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APRIL 2015 • Vol. XVIII Issue 3
CYNTHIA ROXASDEL CASTILLO A woman of style and substance
APRIL 2015
EDITORIAL BOARD Joseph Giancarlo C. Agdamag EDITOR IN CHIEF
Paula Elise R. Rivera A S S O C I AT E E D I TO R
Ivy J. Enguio MANAGING EDITOR
Kim L. Rances J U N I O R A S S O C I AT E E D I TO R
Alexis Ann V. Aquino NEWS EDITOR
Frances L. Pabilane LEGAL EDITOR
Kathlyn Nadia D. Baldonado F E AT U R E S E D I TO R
Ana Isabel F. Castello A R T S A N D C U LT U R E
James Francis SP. Villanueva L AYO U T A N D G R A P H I C S E D I TO R
Mike Gerald C. David PHOTO EDITOR
Raymond Aljon A. Cusipag M U LT I M E D I A E D I T O R
Yul C. Araya O F F I C E A N D C I R C U L AT I O N S M A N AG E R
Gerard Samuel B. Contreras D I G I T A L C O N T E N T M A N A G E R
STAFF NEWS
Teressa Banta Leo Camacho Cyndy dela Cruz Jei Estremadura Richard Filasol Dyan Garcia Kate Heceta Joben Odulio Kris Palmares Marie Panganiban Gaston Perez de Tagle Glorie Pineda Joseph Ricalde Carlo Sanchez Jamie Santos Luis Seña Nons Superable Marlon Tronqued Bernard Tumaru Chelle Ventura LEGAL
Jason Arteche James Atienza Mudir Estrella Leo Galang Angelo Garcia Chynah Monzon Mao Santos F E AT U R E S
Vanessa Banta Monolo Buenviaje III Erika Casas Luisa Elago Ronald Estilles, Jr. Alyssa Nuqui Mariel Sadang Jose Santos Joren Tan
A R T S & C U LT U R E
Aika Beltran Rache Gutierrez Cara Maglaya Kevin Mizon Yvette Perez Leslie Po Steffi Sales Haydn Tan Julius Villanueva
L AYO U T & G R A P H I C S
Frankie Alba Robie Reyes Zeith Samson KL So Chan PHOTOS
Lina Domingo Philip Evardone Denise Sales Jansen Santos M U LT I M E D I A
Louie Cruz John de Castro Jaime Dimson Chester Estrella Austin Tinimbang C I R C U L AT I O N S
John Santos Andrew Uy Angela Feria
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. © 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 @ThePalladiumALS @ThePalladiumALS
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The Palladium ALS http://thepalladium.ph thepalladiumals@gmail.com
APRIL 2015
TABLE OF CONTENTS #ArtFairPH PAG E 4
Heima: THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME PAG E 6
The Reality of Art Theft and Restitution PAG E 8
Reel Deal: OSCARS 2015 BEST PICTURE NOMINEES PAG E 1 0
The Bucketlist PAG E 1 2
A School Year in Review: SUCCESS AND SHORTCOMINGS OF THE STUDENT COUNCIL PAG E 1 3
The ALS LGBT Community: LOUD AND PROUD PAG E 1 7
One step at a time: OUTDOOR ADVENTURES NEAR MANILA PAG E 2 0
THE GAME CHANGERS PAG E 2 2
ASEAN Integration: ARE WE READY? PAG E 3 4
EDITOR’S NOTE Contrary to popular belief, the legal profession is one boring field. A young lawyer begins his career pumped up with a huge dose of idealism, only to be wearied and deflated by the traditional rigors of legal practice. For many, it tends to be a repetitive cycle that one has to go through, all for a day’s living. Yet, there are a few people who refused to be bound by these predispositions. They take pride in going beyond what the prevailing system expected them to be. As part of its 50th year, The Palladium proudly presents The ‘New Breed’ Issue. Celebrate the lives of young Atenean lawyers who have successfully dared to traverse the road less travelled: Justice Filomena Singh (Judiciary), Atty. Roel Refran (Capital Markets), and Undersecretary Abigail Valte (Government Service). We also celebrate diversity, as we feature the school’s vibrant and thriving LGBT community. By taking risks and daring to be different, these people personify a fresh brand of lawyering essential in this day and age. Together, they represent the new breed of legal practitioners ready to take charge in transforming the outmoded system we had once pinned our hopes on. Continue believing. Joseph Giancarlo C. Agdamag Editor in Chief
#ArtFairPH WORDS BY THEA ELYSSA C. VEGA PHOTOS BY KIM L. RANCES
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RT FAIR Philippines 2015 – Last February 8-10, 2015, on its third installation, the Art Fair was once again held at the 6th-7th floors of The Link Carpark in Ayala Center, Makati City. I never imagined that art fairs could ever be held inside parking buildings, but the organizers successfully pulled it off. The car park had proper air-conditioning, stark white floors, and walls that housed around thirty booths for the galleries and two cafes. I was able to meet one of the organizers of Art Fair PH, Mrs. Lisa Ongpin-Periquet, a beautiful mestiza and renowned curator. Mrs. Periquet mentioned that the attendees doubled this year, so much so that there was difficulty in getting to visit certain booths since there were too many people. And ironically, Sunday was the busiest day for the organizers. But she seemed happy as their goal was met. Mrs. Periquet believes that art fairs allow art to become more accessible to people as opposed to its usual confinement in more APRIL 2015
intimidating art galleries and museums. And in recent years, art fairs have been rampant in the metro, with the likes of ManilArt (SMX Convention), and Art in the Park (Salcedo Park). Upon asking Mrs. Periquet what the most interesting installation was for her, she discussed a particular live art installation by Tad Ermitano – where he personally bred a coconut weevil (uwang) inside a log, connected the log to a computer with speakers where you can hear the weevils chew off the wood. And on the third day, the last day of the fair, Ermitano harvested the weevils and fried them. Some spectators were then allowed to eat the weevils. It was said to be a known native delicacy. Honestly, my friend and I did not quite get it, but it just shows how life for certain species can begin and end in a span of three days, just the mere duration of the Art Fair. The fair housed mostly contemporary paintings (mostly surrealism and pop art) by up and coming artists, but there were also some classics. National Artist for Painting Arturo Luz had his own
booth. The hashtag #artfairph trended on social media websites. On Instagram alone, there were more than 10,000 posts about the event. Also, there was a delightful addition to this year’s fair where a doodle board was set up. Attendees were asked to answer “What is art for you?” This was an interesting twist as it allowed the spectators to be able to contribute their own work for a change. On the doodle board, there was a drawing saying “Thanks to art, I am not in law school right now.” This was pointed out to me by my friend, Luis, a law student from UP. And this perhaps resonated to us the most. I have always thought that law school deprived me of attending concerts, art fairs, and plays as I always did back in college. But my sister then told me, after showing that photo of the doodle, that “thanks to art, you are still in law school.” Because at the end of the day, art still allows me to escape, and to have some form of catharsis amidst the piles of readings. P 5
HEIMA
There’s no place like home WORDS BY ANA ISABEL F. CASTELO PHOTOS BY MIKE GERALD C. DAVID
“LIVE HAPPY, beyond ordinary” – that is exactly what Heima is all about. From the brightly painted walls to the pastel-colored upholstered furniture, everything in this lifestyle store is designed to bring a pop of color to otherwise dull and monotonous spaces and places. Founded by Bong Rojales and Rossy Anne Yabut-Rojales in 2009, Heima has grown to become a staple in every design enthusiast’s list of places to check out. With different lines available in their Kapitolyo and Makati shops, as well as an online store, custom made furniture, and interior design services, Heima (Icelandic for “at home”) caters to various tastes and interests – from quirky and girly designs for their main line, to the more subdued and masculine look of their My Apartment (styled as “My Apt”) line. The Kapitolyo store is full of
furniture and other products that showcase the distinct style that Heima is renowned for: floral sofa chairs, owl and camera-shaped bone china lamps, wooden consoles, band and concert art prints, bright and patterned throw pillows, etc. There are shelves on one side of the store, lined with various lifestyle magazines such as Frankie and Anthology, washi tapes, quirky cards and stationary, wrapping paper, and other knickknacks from their Paper Club line. On the other side is a shelf filled with vinyl records for sale, a partnership between Heima and Satchmi. Heima’s charm makes it the kind of store that looks like it belongs in a fairy tale dream. It does not take itself too seriously, nor does it fall into the trap of being overly kitschy. Above all, it can give you that little something that your home needs. P
HEIMA BRIXTON IS LOCATED AT UNIT 103, THREE BRIXTON BLDG., BRIXTON STREET, BRGY. KAPITOLYO, PASIG CITY. HEIMA LRI AND MY APT. BY HEIMA IS LOCATED AT SUITES 229 AND 225 AT LRI DESIGN PLAZA, 210 N. GARCIA (REPOSO) STREET, BEL-AIR II, MAKATI CITY.
