The Palladium December 2015 Magazine

EDITORIAL BOARD A n a I s a b e l F. C a s t e l o Editor-in-Chief

Kim L. Rances Associate Editor

Kathlyn Nadia D. B aldonado Managing Editor

K e v i n L u k e V. M i z o n Junior Associate Editor

Raymond Aljon A. Cusipag Office and Circulations Manager

Luis Alfonso S. Sena News Editor

Erica May O. Gana Legal Editor

Alyssa Hannah R. Nuqui Features Editor

R achelle Anne D. Gutierrez Arts and Culture Editor

Roslyn Bianca R. Mangaser Multimedia Editor

Roberto G. Reyes Layout & Graphics Editor

D e n i s e A n n e V. S a l e s Photo Editor

STAFF News

Kris Palmares Leo Camacho Dyan Garcia Marie Panganiban Jamie Santos Angela Feria Louise Celerio Thea Elyssa Vega Marianne Macarilay Ariane Louise Tan Kate Heceta Joben Odulio Jono Sanchez Vivien Valdez Ghelyn Gloria Naereeza Bainto Lawrence Paluro Michael Vardeleoon Kiel Leveriza

Legal

Chyna Monzon James Atienza Mudir Estrella Leo Galang Raphael Dantes Aw Lapuz Cal Ngo Stephani Pagdanganan Cam Lao

Layout & Graphics Mitch Espiritu Dar Cristobal Frankie Alba Jillian Paris

Features

Maria Pilar Lusia Elago Manolo Buenviaje III Jose Maria Santos Joren Lex Tan Vanesa Joyce Banta Kirsten Erika Casas Mariel Cristina Sadang Thea Elyssa Vega Clara Murallos Julie Jolo Fe Trampe Anjan Rosario JV Castro

Ar t s an d Cu lture Steffi Sales Leslie Po David Rosario Mon Mercado Alexandra Alvarez Xamantha Xofia Buno Janah Ribuyaco

Photos

Lina Maria Domingo Jansen Santos Philip Evardone Chelsea Ysabel Go Chloe Chrysilla Laxa Liz Angela Intia Jhansel Cuna

Multimedia

Jeah Maureen Dominguez Kenzo Miguel Rodis

The Palladium has its editorial office at the Palladium Room, 3/F Ateneo Professional Schools Building, 20 Rockwell Drive, Rockwell Center Makati 1200. For comments and suggestions, please drop a line at thepalladium.ph. Š Copyright The Palladium 2015.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrival system, or transmitted in any manner whatsoever without the prior express written permission of the Editorial Board, except in cases of brief quotations for academic research purposes. facebook.com/palladiumALS The Palladium ALS @ThePalladiumALS http://thepalladium.ph @ThePalladiumALS thepalladiumals@gmail.com

CONTENTS

Editor’s Note #Blessed 4 Tokyo Tonteki: A New Old Place 13 Super Moms: How do they Do It? 16

2015 marks the 50th anniversary of The Palladium, and this year we give recognition to both the old and the new – beginning with the legacies of Atenean lawyers throughout the years. In our first issue, we pay tribute to the generations of men and women who have been (or are still are) part of the Ateneo Law School community, including families such as the Villanuevas, the Agra father-daughter tandem, and the student mothers of the law school. We also explore the old stomping grounds of literary greats, the Solidaridad Bookstore in Manila, as well as some recent and not-so-recent favorite cafes in Quezon City. This issue is all about the past and the present, where we’ve been and where we are now.

Ana Isabel F. Castelo Editor-in-Chief

It Runs in the Blood 20 How to Get Away with Destierro 33 How to improve your penmanship today!

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NOVEMEBER 2015

#Blessed

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By: Jose Maria E. Santos

A

ny ALS student who rarely reads softcopies of cases will probably be spotted in one place in the campus. There he/she is, on the left side of the library, near the newspaper stands — the place where you’ll find Blessings.

In addition to books, law students need cases and reviewers. Given that not all students are accustomed to using softcopies, voluminous cases are photocopied.

The students need not go outside to photocopy their readings. The Ateneo Law School had a photocopy center inside the school itself — the Blessings Copy Center & Bookbinding Services, Inc. Blessings, or Blue Blessings as we fondly call the branch in ALS, was established on January 12, 2005. There is also a kiosk on the third floor. Blessings has a total of six professional employees.

They are Kuya Don (Rodolfo Gangay Jr.), Ate Jessy (Jessy Calua), Ate Gemalyn (Gemalyn Mociros), Ate Ana (Ana Marie Bangahon), Kuya Jonathan (Jonathan Castro), and Kuya Cris (Cris Casas) who come from various provinces in the country. Usually, four are stationed in the library, while two are in the third floor. They have been

November 2015

in the school for a number of years now, tirelessly and happily assisting with readings.

Kuya Don, Ate Ana, Kuya Cris, Ate Gemalyn, Ate Jessy and Kuya Jonathan have Most have been here for several years now. They clearly manifest passion in continuously photocopying readings for the students. Why did they remain? They love their job, happy being of service to the ALS community. Their respective families motivate them to work hard, giving them strength to continue working despite the ups and downs that they encounter. They are also fortunate that their employer provides them with a staff house and pays for the bills incurred there. The convenience and benefits truly boosts their morale. The friendship and bond among them is also remarkable; they cling to each other for support, especially during the busy times.

It is indeed unavoidable that they experience trials and challenges in running Blessings. There are misunderstandings among them and with students. Like any other business, these occurrences are inevitable as part of business risks. Hence, they request the students to understand their shortcom-

ings or delays when loaded with great numbers of orders from the bulks of law school readings and the numerous student population.

Some might see Blessings as a mere photocopy center, destined to provide readings.

In reality, they are more than that. They are a family — a great example of teamwork and cooperation which law students must look up to.

They are our family as well, continuing to help and support us. Law school would be more toxic without them; student life will be more difficult. Surely, when one leaves the hallowed halls of Ateneo Law, one will not only miss lining up, albeit begrudgingly, in Blessings — one misses more the smiling faces of our Kuya’s and Ate’s.

When you come across Kuya Don, Ate Jessy, Ate Gemalyn, Ate Ana, Kuya Cris, and Kuya Jonathan in the library or in the hallways, don’t hesitate to smile. Say hello. Upon getting your order from Blessings, smile and thank them. These small acts will lighten up their heart. This is how we pay them back for all their hard work for us. For, indeed, they are a great part of our journey in becoming becoming Atenean lawyers. P 5

AHRC Welcomes New Batch of Interns By: Anton Mercado and Vanessa Vergara

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n the spirit of “Legem Disce, Populum Servi”, the Ateneo Human Rights Center (AHRC) continues to mold law students as lawyers with consciences through its flagship program — the internship program. It is geared towards the formation of the interns as lawyers, as human rights advocates, and the promotion of alternative lawyering as a tool to strengthen access to justice of marginalized and vulnerable groups.

This summer, the AHRC recently welcomed its latest batch of interns. During the 5-day Basic Orientation Seminar (BOS) held in Antipolo, the interns underwent a crash course on the different human rights concerns. They also had the opportunity to learn about the various legal NGOs working on sectors such as peasant farmers, indigenous people, migrant workers, detention prisoners, victims of human trafficking, and the environment. The interns also participated in skills-building activities needed for their immersion and internship work.

Finally, they participated in a workshop organized by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Then, the interns travelled to Zambales where they walked through more than 40 kilometers of lahar to live and im6

merse with the Aeta of Botolan.

With only a limited amount of clothes, food, and other basic necessities, and without the benefit of having mobile devices, the interns were submerged in the lifestyle of the Aetas. They learned how to eat, sleep, and work with the Aetas, as well as how to celebrate and have a good time with them. Some of them even managed to craft their own Sambal dictionary, the language used in the region. Others acted as paralegals and imparted legal knowledge to the Aetas. In their return trip, the interns went home with much lighter bags but with heavier minds and hearts.

Upon returning to Manila from their immersion, the interns were assigned to different

legal NGOs for their internship proper. The NGOs primarily based in Metro Manila include Saligan, HLAF (Ortigas), Kaisahan, Tanggol Kalikasan, LRC, Kanlungan, IJM, ALSC, and AHRC. Others are located in Visayas and Mindanao, namely as ELAC (Palawan), Balaod Mindanaw (Cagayan De Oro), PANLIPI (Iloilo) and HLAF (Cebu).

For the Evaluation, the interns travelled to Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte where they shared their experiences and reflections and unwound after a long summer.

By the end of the Evaluation, the interns presented their batch name, which represents their shared experience. The batch chose Kapatian, which is the Sambal term for “sand.” P

November 2015

Tic-Tac-Toe and Dinner Too By: Raymond Joseph V. Mercado

the plethora of G iven restaurants sprouting

local here and there, the Philippines has become a haven for foodies like me. So upon hearing that I was tasked to write about this quaint local restaurant named the Old Oven Art Café, it made my assignment an all too ecstatic one.

