Dr. Florentino S. Cayco III (my ninong Bubut), Dean Jose Sundiang, Dean Mariano Magsalin Jr., My dear Arellano Law professors, especially those who know me better than others--Atty. Tom Uribe, Atty. Jimmy Soriano, Atty. Mayet Turingan, Atty. Ed Espina and Atty. Pedro Diwa--who I respect very much and think that they are really good at what they do, if not the best here in Arellano and perhaps anywhere else; all of the patient and understanding law library staff, the friendly and very approachable staff at the Dean's office, my classmates, dear friends, ladies and gentlemen, a pleasant good evening to you all.
I clearly remember my first days in law school. I was enrolled in the executive program and had classes only on Saturdays and Sundays. Saturdays I had Persons and Family Relations with Atty. Mayet, and Statutory Construction with Atty. Agnes. On Sundays, I had Legal Research and Writing with Atty. Jean Bacorro and Criminal Law I with Atty. Pedro Diwa. Most of them, during the first meetings asked, the question "Why do you want to become a lawyer?" I gave a different answer for each one, simply because I cannot share my true reason. You see, I was working as an ordinary employee back then and I was for the most of it, frustrated with my career. I was occupied with the belief that there should be more to my life than waiting for the 15th and 30th of the month for my meager paycheck.
When I was a child, I had three (3) clear ambitions. I wanted either to become an astronaut, a priest, or a lawyer. Since I found out very early on that there is no Philippine counterpart of NASA, my dream of being the Filipino Neil Armstrong became highly improbable. Prior to adolescence, I was convinced of becoming a priest. I have witnessed my cousin Fr. Rico's Ordination and I thought that priesthood was the perfect profession for me. At home, I was consecrating our meals whenever my father wasn't around. It was really funny. I would raise a pork chop like a priest would raise the host and say "Take this all of you..." My brother and sister got a kick out of it every time I do the stunt. My father found out about it and under pain of a severe belting, he banned me from consecrating our lunches ever again. Like most middle-class Filipino children, I went to a Catholic school, and my favorite saint was St. Agustine--that's because he was practically a goon on the early part of his life and through the prayers of his mother, St. Anne, he turned and became one of the staunchest intellectual defenders of the church against heresy. St. Jorge, can you imagine that? I was about to go to seminary school but my parents were not so crazy about the idea. Instead, they sent me to the University of Santo Tomas. A little shortly after that, I turned thirteen (13) and alongside the beginnings of my mustache, and those fancy trainer bras of my female classmates, I forgot all about becoming a priest. Employing a basic process of elimination, the only ambition left for me to pursue is to become a lawyer. Here I am now. I have lived out one of my childhood dreams.
To what things do I owe my success in the Bar Examinations? I have made a Top Ten list, just like in The Late Show with David Letterman.
10. Planning--Law 29 of Robert Green's 48 Laws of Power is "Plan All the Way to the End." In preparing for the bar exams, you must plan all the way from the beginning--from the very first day of law school, not on the first day of taking review subjects, and definitely not on the very first day of pre-bar review. Atty. Diwa told us that, on the very first day I saw him bang the table with his open hand.
9. Reading--The best advice to a law student, or a bar candidate is to read. I like to read a lot so this part is not too much of a problem for me.
8. Writing--I handwrite my own notes and try to carefully and faithfully make them the best I can, so I won't need to go back to the book where I copied them. By the time I finished reading what I wrote about a dozen times, I have memorized them and I won't have to study my thick book too much.
7. Talking--I talk about what I have read with my classmates who became my good friends, not only those who also belong to ALAS, but with other students as well. A good healthy discussion helps to retain what I already know, correct what I may have misunderstood, and supply me with what I do not know.
6. Reading--Have I mentioned that reading is the best advice? I read everywhere, in my bedroom, in the library, in the ALAS office, on the stairs, underneath a tree, in the train, in the cab, in the rest room, anywhere. In fact, ever since I was a child, I cannot finish my business in the C.R. without reading something. Sometimes, I read the back of soap cartons and shampoo bottles. Reading is the only way to go. I cannot over-emphasize on this point.
5. Listening--Reading, writing, and especially talking is not enough. Often, I learn and unlearn many things by listening to professors and more so from my friends. Sometimes, you think you know but in truth, you have no idea. It's a two (2) way street: talking and listening. One talks and the other listen. Then the other talks and the other takes his turn to listen. The end result is learning the right things and unlearning the wrong things you previously thought were right. But keep an ear close to your brain. Be a skeptic. Always double check with the books. Just like in math, by checking your answers, the process is complete and you could truly say that you are correct.
4. Dressing up--Every time an examination comes my way, I always dress up like I'm going to a child's christening. I tuck in a polo shirt, wear some nice pants and clean my shoes. It has become my habit. I tell myself "If I have a hard time on this exam, at least I look good so maybe it won't be noticed that my ears are bleeding." During the bar exams, I wore green shirts all the time. It was silly because my only reason is that the pre-dominant color in the La Salle campus is green so I had to wear green to absorb the powerful and daunting aura of the "slaughter-house." It's silly but it eventually worked.
4. Keeping friends close--Keep your friends close, and your ALAS friends even closer. I am very lucky to have such intelligent friends. From the team work in the classroom recitations, to brainstorming after reading sessions during the review, the road to the bar examinations wouldn't be as exciting, challenging and fun without my friends. Special mention goes to Atty. Ato, Atty. Jonell, Atty. Mary Ann, Atty. Babes, Atty. Agnes, Atty. Joel...and the rest of the ALAS bar candidates last year.
3. Relaxing--I relaxed by watching Koreanovelas (Jumong, Love Story in Harvard), countless movies, reading Harry Potter, Naruto, One Piece, Death Note, Bleach--walking my dogs, writing blogs, having massages every bar Saturday at the Century...whenever I think I need a break from studying, I took a break and relaxed. I believe that stress is the number one (1) enemy of the bar candidate.
2. Loving--I felt I needed a "whole lotta love" during this gruesome period and I got more than enough from my ex-girlfriend (who is now my lovely wife), my parents, my brothers and sister, my mother and father-in-law, my brother and sisters-in-law. I dedicate my passing to all my loved ones.
1. Praying--No elaboration is needed. My success is but a faint glimmer of God's everlasting glory.
Now how could I squeeze all these in a three (3) minute speech on the podium?