READY, SET, SMILE. Heima is a popular venue for shoots and pictorials.
EVERYTHING QUIRKY. Heima’s shelves are lined with vinyl records, lifestyle magazines, and books.
WORK HARD, PLAY HARDER. The Palladium’s Editorial Board had fun during the shoot.
SCRUTINIZING EYE. Heima’s interiors and products can pass the scrutiny of even those with high standards.
PAPER CLUB. Washi tapes, stationary, and wrapping paper can also be purchased from the store.
APRIL 2015
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The Reality of Art Theft and Restitution WORDS BY RACHELLE ANNE D. GUTIERREZ
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HE 21st CENTURY witnessed breakthroughs in entertainment media where many movies and television series began making use of subject matters previously dubbed as dull, and presenting them under a light that reveals why they are worthy of interest. Here comes Woman in Gold, a historically based film that film viewers should add to their must-see movies for April 2015. Woman in Gold follows the adventures of struggling young lawyer Randy Schoenberg (Ryan Reynolds) who was enlisted by Maria Altmann (Helen Mirren) to help her recover the portrait of her aunt painted by Gustav Klimt, which was stolen by the Nazis from her family during the World War and which was hanging in the Belvedere Palace as property of the Austrian Government. Being regarded as the Mona Lisa of Austria, it was made clear to the pair that the Austrian Government would not part with the painting, which they claim is rightfully theirs. While Woman in Gold is one of the few real-life stories about art pilfering and restitution which have reached the big screen, art theft from homes and galleries happen daily throughout the world – but only a fraction is ever returned to their rightful space. In 1969, one of Caravaggio’s last paintings before his death, the Nativity, was taken from the Oratory of San Lorenzo in Palermo where it stood above an altar. In 1990, men who pretended to be members of the police, in order to gain access into the museum, robbed the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, Massachusetts in the early hours of the day. Among the stolen items was one painting by Vermeer, three works of Rembrandt, five drawings of Degas, and even a vase from the Shang Dynasty. In the eve of the new millennium, the View of Auvers-sur-Oise by Paul Cézanne was taken from the Ashmolean Museum at Oxford, England amidst firework celebrations. As in many cases of art theft, the persons responsible for these three cases of art theft were never caught and the paintings never recovered. According to a BBC documentary, APRIL 2015
authorities and art historians suspect that these paintings, if not destroyed, are circulating as credit within and across criminal organizations, and are used to pay for drugs or weapons and ammunitions. As if the problem of art theft by organized crime was not enough, authorities across the globe also face the issue of lack of legal protection specific to art theft which many belief should be considered as a public crime more serious than robbery due the cultural consequences it poses. In 2002, Van Gogh’s Congregation Leaving the Reformed Church in Nuenen and View of the Sea at Scheveningen were stolen from the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. Two Dutchmen were convicted for the theft, but the paintings were never recovered because both men refused to divulge the whereabouts of the paintings during the trial and even after their release. Although the case is considered closed by police authorities, it was noted that a loophole in Dutch law existed, in the form of a prescriptive period whereby a person in possession of the stolen paintings – even the persons who committed or conspired to commit their theft – could become the lawful owners of the same after the lapse of thirty years, and as such exercise all powers over the paintings including its disposition. While the Philippines does not possess many historical pieces of artworks in the likes of Rembrandt or Van Gogh, it has its own experiences with art theft and restitution. After the fall
of the Marcoses in 1986, four paintings owned by the Philippine government disappeared, namely: Claude Monet’s Le Bassin aux Nymphease (“Water Lily”) and his L’Eglise et La Seine a Vetheuil, Alfred Sisley’s Langland Bay, and Albert Marquet’s Le Cypres de Djenan Sidi Said. After almost a decade of the paintings’ whereabouts being unknown, a certain Vilma Bautista and her two nephews were caught trying to sell some of the paintings after having successfully sold the Water Lily painting to a London gallery in 2010. Bautista was employed by the Philippine government as a Foreign Service Officer in New York throughout the Marcos regime, and also acted as the unofficial New York-based personal secretary of then first lady, Ilocos Norte Representative Imelda Marcos. In November 2013, a New York City Court convicted Bautista and sentenced her to six years of imprisonment. At present, the Philippine government continues to exercise efforts with the aim to reclaim the stolen paintings. As aspiring lawyers, one of the most popular questions asked of us is what field we will eventually specialize in: corporate, criminal, intellectual property, labor – the list can go on. And while most of us will have it figured out before we finally sign the roll of attorneys, very few have actually thought about being a lawyer involved in the protection and restitution of stolen art. In light of the historical and cultural importance of art works vis-à-vis human existence, perhaps this is a field of practice in law that may now be worth looking into. P 9
REEL DEAL: OSCARS 2015 BEST PICTURE NOMINEES WORDS BY LESLIE ANN L. PO
THE FOUR-MONTH summer break is just around the corner. Not sure how to kill time before the next semester starts? Sit back, watch, and bask in the cinematic glory of the nominees for Best Picture in the recently concluded 87th Academy Awards.
AMERICAN SNIPER American Sniper is a biographical war drama based on the autobiography of the same name written by Chris Kyle of the United States Navy SEAL, the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history. As a portrait of Kyle’s life from his early years until the day of his untimely death at the age of thirty-eight, the film has sparked the reemergence of political critique on the war on Iraq.
Directed by Clint Eastwood Starring Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller
BIRDMAN or
(THE UNEXPECTED VIRTUE OF IGNORANCE) Michael Keaton plays Riggan Thompson, a Hollywood actor famous for playing Birdman in a blockbuster superhero film. Thompson writes, directs and stars in a Broadway adaptation of What We Talk About When We Talk About Love by Raymond Carver. The film deconstructs Thompson’s ego through the course of the film’s production. Watch and discover how it snatched away the coveted statuette. Directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu Starring Michael Keaton, Zach Galifianakis, Edward Norton, Andrea Riseborough, Amy Ryan, Emma Stone, Naomi Watts *This eventually won Best Picture
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APRIL 2015
BOYHOOD Boyhood centers on the domestic life of Mason Evans Jr. (Coltrane) with his sister Samantha (Linklater) and divorced mother Olivia (Arquette). Ethan Hawke plays Mason Sr., the protagonist’s father. The film is shot over the course of twelve years starting on 2002 without a complete script where the cast gathered once or twice a year to film for three or four days. Directed by Richard Linklater Starring Patricia Arquette, Ellar Coltrane, Lorelei Linklater, and Ethan Hawke
THE IMITATION GAME
THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL Set in the fictional state of Zubrowska, the film chronicles how Zero (Revolori), the present owner of the hotel, took its ownership. Zero, an immigrant, works as a lobby boy of the hotel where he subsequently became a friend of the hotel’s concierge Monsieur Gustave (Fiennes). The film has been praised for its acting and visual style.
Directed by Wes Anderson Starring Ralph Fiennes, Tony Revolori, Adrien Brody, Jude Law, Saoirse Ronan
SELMA
The Imitation Game is a historical film based on the biography: Alan Turing: The Enigma by Andrew Hodges. The film centers on Alan Turing’s life as a cryptanalyst helping to solve the Enigma code subsequently leading to the downfall of the Axis powers during the World War II. The film was honored by the Human Rights Campaign, and is the highest-grossing independent film of 2014.