Upon arriving at the linear building along Katipunan Avenue across Pan de Amerikana (more fondly known as the upside down house) one would not imagine that such a place could exist in such an obscure commercial building along one of the biggest roads in Quezon City. The Café sat at the corner of the right side of the building, on its third floor. Its exterior is covered in green wooden motif and red bricks reminiscent of cafés along the streets of Europe.

The interior was just as if not more impressive. Inside were wooden tables on each of which are simple and classic board games such as tic-tac-toe, giant playing 8

cards, snakes and ladders and the like. On the left side is a little art corner displaying artwork for sale.

Some of these are from Kaye, the owner’s own private collection, while most of them are from the deaf and visual arts group; the proceeds of which usually go to their charity. There are also different artworks posted on another wall and a trolley of different hot sauces from all over world. Despite all the aforementioned, my undisputed favorite design element of the café would be the secret bathroom hidden behind the bookcase. According to the owner and chef, Kaye Torres, the design of the cafe simply mimics her preferences and style as similarly embodied in their home.

In terms of the food, the first dish that we tried was the three cheese and garlic pizza. It was thin-crusted, savory, with thin layers of cheese, topped off with a drizzle of garlic aioli. The thirteen-inch pizza, which was divided into eight slices satisfactorily met our budget stan-

dards being fairly priced at P258.

For the second dish, we decided to take the recommendation of the waitress regarding their truffle and mushroom risotto. When the dish was laid out in front of us, the size was a bit underwhelming but we decided to dig in nonetheless.

From the very first bite up to the last morsel, the entire dish could only be described as a culinary delight. One can spend an entire evening raving about its soft creamy texture mixed with the highly distinguishable truffle oil, a subtle yet exquisite melding of flavors.

To balance the carbohydrate-heavy dishes initially served, we also ordered the chonburi spicy wings. It did not disappoint. The servings of the chicken wings were very generous and its tangy spicy flavor really tantalized the taste buds.

Great food aside, this family-run café embodied everything a law student such as myself would enjoy. It’s fairly priced with their student friendly prices. The environment is relaxing and provides for many opportunities to bond with family and friends. Not to mention, that the café hosts several acoustic bands over the weekends.

With our stomachs filled and our competitive gaming nature stretched, I could say that my visit to the Old Oven Art Café proved to be a great night. In fact, I wouldn’t mind finding myself in the company of board games, artwork and hidden bathrooms once again in quaint café that literally turned our worlds upside down. P

November 2015

Passing Down Stories, Keeping our Culture

© lifestyle.inquirer.net.

Preserving our Filipino identity is getting increasingly difficult in today’s borderless world. There are so many things that influence the present generation. Everyone wants to become a so-called citizen of the world. Being multicultural, in itself, is not actually a bad thing. However, it becomes almost hypocritical to indulge in other cultures and learn various languages, when you do not even know your own.

It is in times like these when retaining our Filipino sensibilities are most important. It is vital to our culture’s survival, as well as our intellectual development, that 10

we make an effort to read and learn about ourselves. And what better way to retain our national consciousness than to pass on, and encourage the youth to imbibe, Filipino literature?

The Solidaridad Bookstore Despite the pressing need to retain a consciousness of Filipino heritage, it is unfortunate that very few places offer a wide and diverse array of Filipino literature.

Many times, you would have to seek it out from university press of big educational institutions.

For such an important and valuable task, it appeared to me that very few have taken up the cause

of furthering Philippine literature and encouraging the youth to develop a love for it. That is, until the afternoon I walked into the Solidaridad Bookstore. It was a cold rainy Friday afternoon, and I went into the unassuming little bookstore off the streets of Padre Faura, in Ermita, Manila.

A bookstore like Solidaridad is a rare sight these days. It’s a small independent bookstore that is very inconspicuous. In fact, as someone who has lived in the area for about four years, this is the first time I had heard about it.

I live in one of the condominium buildings in the area, and I walk November 2015

© lifestyle.inquirer.net.

past the street regularly, and so, I could not believe that I could have missed such a treasure trove.

I have heard about these “hidden gems” in the area, old antique shops and old restaurants that have been around since before my parents were even born. But I never knew that there was a brave old bookstore that kept the light of Filipiñana burning when everyone else seemed to move on.

The bookstore is owned by Francisco Sionil José, who is a legend himself. He is a well-renowned Filipino author whose novels and short stories have been translated into twenty-two (22) different languages. Among his most popular works is the Rosales Saga, a series of five novels that revolve around the town of Rosales, Pangasinan, his hometown. Another masterpiece of F. Sionil Jose is a book entitled The Pretenders, which is about a young man’s journey from poverty as he marries into a wealthy family. Aside from his famous novels, he is also known

for being the founder of the Philippine arm of PEN International, an organization of writers founded in 1921 in London.

A Curated Selection This literary alcove situated in Padre Faura for almost fifty (50) years now may not be everyone’s cup of tea. It offers both foreign and local literature, but it specializes in classics and rare books that one may not find anywhere else in the country. It has a wide selection of Asian, European and Middle Eastern works. It also supports young Filipino writers by making their works available to the public – often these titles that are not sold elsewhere. You can also find many popular modern English novels – just don’t expect to find any soppy teenage romance novels in this bookstore.

These books have been carefully chosen by Franciso, and it offers a unique literary experience to the uninitiated everyday reader. Popular bookstores of today cannot hold a candle to the diversity and

selection-quality of Solidaridad.

It is a must-see for those who aim to collect books and build their own libraries, and a good place to bring balikbayan relatives who might be interested in reading Filipino literature for a change.

Book-High Experience Over all, I felt like I walked into a dream. A little cove that was a world away from the chaotic traffic and dysfunctional, polluted streets of Manila. It had rows and rows of old books, waiting to be read. For those who enjoy the smell of books, this will provide you with a vintage perfume of carefully selected classics that will make you so happy, you will be motivated to read full cases – or maybe not. Either way, it will leave you feeling hopeful for our country’s literary scene. P Solidaridad Book Shop 531 Padre Faura St., Ermita, Manila (632) 254-1086, (632) 254-1068 11

“ B U I L D I N G A FA M I LY ”

By Maria Pliar Luisa Elago

Being in a highly competitive and stressful atmosphere like the Ateneo Law School can be draining, and at times, isolating. We sometimes feel disconnected with our own families, because they can’t relate to our affinity for Starbucks as modern study places, or our weird sleeping patterns.

This is why we often find ourselves seeking sanctuary from student groups in school. They become the people we can find comfort and solace from. And it is a great development that there are new organizations in school this year that will allow us to have some downtime from law school. This year’s latest additions to our growing community are The Running Club, Play and Asana.

Asana Ateneo finally has a place where yogis and yoginis can come together and share in their common love for Yoga.

This new org is Asana.

Asana is Ateneo Law School’s Yoga club. Derived from the sanskrit word meaning “pose,” Asana seeks to share yoga that is not just about the poses.

Yoga is breathing, finding what feels good about your body, and being present and grateful for each moment. It aims to promote health and well-being to the law school community as yoga practice will greatly benefit anyone, most especially stressed out law students. (Description from http://law. ateneo.edu/?page_id=128 with permission from the Org Head) Play Play, on the other hand, is the school’s organization for all things games. Whether it’s board games, electronic games, or card games; you name it and Play’s got it!

The organization is the brainchild of Enriquito Cruz (4-C), Joseph Pangilinan (4-D), and Paolo Tumbali (4-C). It all started with their weekly Ragnarok gaming-nights in LSAC when they would bring their laptops and internet to play together. Their group continued to grow, and eventually, they decided to formally organize a group and seek accreditation from school. Joseph shares, “Usually naglalaro lang kami ng board game. Naisip naming na [if we get accreditation] may budget to buy board games, and it would make it more fun kasi mas marami.” Paolo adds, “We wanted to 12

provide law students with an avenue to de-stress”.

The organization wanted to introduce diversity of interests in the Ateneo Law community. They wanted to show that law students don’t need to be serious all the time. Joseph says, “Lahat ng orgs seryoso, walang chill lang [na org]. Tapos naisip naming yung mismong org hindi lang e-games, pati board games… in fact pati movies, parang entertainment org.”

Enriquito proudly shares that the group is unique, and true to their vision as a gaming org. “If you look at our constitution, ibang-iba siya sa consti ng mga orgs. Because we decided that if there’s a conflict within the org, as long as its not major and hindi kailangan ng school approval, we settle it with games. Kami din yung unique voting system. You don’t have to appear physically, you just have to go online.”

