Graduation Issue Class of 2016

CLASS OF 2016

Realizing their dreams in technicolor

MESSAGE TO THE GRADUATES Dear Law Class of 2016,

Dom Clement Ma. Roque

Rector - President

It is with distinct pride that I congratulate you on this day. Your graduation is indeed a source of joy not only for you and your parents but also for us, your administrators, faculty members, and service personnel.

It is providential that your graduation falls within the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, declared by Pope Francis as a period which we want to live in the light of the word of the Lord: “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.”

This is a call for you, as Bedan lawyers, formed by the best legal educators of the country and with a strong foundation in Catholic Christian, Benedictine and Filipino values, to bear witness to Christ’s mercy and compassion in our society characterized by injustice, poverty, and corruption by putting into practice the spiritual and corporal works of mercy in your lives.

I thank and congratulate Dean Ulan Sarmiento, Prefect of Student Affairs Atty. Carlo Busmente, former Prefect Atty. Bruce Rivera, the faculty members, and service 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 Sto. Niño continue to bless, guide, and protect you as you prepare for the Bar exams and as you practice your legal profession.

Graduates, I congratulate you for having the willpower to conquer the immeasurable challenges law school has given you. The horrors of sleepless nights, numerous cases, and difficult provisions have now become good memories. These moments in your life will make you look back someday and say, “I made it then. I will make it now.”

We pushed you to your breaking point so that your capacity to grow, heal, and learn will reach its greatest heights. We have trained you to become fearless in the face of adversity, graceful in the face of defeat, and resilient to move past the hardships.

The next few months will be no different than your days in the institution.

Balance your ora’s and your labora’s by making use of your down time to relax your mind and spirit. With a clear mind and a calm spirit, your thought process will be at its best.

I wish you all the best. May the fire in you grow stronger, the light shine brighter, and the passion for justice and truth motivate you in becoming the best in the profession. See you on the other side of the Bar. That in all things, God may be glorified!

Dean Ulpiano Sarmiento III

School of Law, Dean

Congratulations for making it to the end of your law school journey!

Atty. Carlo Busmente

Prefect of Student Affairs

We have witnessed as you fought your way through countless readings and recitations, and struggled through daunting examinations. You have encountered so many obstacles and yet you are here in this moment, emerging victorious. Give yourself a pat on the back, take a step in your limelight, and cherish every moment because you deserve it. Give thanks to the people who helped you come this far and, most of all, to the Lord Almighty.

As this chapter of your life closes, another one begins. You might be a step closer to your goal, but greater challenges await as you face the Bar examinations. Do not be discouraged by fear and doubt. Instead, live by the Benedictine virtue of Ora et Labora. Always believe in yourself, and do not stop until you reach the peak of your dreams— becoming a lawyer.

I wish you all the best as you enter the legal profession. That in all things, God may be glorified!

Message from the TRC Faculty Adviser To the Class of 2016: Graduation marks the end of your school days and the beginning of your preparations for the Bar. Each one of you carried successfully the burden of recitations, quizzes, written examinations, and more. Be humble in your achievement of finishing the law course because this will lead you to the realization that more work, patience, and dedication are needed to achieve your objectives. Stay focused and accept the challenges ahead with a positive attitude. Most especially, you must always display the brave heart of a lion for you have learned the courage to overcome the seemingly impossible task of finishing the law course.

Beyond graduation and the Bar examinations are thrills of the unexpected. You have learned that life is a constant struggle, but you are blessed abundantly because you have been bestowed with the unique gifts that can be derived only from work and prayer.

March on and achieve your noble dreams! Become great Bedan lawyers!

Congratulations and God bless!

Judge Alberto Serrano

Message from the Student Law Government It is the time of the year again where we bid our graduates not goodbye, but send them the best of luck. Your Student Law Government will be behind your journey from the beginning until you reach your dreams. Let your struggles in law school be your guide to the months ahead while preparing yourself for the Bar. Complacency is very dangerous. Always be on your battle form and fight for that ATTY. before your name. Always remember to not let people invalidate your emotions or hardships, and be sure to maintain a sense of perspective. Your career will take you through unknown twists and turns, but it is your education which will be the pillar you can always lean on.

Congratulations and Good luck! That in all things, God may be glorified!

All the best, Your SLG Family.

Message from The Red Chronicles We, at The Red Chronicles, can hardly write for happiness as we congratulate Batch 2016. Our words and pictures bear witness to your years of hard work, grit, and dedication in completing your Law degree.