The film depicts the period of Martin Luther King Jr.’s life during the 1965 voting rights marches from Selma to Mongomery. The plot starts at the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize awarding and ends at the speech on the steps of the Alabama State Capitol. While Selma is universally acclaimed by film critics, the film’s historical accuracy has been questioned particularly on President Johnson’s portrayal.
Directed by Morten Tyldum Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode
Directed by Ava DuVernay Starring David Oyelowo, Tom Wilkinson, Carmen Ejogo
THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING Stephen Hawking’s life with his first wife Jane Wilde Hawking takes the center in this biographical romantic drama film. Adapted from Jane’s memoir: Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen, the story begins in 1963 when Stephen and Jane first meet at a party while both attending Cambridge University. Stephen’s prognosis of a progressive motor neuron disease presents a challenge to the couple as students, and continues as they start their family life together.
Directed by James Marsh Starring Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones
APRIL 2015
WHIPLASH Whiplash premiered as the opening film in the 2014 Sundance Film Festival and was subsequently acquired by Sony Pictures. The film is based on the director’s experiences in the Princeton High School Studio Band. The story centers on the protagonist’s determination to succeeds so he plays the drum until his “hands bleed” and the protagonist’s unforgiving instructor whose method is to “belittle” his students in order to unearth their potential. P Directed by Damien Chazelle Starring Miles Teller, J. K. Simmons.
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The Bucketlist So much to do, so little time? Take a break and check these out. WORDS BY CARA MARIEL S. MAGLAYA
DINE
Now you don’t have to go to Guadalajara for a taste of authentic street tacos. Taco Chingones, the first mobile taco cart in the Philippines, can be found in one of the unassuming streets of Backwell. The food cart doesn’t have seats or tables, so expect to get down and dirty as you munch on only the most straight forward Mexican grub drenched in salsa. For the hungry law student that’s on the go, this is the perfect place to get a fast yet filling bite.
SEE
If you’re looking for a solid sense of fun, then Kingsman: The Secret Service is the movie for you. The film brings a whole new range of color and style to the spy movie genre with this psychedelic feature that is more Kickass than James Bond. Harry Hart (Colin Firth), a top spy for the British supersecret service, recruits, the wayward young man Eggsy (Taron Egerton). Together, they try to save the world from a lisping megalomaniac (Samuel L. Jackson) in dry martini perfection. With its eye-popping visuals and dapper, British men, this spy movie on acid is a definite must see.
LISTEN
Kintsugi is the Japanese art of fixing broken pottery with gold to make its repair an evident part of its history. It is also the title of Death Cab for Cutie’s first album in the post-Walla, post-Deschanel era. This marks DCFC departure from its experimental phase, returning to its roots of atmospheric instrumentals and Ben Gibbard’s signature voice sliding in between guitar riffs in melancholy fashion. Take a trip down memory lane as the band uses murky memories and transforms it into captured moments through dark undertones and introspective narratives. 12
EXPLORE
Nestled in one of the less busy streets of downtown Binondo is an overlooked architectural beauty. Built in 1938, the Calvo building resonates the splendor of Old Manila and is home to the underrated Calvo museum. With its vast collection of memorabilia and heritage pieces, the museum gives you a glimpse of the glamor and grandeur that Escolta once had. Entrance is at fifty pesos, a small price to pay for a taste of the forgotten culture of the country’s capital. P APRIL 2015
A SCHOOL YEAR IN REVIEW: Successes and Shortcomings of the Student Council WORDS BY MANOLO R. BUENVIAJE III, JOREN LEX A. TAN, AND JOSE MARIA E. SANTOS
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EING the best Student Council the Ateneo Law School has seen. This was how the student government of academic year 2014-2015 has envisioned itself to be. Given that the current school year is about to end, it remains to be asked: have the officers fulfilled their campaign promises? Setting upon themselves to be the best Student Council (SC) can be a heavy claim to make, considering the various challenges and changes that happened in the Law School. But President Armand Dulay (4A) says that they were all able to live up to the challenge, despite the strong personalities of the officers comprising the Council. In order to translate this statement into reality, the officers have each created personal goals with respect to their respective offices. They have also created team goals for the SC itself by setting the goal of focusing primarily on the students this year. When they began their terms, the officers have observed that the relevance of the SC has somewhat waned during the past couple of years; as such, they
WORK AND PLAY. The Student Council is full-force during the Bar Operations run, providing support for the barristers while having fun at the same time.
agreed to bring it back by formulating new projects that put the welfare of the students as the main consideration. In addition, the officers have ensured that they have a solid working relationship with each other, which is vital in promoting efficiency and harmony in their day-to-day operations Compared with the past Councils, the officers say that the current SC is vastly different, and has “levelled-up” up in terms of internal operation and projects. As Armand says, being keen with a good working relationship is an important factor in their operations. This has enabled them to have a single head working on various projects and initiatives. As a result, the weakness of an officer can be offset with the strength of another, thus making the SC effective in attending to the needs of the students. Secretary General Harvey Bilang (3C) thinks that the difference lies in how they worked internally, as the officers helped each other out and refused to be bound by their own individual positions. Third Year Batch Representative
Johanne Bautista (3B) and Second Year Batch Representative Mike Villanueva (2B) have stated that the Council this year is united and has made a good team, despite their own individual differences. On the other hand, Internal Vice President Cyndy Dela Cruz (3D) and External Vice President Mudir Estrella (3C) have viewed the difference of the current SC from that of the past on its effect on the student body. Cyndy said that the present SC has the ability to take risks and introduce something new to the student body. They did not stop on simply implementing the project – they always think of new ways to keep the projects fresh and innovative. They continually engage in the social issues and political discourses in order to deliver the Atenean promise of being men and women for others. More importantly, the council has come up with internal rules of conduct and core values in order to guide them in delivering the needs of the students. These core values are: accountability, commitment, and professionalism,
supported by the sub-values of fairness, consistency, and optimism. The officers always keep in mind that these values comprise the identity of the present SC, and these values are what sets them apart from the previous years. The SC itself is contented and pleased with what it was able to accomplish during the school year, saying that each officer has done their part well. Armand commends the initiative that his team has shown in implementing their projects. Mudir credits the higher sense of maturity in handling areas of disagreements. All the other officers recognize their success from the line of projects that they have implemented for the year. As students, they themselves have felt the effect of their undertakings. Still, the best way in assessing the performance of a student government is by getting the actual pulse of the student body. Majority of the students asked are of the opinion that the SC has performed well in providing for their needs. “The SC has been effective for the past year since they were able to meet the essentials in being a student government,” says Annie*, a first year student. “They have provided the student body with information regarding school matters, they have been an effective liaison between the students and the school administration, and they have also provided avenues for the students to de-stress.” Students also commend the improvements made by the current SC from past councils. “This year’s SC was more in touch and involved with our batch, particularly Mike, our batch representative” says a EJ*, a sophomore. However, the SC’s performance was not without criticisms. In terms of grievances, some third year students feel that this was an important Student Council project that was not felt by many. “I don’t even know where I could air out my grievances,” says Mia*, a third year student. “I feel enrollment (for the Alternative Class Program [ACP] and the summer term) could have been improved since the procedure had been very confusing but I don’t know where I could put that.” Another criticism concerns the
efficiency of the SC. “In terms of efficiency, the scarce number of officers in most, if not all, of the council’s endeavors [became prominent] since logistics and manpower has always been a constant problem in the execution of their projects”, says Pia*, a freshman. Nevertheless, the SC recognizes this insufficiency and proposed an amendment in their Constitution to specifically address this issue. Cyndy reveals that the main reason behind the proposal to introduce new positions in the SC is to help the core positions in effectively fulfilling the needs of the student body. (Ed: However, the amendments has not been ratified by the student body since the required number of votes were not met.)