However, Paolo is quick to add that they still prioritize academics to ensure that no one endangers his residency in school. “Pag freshmen ka, may qpi requirement. Bawal [maging active] ang probie.” Enriquito adds, “Mas matagal ang moratorium, one week before everyone else. Two weeks before test.”

They all agree, though, that being a law student provides them with a different and unique view of games and its implications for gamers. “It ranges from trademarks, to rules [copyright], to player’s rights… so may silbi ang intellectual property.” Paolo shares that there have even been local ordinances that have banned minors from playing Defense of the Ancients, a game more commonly known as DotA. When asked about their future plans, Paolo hopes that the official school team for the Conflicts of Law DotA competition will come from Play from now on. He also invites all law students to try drop by and join them so that we can all make law school a little more fun.

The Running Club Finally, we have The Running Club.

It was founded by Atty. Alberto C. Agra and his daughter Jessica Agra (2-D) to invite people in law school to become healthier. It was borne of their shared passion for running, and fitness in general.

Atty. Agra’s love for running all started from his desire to become more fit.

“I was overweight, I was 274 pounds before. I lost, to date, 62 pounds.” He credits this achievement to his lifestyle change, with running becoming something that he and his family would enjoy together. “We call ourselves Team Agra and running is now a Team Agra sport. Although my wife does not run, but my children, Jesse and Noel, we run. So we thought of forming the club.”

Atty. Agra believes that running is a fitness journey and that fitness is vital to a law student’s well being. “Whether you’re a lawyer or a student, everyone has to be fit. So imagine if you’re an unhealthy or unfit student, then how can you cope with the stress of Ateneo Law?” He also believes that it is simply a matter of determination and focus. “You have to decide, you have to commit to fitness. Hindi puwedeng excuse ang ‘I’m too busy studying.’ No, you have to manage your time and see that fitness forms a part of an overall good law student, a good person.” Any law student or alumni may contact Atty. Agra or his daughter to join their weekly runs.

The running club also endeavors to organized its very own fun run. It will be a chance for law students to experience and enjoy running. “Aside from [building] awareness for the club, it’s also a fund raising event. Whatever funds we raise will go to the scholarship of Ateneo, and Bar Ops. Kaya nga ang slogan nung run is ‘run for others.’”

Atty. Agra invites everyone to join running club because it will not only help them de-stress, but also build a habit of excellence. “Fitness calls for progression and excellence. You keep on achieving. Sa running you set your own records and compete with yourself. There’s a progression.”

True to the adage, they aim to come up with other sports program later on with obstacle courses that cater to different levels of fitness.

In the end, although law school may seem to be a toxic environment for some, students are given the opportunity to channel their stress to different alternative activities that would somehow help in lessening the pressures brought about by our daily grind. P November 2015

Tokyo Tonteki: A New Old Place

By Perpetua Calliope Ngo

Disclaimer: food photos shown were from both branches.

If you’re bored with the usual deep-fried katsu eaten with unlimited rice, cabbage, and miso soup [or “unlimited goodies”], then Tokyo Tonteki is the place for you. Tokyo Tonteki offers unlimited rice and cabbage with pork loin steak, which, according to their poster, were cooked in low temperature to ensure none of the meaty goodness of the pork escapes.

Tokyo Tonteki has only two branches: Greenbelt 5 and UP Town Center. I first ate at the UP Town Center branch first, and my foodie world was never the same again.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

While the Tokyo Tonteki branch in UP Town Center is illuminated by the restaurant’s natural light and was less crowded, the Greenbelt branch appeared to have a gloomier atmosphere with its dim lighting. Both branches had comfortable seats with adequately sized tables to accommodate the cast-iron hot plate that the dishes are served in.

The usual condiments for the unlimited cabbage are also found on the table, save for the wasabi sauce that another restaurant offers.

THE FOOD

Since most of Tokyo Tonteki’s dishes includes unlimited rice, cabbage, and miso soup, the dishes reviewed were tasted and tried on separate days.

Tokyo Tonteki’s basic specialty is the plain tonteki or pork loin steak. They offer it in Regular (200 to 250 grams) and Large (300 to 350 grams).

I ordered the regular size upon being forewarned that it is difficult to finish the Large serving. After eating it, I agree that even if you’re already quite an eater, a Regular sized Tonteki would be filling.

First, the miso soup. The usual miso soup in other restaurants tastes of just miso, tofu, and, if they’re generous, with wakame or seaweeds and some meat. Tokyo Tonteki’s miso soup has a thin layer of oil atop the miso soup, and upon tasting it, you won’t be disappointed. The pork-y tastes shines through with bits of meat and the wellfused fatty juices to the miso soup. While there is also tofu, the deciding factor for me to having at least three to four servings of their miso soup is that they generously cook the miso soup with lots of onions that help create the careful balance between the miso and pork taste.

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November 2015

The regular tonteki is served with the cabbage on the hot plate. At first glance, it looks like any other grilled meat. However, upon biting into it, you would taste wave after wave of pork-y goodness from the pork meat coated in their special sauce mixed with its own juices and honest-to-goodness fat. The fatty goodness involved in the tonteki dish involved a careful and delicate balance between their special sauce, the juices from the meat, and the velvety fat from the pork, which leaves you wanting for more. I suggest, that when you’re about done eating your pork, get a serving of rice and mix, or rather fold it in the leftover saucy goodness.

As for the sides, there is the Sundubu Style Tonteki Stew, which supposedly serves two to three people. But I suggest, that if you’re getting the Stew as a mere side, make sure you have at least four to five people, since its slightly spicy and quite salty flavor will leave you wanting for more. There are also huge chunks of soft tofu and exceedingly tender meat and radish in it. As for the Stir-fried Japanese Mushrooms, containing three kinds of mushrooms, the butter it was cooked in can really be tasted and it was an especially perfect match to eat with the Tonburg Steak; but it is also good on its own. Finally, the Marinated Tomatoes is a perfect palate cleanser, with fresh and uncooked cherry tomatoes and onions mixed in olive oil.

THE PRICE

The Regular Tonteki is priced at P385, while the Large Tonteki is at P460. The Pineapple Tonburg Steak is at P400, and the Regular Tonburg Steak costs P375. This excludes service charge.

Considering Rockwell food prices and the usual prices of restaurants serving unlimited goodies as well as the quality of the ingredients and its honest-to-goodness heavenly taste, it is the place to visit if you’re craving meat and unlimited rice, cabbage, and miso soup. Their sides are a bit on the more costly side, with the Sunduby Style Tonteki Stew costing P330, the Stir-fried Japanese Mushrooms priced at P250, and the Marinated Tomatoes, which costs P90. P For more information, visit their Facebook page: For Greenbelt Branch: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tokyo-Tonteki-Greenbelt5/840261149352612?fref=ts For UP Town Center Branch: https://www.facebook.com/tokyotontekiphilippines?fref=ts 15

Moms:How do they do it?

Super

By Vanesa Joyce C. Banta

You wake up, have breakfast, study until it’s time for class. You then go home and rest. This is how a typical law student’s day goes. Now, imagine balancing your law school life with having a family of your own. You wake up, attend to the needs of your child, spend some time with the spouse, prepare for class, attend class, go home to play with your child, and put him to sleep before having time for yourself.

Some of us feel like we don’t have enough hours in the day, but for the few in our midst, their added responsibilities make everyday a bit more challenging.

Bea (2B), Toni (3C), and Maya (4B), share how it’s like being a mom and a wife — while studying law.

Bea Villanueva, as a scholar, finished the Consular and Diplomatic Affairs program from the College of Saint Benilde. “After that, it was either law school or accounting,” she says. It was a year before entering law school that she got pregnant with her son, Eduardo Miguel “Iggy” Veloso. Today, Iggy is an active 4-year old. “Nahahatid ko pa siya dati sa school kasi gabi yung classes ko,” Bea recalls. During her first year, Bea enrolled in section F, one of the night classes. At that time, she studies while Iggy is in school. This year, she transferred to section B with morning classes. Before going to school, she spends time with Iggy, now in kindergarten, reviewing his lessons for the day. She multitasks by reading her lessons, while asking Iggy to look for words and letters in a pile of cards. “May naaaral siya, may naaaral din ako.” At night, she plays with him or reads a book to him and only when he falls asleep will she begin to study for the next day.

“10 p.m. or 11 p.m. ako nakakasimula mag-aral.

Hanggang 3 a.m. o 4 a.m. nag-aaral ako.”

During the most difficult times of the semester — days with quizzes, midterms, finals — Bea allots more time to studying and asks Iggy to play with his uncles. “Pag wala ako, nandiyan yung mga kapatid ko and yung mom ko to attend to him.”

Bea draws her strength to get through the challenges from her family. “Para ito sa kanila, for me, for my family. Kaya nandito pa rin ako.”

