graduation I wish for you the self-confidence to say “no” day. Looking back at the six years I have spent in law school when it is necessary, and the strength to stand alone. has made me think about the true friends I’ve earned, the respect I’ve gained from other people, and the love and support I wish for you the approval of yourself, my family has given me. My past columns in the Red Chroni- To love and respect everything that you are and will become. cles have all been devoted to illustrating life in the senior year. I wrote about the difficulties, the situations we found unfair, and I wish for you to reap the fruits of your talents, how cruel and devastating the cutthroat system could get. I To walk with pride down the road of life, was then as beaten down and tired as any other senior student. To be humble in your successes, Now, however, I’ve found reasons to be happy and thankful. And to share in the praises and joy of others.

Without the failures, I would not have pushed myself to be stronger. Without those moments of doubt, I would not have Most of all, this graduation day, had as much faith in God as I do now. These are the more I wish for you to be happy. important points I choose to be happy about, other than the For when you are happy, mere gesture of receiving my diploma on graduation day.

You have the key that will open all of the world’s doors to you.

Message from the TRC Staff To our bosses and mentors, Your service and dedication to this publication, to our TheRedChronicles family and to our brethren in this Bedan institution is invaluable. We are forever grateful for the glorious moments of joy and celebration in and out of the TRC office, as well as the moments of harrowing deadlines, inevitable clashes, unforeseen circumstances and press work meetings that go well into the early morning hours—all these and so much more to pursue our common passion for the written word and the thought-provoking photograph.

We are humbled by the foundation that you have lain before us, and honored by the trust that you continue to repose in our capabilities and strengths. Above all, you have all inspired us with your spirit and passion. Trust that your legacy of the ideals of service, family and dedication will continue to be our moving force. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, bosses. TheRedChronicles Muffins and Bagels. Sink, swim or soar. Solid.

March 2011

No Other Words But Thank You John Sy Managing Editor Emeritus

I

“ can no other answer make, but, thanks, and thanks.”

~William Shakespeare ~ When I was tasked to write an article for the graduation issue, I was quick to decline since I was preoccupied with work and family obligations. I thereafter realized that this “work” was an opportunity for me to thank the people who have been major contributors in my life.

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the administrators and faculty of the School of Law who instilled in me the right values, knowledge and training to become a true Bedan lawyer; the Red Chronicles, the best student organization in campus and my second family next to home; my Bar Ops family, always efficient and dependable; my bosses, Atty. Rita Linda V. Jimeno and Atty. Nicanor B. Jimeno, who introduced me to the realities of the legal profession; the school secretaries who have been most patient and accommodating in our requests; my friends, who made my stay in law school so much bearable and most especially to my family who gave me constant support, guidance and prayers. I cannot imagine going through law school without you guys.

As I graduate from the San Beda College Alabang – School of Law, I leave the campus with a heavy heart. I will surely miss the wonderful and colorful people who have helped this institution to become what it is now. In my mind and in my heart, I will keep and treasure all the wonderful memories, as well as the experiences we all shared together.

I am forever thankful for the kindness, generosity and support that all of you showed me. Thank you, all.

Mabuhay Ka Bedista Venimus, vidimus, vicimus. You came, you saw, you conquered.

My heartfelt congratulations to the Class of 2011.

- Atty. Karla Denise Frias, Class of 2009 They say that the road to greatness is never paved in gold. It is often perilous and filled with obstacles, and sacrifices have to be made along the way. Just keep in mind that these hindrances should never stop you, they just make the victory that much sweeter. Congratulations Batch 2011. Our prayers are with you! God Bless!

- Atty. Patrice Barron, Class of 2010 Congratulations! Be proud, my fellow Beda Alabang graduates!

Enjoy the next few weeks. Mag-inuman, mag-beach, mag-abroad na kayo. Because during your study for the bar, there will be a point that you’ll feel guilty when you’re enjoying rather than reviewing.

Nevertheless, find time to spend with God, your family, San Beda Alabang, your friends, in that order, because they supported you and helped you get to where you are. More importantly, you will want them there when you celebrate passing the bar. Congrats in advance my friends!