The SC has been effective for the past year since they were able to meet the essentials in being a student government. On the other hand, Johanne suggests that the effectivity of the Student Council lies not only within the number of its officers, but rather the chance to have a more active role and function in the ALS community. For her, the SC should be given the opportunity to be “student representatives” and not just mere liaison officers or student assistants of the administration during enrollment. Johanne declares that they should have a voice in order to efficiently cater to the needs of the students and to deliver its stand to the school administration. She adds that the structure can only do so much and having menial tasks defeats the purpose of having a Student Council. It is also noteworthy that the SC has generally been objective and united enough not to be influenced by any fraternity or sorority that some of
the officers are part of. Without any inclination to any affiliation, the SC assured the student body an impartial delivery of its projects. They made sure that their initiatives will benefit the entire student body, and not a specific affiliation or organization. However, there are still students who felt that some of the members’ affiliations have affected some of the Council’s decisions. Faith*, a third year student, notes that this year’s appointees to the Commission of Elections and Judicial Appointments (CEJA) includes members who are affiliated, when during the previous years, the appointments for the CEJA commissioners and Student Judicial Court magistrates remained impartial, as the appointed persons were unaffiliated. Though she does not have a bias against those who are part of affiliations, she feels that this could be problematic especially when there are cases that could potentially affect affiliations. An appointee who is part of that affiliation has no choice but to take no part so as to avoid bias. Such inhibition might deter the Constitutional bodies from doing their tasks immediately and efficiently. The Council officers will leave a host of projects that have helped the dayto-day life of an ALS student. The ACP and the Career Fair are some of these projects that the SC considers something they are proud of. But more importantly, Mudir cites that the legacy of the current SC is the brand of leadership that they have embodied. It is a council of “we” rather than “I”. A council that listens and understands, rather than impose to the student body what they believe in. With the end of the current school year, a new student council will come into power. New projects will be implemented and a new style of leadership will be seen. The incoming Student Council could take its cue from the current one and learn from their experiences, both positive and negative, to further improve and grow as a team and to better deliver the needs of a more discerning student body. P *The identities of the students are withheld, as per their request.
ACCOUNTABILITY TABLE PROJECTS Student Council logo and color palette redesign
ACCOMPLISHED /ON-GOING
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SC Newsletter
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Free printing for the seniors’ theses and year-long free printing services in LSAC
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Barrister’s section in LSAC
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Renovation of LSAC
Although this was initially implemented, this project seemed to take a halt during the latter half of the school year.
R The enrollment of the ACP earned the ire of some students because of technical difficulties.
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Amendments to the Student Constitution
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Advocacy Seminar with Gang Badoy, Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines, and Atty. Glenn Tuazon
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Sports fest: Students vs. Professors
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Intensify social media presence for information dissemination
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Bigger and better scheduling of the Career Fair
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Bigger Staff and Staff Kids Christmas Party
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More active role in taking a stand and informing the students on national issues
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More subsidy for projects of the organizations
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Enforcement of the Random Number System for manual registration during enrollment
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Increasing of book allowance grantees to 20
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Graduation
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Baccalaureate Mass
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Freshmen Orientation Seminar (OrSem)
REMARKS
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Food stalls in the 3rd floor
Alternative Class Program
DISCONTINUED
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Block and Elective Primers
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Blue Card
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Conflicts of Law
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NOTA (Night of the Arts)
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Updated Samplex Database
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The proposals lacked the required number of votes to be ratified.
However, the release of statements were merely intermittent.
Some students have expressed their concern about the effectiveness of the random number.
Instead of scaring the freshmen, this year’s OrSem tried to build camaraderie among the students.
THE ALS LGBT COMMUNITY:
Loud and proud WORDS BY MARIA PILAR LUISA C. ELAGO PHOTOS BY PHILIP C. EVARDONE
IT IS NOT easy to be different, especially in a competitive and strict environment like the Ateneo Law School (ALS). But its small but lively lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community shows us that being different is what makes life more colorful. Kenjie, Angelo, Ben, Paolo, Pau, and Armand open up on their untold stories of courage, strength, and perseverance, and on what sets them apart.
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n being “different” When asked about what it is like to be gay in Law School, all of them agreed that it was hard and how “it always feels like you have to prove yourself.” Atty. Takahiro Kenjie C. Aman, or Kenjie (J.D., 2012), shares that when he was in his first year, he was the only one “out of the closet” in his batch because it was still taboo. Although there were openly gay students in school at that time, the only ones who had the courage to do so were the likes of then Student Council President Jess Lopez, or Angelo Atadero, who was at the top of his batch. “In order to be respected, you had to be extraordinary.” Atty. Raoul Angelo D. Atadero,
or Angelo (J.D., 2011), has been out since grade school so he doesn’t really remember being treated differently. “In a way, I can say this was my best experience—thriving and doing well because my sexual orientation was never an issue.” John Benedict C. Ty, or Ben (J.D., 2014), agrees that being out puts a target on your back. He shares that he often felt intimidated by the insensitive comments some people would make. “Medyo may hostility. [Some people] can make you feel uncomfortable,” he says. Lito Paolo T. Martin II, or Paolo (4B), adds that it is these insensitive remarks that make him uncomfortable. It makes him feel like he’s “unwelcome.” It was twice as hard for him when he was a
CHOSEN FAMILY. The group’s support system is more than just a sounding board of their similarities as they have also found a family within it.
freshman because he also came from the province and was struggling to find his footing in school. He had to think hard about whether he should come out. Paula Anne Marie D. Vasquez, or Pau (3D), still thinks that there is a long way to go. She still gets snide remarks from male students who think they can change her sexual orientation. She is much more confident in being openly gay though, as she confronted her parents about her sexual orientation at the age of fourteen. Pau stresses that a large part of her confidence in school is due to the fact that she “found the right people.” Kenjie shares that he knew someone who was bullied so much in class that it affected his grades and he eventually got kicked out of law school. That is why they have
How the ALS LGBT “Support Group” Started Atty. Kenjie Aman shares some tidbits about their support-group. This started out even before his time. He was invited by Bar Topnotcher and 2012 Class Valedictorian Atty. Angelo Atadero, then only a third year student. “I feel that since there aren’t usually many LGBT folks who are “out” at the ALS, the few that are around may sometimes feel isolated. Forming a formal student group that will provide community and support has been one of my goals since I was in my second year at the ALS,” Angelo shares. Kenjie says they didn’t make it a formal affiliation because they are not after the title, they just want to be there to help and listen. When asked why they don’t openly recruit for the group, Atty. Kenjie says that it is hard to be the one who approach especially if he or she is not openly gay. They do not want to preempt or make the student uncomfortable. “In the end, it’s your choice whether you want to be out.”
HAM IT UP. The group exudes confidence because of the trust and support they have found from one another.
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If you are interested in joining the support group, just approach any of the interviewees and they will gladly invite you. 17
THE FAB FIVE. From left to right: Pau Vasquez, Armand Dulay, Kenjie Aman, Paolo Martin, and Ben Ty share their stories and anecdotes on being “different” in ALS.
small intimate dinners every once in a while, and invite fellow LGBTs who they find willing to join their little group. They all agree that it is crucial that members of the community have a good support group. However, outgoing Student Council President Armand Louis T. Dulay, or Armand (4A), thinks that there has been some improvement in the way the LGBT community is treated. “People are starting to realize that it [referring to the use of “bakla” as a pejorative term] is offensive, and that’s a good thing.” He says this is only possible because of greater education and awareness. Ben says more people need to learn that “Being gay isn’t wrong. It’s not a sin. It’s just who we are.”