She shares that ever since college, she had wanted to be a lawyer. “Minsan nakakapagod pero ginusto ko na ito, yung law school. No matter what, hahanapan ko ito ng paraan para ma-balance ko yung time ko for Iggy, kahit pagod na pagod na, kasi kailangan eh.”

Toni Narciso was single when she entered law school in 2012. After her first year, she took a leave of absence. It was then that she gave birth to her son, Dylan Narciso. “I was sure I wanted to go back,” she says. She has always wanted to be a lawyer. Before, it was only because she wanted to be called attorney, but now she doesn’t want to waste time doing something she doesn’t want to do. But returning from a leave of absence wasn’t easy. Toni not only had to adjust again to the daily grind of law school — she also had to adjust to being a mom and a wife. “There came a point where I was studying so hard, but I couldn’t retain anything. I remember being asked to sit down during recitation.” This happened to her three times in one semester, for the same class, under one of the most difficult professors.

When she was in first year, she used to think that she didn’t have enough time. She feels it more now that she has a family. But, of course, family is not something you set aside. Toni shares that as a mom, you really don’t have as much time as your other block mates so she tries her best to balance everything. “When I’m here [in school], I study, and when I am at home, I make time for my family. I also make it a point that Sunday is a family day.” Toni maintains a positive outlook and reveals that she thinks she doesn’t have the most difficult life. After all, she comes home to a beautiful son, Dylan, and a wonderful husband, Paolo. “They make me happy,” she says, smiling.

It helps that her Paolo is really supportive of her.

He may not always understand how demanding law school really is, but he remains supportive of Toni and her dream to become a lawyer. “I don’t ever recall being this happy in first year. I was so afraid of failing but now, I just do my part and if it’s for me, then it’s for me.“ Her day starts early, at around 5 in the morning. She spends time with Dylan before it’s time for her and her husband to leave the house. She goes to school and he goes to work. At night, they try to spend quality time with their son.

Toni says that Dylan, at the age that he is right now, is trying to learn new things and is starting to talk. They also spend the weekends together as a family, except when it’s midterms or finals week when Toni studies even on Sundays.

Even with most of her time being spent in school and taking care of her family, Toni doesn’t feel she’s missing out. Believe it or not, she still has time to go out with her friends. “Kung family and school lang, I think I’m going to go crazy.”

Bea: Gustuhin mo yung pinasukan mo. If you really want something, you’ll do anything to achieve it, to have it. Kahit mahirap, in the end, it will all be worth it.

Toni: If you’re single in law school, study but make sure you rest and have fun. It’s important to have fun. If you have family, I think it’s a matter of attitude. If you’ll think that you have the worst life — because it seems that nothing’s working out — then it’s definitely not going to be a good experience. But if you’re the type who’s optimistic and you give your best, then it will work out for you.

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She recalls one of her first year teachers telling them that it is important to have a balanced life.

Maya Estabillo entered the law school in 2011. Unlike Bea and Toni, Maya was already married for a year and was waiting for a baby when she enrolled. Ten days before the enrollment for second year, Maya found out that she was pregnant so she decided to take a leave of absence. She went back to work and gave birth in December 2012. “When I married my husband Roger, half of me napunta na sa kanya. When I got pregnant, the other half was surrendered to my son, Austin.” Maya’s schedule revolves around Austin. “As a mom, you do things automatically. Uunahin ko talaga ang anak ko over my studies.” She makes sure that no matter how busy she is, she spends some time with her son every day, even if it’s just to be by his side when he eats or when he watches television. Maya divulges that different challenges present themselves as her child grows. She recalls that before, she would read her codal while putting Austin to sleep. And now, “after breakfast, I’ll play with him and go to my room to study but he would bang on the door until he is let in. Last summer, it was difficult because I was doing my thesis and there is a two year old running around the house.” Hence, Maya worked on her thesis, while Austin was in the room and took breaks just to play with him.

Maya’s husband, Roger, is also supportive.

“Kami ng husband ko, when we get home, we leave everything outside the door. I don’t need to tell him about everything that goes on in law school. I just draw strength, inspiration and support from them.” When Maya needs more time to study for exams, Maya asks Roger to take over some of her responsibilities first. He obliges. During the weekends, they spend the time bonding with each other. They would either stay home, cook food, and watch a movie. Or they’d go to a mall. It doesn’t matter what they do as long as they are together as a family.

For Maya, the challenges of being a mother in law school is hurdled with lots of prayer, support from the people around her such as her blockmates. It is also important to have a “me time” to help recharge.

So what advice do these moms have for us?

Maya: Don’t get stressed over little things. Know what is important or what your priorities are. Bad recits and stuff, lilipas din yan.

Being a mom and a law student may seem a handful but when you have a supportive family and a bubbly little one to go home to, studying the law can mean something more — it is a chance to fulfill your dream with your dream team 100% behind you. P

November 2015

B.U.C.K.E.T.L.I.S.T.

By David Robert Jacinto K. Rosario III

SEE: “The Little Prince”

LISTEN: Sam Smith

Sometimes we have to see life from a different perspective. For example, where some people see a hat, others would see an elephant inside a snake. For those who have no idea what I’m alluding to, you have to see The Little Prince when it comes out in cinemas this December. The book itself is a masterpiece which has been wrongly classified as being nothing more than a story for kids, when in fact, it speaks to both kids and adults alike. And so if you want a new perspective on life, be sure to check this out!

One of the things that most law students ought to know is that life is not always a happy thing. In case you feel down either because of a bad recit, a failed exam, or an uncooperative crush who just won’t love you back, why not try listening to the music of Sam Smith? Aside from the fact that he’s coming to Manila in November, after having to postpone his initial concert, his music just has such a strong emotional vibe that seems to exude empathy when you need it most.

EAT: “Seafood Shawarma from Sultan Mediterranean Grill”

EXPLORE: “Taal Heritage Town”

Have you ever wondered what life would taste like if you lived by the sea? Well if ever you did, you have to try the Seafood Shawarma from Sultan Mediterranean Grill. It’s located in San Agustin street, right across Felipe and Sons, and for the more than reasonable price of P130, you get a huge shawarma filled with expertly grilled pieces of shrimp and squid. As a bonus, their spicy sauce isn’t as hardcore as it is in most places so you can enjoy a bit of spice without compromising the taste.

Have you ever been called an old soul?

Well for those of you who seem to be from a different era, why not take a trip to the old Taal Heritage Town and immerse yourself in one of the oldest communities in the Philippines? Aside from great local food (their local kilawin is awesome!) and an old world vibe, visitors to Taal Heritage Town also get the chance to have a picture taking session using old world clothes and props. Likewise, one of the oldest churches in the Philippines can be found here.

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TEAM AGRA

By Manolo Buenviaje III

They say the law is a jealous mistress. The demanding nature of the legal profession can mean spending less time with family. It’s true in most cases, save for Atty. Alberto Agra and his daughter Jessica (2D).

There is no other way to describe the life of this father and daughter tandem but as full of activity.

Atty. Al juggles his time between teaching in the Ateneo Law School (ALS), his doctorate studies in the Ateneo School of Government (ASGB), and his work in the field of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP).

Jessica, on the other hand, also has her hands quite full with her life as a law student together with her duties as the block beadle. Despite the demanding lifestyle, the two happily admit that they actually spend more time together now compared before, with law school adding another dimension to their already dynamic relationship.

Outside the law, the pair says they share numerous common interests. This seems to stem from the remarkable closeness, not only between the two, but with the whole family. They fondly call themselves “Team Agra”, a moniker that traces its roots from Jessica’s college days playing tennis for her school’s varsity team. Interestingly, too, tennis is one of the many interests that the two share. Aside from sports, the two also shared that they often do shopping, eating, watching movies and going for massage together as a family.

The Law School When asked about whose decision was it for Jessica to go to ALS, she quickly shares that it was under her own volition. Atty. Al adds that although he may have pressed his daughter at some point, it was her personal choice to pursue the study of law at the end of the day.

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“It’s more of seeing him do what he does more than him telling me [to go to law school]”, shares Jessica on how she was influenced by her dad to go to law school. “The school is now a common element of the relationship” quips Atty. Al. Just barely a year sharing a common denominator that is ALS, this duo has already made its mark in the school.

On pressure and expectations There is rarely an instance during the start of every semester, where a professor would not ask Jessica if she is related to Secretary Agra.

Jessica admits that this adds more pressure on her to perform well due to high expectations — most especially from her dad. Fortunately, she is coping pretty well from such pressure.

On this note, Atty. Al admits that he sets up the bar very high, not only on matters of studies but on pretty much everything. However, he shares that he has to manage his expectations especially considering that his daughter has interests of her own. However, he explains that he always provide the necessary tools for Jessica to have an environment to excel. “Good is the enemy of the better”, this is what he tries to impart to everyone, especially to his daughter. He adds that his should not only apply to grades, but also to everything.