- Atty. Jonathan Paul Uy, Class of 2010 Good job everyone, congratulations! Savor the moment, celebrate and enjoy your success.

Trust in your education, be confident with yourselves and offer everything to God. You now have everything you need to hurdle the Bar, all you have to do is claim it!

Congratulations once again and good luck future Bedan Lawyers!

- Atty. Carlo Bautista, Class of 2010

First of all, Congratulations because you survived law school and you graduated from San Beda. Only a few people manage to survive from the original roster of at least 200 students and you are the lucky ones. For me, that is a big accomplishment already.

Each and every one of you made an impact in the people that you met in law school, especially to us, the undergraduates. You are shooting stars, and as Mr. Woodruff in the movie ‘Jack’ said, “[shooting stars] It’s wonderful. It passes quickly, but while it’s here it just lights up the whole sky. It’s the most beautiful thing you’d ever want to see. So beautiful that the other stars stop and watch.” We, the undergraduates are the other stars, staring in awe at the light that you bring. Good luck with the bar exams! Make us proud! Be our shining stars! :) - Tracy Dela Cruz Congratulations to the graduating class of 2011! I know you all deserve to graduate as you took pains in studying. Make us all proud in the coming Bar Examinations! Good luck and God Bless!

- Jervis Corpuz Congratulations to the Graduates of SBCA-SOL Batch 2011! For all the challenges you have hurdled, the ups and downs along the way, patiently inching your way through, truly you deserve this honor. May your sacrifices pay off and make us proud once more as you face the 2011 Bar exams! Good luck and God Bless!

- Rino Reyes

12

13

The Red Chronicles Graduation Issue

My Top Ten Realizations for My Graduation Argel Joseph T. Cabatbat Features Editor

Law school is a repository of myths and ironies. After spending five years in it, I feel qualified to share the things that common law students have experienced. Although the following are more of a revelation about my experience than simply being accurate, I am confident that a lot of us can relate.

1. One bottle means one bucket. Law school is taxing. The most affordable and convenient way of relaxing is through drinking sessions (there are better ways, of course, but most are too lazy to look for them). So, if a classmate invites you for one bottle of beer, it’s a lie. Ironically, most of us seem not to mind it anyway.

2. The freshmen year is the most arrogant year of a law student. A good number can hide it through great efforts of pretending to be humble. Some even go to the extent of pretending to be unprepared for the class. While nearly all of us entered law school with a well-entrenched and well-hidden sense of selfimportance, Kodak moments during recitations will take them away.

3. But lower batches look up to fourth year students with awe and respect. Some may be harboring their own bloated sense of self-respect, but the taste of sporadic failures and flunking grades will make the lower batches realize: “Wow, these fourth year students still look and act sane. That’s remarkable and inspiring.”

4. It takes months or years for us to inform our parents that we flunked in one or more subjects.

The reason is that they usually don’t understand law school. Even those parents who are lawyers still cannot understand why we flunk what we flunk. I guess they have forgotten that there are more Supreme Court decisions now than before. And they didn’t have Facebook back then. We do. And it is distracting us.

5. Secretly, we all want to be number one in the bar exam. Of course, I cannot speak on behalf of everyone. But show me a law student who does not want to become number one in the bar exam, and I’ll call him or her a liar.

6. We sometimes say to ourselves after we messed up in a recitation: “I knew the answer; my mouth just wasn’t able to catch up with my mind.” Yeah, right.

We all have our reasons for not being able to answer in the recitation.

7. You don’t have to be very intelligent to excel in law school, but you have to be hardworking to fin-

ish it. This is what makes law school a great ego breaker. It spares the persistent and breaks the arrogant. After all, there is truth in the saying that a law student’s year level is inversely proportional to his conceit.

8. You learn law in law school but you learn justice elsewhere. We can’t blame law schools for being bar-oriented. Although our law school has a program that attempts to instill Christian values in the study of law, the only real and effective opportunity in learning and understanding justice is through practice, not by reading voluminous books.

9. Our suicidal tendencies get its peak right after a very bad recitation. And it is worse in the case of graduating students who had just been informed that they did not make it to the list of graduates. It is so painful that it is difficult to imagine. It makes one entertain thoughts about hurting oneself, leaving law school for good, or do anything that a madman would do.