Message to the LGBT community Most of them agree that the key to enjoying and excelling in law school is acceptance. Ben says you just need to be yourself. He quotes Sam Smith, who said in one of his interviews that it was only when he started becoming himself that people started to listen to him. Armand adds, “It really starts with being comfortable with yourself... once you get there, it gets better.” Kenjie also agrees, saying that having the opportunity to be a lawyer, it will be more meaningful if “you can advocate who you are.” Paolo shares “You’ll need to battle it out, whether they’ll accept you. Just accept yourself and do well.” Angelo agrees, saying “Do your work and do it
well. In law school, at least, labels won’t matter if you’re the best law student you can be.” Pau was quick to point out though that “You make sure that you do well for yourself and not because you’re LGBT or you [feel the need to] prove yourself.” In the end, Ben says, “It’s a personal journey.” Armand also wants to encourage LGBTs to “stand up for themselves.” He says that to be able to help, not only themselves, but others in the LGBT community, they have to stand up and correct people when they make insensitive remarks. He reflects that this is one of the ways he was able to correct the misconceptions of the people about LGBTs. Kenjie also thinks this will help them later on as a lawyer. “You [as a
lawyer] need to know when to stand firm. How will they respect you if you don’t respect [and stand up] for yourself ?” However, Ben and Paolo also cautions that this is not always the way to go. Ben quips that he also stood up to insensitive remarks, but that sometimes they would just laugh at you. Standing up is not always a guarantee that you will get respect. Paolo concurs, “You can come off as touchy. It still depends on the situation.” Spreading their legacy Paolo thinks his legacy is to leave a good impression and be a good example. He wants to encourage others in the LGBT community to think of being gay “not as something that will pull you down...
but something that will help you push through.” Armand says that the legacy he leaves to ALS is to show that an LGBT can lead the law school community, and do it well. “Yung hope and dream ko kasi is to see someone who is openly gay be elected in public office in the Philippines... I just want people to take us seriously.” Kenjie shares what he views as his legacy and contribution, both to the legal profession and the LGBT community in the country, is the LGBT Bar Association that they are currently establishing. They are in the process of registering it with the Securities and Exchange Commission. “Our vision is to encourage law students that you can be a lawyer and not hide... their concerns are usually
‘would I be able to get a job without compromising my identity?’ And by [organizing the LGBT Bar Association], we have an opportunity to give back. We are in a position to help and be the voice of other LGBT members. [We] might as well use that advantage to raise special awareness.” Despite their early stuggles in coping with the “machismo” mentality prevalent in the Law School, these members of the pink community have definitely risen above the labels and stereotypes that others try to box them into. Definitely, there is more to members of the ALS LGBT community than what meets the eye. It is by being different that they manage to create a difference. P
THE GAME CHANGERS The law is said to be dynamic — ever changing to meet the needs of society, and ever evolving to conform to emerging principles. This dynamism extends even to the people practicing law, as more and more lawyers strive to effect changes in how the profession develops. Gone are the days when the notion of lawyering is confined to the cubicles of law firms and the walls of courtrooms. As it is, the legal profession is undergoing a pivotal transformation. In this issue, The Palladium proudly features three inspiring lawyers from different fields and backgrounds, having different stories of success, but all providing fresh perspectives on what it takes to represent this ‘new breed’ of lawyering in this new age. PHOTOS BY MIKE GERALD C. DAVID
Lady Justice
JUSTICE MARIA FILOMENA D. SINGH
WORDS BY MARIEL CRISTINA B. SADANG
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HE PHILIPPINE judiciary, although arguably the most esteemed branch of the government and its members somewhat isolated from the public, has not been exempt from scrutiny and has had its own share of criticisms and controversies. Over the years, the reputation of the domestic judicial system has gone from bad to worse to worst. It has been tagged as grossly inefficient, corrupt, and biased. Surely, with the increasing volume of cases and consequent clogged dockets, endless delays in hearing and deciding cases, and the never-ending allegations of corruption, it is understandable that people have lost faith in the country’s justice system. Most would find it easy to criticize the kind of judicial system that we have, or worse, to just accept it as it is. Only a few will actually do something to improve it. Among those few who dared to take action and change the status quo is Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh of the Court of Appeals. Working in the judiciary was nowhere near the plans of Justice Singh back in her younger years in college. She took AB English, majoring in Imaginative Writing, at the University of the Philippines Diliman. With her award-winning play and short story, and a cum laude finish, she was set to be a writer. Life took her on a different route, however, when her best friend asked her to take the entrance test in the Ateneo Law School. She hurdled the examination and went on to graduate with second honors in 1991. After passing the bar exam in the same year, she began private practice as a litigator in two of the country’s distinguished firms: first in the then Castillo Laman Tan and Pantaleon Law Firm, then later, in Poblador Bautista & Reyes Law Offices. Major court overhaul Ten years into law practice, she lost faith in the system. In her words: “I got tired of it. There was nothing else to do that was new. Nothing was interesting to me anymore. Plus the fact that I didn’t want to be a lawyer anymore. With the APRIL 2015
kind of system that we have, ayoko na. I lost faith.” Her mentor and life-long friend in Castillo and PBR told her, “I’m disappointed in you. Puro ka naman reklamo, wala ka pa namang ginawa to change the system.” After her resignation, she says, “I kept on thinking about it. In a way he was right. Here I am, ever the complainer, pero wala naman akong ginagawa. So I asked myself, what can I do to change the system that’s so ingrained?” Thereafter, instead of going back to writing as initially planned, she decided to enter the judiciary. She thought, “Let’s do an experiment. If I can change one court, ako nag-co-control niyan if I’m the judge, and if I can change the attitude of all the staff, change the attitude of all the litigants in that court, maybe it’s not hopeless. It will take one court at a time, but then you can actually say that there’s hope.” With a positive mindset renewed in her and an exciting vision for the country’s justice system, she applied for the judiciary and was appointed as judge of the Metropolitan Trial Court (MeTC) of Quezon City in October 2002, and later moved on to become the youngest Executive Judge of that station. Unfortunately, she was off to a terrible start. She was assigned to what the then Executive Judge told her was the most corrupt court in her station. True enough, the branch clerk of court was AWOL; he was entrapped with the sheriff for faking cash bonds. The former judge did not bother to try and decide the cases and simply told the parties to settle their disputes instead. Justice Singh shares: “All the orders were uniform, in half bond paper, nakalagay, ‘By agreement of the parties, as they are exploring amicable settlement, pre-trial/trial is reset.’ Puro ganoon ang order nila. Nothing was happening in that court. There were 5,000 plus cases that I inherited.” Still, Justice Singh did not lose sight of her vision. Despite her staff being composed of the relatives and kababayans of the former judge – and naturally all against her – she managed to set an example for them. “The only way to convince them was to show them,”
she shares. She took pains doing all the tasks there are to do, however menial – from entering data in docket books, to filing notices and attaching them to the records, and of course to hearing and deciding cases. Eventually, her staff followed suit. With over 5,000 inherited cases and 200 new cases coming in every month, she had to exert every effort to reduce the docket. She went to work ahead of everybody else, stayed until the late hours, brought home some more work, and even worked during Saturdays and holidays. Everything paid off when the number of cases dwindled to 892. With such an exceptional, almost impossible, achievement, she was awarded the Don Antonio Madrigal Award as the Most Outstanding 1st Level Court Judge by the Society of Judicial Excellence of the Supreme Court in 2007. She humbly shared her award and the stage with her staff. She says, “I wanted them to feel that their work has been acknowledged also. Hindi lang ako ‘yan, kasi I couldn’t do that alone. I brought them with me to the awarding ceremony in the Supreme Court. We were there with the Chief Justice. When I received the award, they were with me. Sabi ko, ‘This is our accomplishment. This is what happens when we work together.’” Thereafter, she climbed a notch higher with her appointment as judge of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Quezon City and later became its Vice Executive Judge before she was appointed Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals (CA) in March of 2014. Transforming the entire system From 2009 to 2010, Justice Singh was selected to join the Hubert Humphrey Fellowship on Court Management and Judicial Education by the United States Department of State. As a fellow, she was placed at the American University, Washington College of Law, where she simultaneously took her Master of Laws studies. She worked for the judicial cluster of the World Bank for five months. In the same year, she became the very first Philippine Judicial Fellow at the Federal Judicial Center, which is the 23
