Eliza Yamamoto

Valedictorian

Congratulations to the graduates of class 2010. Finally, we have seen the end of our
law school life. I am certain that none of it was easy but I do believe that every
sacrifice proved to be well worth the time and effort. It is not the end but a
beginning of greater challenges for the upcoming bar examinations. I know that we
can hurdle that obstacle because we have received the best education any law
school can provide. The torch is being passed on to us, let us make our school
proud. Let us prove that we are worthy of our diploma.

To my fellow Bedans, I would like to impart a few things that I have learned during
my four years in San Beda College of Law, Alabang: Never give up. A failed
recitation or a failed examination is not the end all and be all of everything. When
things do not seem to go your way, do not wallow in self-pity, get up and fight. All of
the hard work would pay off in the end. It is also important to bear in mind that law
school is all about teamwork. Do not think that you can survive alone. Somewhere
along the way, you would need the help of your classmates. We are a family here,
your success is the school’s success. Always stay focused, work towards that goal. If
you love what you do, it will love you back and your efforts would bear fruit. Always
come to class prepared and as much as possible, do not be absent, you can learn a
lot by just listening to your professors. Do not argue with your professors, they have
experienced a lot and they only want what’s best for us. Do not short change
yourselves by being absent, in the real world, we cannot escape the trials and
obstacles of life, face everything with courage. Learn to relax and give yourself a
treat for a job well done. Respect everyone around you. Make friends, they would be
your stress relievers in law school. Pray!Pray!Pray! Never forget to call on the
Father Almighty for help and to thank Him for all the blessings. When things seem
unbearable, trust that God is at work in your life, you would be surprised on how
things turn out in the end. Most of all, enjoy the journey of your law school life and
appreciate both the good and the bad in every situation. The bad things that we
experience would help us to become better individuals. Be proud to be a Bedan and
live by the saying of Ora et Labora.

Law school is full of trials, heartaches and sacrifices but these should not stop us
from achieving what we want. Go for your dreams and trust that faith will lead you
to where you want to be.
 Acceptance Speech
By: Gerald C. Sergio
17 December 2009

To our Rector-President, DOM Clement Ma. Roque OSB, to our beloved Dean,
Congressman Ulpiano Sarmiento III, our Vice Dean, Atty. Marciano Delson, Atty.
Bruce Rivera, our Prefect of Student Affairs, the Professors of San Beda College
Alabang School of Law, guests, parents and my co-students, good afternoon.

Allow me to start by equating law school to a movie.

You will ask me then, why compare studying law to a movie.

My answer is simple, our stay here in law school is considered as one movie project,
every semester is a sequel until we reach our last semester in the fourth year,
therefore for those who already took labor laws, we know that we are only project
employees, and as project employees our employment lasts only through out the
length of the movie making activity, that is until our graduation.

Taking the bar, will be another movie. But we have to make the first movie sequel
successful to have another blockbuster movie entitled “the Bar.”

We study for long period of hours, maybe some of us until dawn, just like when your
favorite actors and actresses shoot theirs movies just to give you you’re much
awaited movie like 2012, New Moon or the movie of your favorite president – Ang
Tanging Pamilya.

After long hours of preparation, practice and memory work the scene comparable to
recitation here in law school will only take a minute or two but sometimes more
depending on the professor akin to shooting a movie which after long hours of
rehearsal, the camera will only roll for a few seconds.

When bad time comes you will only have a KODAK MOMENT similar to an extra or
passers-by in a movie. Kodak moment in law school is that point in time where you
will just stand, smile or give a not so good answer to the professor and sit. As if you
were there for the picture, a flash of the camera then it’s over. But we, BEDANS
never lose hope that next time we are not passers-by anymore but we will be the
lead actors and actresses.

Having said that, please allow we to thank the people behind this movie we call
“Law School Life”. First to our Director, God Almighty, my assistant director, my
father who joined my director almost 17 years by next month.
We likewise knew that a movie will not work unless there be persons who will fund
the same and that’s what our producers does, they give us funds to buy those
expensive books, to photocopy those voluminous materials which serves as our
script in this movie that we are making. For that reason I want to thank my
producer, my ever loving and supportive mother. Thank you.

