Congratulations to the new lawyers

April 3, 2009 was just another busy day at the office. I was working hard on the petition for review we had to file before the Department of Justice. It was a new case where our client was a 77 year old woman who was sued for 39 counts of Estafa, collectively she has to post a cash bond in the amount of Php780,000 to satisfy her bail. She was hospitalized the minute she found out she has a standing warrant of arrest. I took it upon my self to ease her worries and solve her problem, not just because that what I do in a law office. That is basically the call of the profession I have come to love as a spouse since I was a child.

I finished the petition about 11 am and right about that time Atty came telling me that the Bar results will be released in a few hours. I was confident with the results, for my friends - batchmates from DLSU LM Block 2004. As for Arellano, although I hoped for the best, I had a bad prediction I tried to shove away. And for my brothers and sisters in the fraternity, I kept mum. Jojo, my officemate, interrupted my thoughts while he commented on how I can prepare exemplary pleadings in real practice for other people yet I can’t do the same in real life.

At about 7:30p.m., we finished our Petition for Review. We had to prepare 10 copies, imagine the annexes alone, the fastener came close to its hold limit. We left our office towing along bulks of paper on our hands to be sent by registered mail. For life, liberty and property. That client owe us big time, the rigors in preparation of pleadings does not amount to any actual compensation. 

A few minutes past 8:00p.m., I was sure the results are already out, many tears have been shed and both misery and rejoices are just around the metro, but I heard none of them. I was at Manila Bay, eating my heart out over a scrumptous meal treat of Atty for a job well done. It was supposed to be a great day until I had my unexpected monthly period and an ulcer attack to make it worse.

When I got home, I dozed off to sleep earlier than expected. I remember dreaming again of the case and petition we attended to that day. My parents heard me talking in my sleep again mumbling seemingly talking with Atty and a client. 

I woke up past 1a.m. and saw my mobile inbox with a message that my good friend Ashley Lene Tan passed the bar exams. Finally, good news. Which brings me here at Burger King, my shoti tagged me along to enjoy free wi-fi access in this 24-hour fast food chain while he study for his board exams. He’s having coffee beside me right about now. I just checked the results and I felt greater than ever for all my dear friends who made it in the 2008 bar exams, congratulations!

Atty. Ashley Lene Tan

Atty. Jacqueline Ann Alegre

Atty. Catherine Bringas

Atty. Paula Estrella

Atty. Eric Dykimching

Atty. Dyan Catapang

I sent my greetings Atty. Ashley a text message early this morning and she replied with her thanks at susunod ako naman ang icongrats nya. And that message left me speechless. She is not aware of my present dilemma and the same holds true with the many people dear to me. May she be the angel sent by God with a message of good things that will unfold soon. I closed my eyes in a prayer of faith and hope and plea that I will soon embrace the same fate and title my good friends are now holding.