When asked whether they would like to share a class room together as professor and student, Jessica laughingly answers both yes and no. “Yes because I want to learn from him” she quips, but immediately followed with a resounding no because of the pressure it would bring. Atty. Al gave a more straight–forward answer, saying that it would be difficult for him, sharing that he would have to be

very strict to his daughter because of high expectations.

After Law School Jessica shares that she has plans of taking up further studies after law school. Interestingly, the pair adds that they have a plan of taking masters degree together. “I’m a firm believer of continuing education” shares Atty. Al, also espoused

by Jessica. This love for learning, explains Atty. Al, is what is pushing him to continue on studying even in fields where he is already an expert. It also influenced Jessica to aspire for further education.

As to career, the future is very much uncertain for Jessica. She entertains the idea of entering into the fields such as corporate law, PPP, or even elective office in the government. Atty. Al adds that what’s important is that his daughter has many options to choose from. He explains that it is Jessica’s choice that would matter. His responsibility is to ensure that choices will not be limited for his daughter. He adds that studies, networks, and friends help expand such opportunities.

The relationship between Atty. Al and Jessica is truly brilliant and dynamic. Now, with law school as an additional element of the relationship, it seems that this team just got closer. P

November 2015

Take A Viddsee Break

Viddsee is a smartphone application that is downloadable for and features innumerable short films from all over the world, including the Philippines. Whether it’s a good laugh you’re looking for, or a moment to just relax, watching Viddsee videos is definitely a good alternative for all the reading your eyes are so used to. Here’s our top five!

1. Taya

- This short film won the Audience Choice Award, as well as the Special Jury Prize, in Cinemalaya 2013. It is only eight minutes long but tastefully juxtaposes adult realties against child musings. It follows the life of a young boy who moves to a new neighborhood. As a child, he tries hard to adjust to his new surroundings and later on discovers that all he needs is to go out and play with newfound friends.

The simplicity of the children’s joy is both touching and unsettling when contrasted to the different problems the adults in the community face. Political undertones are also present in the video; there are scenes that cover struggles most middle class city folk only hear of in the comfort of school desks or living room sofas: housing demolitions, tumults with authorities, goons and guns, and street killings, to name a few. It isn’t a video to watch if you’re looking for something light and easy to absorb as the video is loaded with allusions, symbolisms, and jarring parallels. Nevertheless, the poignant scenes that focus solely on the children playing and later on reuniting are enough to remind one of innocence and simplicity that are hopefully not yet lost.

By Maria Theresa G. Cervero

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Breakfast with Lolo - In just five minutes, this video will kindle

in you the sudden urge to remember a fond memory. It will have you tenderly relive an endearing moment between you and someone you deeply appreciate. It is short but a wide array of emotions is covered, such as joy, excitement, gratitude, and even grief. In portraying these varied emotions, it succeeds in being a heartwarming and touching film. The scenes are short but tender, without sacrificing impact and connection with the audience. The way the lolo’s eyes brighten, the way he hastily runs toward the car just to get away, the mixture of hesitation and excitement etched on the grandson’s face when he decides to drive – all of this makes for a video that focuses purely on the intensity of moments, without need of deep dialogue, or obvious humor, or any other trick. Its strength is in its subtlety.

Here, here is a moment with my lolo. As the video ends, the reality of death poses upon us viewers the unavoidable questions that are usually skirted over: with whom do we want to spend the simple things in life with? This question is also coupled with: do we even make ourselves available for such opportunities whenever they are presented to us? “Tara,” as the grandson said.

3)

A Rite of Passage

- Buckets of tears were shed while watching

this video. Tears from too much laughter.

This video is best to watch after a really bad recitation, or after the teacher suddenly cancels voluntary recitation and you have read absolutely nothing. It could also do the job of lifting off whatever burden rests on your shoulders from possibly biting off more than you can chew, as the video goes, there’s a separate table for all the supot. Apologies for the language, but the video does tackle male circumcision by shining comical light on the matter. The humor is subtle, although once detected, it instantly becomes the glaring strength of the video.

From the name of the characters to the name of the barangay, the director obviously leaves nothing to chance.

Each detail, no matter how small, is well thought of and properly placed. Humorous as it is, it still aptly portrays dominant associations with male circumcision: a test of masculinity, a rite of passage to being a ‘true’ man, an initiation of sorts, the welcoming to the world of ‘manhood.’

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Papa Jesus - This video is just four minutes long, but already the weight

of its message resonates with one of the greatest novels from the 19th century, Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables. Timeless is the conversion experience of Jean Valjean, an ex-convict who steals while he is on parole, and instead of being punished, he is shown grace and forgiveness by the bishop. While the grace extended to Jean Valjean is deliberate and intentional, the grace one sees in this short film Papa Jesus is accidental and mistaken. This video encapsulates the beauty in encounters that come as pure surprise. The child’s face lights up with joy and all fear is cast away upon seeing the stranger. The encounter is short yet powerful, in a single moment the conversion experience is portrayed with only candid expressions –the way the child smiles, the way his skin crinkles at the corner of his eyes, the way his eyes twinkle, the way the stranger precariously hands over the bottle of ketchup – all to culminate in a gesture of kindness. This four-minute video covers varied and important matters – the weight of crime, the rarity of grace, the power of decisions – all with surprising lightness.

4.

Steamed Bun

- Unplanned encounters and the unlikeliest of friendships really make for a memorable experience. Such is the focus of this video, where a teenage boy develops a surprising friendship with an unsuspecting, wide-eyed, curious, and jolly little boy.

They discover that they both share feelings of rejection and failure, but it is precisely this shared experience that allows them to bond over something as simple as siopao. They exchange stories while eating siopao. The moment is simple and honest; the little boy smiles and jokes while he eats, and the teenager’s facial expressions soften upon seeing the little boy cheer up. The video is light and very easily relatable. It isn’t too hard for us to remember a particular memory which involves a surprising friendship that has started in unsuspecting ways: perhaps a shared table while cramming in Starbucks, random encounters while doing the most mundane of things –perusing the grocery aisles, waiting in line for photocopying, running errands for a very angry mother –and really, all other mundane things that suddenly seem special. Steamed Bun is a good reminder for anyone who is too busy to recognize these encounters for what they are: opportunities to pause, be present, and be grateful

IT RUNS IN THE BLOOD

By Korin Aldocoa and Diego Santiago Interview with Dean CLV

by Mariel Sadang

Dean CLV, Atty. Tessa, Francis and Mike talk about the perks, pressures and what it actually takes to be part of a family of lawyers

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November 2015

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CLV. The initials known to all in the Ateneo Law community strike a curious contrast to the long list of titles to Cesar L. Villanueva’s name. This includes being a lawyer, certified public accountant, author, law professor, former law school dean, founding partner of a law firm, and Chairman of the Governance Commission for Government-Owned or -Controlled Corporations (GCG). Behind the career titles lies a sterling record of academic milestones. Earlier in high school, CLV was the class valedictorian. He then obtained his accountancy degree from Holy Angel University in 1977, graduating magna cum laude. He proceeded to take up law at Ateneo de Manila University and finished as the class valedictorian, cum laude. In 1981, he took the bar examinations and placed second (2nd). The following year, he took the certified public accountant (CPA) board examinations and placed sixth (6th). In 1989, he earned his Master of Laws from Harvard Law School at Cambridge, Massachusetts.

It was in his senior year in high school when CLV fixed his eyes on entering the legal profession.. Having predetermined that he would go to Ateneo for law, he decided to pursue accountancy, a degree that would give him an edge as a lawyer. Since Ateneo did not offer accountancy, he opted to stay in his hometown of Angeles, Pampanga and enrolled in a local university that offered the degree. He was a working student in college. As he studied for his accountancy degree, he doubled as a law and accounting clerk for his father, the latter himself a CPA-lawyer.

Equipped with discipline, the habit of excellence, and a working knowledge of the law, CLV was better prepared for the rigors of law school than most of his peers. Just as vital was his fierce passion for the law. He wanted to internalize the law from the beginning to such an extent that “by the end of those four (4) years, if you cut my wrists, it’s not blood that’s going to flow out, it’s the law that will flow out.” He dwelled in the library, always the first to arrive and the last to leave. He read his textbooks and cases three times before going to class. He started reviewing for exams before his classmates did. He was a little bit slow, he quips.

CLV believed that no subject was too important or unimportant. As the goal was to have a lasting mastery of the law, he read all the cases relevant to his subjects, even those that were not assigned. In the original, mind you. For him, there was also no such thing as a bad professor. If ever there was one, he would compensate by reading up on his own and crafting his own syllabus.

He developed a reputation for writing digests as good as the full decisions, which he November 2015

freely shared with less diligent classmates.