To the cinematographers and editors who make sure that our movie is a
blockbuster hit by taking in the movie those good scenes as opposed to those which
are not so good. To the cinematographers and editors headed by our Dean
Sarmiento and the rest of the Professors of the School of Law.

To my leading ladies, my mom Fe and my girlfriend Anna who had me at my best

and loved me at my worst. Who were at my side in good times and bad times.
Thank you.

And lastly to the cast and crew, my dear classmate and friends. The movie is not
complete without you guys.

In behalf of all the awardees, with joy in our hearts, and utmost trust and
confidence with God Almighty I am pleased to receive this award.

That in all things God may be glorified.

Thank you all. And good day.

Pam David

As the former Editor-in-Chief and one of the co-founders of The

Red Chronicles, I pictured myself writing a very witty and funny
piece about finally (finally!) graduating from San Beda College
Alabang School of Law. I would like to think that I was given this
opportunity to write a message because I was one of those who
truly persevered in finishing the degree. Thus, I had planned to
share funny anecdotes and sob-inducing tales collected from my
own colorful experiences and those collected from people who
were shameless in sharing the same. But the irony of it all is that
as I am writing this, I discovered that I have no words at all.
Words have become inadequate to fully describe the depths of
despair I have experienced in the past, in the same manner that
words cannot capture the pure ecstasy of the present.
As being witty and funny has escaped me, I realize that I am left
with no choice than to be straightforward: To my family, who
unfailingly supported me when I thought that all hope was lost,
thank you for your strength and faith in me. Ma and Pa, I hope I
can live a few more lifetimes just so I can show you how grateful I
am. To my sister, thank you for being my best friend. To my
theBarrister cookies and mentors, thank you for nurturing my love
for the written word. Your quiet presence in my life is constantly
reassuring. To the sisters and friends I have collected along the
way, the fun and crazy laughter we share are priceless. I have
always considered myself rich because I have all of you. To The
Red Chronicles staff, I hope your love for writing will be the bond
that will make this paper flourish for many years. Thank you for
allowing me to share a part of myself with you. To Kuya Jun and
Francis, you are the shining examples of dedication, thank you.
To SBCA-SOL 2009, I have found true friends in all of you when
you have shown compassion during the most challenging time of
my life. I am truly grateful to all of you. Finally, to all my
professors and the administrators, I am graduating today with a
happy and hopeful heart because I know I have your support with
me when I undertake greater challenges ahead. You have taught
me the greatest lesson of all: I can achieve anything if I just lay
down my trust and faith in the Lord.

I believe the whole graduating class of San Beda College Alabang

School of Law 2010 is with me in saying that ‘Thank you!’ seems
too short a sentence to convey the multitude of emotions which
we are currently going through, but please indulge us in saying a
heartfelt thank you to all of you who stood by us every step of the
way. May you continue to be with us as we move on to face
another challenge: the Bar Examinations.

Here is the hope that the future will only shine brighter from this
moment on. To the SBCA-SOL 2010, Congratulations to us, and
God Bless!

Delson Message
To Class 2010 that I love so dear,

Congratulations for having earned the ultimate brand in Law education.

With the Bedan seal of excellence the Faculty of Law has given you, comes
the guarantee that you shall breeze through those four crucial Sundays of
September, onwards to a practice of law that will make your alma mater
proud.

It was written that a mango tree bears mango fruits, wherever, whenever.
From the seed to the tree, a mango it shall forever be. I then reiterate to
you…once a Bedan, always a Bedan, wherever, whenever. May you always
remember the Benedictine values you have learned in our revered
institution and make “ora et labora” a way of life.

Atty. Jimeno Message

MESSAGE TO THE 2010 GRADUATES

As you – the 2010 Graduates of the San Beda

School of Law in Alabang – march on to face the real world, I
am overcome with pride and hope. Pride because I saw you
grow from being the young, almost mischievous, students
who initially thought law school would be a walk in the park,
to being adults ready to join the challenging and daunting
world of lawyers.
 Yet, I am filled with hope that the values you
learned from your teachers and school will always see you
through. The realities outside the portals of the school which
was your home for some four to five years are harsh and full
of vicious temptations. May you not forget that you were
called to make a difference and to help deliver justice to
those who have less in life.

