Directions to Valenzuela RTC

I was to attend a hearing in Valenzuela RTC.
The day before, I asked around for directions.

Atty Jun: Alam mo yung dulo ng EDSA?
Siela: Yung SM North?
Atty Jun: Hindi... magleleft ka pa.
Siela: Ah... yung papuntang NLEX...
Atty Jun: Hmmm... mejo... Alam mo yung munumento?
Siela: ah OO!
Atty Jun: Yung dulo ng EDSA, munumento yun. Tas mag left ka sa McArthur Highway. Derecho ka lang until SM Valenzuela. Before SM may maliit na street. Dun yung RTC.
Siela: ah ok. Cge, alam ko na.
Atty Jun: Dun ka nalang sa SM mag-park kasi onti lang ang parking sa RTC.
Siela: ok. Sige, I know na. Thanks po. (left his office)

Yun lang. Wala akong kotse.Pano kaya yun pag-commute?

Siela: Hi mario, pano mag-commute papuntang SM Valenzuela?
Mario: Sakay ka ng any bus na papuntang Malinta, baba ka sa royal mall, then jeep papuntang McArthur Highway.

Patay. I had no idea what he's talking about.

I ended up taking the LRT til munumento and then I took a cab.

First Appearance

How many young lawyers can say that their first appearance in court was before the Highest Tribunal in the land? Not many. I feel lucky to be one of them.

Of course my participation was negligible. I was one out of the twenty lawyers (more or less) that appeared for the State. I did not even speak. But despite the fact that my contribution was limited to helping the team carry voluminous files, I was ecstatic. I was in awe just to be there. I was fascinated by everything; the walls, the ceilings, the benches and the fact that those who sat in front had to wear togas. I tried to observe all the justices, the opposing counsels and all the other people watching. I was able to spot important government officials in the audience too. Honestly, I felt more like a kid out on a fieldtrip.

Anyway, the order of the Supreme Court stated the appearances made, what transpired during that session and required all the parties to file their respective manifestations. When a copy of that order arrived in my desk, I automatically highlighted my name, for I don’t know when a thing like this will happen again.

Finally, a Legal Career

Within only 10 weeks, the Sales Associate of Payless Shoe Source became an Associate Solicitor in the Office of the Solicitor General of the Republic of the Philippines. From working the cash register, I was now drafting pleadings. From selling shoes, I was now attending hearings.

It wasn’t easy. In my first week of work, I had a lot of practical realizations:

· For the first few days in the office, my secretary is my boss. She told me what to do.
· If you wanted to be treated as a lawyer, dress like one.
· A lawyer must have at least 1 black corporate suit.
· Office slippers are a necessity.
· Announcements are best posted in the elevator.
· One must ride the elevator once in a while so as not to miss out on anything.
· You can buy everything in the office: lunch, snacks, fruits, coffee, underwear.

Signing of the Roll

I almost forgot that I was supposed to sign the Attorney's Roll on May 2.
I woke up really late so I was super in a hurry.

I got up, put on a dress and left the house.
Nag-commute pa nga ko eh.
Well, saka nag-make up din pala ng onti.

Basta, the point is, I didn't make a bid deal out of it. Parang errand lang for me.

Pag dating ko dun, and daming tao!
May mga nag-pipicturan, at may pamilyang mga kasama.
Wala pang 2 minutes ako naka-pila, I already felt lonely.

And because I was late, last ako sa line.
nasa labas na nga ko ng gate ng bagong SC bldg eh.
Buti nalang nakita ko si Caloy. Pinasingit ako.

Oh. And may dala rin syang camera.
Di ko naisip yun eh.
Malay ko ba na "event" to.
Anyway, since wala rin sya kasama, we agreed na I'll take his picture, and he'll take mine.

Unlike the oath taking, mejo maluwag sila this time.
Pwede magdala ng cellphone, camera pati pamilya sa loob.
Sayang nga eh, dami sanang photo-op.
Sabi pa ng katabi ko, sana sa signing nalang nya sinama yung family nya instead na sa oath.
I totally agree.
Dito kasi, kahit lima yung isama mo, ok lang.

Anyway, I got my Roll No.
Its 55554
Sayang nga eh. di pa lahat 5.

Signing

Thumbmarking

Showing Off (hihi)

Oath Taking

2 pm ang schedule ng oath.

But we have to be there 2 hours before daw for registration.

Ano to airport?

But anyways, i was there at 12:30.

Sobrang init! Tas kelangan pumila ang guests sa arawan.

Buti nalang yung mommy ko may dalang payong.

Girl Scout talaga sya.

So we were waiting there outside.

Mejo nasigawan pa nga kami ng usher.

2pm na daw, so kelangan na pumasok.

Tama na ang picture.

Anyway, mabilis lang sya natapos.

May mga speeches tas singing of Supreme Court Hymn.

Yes. Meron pala nun. Ngayon ko lang nalaman.

Ang importante dun eh accepted na kami to be members of the Philippine Bar.

Nung tinanong nga if there's any objections, natahimik lahat eh.

Pero buti naman, wala na nag-object. Mejo lang ah.

Anyway, the order accepting us, is immediately executory.

Meaning. Wala nang bawian. Woohoo!

Around 3 or 4 tapos na yung ceremony.

Ang matagal is yung paghahanap ng parents.

Pinaiwan kasi yung cellphones and camera.

Pero grabe ha.

I was wearing high-heals and more than 4 hours na ko nakatayo.

Intense ang sakit ng paa ko.

Whenever I sit down, I get this nangimay feeling in my feet. Yung prickly feeling habang bumabalik ang dugo sa toes ko.

Tas kelangan ko pa maglakad ng 2 blocks papuntang Harbor Square kasi coding kami.

Iniisip ko palang, naiiyak na ko.

Pramis, onti nalang, my feet will bleed.

Buti nalang, my mom has driving sandals.

di na nga ko umabot hanggang car namin, pinakuha ko nalang kay daddy.

syempre, di masyadong bagay sa cute dress ko, pero I DON'T CARE.

Anyway, napagsabihan tuloy ako ni daddy about wearing those kind of shoes.

It's unsafe daw.

Hmmm... I never saw it that way.

Parang hinalintulad nya ang pagsuot ng high heels sa pagsakay sa motorsiklong walang helmet.

Pero may point sya.

Dahil paglabas ko ng PICC, gusto ko nang maghanap ng wheelchair.

Unsafe talaga sya.

Bittersweet Victory

2007 Bar results came out yesterday.

556. GADRINAB, Fermin Nestor A.

557. GADUANG-ROJALES, Anita A.

558. GALA, Ana Siela M.

559. GALAURAN, John Michael S.

560. GALAY, Lani S.

(see complete list)

And this was from the Inquirer

Whoa. I made it.