In his senior year, CLV was selected to be the editor-in-chief of the Ateneo Law Journal. He tackled bar review by making his own reviewers. Among them was a consolidation of his notes on Commercial Law since first year, which likewise made the rounds among his fellow bar reviewees. He locked himself in his apartment and from morning to evening typed his notes with a manual typewriter. At the end of three (3) weeks, he had, aside from a back sore from prolonged sitting, the raw manuscript of the first book he would publish. Unsurprisingly, CLV would garner his highest bar exam grade in Commercial Law. After his law school graduation in 1981, CLV was heavily recruited by the country’s top law firms. He chose ACCRALAW, and with permission from one of the firm’s partners, CLV decided to give back to his alma mater by assuming a post in its faculty. His knowledge and passion for the law are reflected in the breadth of subjects he has taught: Public Corporations, Administrative Law, Property, Agency, Sales, Corporation Law, and Credit Transactions. The only time he stopped teaching was when he left for the United States in 1988 to pursue his Master of Laws at Harvard, which he completed the following year. Fresh out of Harvard, CLV co-founded the Villanueva Gabionza de Santos (VGS) Law Office.

CLV held the reins of deanship of the Ateneo Law School from 2004 to 2011. As dean, he introduced significant changes to the curriculum. One was to remove the mathematical credit for Introduction to Law, a reaction to the severe treatment students would get from taking up the course.

He believed that it did not make sense to discourage neophytes with failing marks at the very start of their law training. He also rearranged the sequence of major subjects to facilitate a better appreciation of bar subjects. He made Tax Review mandatory and ensured that seniors had enough slots in Labor Review. He also pushed Thesis Writing I & II down to junior year so that incoming seniors could work on their theses during the summer, allowing them to focus on bar review preparation in their final year.

Were CLV’s strategies effective? Ateneo was conferred by the Legal Education Board with the “Best Performing Law School” award in 2011 for its performance

in the bar exams from 2001 to 2010. Under CLV’s leadership, the law school produced three bar topnotchers in 2007 (Mercedita Ona), 2010 (Cesareo Antonio Singzon, Jr.) and 2011 (Raoul Angelo Atadero). Ignatius Michael Ingles extended the streak to 2012, giving the Ateneo a glorious three-peat in the bar exams. The feat becomes even more impressive in light of the fact that Ateneo likewise produced the second-placers during the same period, a first in Philippine bar history.

In 2011, CLV stepped down as dean when President Benigno Aquino III appointed him Chairman of GCG, which functions as the central advisory, monitoring, and oversight body of government-owned or -controlled corporations, government financial institutions, and government corporate entities. He is pleased that more and more Ateneo lawyers are taking on public service, proudly noting the recent appointments of Atty. Michael Aguinaldo and Dean Andres Bautista as Commission of Audit Chairman and Commission on Elections Chairman, respectively.

Asked if he would encourage students to enter government service, he answered yes, but only in areas where they could be passionate and make a difference. He stressed that in order to be effective in government, one must be extraordinary. And in order to be an extraordinary lawyer, a law student must study hard and make the law his or her passion. He says that “to know the law is really to love the law . . . When you love the law so much, the truth is it will love you back a thousand times. And with it, you will offer to your country, to the people that you love, a better quality of law, and that hopefully becomes a contribution to this country.”

Interestingly, while CLV strives to instill his passion for the law in his students, he did not do the same with his own children.

In fact, he was hoping that none of them would become lawyers, as the law is a difficult profession. Jokingly, he said that he wanted them to become bankers instead so they would live the good life. Nonetheless, his son Gabriel and daughter Teresa followed in his footsteps. Gabriel is now with the Office of the Solicitor General while Teresa, like her father, is a professor in the law school and a founding partner of her own law firm.

A Legacy of Excellence

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A Legend in Her Own Right Being part of a great lineage can be incredibly overwhelming, even more so if you are the daughter of Dean CLV. Many would fold under the intense pressure. Some might even resent the added expectations, and try to distance themselves as far as possible. This was far from the case of Atty. Tessa Villanueva-Tiansay, who proudly professes that she has always looked up to her father and wanted to be like him.

A perfect example of an individual who was able to build on others’ expectations of her and as a result carved out her own path, Atty. Tessa has become a legend in her own right. She has made her mark in the law school, where she finished sixth in her batch and garnering second honors upon graduation. This brand of excellence continued after passing the bar in 2011, and as seen in her accomplishments as an author, law school professor, and a present partner of the Villanueva Tiansay & Trinidad Law Offices, among others.

Atty. Tessa wanted to be a lawyer since she could remember, and in fact did not aspire to be otherwise — though she says that becoming a chef would not be a bad alternative. Ateneo Law was the obvious choice as she got her college degree from Ateneo de Manila University and she felt it was just natural that she continue her graduate studies in Ateneo as well. “Of course, Ateneo Law School is the best so why look anywhere else?” she quips.

Dean CLV encouraged this plan, though the idea never came from him. Atty. Tessa muses, “If he had a 26

choice he would have wanted me to have an ‘easier’ life -- have my own business and still have a comfortable life. But I just really looked up to him. He was, and still is, my idol.

If anything, my dad is the most decent and principled lawyer I know.

His goal as a lawyer was never to earn a lot of money, have the prestige and all that, rather what motivated him is his ability to change the lives of people and help our country through his profession and I have seen that in him at a very young age.

It’s inspiring and that really made me decide that I, too, wanted to become a lawyer.”

Did being associated with Dean CLV help or hinder her in law school? After all, expectations from professors and peers, unfair or not, are difficult to avoid. Regarding this, Atty. Tessa says that she did not see any disadvantage, nor view it as a source of pressure. She states, “My parents always taught us that they wanted to create a name for themselves so that they can pass it on to us, their children, and my parents did just that. I am grateful that I am the daughter of two great personalities in their respective professions and this has prompted me to do my best to be worthy of the name that they have established for us.”

Also thankful to her peers, she puts it simply, “I had the best blockmates. They never made me feel that I had to prove myself to them just because my father was then the dean. I never felt judged when I failed to do well in some of my recitations or exams. I was treated like

any other student in class. There are a handful of professors, however, who were very vocal that they have certain expectations on account of being my father’s daughter and that actually pushed me to study harder and do well in their subjects.”

Now married and raising a family, one may ask the question: How does being in a clan of lawyers affect family life? Atty. Tessa answers that since the majority of the members are all lawyers, during family dinners they would tend to dominate the discussion and bombard their other family members with legal issues the latter would have difficulty in understanding. She follows up by saying that she does feel guilty at times, so she usually starts a conversation with them that is not law-related.

Atty. Tessa still believes that it is truly beneficial being in a family of lawyers. She opines that, first, there is a level of security and safety that the lawyers in their family provide to their non-lawyer family members, and second, the lawyers of the family also get to help each other in furthering and improving their respective careers.

The benefit of her family legacy contributed immensely to the choice to enter the teaching profession. Since Atty. Tessa has parents and grandparents who have been members of the academe for as long as she could remember, the idea of being a professor herself easily became part of her dreams. She finds it fascinating and finds it to be an honor to have the privilege of molding the minds of individuals and being a part of their lives forever.

Like in many things, both her parents encouraged her to teach.

They felt that life finds new meaning when one becomes a professor and they wanted her to experience that.

For Atty. Tessa, she is very thankful that they influenced her to become a professor.

November 2015

Next in Line Following in the footsteps of their famous tito and cousin, while trying to forge their own paths, are the new generation of future lawyers — brothers James Francis “Francis” Villanueva (4A) and John Michael “Mike” Villanueva (3B) who are both currently students in the law school. How influential were Dean Cesar and Atty. Tessa in terms of convincing the brothers to take on the challenge of law school? The two say that their relatives were big influences, remaining so even up to the present day.

It would not be a surprise to feel pressured by having relatives in the law profession, especially with the stature and reputation of both Dean Cesar and Professor Atty. Tessa. However, both Francis and Mike say that they do not feel burdened at all. For Francis, his relatives serve as motivation to work hard and hopefully attain something in his own right similar to what his older family members have achieved. As for Mike, he admires the fact that his relatives especially Dean Cesar and Atty. Tessa are very professional and loved by their students.

Francis attests that they are close as a family that would see each other regularly for Sunday lunch. Interestingly enough, he had seriously planned to be an architect due to his love for design and his skills in sketching and drawing. Eventually, he took the plunge into grad school. Through their get-togethers, he was able to catch stories and recognize the achievements of his relatives, November 2015

which eventually inspired him to take up law, an admitted last minute decision that surprised even his parents.

Mike on the other hand, knew that he would enter law school as early as high school. He credits high school debate and the adrenaline rush it brings as reasons for encouraging him to take up law.