training arm of the U.S. Supreme Court. In the course of her work, she made a tool kit designed for Philippine trial court judges, which the Philippine Judicial Academy (PHILJA) uses through her. Apart from being a trial court judge and now an appellate court magistrate, Justice Singh is an active member of the PHILJA and several committees of the Supreme Court. The very first committee that she worked for was for the Enhanced Pre-trial Project under the watch of Justice Presbitero Velasco, who was then the Court Administrator. She was also part of the Technical Working Group (TWG) under the supervision of then Chief Justice Reynato Puno. The TWG drafted the Rule of Procedure on Small Claims, its administrative guidelines, and forms. She goes on to say, “I’m very proud of Small Claims. Trailblazer ‘yan eh. For the very first time in the Philippines, we have a rule that allows one-day hearing and judgment. You go to court today and go home with a judgment.” Among all the projects which she helped pioneer, she considers the e-Courts Program as the one with the most potential and far-reaching effects, although it is still in its pilot stage. E-Courts is a component of the overall automation project for the judiciary, which is a cornerstone of Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes P. Aranal-Sereno’s reform agenda. Justice Singh says, “We can’t be left behind. Automation is the thing of this century. For the first time, we really automated an entire station, which is composed of 58 trial courts in Quezon City, including the Office of the Clerk of Court. Everything that comes in from the day that we started it is entered in the computer. We’re going towards paperless courts. We see the efficiency. With everything digitized, we ensure against theft and destruction of records. That to me is a major, major step forward in terms of efficiency, transparency and accountability. It really has been quite a success. We poured blood, sweat and tears into that project to convince the judges that they have to automate. Can you imagine convincing judges and 24
court personnel who are of a certain age already? Computer na tayo, hindi na tayo pwedeng papel. And there were all these records that we had to encode. We had to enter tons of data into the database. It was very tedious. Also, it’s more on the change of the attitude of the people – ‘That’s too much, I’m too old to learn that.’ Pero ngayon, they’re all so excited.” Another successful project and Justice Singh’s personal favorite is automated hearings. She explains, “It’s a wonder. Before I was promoted, I was the very first court na nagkaroon ng automated hearing. In court, I have a computer in front of me, my stenographer has a computer, my interpreter has a computer, my docket clerk has a computer. So when I’m dictating an order, my stenographer is typing it, encoding it, and then on my screen I can see what’s she’s typing, and I can edit it real-time. The interpreter at the same time is doing the minutes also in her own computer. For example, there are markings of documents or a witness is testifying, or may stipulations na, and by the end of the hearing for this case, we print the order. I sign it in open court. They receive and sign it right there and then. We eliminate having to send these things by mail. One of the biggest problems causing delay is the mailing system. If you’re a resident of QC and I sign the notice today, you’ll get it probably at the earliest two weeks later. But ‘yung return sa ’kin that you actually received it two weeks ago will get back to me probably in a month’s time or two month’s time. If I set my hearing next week, wala akong report. Hindi ko alam kung natanggap ba nila notice ko, and most likely hindi. By doing this automated hearing, wala na, the parties get the notice right there and then.” As of today, there are two other courts that are on what is now called the Automated Trial System (ATS). By the end of March, every court in QC should be automated already. All these reforms in the judiciary, though, do not stop in the judiciary. They should extend outwards to other sectors, so that they, too, may be part of the change. Justice Singh has been
recently busy hopping from one law firm to another and also meeting people from the business sector to share with them the positive changes implemented in the judicial system under the leadership of Chief Justice Sereno and to encourage them to be part of it. She is happy to see them excited about it and to know that they want to join in effecting change, too. Being a ripple of change Justice Singh truly embodies the ideal member of the judiciary. In fact, she far exceeds all expectations in her profession. Her career has been nothing but selfless service for the betterment of the judiciary. She is driven, passionate, determined, hopeful and truly deserving of emulation. She is one who thinks out of the box, takes action and makes things happen. When asked for her advice to law students, she says, “It’s okay to feel shocked. It’s okay to feel disappointed. It’s okay to be disheartened. It’s okay to be frustrated. It’s NOT okay if you stop feeling those things. If you stop being dismayed, if you stop feeling disappointed, if you stop feeling frustrated, it means the system has already eaten you up. Keep feeling disappointed, because that’s what will push you to change things.” Justice Singh says, “I really want to see a judiciary that enjoys the trust of the people. Kapag sinabi mo sa tao, magdemanda ka, ‘yung hindi sila tatawa. They will take it seriously. Gusto ko ‘yung mga tao, ma-renew yung trust sa judiciary, not just the ordinary citizens, but the nation as a whole also. That we have a judiciary you can count on, which would really stand up for and defend the Constitution. In times of crisis, alam mo that there will be this one branch of government that will be strong and will not be corrupted by anything.” Indeed, with all the judicial reforms she has helped achieve over the years and the many other things she has set her mind to do to improve our judicial system even more, she is undoubtedly the epitome of a modern day jurist. And for us, she has truly lived up to the Ateneo credo “Man for Others”. P APRIL 2015
“It’s okay to feel shocked. It’s okay to feel disappointed. It’s okay to be disheartened. It’s okay to be frustrated. It’s NOT okay if you stop feeling those things. If you stop being dismayed, if you stop feeling disappointed, if you stop feeling frustrated, it means the system has already eaten you up. Keep feeling disappointed, because that’s what will push you to change things.”
CHANGING THE SYSTEM. The reforms that Justice Singh instituted are finally getting recognized and are being replicated in other parts of the country.
Taking the Road Less Travelled ATTY. ROEL A. REFRAN
WORDS BY KATHLYN NADIA D. BALDONADO INTERVIEW BY KIRSTEN ERIKA CASAS
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OR MOST law students and lawyers, the end goal of hurdling four long years of law school is, naturally, to go into legal practice. “Traditional lawyering” meant securing a job in a law firm or government agency, making pleadings, going to court, and applying all the laws and doctrines you have learned in law school in advancing your arguments as you try to win your case in your favor. Indeed, this is the path that a typical legal practitioner would take, and end up during the entire course of his or her career. But what happens when suddenly, you realize that this “normal route” of lawyering is something you cannot imagine yourself to be doing for the rest of your life? While this thought might seem scary and daunting to some, Atty. Roel A. Refran, current Chief Operating Officer of the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), shows us that a “different route” is actually an exciting and fulfilling one. Getting involved in capital markets and securities regulations (or in any kind of non-legal field for that matter) came as a surprise to Atty. Roel even though he had already been exposed to numbers and business back in college, having graduated magna cum laude in accountancy at the University of the Philippines Diliman. Back then, he shares that he surely wanted to take up law. He attended Ateneo Law School from 1995 until 1999, wherein he graduated with honors and was given the Dean’s Award for Second Best Thesis. Traversing the normal path, Atty. Roel went to work in one of the most distinguished and biggest law firms in the country, Sycip Salazar Hernandez and Gatmaitan. In the twoRoxas-del years he was Castillo with Sycip, —Cynthia he was exposed to a lot of corporate legal work: from taxation, to banking, to corporate law. It was then that he began to question whether this line of work was something he wanted to pursue until his retirement. Unsure if being a law firm partner is something that he wants to devote his entire career to, he readily accepted the invitation of the thennewly elected Senator Ralph Recto to be his Chief of Staff. APRIL 2015
A whole new paradigm His career in the legislative branch was an altogether new experience. From making pleadings, formulating arguments, and analyzing the law, he was pushed to be a leader, having handled a team of around 30 people. “To be a leader is an altogether different ball game. That to me is my springboard for my future path that I wanted to forge for myself,” he says. He found his stint in the Senate enjoyable, as he helped shape policy as part of the Ways and Means Committee and he also got to network and meet people in Malacañang. But after four to five years, Atty. Roel began to ask himself again if this is something he would want to do for the rest of his life. “Okay I think, I’ve maxed out on the political networking,” he states, as he recalls this particular crossroad. As fate would have it, his former ALS professor Atty. Francis Lim, who was then the PSE’s President and Chief Executive Officer, contacted him to offer him a job as his General Counsel and Head of the Legal Office of the PSE. This new position required a tall order for Atty. Roel, as the former General Counsel was about 12 to 13 years older than him. But he accepted the position without reservations. “I was so much younger but age is not a precursor of how you will succeed. It’s not a predictor of success. If at all, age just gives you an advantage in experience if you’re older. It’s always about the substance over the quantity,” he advises. Atty. Roel’s zeal and passion for his work was more manifested when he shifted to the Issuer Regulations Division after about four years of being the PSE General Counsel. He considers this shift as a breakout role for him, as he would be transitioning to non-legal work. Though he was properly prepared for the intersection of different legal issues that finance is involved in, he also recognized that he still has a lot to discover about this path. It was then that Atty. Roel decided to go back to school in 2010. “Well, okay, I have a background in accountancy. I am both a CPA and a lawyer. But in order to do justice to my new position, I have to re-tune myself,” he shares.
