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Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Ariola: And the spirit lived on
By Jose Paolo Ariola
I still walk the line
THE 2nd Barristers' Club Alumni Association Homecoming of the UNO-R College of Law held last June 24, 2006 at the UNO-R Main Lobby was a rousing and well-attended success. The Jubilarians - Platinum (Class 1951-55), Golden (Class 1956), and Silver (Class 1981) were well-represented. And of course, our trio of Top 10 Bar Topnotchers - Fiscal Rodolfo Herman, Atty. Lily Uy-Valencia, and Atty. Andrea L. Si - added prestige to our gathering that was both festive and nostalgic, especially for the Jubilarians. The Platinum Jubilarians in attendance were Atty. Jose Maria "Tutay" Kilayko (Class 1952) and Fiscal Rodolfo (Class 1954). While only Atty. Enrique V. Olmedo showed up for the Golden Jubilarians. It is interesting to note that there are only two surviving members of Class 1956 left - Tito Eking and Atty. Harry Ferraris. The Silver Jubilarians were represented by Judge Herminigildo Octaviano, Pros. Roger Tranquillo, Atty. Edgardo Tuclaud, Atty. Benjamin Jochico, and Atty. Gem Ymballa.
Speaking in behalf of the Platinum Jubilarians, retired Provincial Fiscal Rodolfo J. Herman waxed nostalgic as he declared that it was only the first time in more than thirty years that he has set foot once again in our Alma Mater since he stepped down as the Dean of the College of Law way back in the early 70's. Moreover, Fiscal Herman gratefully thanked the organizers of the homecoming for giving them the long delayed recognition they so rightfully deserve.
Golden Jubilarian Tito Eking Olmedo was magnanimous in thanking our Alma Mater for the legal acumen he obtained from its distinguished professors. Oh well, Atty. Benjamin Jochico, in behalf of the Silver Jubilarians, broke the nostalgic ice by his funny anecdotes about lawyers which made the audience burst into boisterous laughter. Then there was Atty. Mating "Pau de Arco" Valenzuela bringing the house down with his "Around the World" odyssey. He would have gone on and on all night had his attention not been called by Ms. Jo Gallos, our emcee for the evening, to get on with his song. But the Star of the Night was Ma'm Lily Uy-Valencia who came dressed up in a blue spaghetti-strapped evening blouse that had everybody in attendance ogling at her statuesque figure. But more than her "kikay" presence, it was what she said during her spiel that provoked the collective thought of the Barrister alumni present. Indeed, Ma'm Lily was right when she said that it's about time we joined hands in changing the negative perception about lawyers, and instill in their minds that lawyering is a noble profession.
As for me, well what could I say? I have come full circle with my Alma Mater this first semester of school year 2006-07. Never did I imagine, even in my wildest dreams, that I would one day end up to be a faculty member of the UNO-R College of Law. Nope, not me. Sure, I've been teaching in the UNO-R College of Criminology for the past twelve years now but I've never thought of myself as an academe least of all worthy of the College of Law. But now here I am, a Criminal Law professor in the UNO-R College of Law. I still have to pinch myself every once in a while and ask myself - is this for real? I must have been doing right in the College of Criminology that my Bar Reviewer, Dean Bimbo Villasor, Jr. recruited to be a member of his faculty without my applying for the position.
But I am truly humbled by this privilege given to me by Dean Villasor. For me, to be given this honor of being a member of the College of Law faculty, is the Mt. Everest of my teaching vocation. And not even Messrs. Oracion nor Emata can match this feat. I am after all an alumnus of the "Ateneo de Bimbo." Now it is full circle.
It is edifying that the seed we planted last year with "Animus Revertendi" bore fruit and surely "The Spirit Will Live On." But I must thank my fellow members of the organizing committee whose unselfish help and undying devotion to our cause ensured our collective success. The beauteous Atty. Sonya M. Verdeflor and the vivacious Atty. Daisy Real, who both went on an intensive campaign to invite as many Barrister alumni they could reach. As usual Tony and Christine Laino handled the financial and gastronomic aspect impeccably. Of course, Jo Gallos (our UNO-R connection) saw to it that our program on reunion night would get on without a hitch. But I always consider B-ging Olmedo as our "Girl Friday." She's indispensable. And this makes our high school classmate Teray Ledesma Calvo wonder why, when it comes to the Barristers B-ging is ever active while in our high class, she'd rather remain dormant. Finally, there's Miles Octaviano, Rose Norbe, Cleo Sumido, Malou Tagorda, Raymund Villacorta, and Zaquio Mirasol who all gave their invaluable support. Oh well, at the end of the affairs were all so poofed up yet relieved that all went overwhelmingly successful. Yet as we bade each one goodnight, I said to them - "Let's give ourselves a break. Let's not meet for a month. And please, no phone calls. Don't call me!" Funny, but as I went on my way home, Dean Bimbo Villasor's impassioned challenge to the
Barrister alumni to help him in his mission to regain the prestige that once belonged to the UNO-R College of Law as one of the premier law schools in the country kept coming back to mind. Now that's another Mt. Everest to climb.
(June 27, 2006 issue)
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