To our beloved Dean, Atty.

Genevieve Brandares-Paulino, our dear Law school

Professors, Brothers of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, to my fellow new 2017 Lawyers
(Panyeros and Panyeras), Students, freshmen, Ladies and gentlemen, Good Morning.

A little over two weeks ago, I, together with 33 others who graduated from CJC, became
the newest members of the legal profession. We passed the bar, took the lawyers oath,
and signed the roll of attorneys. We, finally, dotted the A-T-T-Y.

For most of us, becoming a lawyer was a fulfilment of a childhood dream. For me, though,
it was a product of a quarter-life crisis. After working for 4 years inside a laboratory, I
realized one day that being a chemist is not what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. So
I took up law.

I started law school at the age of 26, year 2011. And, boy, do I still remember that fateful
day. There was and orientation for freshmen like this one, and the speaker that day, she
said: Take a look at the person to your left, then to your right. Among the 3 of you, theres
a big chance that only one would finish, and will eventually become a lawyer.

Let me share to you 10 things I wish I knew when I was still a law student.

10- This number, for me, should represent every law student and every barristers
determination. A perfect 10. No ifs. No buts. And no excuses. This one is absolute. A
number less would have dire consequences, even failure.

Every student should have the persistence and the drive to pursue the dream of becoming
a lawyer. He or she must learn how to roll with the punches.

Stayed up all night trying to read 40 assigned cases? Read 39, and got called for recitation
for that single case that you just didnt read? Tough luck. Its just another bad recit day.
Just suck it up, but never quit. Failed an exam in Persons? Try to do better next time. The
teacher just had to randomly pick your class card when you were not ready or was absent,
just make sure to be ready, or be present next time.

A wise man once said, Anything worth achieving will always have obstacles along the
way. You have got to have the drive and determination to overcome such obstacles. And
you will achieve whatever it is that you want to accomplish. CHUCK NORRIS-

The number 9 represents your imperfections. Embrace it. And do something about it.
Forgot about the basic rules of subject-verb agreement? Time to revisit your high-school
English book. Not the best speaker in class? Try practicing recitations in front of the
mirror. Is your handwriting barely legible? Write, write, and write some more.
Everyone in law school starts with a clean slate. It is the great equalizer. Whether you are
a summa cum laude, or a student who barely made it in college, you all look the same to
your law school professors. This is your chance to turn things around.

Number 8 represents the 8 major law subjaects. Poli, labor, civil, tax, commercial, crim,
remedial, and legal ethics. Know this 8 classifications by heart.

Number 7 represents rest and relaxation. God had to rest on the seventh day, law
students and even barristers need the same. True, there will be a lot, and I mean A LOT,
of sleepless nights in law school, but make sure to take a break, too. Allow your mind and
body to recuperate. Watch a movie, take an afternoon stroll around the park, play with
your pets. Just do whatever it is that makes you happy.

Number 6 represents the number of months between April (month of graduation), and
November (usual bar month). In these 6 months, I had to endure studying from sun up to
sun down. By choice, I became a hermit, living in isolation with no television, nor the
internet, because I want my environment to be free from outside distractions. For
Barristers, these are the months we had to SACRIFICE and ENDURE. Away from Family
and Friends. Missing important family occasions and parties.

Number 5 and 4 are the number of years one usually takes in the study of law. 5 years,
as a general rule, and 4, the exception. It is in these formative years that law students
should master the basics. When cases are assigned to you, read them in full text, and not
just the digests you see on the internet. Read books from legal luminaries, and not just
the reviewers from other schools. This is the time for you to master the basics.