Today, you have donned the full academic regalia carrying with it a great responsibility. As Batch 2016, you are on the cusp of bringing this institution to greater heights. It was during your senior year where our Dean proudly announced that the School of Law became part of the top ten best law schools in the Philippines. As you endeavor into the next stage, we exhort you to think of these things with utmost consideration. In all you do, aim for excellence -- for God, country, and San Beda.

Today is a symbolic commencement. What begins after is the final measure of your legal aptitude through the Bar exams. Let this serve as a reminder to stay fervent and God-fearing in the face of this daunting task. While studying law can bring the best and the worst of people, it is as equally rewarding as the sacrifice it requires. We temporarily bid you adieu, and look forward to seeing you again in the halls of St. Maur, as full-fledged Bedan lawyers. Good luck and God bless!

Message from 2015 Bar Passers Paulo Coelho said that when you want something, the entire universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.

Well done, graduates!

The sacrifices, the tears, the suspense, the doubts -- they all suddenly seem so trivial now, don’t they? As you graduate, you realize that just like everyone else before you, you deserve to reach this far. No cloud of uncertainty remains. It was all you. You are meant to be here. So bask in the high of the moment. Take pride in your triumph and be elated. Rejoice at the sight of your beaming loved Graduating means another chapter in your life is about to un- ones. fold. In preparing for the Bar exams, keep in mind the rule of St. Once it sinks in, get right back on track. Focus on the bigger picBenedict which is Ora et Labora. You cannot just rely on your books.

You need Divine Intervention. When I was in law school and when ture -- passing the Bar examinations. Use your time wisely. Prepare.

I was preparing for the Bar exams, my motto was “study hard, Do what works for you. Learn to seek help when humbled by the pray harder.” If you follow this, nothing can go wrong. You must overwhelming stress but most of all, pray. Endure the remaining prepare yourself physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. months of painful and numbing review, because when you reach the pinnacle of this journey, it will be worth it. I assure you, there’s Now that you are one step closer to achieving your dream, do nothing quite like it. not stop. Believe in yourself. Do not let anyone tell you that you cannot do it, because you are a survivor armed with knowledge.

Again, congratulations to all the graduates! More importantly, good luck in the coming Bar examinations!

Congratulations, Batch 2016!

Finishing law school is not easy. You will encounter tests and road bumps, but that does not mean you should stop. Instead, continue the fight. It takes a lot of courage, motivation, patience, and faith in yourself. These obstacles helped you become who you are today. Be proud! It will go a long way come the Bar examinations.

Atty. Loralyn Anne R. Lazaro

Atty. Nadine Alessandra S. Gloria

Valedictorian

Rizza Mariz P. Mañalac My fellow Bedan graduates, congratulations to all and kudos to your parents as we have acquired the degree Legum Baccalaureus.

Law school has been our world for the past years. Everyday, spending hours reading to prepare for nerve-wracking recitations, horrifying quizzes, and flabbergasting examinations. Finding ways to deal with class schedules, along with other responsibilities. None of these are facile, struggling may be part of our daily routine.

We shed tears and almost gave up during hard times, endured the humiliation from recitation experiences, anxiety which increased as we waited for our grades, exhaustion from sleepless nights, and frustration over failing scores. Yet, these are the times that we will not forget. We will share these stories someday with our families, children, and grandchildren. The things that we have surpassed will be our foundation as future lawyers.

For most graduates, the day they march marks the end of their student life and the beginning of their adult life. For us, our journeys do not end here.

Rather, they start anew. Let our diplomas be evidence of our hard work, support of our families and friends, guidance from our Creator, and a reminder of our pursuit of what is lawful and just.

Over the coming weeks, we will refer to our codals, books, and other references to prepare us for the Bar. Truthfully, each of us has an equal chance of topping, passing, or failing the examinations. Let us strive for this final push before we truly go on different paths, keeping in mind that we are not alone in this challenge. As per St. Benedict’s rule: Ora et Labora or “pray and work”.

Finally, in the words of Walter Cronkite: “I can’t imagine a person becoming a success who doesn’t give this game of life everything he’s got.”

Salutatorian

Jordan D. Villota “People cannot gain anything without sacrificing something in return. You must

offer something of equal value in order to obtain what you desire to achieve. This is the first law of alchemy the principle of equivalent exchange.”

– Full Metal Alchemist Back when I was in college, my friends and college professors used to tell me that law school was somewhat an impossible challenge. Many of them believed that no matter how intelligent an individual may be, he will not survive if he does not have the heart. I was able to prove the same – studying law is indeed difficult. I, too, have come across many failures and have been disappointed many times during my stay in this institution. As they say, law school is a jealous mistress, but true enough, this institution brought out the best in all of us. I may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer, but what really kept me going and made me reach this far was my determination to strive and to surpass every hurdle. As what my father would always say – “Ang bawat tao ay may likas na talino, pero ang kailangan talaga ay tiyaga at sipag para ikaw ay makarating sa minimithi mong pangarap”.