Congratulations and may the Almighty God be

always with you.

- Rita Linda V. Jimeno

The Next Logical Step

Sarah Abraham

A new chapter begins for the graduating class of 2010. We have finally received our
diplomas. But before we go on slaying the dragon that is standing between us and
the title “attorney”, it is necessary that we see to it that our arsenals are enough to
slay the deadly dragon.

The first thing that any efficient warrior should do before engaging in a battle is to
assess his strengths and weaknesses. And based on his assessment he must take
the necessary steps to overcome his limitations and reinforce his strong points.

For the graduating class, this is exactly the game plan which would bring us victory.
After two semesters in the 4th year of law school, each of us have an idea on which
subjects we must focus on; the chinks in our armour. And to remedy this, we deem
it best to enrol in review schools.

Choosing the appropriate law school entails the weighing of several factors. Among
these factors to consider and the most important is the capacity of the school to
cater to the varying needs of the students. Much as we, the graduating class, would
like to stay together even during our review, we cannot. This is the time that we
must put a high premium on getting our needs in order to achieve our goal.

Currently, not everyone in the graduating class has decided on which review school
to enrol to. Some have decided to enrol in San Beda, Mendiola while others have
chosen to go beyond the walls of San Beda. A good number of them have chosen to
enroll in San Sebastian. While a few are willing to go all the way to U.P. Diliman all
for the sake of fulfilling a life-long dream, though a good majority of the class
remain to be undecided. Surely, they still have time to think this through; these
things cannot be rushed. Deciding on which review school to attend could make or
break us, after all.

But this is just the first step in our new journey. There are still a lot of things that we
must take on as we get ready for one of the biggest challenges of our life.
Hopefully, with this first step we would be able to figure out how to get to our
ultimate goal of becoming Bedan lawyers.

Noelle Gavino

President, School of Law Government

March 22, 2010: A memorable date which formed part of San Beda College Alabang
School of Law history. It was the day when the institution’s most honorable
professors gathered to hold the deliberations and determined who among the
candidates for graduation made it to the final list. The seniors faced the day full of
hope rather than fear. They faced it armed with nothing but prayers and open
minds. Indeed, it was the day when the seniors made the entire Bedan Community
proud.

To the professors, we will always look up to you. Where you are is where we aspire
to be. May you continue to equip us with the necessary skill and knowledge in order
to be part of the legal profession. We will always be grateful for the things we learn
from you and the things we learn on our own because of you.

To the graduates, congratulations! This marks the beginning of the rest of your
lives. The training wheels are off and you are now in charge. Drive towards
achieving the dream. Fulfill your destiny. Convert from being true blooded Bedans
to being TRUE RED-BLOODED BEDAN LAWYERS. The whole School of Law Family is
with you from this moment on and even after you pass the Bar. Remember that you
are among the chosen few to represent all of us in the 2010 Bar Examinations. Be
thankful. Do not forget the people who contributed to where you are today. May
your hearts be filled with pride but never forget to enshroud it with humility for
genuine success needs no declaration as it is recognized even in silence.

To the rest of the seniors, congratulations, as well. We admire you for surviving the
fight. Let us not mourn but celebrate for this is not failure. This is an opportunity to
begin again. Continue to have open minds and acknowledge that where you are
today is still better than where everybody else is. We may hate and we may regret
the things that we cannot control. But let us again appreciate that at least we can
always control how we react and how we bounce back, it is all up to you. You are
true blooded Bedans, own up to it. Do not let the silent roar inside each one of you
to die down. In God’s time, we will all be fulfilling our common destiny.

Finally, to all Bedans, let the seniors be our inspiration. We may not reach the
destination all at the same time but believe that we will all get there.

Congratulations to everyone! Keep the faith and let us roar together towards
becoming Bedan Lawyers.