Thirst for knowledge Atty. Roel secured a Fulbright scholarship for a Masters in Business Administration program at Emory University in Atlanta. He shares that what he acquires from the two-year program is critical, as he is pressed on fulfilling his Fulbright commitment of applying what he learned abroad in the Philippines. Atty. Roel was naturally hungry for knowledge, given that the last time he was in business school was back in 1995. Aside from his MBA program, he also cross-enrolled in the law school in Emory University and worked part-time in an alternative investment center that involved handling hedge fund private equities and venture capital. It has been almost three years since Atty. Roel finished his MBA and became the Chief Operating Officer of the PSE. He says that no day is the same and that he is always excited when he wakes up, knowing fully that he will encounter new challenges for the day. Although he is engaged in non-legal work, the discipline he got in law school and in legal practice immensely helps how he goes about his day-to-day encounters. “Real life is complex, very complex. And being a lawyer helps you navigate that complexity. You reduce it to simple terms. You take out what is relevant. Ako lagi, extracting evidence, eh. You take out the facts, what’s relevant, and then, what are the parameters, [and] make a decision based on those.” He also notes the advantages of the skills and learnings he derived from his previous positions. “[T]he skills I developed in private law firm practice as well as in politics are really must-haves if you are to thrive in an environment which is like the capital market or finance. It helps if you are a lawyer, for sure. You have a distinct advantage if you’re a lawyer.” As for his MBA learnings, Atty. Roel gives special emphasis on leadership. “[Leadership] teaches you a lot about yourself. Leadership is self-regulation. Knowing yourself. Self-awareness. How do you react to different stimuli? In stressful situations, how are you? How do you arrive at a consensus? That’s leadership.” He states that leadership 27
is important to lawyers as well and should also be highlighted in training law students. “[Y]ou look up ‘new breed of lawyers,’ the leadership element has to be emphasized, the toolkit depending on what you favor. In my case, I really like finance, capital markets, because it’s very dynamic. …. And that gives me excitement because you know [that] what you’re doing connects to different parts on what’s happening around you. … I want to be shaping… I want to be helping as a representative of Ateneo.” When asked what is his favorite thing about his job, Atty. Roel says that it is the learning that he derives out of it. He distinguishes experimental learning from academic learning. “It’s always the experience that sets you apart from the rest. It’s all about setting yourself apart. If you’re just one of the many, I’m not sure how you can charge your career but you have to make sure that you have that niche clearly defined.” He further notes that continuous learning should never stop. “The day you stop learning is the day probably your mind will degenerate. … That’s me, it’s always learning new things. That’s why I like it here. You learn a lot. When I talk to people, I don’t have to talk to the most sophisticated people. I just have to talk to our teammates. … When I teach in UP, I learn from my students. You always look at that learning opportunity.” This eagerness for learning even manifests in Atty. Roel’s plans when asked where does he sees himself 10 years from now. “I want to be in a place where I still continue to learn every day. For all we know, it could be in an academic setting. For all I know, it could still be doing like this one, regulatory. I want to be in a situation that challenges me every single day.” Atty. Roel also states that with regard to plans in the future, he is more inclined in looking for a calling in life rather than looking for a job. He notes that answering that is not easy. “[D]on’t look outwards, that’s the wrong place.
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Look inwards, and ask yourself. What is it that excites you? Only you can answer that.” Nuggets of wisdom Given his outlook and his past career experiences, it is obvious that Atty. Roel is not afraid to encounter a crossroad again. He bases this bravery on this nugget of wisdom, “[W]hen you’re faced with a decision, career decision, you
“I want to be in a place where I still continue to learn every day. For all we know, it could be in an academic setting. For all I know, it could still be doing like this one, regulatory. I want to be in a situation that challenges me every single day.” don’t ask yourself ‘what can they give to me?’ What can PSE give to me? That’s the wrong way. What can I give to PSE? What can I bring to the table? What value do I bring? That’s a good metric for me whenever I’m choosing careers. If you think you’re not going to be able to bring value, maybe you don’t waste your time. Maybe you look for something else. Bigay mo. Bigay mo lahat, diba. That’s how you make a difference. Leave the place in a better state than when you found it.” He also highlights that optimism is a driving force to strive better. “Optimism is not overconfidence, it’s not that. Optimism means you have a better sense of the future. My optimism draws from my previous successes in life. That’s why, may it be in the field of athletics/ bodybuilding, in work, in personal life, that’s my mindset (to) strive for
excellence, be an optimist.” He advises law students to take advantage of the learning opportunities that law school or business school provides, as this is the safest avenue to make mistakes. He believes in cherishing the struggle, as it is in struggle that learning takes place. “If you’re not struggling, you’re not learning. A particular struggle, a bit of struggle is healthy for you to learn. So in law school ganun, challenge yourself. Don’t just focus on the Bar. The Bar is very important, but look probably beyond that. Get the courses not because the teacher gives high grades. Get the courses where you will derive the most learning. And you’re not cheating yourself because you’re equipping yourself. That’s how it is.” He also notes the importance of getting mentoring opportunities, as mentors give fresh and logical perspectives when it comes to decisionmaking. He also emphasizes the need to focus on health and fitness. “[I]f you’re not healthy, I don’t know how you can perform well in life. Take care of yourself.” Last, he says that students should break the mold and look inside oneself, “Sabi nila lawyer dapat ganito itsura but no, no. I’d rather be asked if I’m a personal trainer. They ask me, are you one? I say no. Because I don’t fit the mold so okay yun. You break that mold. Sabi mo nga, you’re a new breed. You break that mold. But when you talk, there’s substance.” Truly, Atty. Roel shows us that deviating from the usual path of being a lawyer opens to a lot of doors that would lead to growth. Going out of the comfort zone sure is terrifying, but Atty. Roel demonstrates the fulfillment and wisdom that comes in taking the road less travelled. With his enthusiasm, zeal for learning and excellence, and optimism, greater things lie ahead of Atty. Roel, and that like everything else, he is sure to conquer it with success. P
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“Look inwards, and ask yourself. What is it that excites you? Only you can answer that.�
BULL RUN. Atty. Roel Refran maximizes the value of every learning opportunity that comes along his way.