A lesson without pain is meaningless. No one can gain without sacrificing something in return, but by enduring that pain and ovecoming it, one shall obtain a powerful and unmatched heart.

My fellow graduates, attaining this stage of our lives is considered a big leap in realizing our dream of becoming lawyers.

Nevertheless, our fight is not yet over as we must still prepare for the biggest trial in this journey, the Bar examinations. Surely, with proper determination and resolve, we can achieve anything.

Congratulations to you, my fellow graduates of 2016.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2015 BAR PASSERS!

1. ABELLA, Sonny Xavier S. 2. ABRUGENA, Ma. Anne Klaudine C. 3. ABUBAKAR, Ismael III G. 4. ALFONSO, Maria Josefina R. 5. ANG, Jennica S. 6. APOSTOL, Danielle D. 7. ARUGAY, Glory Grace J. 8. AWATIN, Meliza Ann R. 9. BARCENA, Hanna H. 10. BRAGADO, Cassandra I. 11. CALDINO, Hannah V. 12. CLAREZA, Kathleen O. 13. CORRALES, Marlon M. 14. COSICO, Michiko V. 15. CRUZ, Christine Bernadette U. 16. CUERDO, Winnie Anne S. 17. DE GUZMAN, Jarren Neil DLS. 18. DE VEYRA, Vanessa Gaye A. 19. DIMAYUGA, Leoncia Ma. Cecilia M. 20. DUMALANTA, Kristine Draei V. 21. ESPIRITU, Enrico A. 22. ESPLANA, Maria Carla A. 23. FONTANILLA-LUCINARIO, Marian R. 24. FORMALEJO, Wilfried P. 25. GALVEZ, Genaro N. 26. GANTUANGCO, Gilianne Kathryn L. 27. GARCIA, Kenneth C. 28. GLORIA, Nadine Alessandra S. 29. GONZALES, Jose Ma. Ronaldo D. 30. ILAGAN, Maria Charis Kay S. 31. JAVIER, Gemma Andrea C. 32. JOSOL, John Daryl D. 33. LAPIÑA, Carmichael C. 34. LAZARO, Loralyn Anne R.

EDITORIAL BOARD Hayde Talorong | Editor-in-Chief Joseph Franco | Associate Editor Jea Diato | Managing Editor Mara Martinez | Features Editor Pauline Ubaldo | News Editor Monica Delos Reyes | Literary Editor Katrina Belarmino | Senior Layout Artist Ceasar Entila | Senior Photographer Kitti Banzon | Circulations Manager Leandro Nadal | Logistics Lailani Blancaflor | Senior Layout Artist Emeritus Roselle Jimeno | Literary Editor Emeritus

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LIM, Paolo Carlo O. LINA, Nino Don L. LUCAYLUCAY, Maicha M. MAGPANTAY, Fe B. MANALO, Jonas Anton M. MANGROBANG, Christina Elaine D. MANGUBAT, Jan G. MANGUNAY, Ann Margaret Q. MATEO, Maria Angelica M. MERIS, Mary Angela M. MINA, Madeline P. MUÑEZ, Ramon Alfonso T. MUÑOZ, Lirio R. MURILLO, Angelo L. MUTIANGPILI-MARQUEZ, Jomelle P. NERI, Jorgianna V. NITURA, Karla Izavella A. PADILLA, Nastasia Anne C. PALILEO, Fernando Jr. C. REGACHO, Erness Faith J. ROMULO, Carlos Celestino F. RUBIO-AGUINALDO, Mishelle Anne R. SALDON, Christ Shane C. SICCUAN, Don Mikhail A. SIMON, Simon L. SYDIONGCO, Jacqueline Carlotta B. TOLENTINO, Julie Ann B. TOLENTINO, Rose Ann O. TOLENTINO, Sonby Adam A. TORNO, Jesa Kristi R. VALERIANO, Victor Napoleon D. VILLARIN, Donnie Wayne M. VILLATUYA, Luigi Miguel P. ZORILLA, Ritchelle R.

Judge Alberto Serrano | Faculty Adviser Features Writers Mary Grace Amulong, Maris Cay Gabornes, Valentin Prieto, Lyzette Siazar, Jenica Ti, Grean Anonuevo, Sarj Mella

Photographers Ann Balingao, Lawrenz Guevara, Melissa Manansala, Aylwyn Valenciano, Hershey Delos Santos

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Literary Writers Karl Carvajal, Michael Escudero

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