A CHALLENGE TO THE GRADUATES OF BATCH 2010

by Prof. John R. Jacome

I wonder how it feels to review for the upcoming bar examinations while the entire
country is busy preparing and holding the most anticipated presidential elections in
May 2010. Being a Filipino citizen of legal age, I am supposed to be out there
fighting for justice, peace and honest government through an informed and credible
elections. Instead—and I’m 100% sure of this—my suceeding days will be spent in
racking whatever is left in my hollow skull to prepare for the arduous bar exams
whose passing percentage rate continue to dwindle yearly.
 So it is a case where you want to contribute but you simply cannot. Is it also
true with our current political and justice systems? Are we beyond reform? I don’t
think so. I believe that as long as there are new graduates—students who, for long
years, have honed their knowledge, skills, talents, and creativity ready to be applied
in the ultimate and practical fields of human learning—then, there is always hope.
Let us remember that the word “graduation” came from the Greek word “grados,”
or “step,” it’s not an end but a step towards achieving greatness, excellence and
limitless potentials.

Let us begin with our legal and judicial systems. Last summer, I was part of the
Group Study Exchange program for Filipino professionals who went to Pennsylvania,
USA for almost two months. In that exchange program, I had the opportunity to visit
and observe several US courts and legal systems. As a law student, I observed
actual arbitration proceedings inside the Court of Common Pleas, Arbitarion Center
in Philadelphia. The jurisdictional requirement is simple: All civil actions filed in the
Court of Common Pleas with an amount in controversy of $50,000 or less, excluding
equitable actions and claims to real estate, must first proceed to a compulsory
arbitration hearing before a panel of three attorneys who have been court certified
to serve as arbitrators. The result? After four hours, the Panel of Arbitrators was
able to dispose and decide four (4) civil cases (in the Philippines, we finish four
cases in four months!). With more than 20,000 cases a year concluded at the
arbitration level, the Compulsory Arbitration Program in Philadelphia County is one
of the most successful programs of its kind in the United States? Can we not do the
same in the Philippines?

Have you ever heard of a judge elected by the constituents of his or her locality? I
was fortunate to have met one in the person of Magisterial District Judge Gwenn S.
Knapp of District Court 15-1-04, West Chester, Pennsylvania (East side). An elected
Magisterial District Judge presides over each of the individual district courts. The
District Courts serve as the initial tier of Pennsylvania's Unified Judicial System and
maintain jurisdiction over criminal preliminary arraignments and preliminary
hearings, summary criminal offenses, traffic offenses, municipal code violations,
landlord/tenant suits, and civil claims where damages do not exceed $8,000. Well,
pretty similar to our own summary proceedings and it’s quiet effective.
A room which has visual and audio presentation systems which include Digital
Reporting, Assisted Listening System, Integrated Interpreting System, Video
Conferencing System, Document Camera, Cabling Infrastructure for Real-Time
Reporting. Am I describing a state-of-the-art auditorim? No, I’m not. I am referring
to Courtroom technologies when I visited some of them in Pennsylvania. For
instance, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
has long pioneered the emergence of electronic capabilities in case processing,
fiscal management, judicial administration and in courtroom proceedings.
Courtroom technologies expedite the litigation process, providing increased security
and reducing costs associated with court appearances or presentations. In addition,
expediting the litigation process, installation of the electronic capabilities during the
courtroom retrofit resulted in substantial cost savings. Due to the fast emergence of
modern technology, I think we should take advantage of these developments.

Some parting words. With gratitude and humility I assumed, at the same time, the
responsibilities of being both a teacher/administrator and law student of San Beda
College Alabang. How did I withstand these laborious, perplexing and tasks is still a
mystery to me. Only one thing I am sure of: I did not make excuses. I knew that I
didn’t have the luxury of time, so I did WORK/STUDY very, very hard while the rest
of the world was sleeping. Whatever was not covered by my perseverance and
diligence, I compensated with sincere PRAYER and full trust in Our Lord. In short, I
did it the Bedan way: ORA ET LABORA.

