Once a houseboy, now PAO-Davao's No. 2 man

Saturday, July 2, 2011

LAWYERS are looked at either with respect or disdain, their profession having to do with crimes and wealth and other stuff that keep the court busy.

The best among them, however, are those who have kept their hearts and sights on the delivery of justice, especially for those who cannot afford the best legal services to keep them out of the slammer.

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Among these is a lawyer who steadily been doing his job without fanfare -- the assistant regional director of Public Attorney's Office in Davao, lawyer Rudy "Rod" C. Alonzo.

Alonzo said his passion for the less fortunate motivated him to become a PAO lawyer. He came from their ranks, that's why.

"Make any adversity as a step of a ladder in order to reach where you want to go. But of course focus on your target. Be persistent and be determined," Alonzo said.

Alonzo began his career as a job order clerk with P8/day salary with the C. Alcantara and Sons, Inc. way back May 20, 1975 and later became the house lawyer of this plywood manufacturing in company Lanang, Davao City as soon as he passed the bar. He took up Law at the University of Mindanao.

On April 1, 1983, he became the senior department head of the personnel labor relations and legal of the Philippine Packing Corporation-Del Monte.

His government service started when he became the graft investigation officer of the Office of the Ombudsman-Mindanao in January 1989 and served the office for one year and four months.

His desire to serve the less fortunate led him to be a public attorney and started his profession at the Public Attorney's Office (PAO) Davao.

He has been serving the office for almost 21 years now. He started as a public attorney II on May 20, 1990. His hard work and dedication made him the assistant regional director of PAO-Davao.

Alonzo is a full-time lawyer when inside the four corners of his office from Mondays to Fridays, giving full public service, and an associate professor VI of Law at University of Mindanao, imparting the knowledge to lawyers-to-be.

Alonzo can strike you as a very serious lawyer. But then, looks can be deceiving. Outside the court and the classroom, you can catch him carrying a basket going to market on Saturdays, or watching over his goats, cows and other farm animals during the weekend. He considers his weekend as his only means to unwind after a long, busy week at work. He is also a radio announcer of dxAB 1296. His program "True Case" is aired from 6:30-8 a.m. on Sundays since 2002.

Alonzo said before attaining the success he is now reaping, he was once a houseboy at his aunt's residence after graduating from high school for almost a couple and a half years.

He said it was tough but he has to do it so he can finance his college education.

"Ako tigbantay sa balay, tig luto, tig hakot ug tubig. I can just remember ang higaan ko yung sa gitna ng dalawang double deck. Tapos karton akong butanganan sa sinina. Sa kusina pa jud ko matulog sauna usahay, gusto nako matulog dili ko katulog kay naa pa gud wala'y nangabot nga mga kauban sa balay. Dili ko maka-butang ug moskit ug banig (I was the house caretaker, the cook, and I also fetched water. I slept in a space in between a double deck bed and I kept my clothes in a box. That bed was in the kitchen and so I couldn't have a good night's sleep for as long as other residents of the house were still outside. I couldn't also use a mat and a mosquito net)," he said but these made him strong.

Alonzo is the eldest among his siblings. He said he needs to double his effort in order to help his parents while growing up.

After saving some money from his domestic work, he took up Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at Rizal Memorial College and graduated with flying colors in 1975.

What inspired him to take up the course was his parent's cadastral case when he was a young boy. He realized how hard life was and so it motivated him to pursue law.

But being a lawyer was never his first choice, he said he wanted to be a doctor but his parents could not finance the high cost of medical school.

Now, he can proudly say that he is a self-fulfilled man, he could always remember what his parents used to tell him when he was young, "value your education". With that, he finished his bachelor's degree and degree in laws, got a job, and has a stable life with his family.

Alonzo is a father of three who are now all professionals in different fields. His eldest, Johan, 28, is now a legal aid clerk at the City Legal Office. Czarina, 26, a certified public accountant, is now with the Anflo Management and Investment Corporation. Ramon Angelo, 22, a registered nurse, is now working at Royal Mandaya Hotel.

He said the piece of advice he always shares his children is "value your work". Responsibility starts from valuing what you have and not looking for what you do not have.

He added that he and his wife let them live independently and show good examples to aim high. His children never failed him and have made him proud.

As a PAO lawyer, he said is not easy but he never deals with stress as it is.

"Tawanan mo lang ang iyong problema," he said. "Life is never challenging if you do not face problems and patience made him different from others."

He had simple dreams for himself, now he is at his 58 years, he said he wants nothing but a simple life with his family. If given a chance, he wants to travel abroad and experience it with them.

Alonzo is a man of service and dedication, a man of hope and love, a responsible father, a loving husband and a truthful lawyer.

Once a houseboy, now an assistant regional director of PAO-Davao, Rudy "Rod" C. Alonzo, a simple man of hard work and passion.