10. But we don’t do any of them. We eventually move on. The truth is that other people do not put too much attention on one’s failure. For everyone else, it is just a momentary disturbance in the lake.

But after a while, other law students will begin to wish another to get back to his feet and start again.

Everyone else wants to see that law student to start reading his books and start moving on.

In sum, as Mr. Jay Salud, a fellow student, once told me: “Each of us has his or her own law school experience to tell. Your most memorable moment may be the time you received a high grade in a dreaded exam. It could also be the time you finally realized that a recitation, good or bad, deserves two or more bottles of beer. Or it could be the time your loved one left you because you’ve spent more time with a guy named Hector S. De Leon, thereby questioning either your taste in men or sexual preference.

It could go as far as being a victim of a grenade blast or getting stabbed while looking so innocent in your brown puppy-dog eyes. Or it could simply be the time you finally understood that your professor, no matter how terrifying he or she looks, is still human after all. Whatever it may be, we can all agree that law school brings unpredictable struggles and seemingly insurmountable hurdles, because just when you think you’ve reached the highest or lowest point in your life, you’ll realize that you are gravely mistaken. So kindly accept this inescapable fact: As a law student, your favorite moment is yet to come.

The only question is - what would you make of it?”

March 2011

2010 Bar Exams Result: 19 Successful bar examinees from SBCA-SOL

The Anatomy of Failure

19 out of 24 bar examinees from San Beda College Alabang School of Law (SBCA - SOL) triumphed over the 2010 Bar Exams. The following are the new lawyers of SBCA - SOL (in alphabetical order):

The year was 1963. On the

(1) Abraham, Sarah Joan M .

(2) Balajadia, Christine B .

(3) Balbastre, Billie Joy A .

(4) Bautista, Carlo Antonio A. (5) Calangi, Amelia A . (Class Salutatorian) (6) Doctor, Brenn A .

(7) Duñgo, Carl Derick C .

(8) Edquilag, Michael R .

(9) Jacome, John R .

(10) Magsino-Siloterio, Maria Elizabeth G .

(11) Miñoza, Mary Hazel B .

(12) Orpilla, Julius G .

(13) Pineda, Jesse Kenneth B. (14) Rama, Tara Triztina C. (15) Sergio, Gerald C .

(16) Shalim, Faye Miriam T. (17) Tugade, Jose Arturo M .

(18) Uy, Jonathan Paul T. (19) Yamamoto, Ma. Eliza Camille B. (Class Valedictorian)

Life in the School of Law, as our professors have succinctly put it, is never a walk in the park. It starts with a dream, and is fulfilled by countless hours of toiling over books, cases, notes, and lectures. In fact, in the entire time that one stays in the School of Law it is almost impossible for one not to encounter some sort of failure or disappointment. Experience tells us that failure is NEVER the end, never a permanent damage, but a new OPPORTUNITY to find a better way.

Arianne Rose R. Ebora

The list of bar passers was released on March 17, 2011 at around 5:15 in the afternoon, after almost six months of waiting. Out of 4,847 examinees, 982 or 20.26% passed the 2010 Bar Examinations. The over-all passing percentages of the top law schools are as follows: Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) - 94.77%, San Beda College – Mendiola (SBC) - 81.5%, San Beda College Alabang – School of Law (SBCA-SOL) - 79.16%, and University of the Philippines (UP) - 77%.

The top 10 Bar passers are: (1) Singzon, Jr. Cesareo Antonio S., 89%, ADMU (2) Javier, Filemon Ray L., 86.95%, ADMU; (3) Tolentino, Paolo Carlo C., 86.80%, Arellano University; (4) Ancog, Janette R., 85.90%, Ateneo de Davao University; (5) Sunga, Johana T., 85.85%, ADMU; (6) Poblacion, Krizelle Marie F., 85.65%, UP; (7) Ortua, Maria Christina C. and Uy, Krystal Lyn T., 85.05%, UP; (8) Capones, Joanna Eileen M., 84.80%, UP; (9) Gan, William Benson S., 84.75%, ADMU; and (10) Carampatana, Glenn C., University of San Carlos, and Salipsip, Darren L., Arellano University, 84.55%.