Now that I’m about to savor the fruit of my labor, I would like to share and
offer this accolade to some persons who had been instrumental to the success of
my legal training and formation. I would like to extend my most profound
appreciation to Dom Clement Ma. Roque, OSB, Dean Thelma Geraldine Baricaua,
Vice Dean Jose Vasquez, Jr., Fr. Austin Cadiz, OSB, Mrs. Arlyn Gatmaitan, Mr. Jojo
Padolina and Mrs. Magdalena Regullano for their renewed support. I also express
my deep acknowledgement to the Benedictine monks, the CAS administrators and
faculty members, and my beloved CAS students. Special mention to Ms. Mot Quioyo
and Mr. Joey Balasico of the Office of Student Affairs for their untiring assistance. I
owe a special debt of gratitude to Dean Ulpiano Sarmiento III and Vice Dean Rocky
Delson for their fatherly encouragement and support, to Atty. Bruce Rivera and to
the Faculty members of the SBCA School of Law for their dedication in ensuring that
we receive excellent Bedan pedagogy and training. Lastly, I thank God for giving me
very supportive and extremely lovable classmates: our Batch 2010.

We all wish BATCH 2010 a bright future!

Amelia Calangi

Salutatorian

Ain’t Easy but We’ve Made It and We’ll Make It

By: Amelia A. Calangi

The years that had passed seem just like yesterday.

First year was the most difficult because of the adjusting process, coupled
with the fact that we had Criminal Law.

Second year was manageable. We had somehow coped. We made lots of

friends.

Third year was also difficult because of Civil Procedure and Wills and
Succession. We studied really hard, AT LEAST 6 to 8 hours a day, so that we can
make it to the fourth year.

Fourth year should not have been difficult because it is just a review of what
we have learned from first year to third year. That is what our competent and
dedicated professors told us. Nonetheless, we burned our eyebrows while burning
the midnight candle. No words can describe the efforts that each of us had exerted.
And these efforts have not gone to waste.

We have made it to graduation day. However, this is not it… This is just the
beginning of a much bigger challenge. And as Bedan graduates equipped with
Bedan education, we are ready to face the challenge. We will make it with the help
of God and of each other.

* * *

Before I entered law school, I knew that life in law school is not easy because
I have to study hard. To my surprise, it is harder than I imagined. I believe my
classmates shared the same sentiment. This is not the life that we were used to. In
law school, we devoted most of our time studying.

However, life in law school has become somewhat bearable through the help
of a Supreme Being, who enlightens us; our parents and family members, who
support us; our professors, who guide us and with whom we learned a lot; and our
friends and classmates, who laugh with us and made our stay enjoyable. Thank you
all!

* * *

I often encounter questions like this: “Mahirap ba mag-law?” I answered

them: “Madali lang, basta masipag mag-aral.” Well, I told them it is easy so that
they will not be discouraged. Whether it is easy or not, it is for them to find out. But,
of course, there is a caveat – one must study diligently.
 Taking up law is easy as long as you have the time and the money. But
studying law is not easy. It takes a lot of motivation, concentration, inspiration,
ambition and a lot of -ions.

* * *

Finally, I would like to leave this short message to my schoolmates, especially

to the incoming fourth year- I hope the Graduates of 2010 will inspire you to do your
best in the same way that we are inspired by the last year’s graduates. We will
make you proud so make us also proud when your time comes.

Dean Jara Message

Today, we put an end to yet another chapter in your lives. Whether your memories of
this chapter be upbeat or otherwise, I guarantee that you will walk out of the halls of this
institution ready to face the next task ahead of you – the Bar exams.

Just keep in mind that they years you have spent here will not only serve as a
preparation for the Bar, but will also be the solid foundation upon which your legal
career would stand on.

I only wish that you not look onto this occasion as an end. Instead, appreciate its
significance as a new beginning as you take on the challenge to be the new breed of
legal advocates, impressed with the Bedan values that would make you stand above
others.

So let us celebrate this day, not as end, but as a beginning.

Congratulations!

Dean Vigilio Jara

San Beda College of Law

Mendiola, Manila

03/24/2010

Dean Ulpiano Sarmiento III Message

MESSAGE

In its second year, the School of Law is beaming with pride

and showcases to the whole world the twenty-four graduates
comprising the Batch of 2010.

As a product of the Benedictine tradition of work and prayer,

this institution has trained you well. Years of academic gulag have
transformed all of you from unsophisticated carbons to a well-cut
diamond.

Your graduation signals the epiphany of your destined

brilliance. The world awaits and your ultimate duty is simply
put….

MAKE US PROUD!!!!