LUNA, Apayao – The eight new lawyers and new members of Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Apayao Chapter were welcomed by their fellow lawyers and five of them shared their testimonies and firsthand experiences during the testimonial dinner held at the Aliwa gymnasium, this town, on August 30, 2024 organized to recognize the new bar passers in the province of Apayao.
The other three new lawyers were in Manila and were not able to join due to some equally important matters they had to attend.
The key points of the testimonies of success shared emphasized the value of patience, tenacity, and the importance of lifelong learning. During the sharing, they also discussed and provided helpful advice on how to be successful in both academic and professional endeavors to aspiring lawyers.
Atty. Apolinario B. Eboy Jr. said when he entered law school in 2018, he believed that being an attorney brings pride, but then when he got the title “Atty.” before his name, it is more than just that. He said, it is a responsibility to uphold the rule of law, advocate for those who need it most and make it as a leverage to have a positive impact, underscoring “every setback is temporary and every challenge is an opportunity to learn.”
Atty. Ma. Victoria G. Balbin, shared her journey at the law school as a full time scholar of herself, juggling work and study, which drove her to graduate and pass the bar. “One thing I sacrificed the most is my health, but eventually I now prioritize it by getting a full-body check-up every year because health is very important. You cannot finish a task if you are unwell.” She encourages all individuals who are aspiring to enter the legal profession not by sugarcoating her experience but by honestly sharing that achieving dreams sometimes requires sacrifices.
Atty. Lean-Klair Jan B. Gamatero entered law school due to an abrupt decision. And when she began, she was shocked by the tasks and assignments during her first week in law school. She recounted how they were obliged to read the constitutional law, civil code and penal code in such a short period of time. She is deeply thankful to her mom, family, friends, and colleagues for their unwavering support, encouragement, and trust, especially during times when she herself couldn’t believe in her own capabilities.
Atty. Miller Paulo D. Bilag emphasized the importance of concentration and stress management in his testimony. He said that during the pandemic, online classes led to a period of unproductivity. However, after self-assessment, he discovered that he has short-term memory, which prompted him to develop the habit of listening to lectures at review centers right before exams. He said, “Don’t be discouraged if you can’t answer during a recitation. Instead, use it as motivation to study harder so you can excel next time.” He also recommended setting aside Sundays as free time.
Atty. Rina Valerie A. Cafirma recalled she was just an ordinary law student, and that she took her first bar exam in November 2022, but wasn’t emotionally prepared. Nevertheless, she still summoned the courage to take it. Unfortunately, she flunked and described it as “was worse than a heartbreak.” With dedication and perseverance, she found the strength to try again and successfully passed the 2023 bar examination. She reflected on her journey, saying, “Maybe God wanted me to experience failure first, so I could truly appreciate success when it came.” Cafirma expressed deep gratitude for the unwavering support of her mother and family. She advised upcoming law students to always listen to their seniors, both in the academe and in all aspects of life.
The shared testimonies of the new lawyers in Apayao are hoped to encourage future law students and those wishing to pursue careers in law. One thing they all have in common is that each one had a fair share of sacrifice in order to succeed. By Ginalyn Gapusan