Of course, he draws inspiration from his relatives, as well as empowerment and encouragement from his older brother Francis.

In terms of guidance, Francis and Mike mention that Dean Cesar’s advice is usually on point.

He encourages them to strive to be the best, to strive to top the bar, and to exude discipline and excellence in all things. Atty. Tessa on the other hand approaches them in a more “ate”-like manner.

As she is a more recent graduate, she gives particular tips on how to handle professors as well as techniques for smarter studying.

While both share a mutual respect for each other and bond over several interests, the brothers still seek to live different lives of their own. Francis cherishes his relationship with his friends and blockmates, usually spending time with them during leisure hours, going out or playing sports. As mentioned, he is an excellent artist, with his artistic flair also manifesting in his penchant for cooking. On the other side of the spectrum, Mike takes immense pride in his extra-curriculars. He has served his batch as student council representative, and is currently the school’s Internals Vice-President. As part of the Saint Thomas More Debate and Advocacy Society (STM), the law school’s premier debate organization, he has garnered several distinctions and won championships in several debate tournaments. He is also an intern of the

Ateneo Human Rights Center.

Of course, as siblings, the two ensure that they communicate constantly and help each other whenever they can with problems ranging from law questions to questions about love. The brothers are just a door knock away in the dorm whenever they need someone to talk to. They help each other in small yet significant ways, such as when Francis designed and conceptualized Mike’s campaign promos when the latter first ran for batch representative.

What is next for the brothers?

Do they see themselves taking similar career paths as their Dean Cesar and Atty. Tessa? For Mike, he said he would take their cue from their relatives and become a law school professor. He has always enjoyed explaining complicated legal concepts to his peers, and he hopes to do the same for young minds. Aside from teaching, he is unsure as to the particular field of law he would enter into, but litigation and government work are big considerations. Francis on the other hand, emphasizes that he wants to make his own name in private practice.

His relatives surely continue to be his inspiration, but he hopes to do his own thing, perhaps in the field of Labor Law. Novelist and philosopher George Santayana once said, “The family is one of nature’s masterpieces.” Indubitably, Dean Cesar Villanueva, Atty. Tessa Villanueva-Tiansay, Francis and Mike Villanueva can be considered members of a family considered as having left a masterful legacy here in the law school, individuals who have embodied the concepts of excellence and service and who continue to inspire the future generation of Ateneo lawyers. P

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Van Gogh Is Bipolar: A Breather Beyond The Books

By Erika Gabrielle C. Valdez

Tucked away in the courtyard of 154 Maginhawa St. in Diliman, Quezon City, sits Van Gogh Is Bipolar, a quaint little restaurant that offers much more than full course meals; it also serves food for the soul, replenishing one’s thirst for life beyond the books.

Stepping into Van Gogh is like wandering into an alcove of memories, an eclectic collection of dim lights, chintz fabric, and charming travel memorabilia strewn all over the place. A red graffiti room is found in the corner of the cozy dining area, where scribbled love messages cover the walls up to the ceiling. In the center sits a squat table veiled with a soft white lace, revealing dozens of teapots customers use when making their own “mood tea.” Here, customers can choose from a variety of fragrant tea leaves in Spanish plum, mango, and tamarind (to name a few) to stimulate their mood.

The inspiration behind this idea comes from the owner-operator himself, Jethro Rafael, a prolific Fine Arts graduate from UP Diliman who was earlier diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

During this difficult time, he did not rely solely on medication to maintain a healthy disposition. Instead, he integrated his love for cooking by infusing natural antidepressants in the food he made, evolving into what he calls the “Cuckoo Diet,” that which was designed November 2015

to compute the serotonin content (a chemical in the human body that regulates feelings of well-being and happiness) found in each Van Gogh dish.

Taking a cue from Van Gogh is the way its menu is likewise spontaneous.

The dishes offered each night (named after famous personalities who have bipolar disorder) vary according to Jethro’s mood, making each visit an experience on its own. Moreover, on the night I went to Van Gogh (which I learned was open for that night only as they were on a “long break” until October, the restaurant being operational on random dates so as to surprise their patrons), customers were offered “personalized” full course meals.

We began with a serving of Virginia Woolf ’s Tears, a hearty broth of boiled turkey and plantains. Next came the intriguing Axl Rose Egg Shot, where a medium-sized egg is submerged in hot water for 5 minutes, after which its contents are placed in a shot glass and combined with German liquor and a special dark sauce. Just 10 minutes after taking the shot, I began to feel that “extra kick” they promised. Accompanying this was Sting’s Hot Cherry Potato dish consisting of caramelized potatoes served on a bed of lettuce.

For the main course, we had President Clinton’s Meal, which consisted of grilled Australian lamb chop set over

black mountain rice, and President Roosevelt’s Meal, which served grilled Norweigan salmon belly, also on top of rice. To down everything, we drank Sir Isaac Newton’s Fresh Lithium Concoction, a blend of jasmine, chamomile, and lavender flowers soaked in honeyed herbs. And for dessert, we had homemade vanilla ice cream with dried coconut shavings, and Mel Gibson’s Darkest Sin, a stinging shot of vodka over melted dark chocolate.

Although the food was appetizing and the servings were large, what highlights a visit to Van Gogh is the overall experience that it offers. Dining here also commands a certain price, but the range is reasonable depending on when and what item one orders. Individual meals range from P155 to P770. In the afternoon, full courses cost only P333 per head. At night, the prices start at P999 each, but on days when Jethro is feeling generous, he’ll surprise his guests with a full course dinner on the house!

Really, anything goes at Van Gogh.

And so in an endearing blend of magic and medicine, dining at this restaurant offers a breath of fresh air where one seek solace and self-healing, a welcome respite from the relentless difficulties of the daily grind, reminding us there is more love, life, and laughter to be had.

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Spending our Summer in Jail

By Earvin James Atienza and Danielle Zerrudo

Dignitas per Libertatem.

Dignity through Freedom.

T

he right to liberty is a fundamental Constitutional right granted to every person. We’ve heard, read, and discussed this right in our law classes through numerous doctrines and jurisprudence.

But not all of us have actually seen how this right can easily be violated and how important it is to protect it.

Through the Ateneo Human Rights Center (AHRC), we were fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to be interns for the Humanitarian Legal Assistance Foundation (HLAF) for five weeks during the summer break. HLAF is a non-governmental organization that advocates for the protection of the rights of the preventively detained persons including Children In Conflict with the Law. Such advocacy is manifested in the programs hailed by the Foundation, to wit: Jail Decongestion which provides the monitoring of cases, training of detainees to be knowledgeable about their rights, and ensuring humanitarian conditions inside detention facilities; Center for Restorative Action which

prevents children at risk from further commission of crimes; and Focused Reintegration of Ex-Detainees which provides the beneficiaries with practical assistance upon release. HLAF also seeks to establish the concept of restorative justice which encompasses not only the dismissal of wrongfully-accused cases, but more importantly, the speedy disposition of such cases, and affording the detainees the right to be freely accepted back into society upon acquittal or serving sentence.

Our experience as HLAF interns have helped us appreciate the value of the right to liberty even more because we saw how the violation of such right can spiral into the violation of other human rights. We also realized how the detention of a person, arbitrary or not, can affect not just the detainee but also their families and prospective employment opportunities because of the stigma that attaches to being a detainee. This lack of opportunity for a second chance is a big hindrance to the decongested jails that HLAF works for.

Throughout our internship and jail visits, we’ve met detainees accused of the crimes we only read about in the Revised

Penal Code. Initially, of course, there was some sense of fear and concern for our own safety. But as we got to know their stories and see how their personal circumstances all contributed to their current situation, all those preconceived notions we had about people in jail disappeared.

We realized that beneath all the accusations, we do not have the right to call them criminals. We do not have the authority to look down on them as if they have already been found guilty. Behind every charge or accusation, they are still human beings. As we’ve learned in AHRC, they do have rights and it is part of our job to protect them. P For those that are interested to know more about HLAF, you can visit their website at www. hlaf.org.ph. HLAF accepts volunteers all year round and, in partnership with the Ateneo Law School, they offer Jail Decongestion as an elective (CLED 102) and accredited internship programs.

How to Get Away with Destierro

By Aira Andal

To save time and resources, most people opt to live alone in dormitories, condominiums, or apartments near their respective work places or universities. This entails living away from home, leaving behind one’s family for a while. The same is true for students of the law. It is, after all, inevitable for numerous lawyers-to-be to vacate their houses in order to study the law of the land.

Think of it as destierro. A temporary restraining order from seeing one’s family. A time for self-reflection. A period for introspection. I, for one, am living all by myself in Gilmore. A whole semester of living away from home tends to be construed in various ways. But really, how does it feel to live far away from home?

