Today is my 16th year as a lawyer!
It was May 5, 2005 when I was formally admitted as member of the Philippine Bar after passing the 2004 Bar Examinations. Grabe!!! Thank you LORD!
Pero sa totoo lang, this lawyering thing was not part of my “when I grow up” dream. I never really imagined myself becoming a lawyer someday. And when the interest to study law came to me while I was in my last year in college, I prayed hard for it. I asked for signs from the LORD if this is His will in my life.
And then the challenge of informing my parents about it came. My Gad! Grabe yung effort. Had to make sure na okay ang timing at nasa good mood sila pareho. I first told my Gwamah about it and she was a little disappointed because she wanted me to study medicine. I told her mahina ako sa science and math so medicine is a NO for me.
As expected, my parents were surprised to learn about my decision. Dad had to asked me several times if “sure ka ba dyan?”. After giving him my confirmation I saw him smile and told me that he will support me all the way. Mom was also supportive but worried about our family’s finances. I told her I will continue working so that I could help them with the burden. My ninong and uncle, Former Presiding Judge Tranquil Salvador Jr., gave me so much encouragement and tips on how to prepare myself for law school and he told me “dapat gusto mo talaga kasi kung wala yung heart and mind mo, you won’t survive it”.
Law school was oh so difficult. I was so overwhelmed with the tasks—-so many things to read, so many things to memorize, so many books to buy, so many Supreme Court decisions to read/digest—and the anxiety attacks during recitations and examinations. It was God’s grace that I was able to survive law school without any failing mark.
Then the review for the bar exams came and haaay grabe! Had to sacrifice my social life, failed to attend several family gatherings, broke four (4) coffee makers while reviewing, unable to spend time with the boyfriend, sleepless and looking like a zombie, haaay! so on and so forth……
Passing the bar exams is definitely one of the greatest events of my life! Overjoyed and overwhelmed. I cried bucket of tears when I took my oath as a lawyer and was super smiling when I signed that big book and got my roll number. Yes!!!!!
Siyempre I was excited to practice my profession but unable to do so since I was then working as a program officer in a regional non-government organization. I was not allowed to practice and I could not resign yet since so many projects are assigned to me including an international gender training. This did not stop me though from accepting cases, giving legal advice and attending court hearings.
The breakthrough came when I entered government service in 2009. Being a government lawyer for the poor was a great experience for me. Although I am swamped with thousands of cases I learned a lot from it and was able to somewhat overcome my court fright. After almost eight years I was promoted and now the officer-in-charge at my present work station.
Looking back, I can’t help but thank God for all these blessings. Without His help I would not be able to survive all the challenges. I would like to honor my parents and siblings for the love and support they have given me. I lovingly remembered my Gwamah who loved me unconditionally. (She died a year after my college graduation). To all my friends who criticized me and could not believe that I became a lawyer, thank you he he he. Relatives/cousins in the legal profession who supported me in this dream, thank you! To my Chief, RPAs, OICs, co-employees….maraming salamat!
To GOD be all the glory!
Oh My Kwento!!!! 