The 2010 Bar Examinations were held on the four Sundays of September 2010 at De La Salle University – Manila, in Malate, Manila. Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales was the chair of the 2010 Committee on Bar Examination. Deputy Clerk of Court and Bar Confidant Atty. Ma. Cristina B. Layusa administered the bar exams.

The upcoming 2011 Bar Examinations will have a different schedule and venue. The exams will be conducted throughout all four Sundays of November, at the University of Sto. Tomas in Manila.

At present, Justice Roberto A. Abad is the chairperson of the 2011 Committee on Bar Examinations. It was his initiative to reform the Philippine Bar Examinations from being a purely essay-type test to incorporating a combination of multiple choice questions (MCQ), and memorandum and legal opinion writing items.

Congratulations once again to the 2010 Bedan lawyers!

Adrian Rex C. Dimalanta Writer

steps of the Lincoln Memorial, a man driven with passion but mired by an unseemly and insurmountable dilemma faced 200,000 men and women and said, “I HAVE A DREAM.” Truth be told, he could have roused the participants to run amok, lashed anti-government banters, or delivered the most tear-jerking oration of his life. But in spite of how overwhelming his predicament had been, he didn’t say he had a problem. He said he had a dream.

Failing in a subject or not graduating does not mean the end of the world. Rather, it is a test of patience and humility: patience in accepting that a person cannot always get what they want, when they want it, and humility in accepting the things a person cannot change. Just like carbon needs to be subjected to extreme heat and pressure in order for it to transform into a precious gem, everyone will experience failures one way or another in their lives to strengthen, prepare, and teach them that life is not supposed to be perfect. Failure is an awful–tasting medicine, but a patient has to take it to get better. Never lose faith.

As J.K. Rowling, writer of the famous Harry Potter novels once said when she delivered a speech at Harvard University in one of its Commencement exercises: “… failure meant a stripping away of the inessential. I stopped pretending to myself that I was anything other than what I was, and began to direct all my energy into finishing the only work that mattered to me. Had I really succeeded at anything else, I might never have found the determination to succeed in the one arena I believed I truly belonged… Failure gave me an inner security that I had never attained by passing examinations. Failure taught me things about myself that I could have learned no other way. I discovered that I had a strong will, and more discipline than I had suspected; I also found out that I had friends whose value was truly above the price of rubies.

The knowledge that you have emerged wiser and stronger from setbacks means that you are, ever after, secure in your ability to survive. You will never truly know yourself, or the strength of your relationships, until both have been tested by adversity. Such knowledge is a true gift, for all that it is painfully won, and it has been worth more than any qualification I ever earned.”

So set forth. Be brave. Move forward. Do not forget the DREAM. Remember that the most painful thing to experience in life is not defeat, but regret.

14

Bar Top Notche

r

OFFICIAL EDITORIAL BOARD Mary Sayeh Hassani Editor-in-Chief Melquisedic Maitim Associate Editor Aretha Eugenio Managing Editor Ma. Katerina Santiago News Editor Wilson De Jesus Asst. News Editor Argel Joseph Cabatbat Features Editor Laisa Mae Aguila Asst. Features Editor Joan Palacio Literary Editor Exequiel Valerio Senior Photographer Andrea Joson Associate Editor Emeritus John Joseph Sy Managing Editor Emeritus Atty. Rita Linda Jimeno Faculty Adviser Staff: Josefina Alfonso Carisa Barcena Dugie Dela Cruz Adrian Rex Dimalanta General Du Adrian Rio Dizon Raymond Santos-Estrella.

Photographers: Maureen Betita Philip Cariaga Miguel Llave Jeamie Salvatierra. Layout: Luvimindo Balinang Jr. Samantha Santos Carlo June Tibayan Cartoonists: Bradly Listones Jonathan Vitug.

Writers/Contributors: Sarah Abraham Amelia Calangi Rodolfo Aquino Noelle Gavino Sannet Yves Dalisay Daphne Yu Arianne Rose Ebora