Being in the public eye
Undersecretary Abigail D. Valte WORDS BY KIRA RANCES
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HAT DOES it take for a young lawyer to stand in front of the media, get scrutinized nationwide, and answer questions on the most pressing current events and representing the highest position in the land? Atty. Abigail Valte would know, as she has firsthand experience. Undersecretary Valte is an AB Philosophy graduate from De La Salle University. After graduating in 2002, she entered Ateneo Law School where she completed her Juris Doctor in 2007. She was admitted to the Bar the year after. She narrates that by fourth year high school, in a “career field trip sort of thing,” where she went to the law-oriented trip, she knew she wanted to be a lawyer. “There was no idealism, no big life experience, no role models,” she says, of how she came to her career decision on her own. Her first two years in the profession were spent as a Junior Associate for Litigation and Labor in Escudero Marasigan Vallente and E.H. Villareal (EMSAVILL). This was upon advice from older lawyer friends, who prodded her on doing litigation for a few years before moving on to another specialization, so she can learn the ropes of court procedure. Her stint in government was pure fate and circumstance, and that she had no plans to enter the field at first. In November 2009, a friend offered her a “career change,”,and she volunteered to help in the campaign of President Benigno Aquino III as part of his Media Bureau before becoming the unit head. The rest is history, and she says she has never looked back. She was appointed into her current position as Deputy Presidential Spokesperson on July 1, 2010. The face of the Palace As Deputy Presidential Spokesperson, Atty. Valte is the face of the Palace, dealing with reporters on a regular basis on behalf of the President. In the press room where she conducts interviews (including this one), she jokingly describes it as the place “where I normally suffer on a daily basis!” But despite such suffering
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(in jest or not), she commands the room and has taken charge of it since her appointment. She describes how press conferences before her were conducted with the spokesperson seated behind a table, while she prefers to stand behind a podium… and on a wooden platform behind it, as the podium is too tall! A normal day would require her knowing what happened the night before, and what is in the newspapers, especially when it is her day to brief the media. On the way to work, she listens to the radio and makes sure she hears what the people are saying. Then she calls people to provide data for her, as she admits, “I don’t always have the answers for everything. A lot of my work is like preparing for recitation. You know what’s going to be more or less discussed, you have to develop that sort of instinct that this issue is going to come out and we’ll talk about it today, so I need to study for this.” She then goes on before the media and answers questions, “like recitations, but there’s no professor to tell you to sit down!” Questions range from current events to the light questions, where one time, she shares, a reporter asked her the Palace’s official position on Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes’ divorce. After lunch, she waits for tweets online and articles to come out and takes note of any mistakes. Meetings are also common, as well as waiting for the President or a Cabinet member’s call. Being the Deputy Presidential Spokesperson, she says, entails being the
magnet for feelings. “Whether they like your President, they don’t like your President, you will know.” And because the President is less accessible than other government officials, she and Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda (Ateneo Law LL.B., 1989) receive all the feedback. Her position has also made her very careful, since people now tend to cast a watchful eye, describing her life now as a fishbowl. “But I can only imagine what the President’s life is like when it’s one giant fishbowl and he’s one goldfish!” “With firm work you have to be very specialized,” she says, describing the difference between private work and government work. “In government, we deal with stuff that is literally from your text book — you know — Admin [Administrative Law], Consti [Constitutionial Law], it’s all about the Constitution, at least [from] where I work in government. The horizon is wider when you think of law practice.” So far, she has no regrets in staying in government. She did not enter government thinking that she will have a set number of years that she had to put in. But since her position is co-terminous with the President’s, she says she looks forward to June 30, 2016, where she can recede back into anonymity and take a long vacation, then go back to practice. Law school as her training ground Her Atenean education has helped her in developing her personality for her position, especially the rigors of going
“I don’t always have the answers for everything. A lot of my work is like preparing for recitation. You know what’s going to be more or less discussed, you have to develop that sort of instinct that this issue is going to come out and we’ll talk about it today, so I need to study for this.” 31
through law school. She describes law students as a particular class of animals, “a unique species, because you deal with the stress on a daily basis, because you know if you don’t do well, you will fail.” Law school, she says, also taught her that just because you get good grades does not mean you will never fail. “A three-foot stack of cases is a great equalizer!” she exclaims. Law school builds character, she adds, and it takes character to stand up in front of a room and not really be sure of your answers, “but when you’re wrong and you get pahiya… you try again, in the next hour, in your next class.” The emotional preparation and “getting used to reading a lot, making sure you can think and talk while standing up”, and a lot of humility and adjustment, which law school has ingrained in her, has allowed her to excel in what she does. On a deeper level, law school has given a sense of duty, “not just to excel, but to find out what you can do for others. Because lawyering is not about money; it is about getting people to know what they have, and getting people to fight for it.” She believes that her generation of lawyers views lawyering not as the end, but as a means to something. More lawyers her age and younger now see lawyering as something more than firm work, as there are NGOs and other agencies. She acknowledges the opportunities they were given as lawyers, especially in terms of gender equality where in the past, women were not really looked upon as ideal lawyers, but now there are more women-lawyers. The profession has adapted to the times and its needs And fortunately so, as these are the times that we need lawyers like Atty. Valte who are dedicated, hard-working, and passionate about their work in government — where the public needs to see just that from their officials. So the next time we turn on our screens and catch Atty. Valte doing her press briefing, let’s not forget to learn what it takes to stand behind that podium. P
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"LAWYERING IS NOT ABOUT MONEY; IT IS ABOUT GETTING PEOPLE TO KNOW WHAT THEY HAVE, AND GETTING PEOPLE TO FIGHT FOR IT.” APRIL 2015
IN THE SPOTLIGHT. Whether standing behind the podium or being in the hot seat, Undersecretary Valte is always prepared to respond to the toughest questions thrown at her.
ASEAN Integration: Are we ready?
WORDS BY VANESSA JOYCE C. BANTA
THE UPCOMING ASEAN Integration has been making the rounds in the news recently. Some articles question the country’s preparedness for it, while others sound more hopeful of the positive effects it may have in our country. But for those who have been out of the loop, here are some facts regarding the Integration. The Basics: What is the ASEAN Integration?The ASEAN Integration aims to bring together the ten States (Brunei Darussalam, the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Republic of Indonesia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, the Union of Myanmar, the Republic of the Philippines, the Republic of Singapore, the Kingdom of Thailand and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam) to introduce to the world a united region with a single market for labor, capital, services, and goods. The ASEAN has been taking steps and intensifying efforts to achieve this single market by the end
of the year 2015. What is the Asean Economic Community (AEC)? This is the objective of the Integration. The AEC envisions the following characteristics for the region: 1. a single market and production base 2. a highly competitive economic region 3. a region of equitable economic development 4. a region fully integrated into the global economy. In order to achieve having the AEC, the ASEAN Economic Blue Print was adopted in 2007 by the respective ASEAN leaders. It shall serve as a guide for the countries for the establishment of the AEC. Originally, the target date for the full integration was the year 2020. But the blue print advanced it to the year 2015.
It can be expected that as barriers to trade lessen, competition will flourish. As such, it will be easier to trade within the region as streamlined procedures for trade and customs documentation are to be introduced. At the same time, the aggressive competition may bring about more innovation and choices for the people. How does this affect us, legal professionals? The Integration does not only focus on goods but also on labor, capital, and services. As law students, our mobility within the region will be improved, and this gives us more opportunities to explore and learn. The academic calendar of the Ateneo de Manila University is now more in line with international standards, and it has been mentioned that the school is working hard to establish partnerships with schools from other countries, such as Kyushu University (Japan). With the
Integration, ASEAN partnerships are likely to be considered by the school administration. As for legal professionals, the ASEAN Integration shall present them with different prospects of practicing the legal profession. Atty. Danilo Concepcion of the University of the Philippine College of Law wrote in his article, ASEAN Law and the ASEAN Law Student, that “a lawyer’s practice may include transactions involving different member States having different legal frameworks” without necessarily passing the Bar of our neighboring countries. It is inevitable that as the region’s borders are blurred, the demand for legal services shall also increase since lawyers are the ones who tediously check contracts and agreements between parties. Cross-border practice is an emerging option for lawyers within the ASEAN Economic Community, but it will also require an understanding of the laws of neighboring countries, as well as other agreements in line with the Integration. But more than the laws, to fully connect with people of different nationalities, legal professionals must be open to learning about their culture of other member States, as they should be to ours.
Congress or the Supreme Court, by rule or decision, determine whether, to what extent, and under what terms foreign (ASEAN) lawyers can engage in the practice of the legal profession in the Philippines.” And to his own question, Justice Brion answered, “It only remains for us to determine, how, when and to what extent we shall open up the practice of the legal profession to foreign participation.” Even further, it may be asked, are our present (and future) lawyers up to par with their peers in the ASEAN region? Time will tell. The 2015 ASEAN Integration is only the beginning and we can continually improve ourselves and work towards being competitive.
ment? Atty. Oscar Franklin Tan wrote that law students are not ready for the ASEAN Integration. In his words, “They are hamstrung, however, by a Bar-oriented law school curriculum that is decades behind 2015.” Students are trained to study “Bar subjects” so they can pass the said test when what they should be learning, as Justice Brion puts it, is how to function as competent and responsible lawyers, not merely to qualify as lawyers under the Bar examinations. It has been suggested that radical changes be done to the law curriculum of the country. This may well be our first step toward improving ourselves and the legal profession as a whole. It is what we need to be more competitive in light of the current reality that is the ASEAN Integration. P
But where do we begin this improve-
On the other hand, another issue that arises is whether the constitutional limitation on the legal profession—which allows only Filipino citizens to practice law—should be changed. Last year, Supreme Court Justice Arturo Brion, posed this question as he was addressing the officers and members of theww Philippine Association of Law Schools: “May the ONE ASEAN. With the formation of the ASEAN Economic Community this 2015, expect a more vibrant regional trade and economic mechanism.
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