Like everything under the sun, living alone, away from everything familiar, has pros and cons. All alone, one would feel older, wiser, more mature, and more capable. Time is of little consequence — you are the master of your own schedule, the maker of your choices. Cheetos for breakfast? Why not? Pancakes in the evening?

Hell, yes! Television all day, everyday? Sure thing. Going out with friends is never a problem because no one would mind if you don’t come back before midnight. Inviting people over, studying out all the time, not studying at all, sleeping all morning, buying one’s groceries (i.e. stocking up on chocolates and coffee) — these are undertakings a person living alone can do without any bounds and limits. No qualifications. No rules.

Total radio silence, I learned, is achievable – with just coffee, my law books, and myself. There is no unnecessary chatter, no family matters, no extra considerations for law students living on their own. It is the world on a silver platter, yours for the taking — a blank sheet for your own mistakes and experiments. It is the same reality through a different lens, a whole new world of freedom and independence.

Once the novelty of living alone wears off, however, the story changes inconsiderably. Take it from me: all that glitters is not gold. Distance does make the heart grow fonder. Or, maybe, the anxiety and stress of the workload do get to people. Total isolation can be detrimental, and being separated for too long from one’s family can drive a person insane.

Living alone can mean no one to talk to after a long day in school. No one to share stories with about horrible recitations and messed-up exams and crazy blockmates. Living away from home means no one will drop you off or fetch you

November 2015

from school when you are exhausted and weary and frustrated. I also realized that it means no one to cheer you up and remind you of why you are studying law in the first place. Freedom becomes eating canned goods or fast food, or not eating at all when you forget. Liberty suddenly means piles of laundry and listening to emo music or hearing your thoughts echo through the vast space of loneliness. Living away from home means an occasionally heavy heart pining for mom’s soothing touch or dad’s protectiveness. The little things begin to matter, the once precious silence becomes deafening, and everything feels sharp and biting until you return to where you are comfortable, to where you are certain you belong, to where you feel loved and connected. The law can make one crazy. Loneliness makes poets out of law students.

How does one survive a self-imposed destierro?

Remember who you are.

This is one of the most essential secrets to surviving life alone. Too much change can overwhelm you. You have no parents to remind you of your goal, no siblings to recount the past.

But holding on to who you are, remembering your beliefs while being molded by the experts of the law would make you a superb student: open-minded enough to learn from others, but amply level-headed to keep one’s feet on the ground. You chose this. Live it up.

Budget your time.

Living alone can make one lose track of time.

There are too many options, too much freedom.

Be too complacent and you will end up wasting time surfing the internet or watching Suits. Be too intense and you might burst a vein. Studying smart would ensure that you accomplish all your homework. It is all in the careful allotment of energy and balancing of time.

Take care of your body.

Though the daily grind might be stressful and totally exacting, becoming too overwrought is detrimental to learning. A student too winded often tends to panic in recitations and thus experience mental blocks. Too much studying with not enough sleep is toxic, and can make even the healthiest sickly and feverish. Sleep. Eat healthy food. Exercise. Find time to unwind. A healthy body translates to a sound mind, and vice versa. We would-be-lawyers need to keep our faces fresh, our bodies strong, and our mind sharp if we are to conquer the Bar. After all, a quick brain needs an active body.

Pray or Meditate.

Introspection helps ground a person and gives one time to sort out his/her thoughts. Keeping yourself grounded to Him will certainly give a much-needed energy and morale boost. Quiet time is always a welcome feat, the eye of the law school storm. One’s heart will definitely be happier if prayer and meditation will quite down all our fears and worries once in a while.

Connect.

Family is priceless. Stay connected to your parents and siblings; call them regularly. Reply to them, and fight the urge to snap back when irritable. The law school is a highly stressful place. One tends to get lost amidst the many, many, codal provisions and cases one has to read and the classes one has to attend. However, family will always stay an integral part of your life. Doing well in school does not mean you have to take them for granted or to completely ignore them. Admit it, you miss your mother’s cooking and your father’s lectures. You probably miss even your sister’s teasing. Your family keeps you grounded. They are always there, through thick and thin. So do not disregard them while juggling school. Family can also extend to your college friends, high school barkada, cousins, and old org mates. Family can entail your blockmates. Forging ties is never a bad idea. Making friends and growing your law school family would make everything easier to bear. Never forget to reconnect. To keep these amazing people in the long haul, never bar your heart from contact.

Living alone can be construed as freedom, as liberty. But what does it mean? Liberty is a right we students of the law value greatly. We fight for it. We fight about it. We study it. However, defining liberty and freedom has never been straightforward and uncomplicated. The boundaries of the word keep expanding and stretching, and everything it encompasses grows more abstract and obtuse. Conjuring the perfect definition to encapsulate everything the word stands for is impossible. It is not absolute. Economically speaking, choosing one’s brand of freedom would entail trading off one thing for another. A taste of freedom also gives one the ticket to responsibility. Independence is a great avenue for testing the waters of accountability and responsibility. It makes one more mature. It tests one’s decision-making skills. Freedom is empowering if wielded correctly.

The family is another important notion we should embrace and try to uphold. As Filipinos, we are molded to appreciate the family better than most community. The values we can glean from our familial ties will always run deeper and will be engraved profoundly in our hearts. Family helps define who one becomes. And having these ties does make everything more bearable.

We will, after all, always turn and return to family.

This is why we must strive to make families everywhere we go, why we must never be complacent, and why we should always continue growing and shifting our definition of things and people. Liberty entails roots from where we will grow. Freedom means change and constant adjustments. The war in our heads is never over.

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How To Improve Your Penmanship Today!

By Leslie Ann L. Po

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Handwriting has been the main form of distant communication in the bygone era. Before telephone lines, cellular phones and email were invented, there was the mailman: the man everyone in the village knows.

In today’s digital age, law students probably encounter more

use for handwriting than students training for other professions. The bar examinations has been traditionally held in the essay format. Most of our midterm and final examinations are in the essay format too. Laymen and our professors alike would emphasize the

1. Get a good grip.

Getting smooth lines and curves in your penmanship is largely determined by the width of the body of the pen, as well as the comfort of your grip. While relatively large hands will benefit from a larger pen for grip stability, smaller hands might not, but almost everyone can benefit from a pen with a rigged or rubber grip. In choosing the size of the body of your pens, consider the size of your hands and your ability to grip. What works for your friend might not necessarily work for you.

2. Angle and Pressure.

A lot of us experience hand cramps during examinations. While we attempt to finish up everything that we have to say as the ticks, we tend to press our pens harder on paper. Similarly, the flow of some ballpoint inks will depend on the pressure exerted to press them. For these reasons, pens with steady ink flow such as gel pens, roller balls and fountain pens will reduce the necessary pressure for writing. Exerting more pressure than necessary is also more common when the pen is held closer to the perpendicular angle as the writing hand rests less. Find your sweet spot around the angles between 35 degrees to 60 degrees. Apply pressure near the head of the pen, the further you are from the head, the more unnecessary pressure you need to exert to write.

3. Determine the size appropriate for the writing occasion.

While tiny handwriting is useful for post-its and those tiny notes you write beside the cases and topics in your syllabus, a different consideration should be given when the intended reader is an-

Whatever you choose let it be something that you’re comfortable with. Writing the correct answer is a chalNovember 2015

need for law students to have a comprehensible handwriting.

Here are some tips culled from years of experience and interviews from family and friends with comprehensible, if not visually appealing handwriting.

other person such as our professors. While it is easy for us to read our own handwriting (if it is getting difficult, then we really have a big problem there), it is an entirely different matter when other people are tasked with deciphering your work. A bigger handwriting would make the loops and spaces more visible and therefore easier to read.

4. Ink matters: On size and Ink Type For tiny handwriting, a finer tip is definitely a must.

A smaller space for the loops and curves of your letters: means lesser room for line space. For bigger handwriting, a choice can be made from fine tip to broad tip. While lesser ink is used per letter on a fine tip pen therefore lesser chance of a bleed through in lower quality paper, a medium or broad tip creates letters that are easier to the eyes. The bumps and imperfections on your handwriting cannot be easily seen on broad lines and therefore, the letters appear to be neater.

5. Choose between cursive and print.

For the Philippine Bar Examinations, the examinee can either use cursive or print. The main goal is to have a readable handwriting for the examinees to easily comprehend the substance of the answers.

Cursive has the advantage of taking a shorter period of time to write but this could work to your disadvantage. While connecting letters will probably keep up with the train of thought that one has in answering questions, the readability of each letter can be compromised. Writing in print on the other hand could take a longer period of time, as the pen is raised from the paper for each space, the difference in time could be worth it as readability is crucial in examinations.

lenge enough as it is, don’t ence more difficult for you. make it a harsher experience Happy writing! P by choosing a style of writing that only makes the experi35