Liceo de Masbate School of Law

“𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐰 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫”

Scales in one hand, a smile in tow,
Sharp in mind, yet easy in flow.
Wit in words, truth in view,
Justice feels lighter because of you. 🫡

𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐘 𝐁𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐇𝐃𝐀𝐘, 𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐘. 𝐊𝐀𝐑𝐋𝐎 𝐂𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐎. 🎂⚖️

Congratulations, achievers! 🏅

Thank you, SSC!🫶

✨𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐫𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧✨

Adding color and vibrance to the Liceo de Masbate School of Law’s float were its muse and es**rt, 𝐌𝐒. 𝐒𝐀𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐇𝐀 𝐉𝐀𝐍𝐄 𝐁. 𝐆𝐎𝐍𝐙𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐒 of JD 2B and 𝐌𝐑. 𝐑𝐀𝐌𝐎𝐍 𝐒. 𝐑𝐀𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐒 𝐉𝐑. of JD 2C. More than their elegance and presence, they embodied the values of humility, hard work, and discipline, truly reflecting the character of a legal antigo.

🫶

𝐁𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬 𝐋𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐨 𝐋𝐚𝐰 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐨 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞. 🤠 ⚖️📖

Amid the vibrant colors, festive music, and spirited energy of today’s Grand Rodeo Parade, the Liceo de Masbate School of Law stood out, not merely as an academic institution, but as a community of future legal professionals committed to service beyond the classroom.

Leading the delegation was 𝐌𝐑. 𝐀𝐋𝐕𝐈𝐍 𝐍𝐀𝐃𝐔𝐑𝐀, SSC President, whose leadership set the tone for the council’s active participation. Alongside him was 𝐌𝐒. 𝐀𝐁𝐄𝐆𝐀𝐄𝐋 𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐁𝐎𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐎 𝐃𝐄 𝐉𝐔𝐌𝐎, SSC Vice President, whose dedication and coordination helped bring the entire initiative to life. Their leadership was complemented by the collective efforts of the SSC officers, demonstrating unity and shared purpose.

Also present during the event were 𝐌𝐒. 𝐑𝐎𝐒𝐀𝐋𝐘𝐍 𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐆𝐀𝐃𝐎-𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐈𝐍, SSC Secretary General, and 𝐌𝐒. 𝐏𝐀𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐄 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐀𝐃𝐎, SSC Communications Officer, both of whom played vital roles in ensuring that the School of Law’s presence was both organized and impactful. Their participation reflected not only duty, but genuine enthusiasm for representing their institution in a significant cultural event.

The involvement of the School of Law was further strengthened by the unwavering support of 𝐑𝐄𝐕. 𝐅𝐑. 𝐉𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐎𝐔𝐒 𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐒𝐀𝐋𝐀𝐘, School President, and 𝐑𝐄𝐕. 𝐅𝐑. 𝐈𝐀𝐍 𝐋𝐋𝐎𝐘𝐃 𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐙𝐎𝐁𝐀𝐋, Vice President for Finance and Administration, and 𝐇𝐎𝐍. 𝐑𝐄𝐓. 𝐉𝐔𝐃𝐆𝐄 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐀. 𝐁𝐈𝐄𝐍, Assistant Dean of the School of Law. Their encouragement underscores the institution’s belief that legal education must be grounded not only in theory, but also in meaningful engagement with the community.

More than just a parade, the event became a platform for the students to embody the true essence of legal education. It was a reminder that the law is not confined within the pages of books or the walls of classrooms, it lives and breathes within the community it serves.

Through their participation, the Liceo de Masbate School of Law sent a clear message, that the pursuit of law is not only a matter of intellect, but also of heart, service, and social responsibility.

#𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐨𝐬! 💙
#𝐑𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐨𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐧̃𝐨 🫶

📖 𝐌𝐄𝐋𝐎𝐃𝐘 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐈𝐃𝐒𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐍𝐎𝐈𝐒𝐄 🎶
(𝐼𝑛 𝑐𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑏𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑊𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛’𝑠 𝑀𝑜𝑛𝑡ℎ)

In a world filled with chaos, where voices are often drowned by noise and injustice lingers in silence, have you ever wondered if something gentle could still rise above it all? Would you believe that even in the loudest disorder, there can be music? A melody that does not compete with the noise, but instead shapes it, softens it, and gives it meaning. Much like life, where struggles become part of a rhythm that leads to something greater.

Her name is 𝐌𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐝𝐲.

𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐲. 𝐌𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐀𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐧 𝐕𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐬, 43, from Paraiso, Milagros, Masbate, carries a story that unfolds like a carefully composed piece. Each part of her life, from childhood to profession, reflects a steady progression shaped by discipline, responsibility, and purpose.

Her story begins with loss. At eleven years old, while she was in Grade 6, her father passed away. From that moment, her mother became the central force in their lives. A dressmaker and a farmer, she managed their rice land while raising Melody and her brother. Through her hard work, she sustained their daily needs and supported their education. It was from her that Melody first learned what it meant to endure.

In their home, discipline was a way of life. Daily routines were followed with consistency, from waking up early to doing household chores and studying before rest. Even before entering Grade 1, Melody was already taught how to read. Books were introduced early, forming a strong foundation for her learning.

Beyond her immediate family, she was surrounded by relatives who valued hard work. Her grandparents, aunts, and uncles all contributed to an environment where effort was expected and practiced. Her mother taught her to be thrifty, while her aunt showed her how to earn. At a young age, she rode horses and carabaos, worked in rice fields, and tended cattle. During high school vacations, she worked as a store helper. These experiences instilled in her a deep appreciation for labor and responsibility.

Her early education also played a significant role in shaping her path. Elementary teachers recognized her abilities and encouraged her to join competitions. In high school, her environment strengthened her focus and gradually led her to form bigger aspirations.

During this time, a simple question was asked about her future. She answered that she wanted to become a teacher or a lawyer. Although she did not fully understand the path of law then, the thought remained.

She pursued teaching first.

As a secondary school teacher, she worked with Plan International in advancing the rights of children and women. She also trained teachers on child protection. Through this work, she encountered real situations that required not only compassion but also legal understanding. At the same time, she continued to grow professionally and eventually completed her Doctoral degree.

Her decision to enter law school came from both personal realization and professional necessity. At first, she sought the degree. But as cases of abused learners increased, she understood that she could not fully protect them without being a lawyer. The complexity of her position in the education sector also required deeper knowledge. These factors brought her into law school with a clearer sense of purpose.

Her journey through law school demanded structure and sacrifice. She developed a strict routine. She woke up at three in the morning to study, prepared her children for the day, prayed, and continued reading. She reported to work by 7:45 in the morning and used her available time to study. At night, she focused on memorization. Even while doing household chores, she listened to recorded lectures.

For four years, she lived on an average of four hours of sleep. Social life became limited, and her focus remained on her studies and responsibilities. Her classmates became her support system, and her days were consistently filled with preparation.

She was also a solo parent, having been separated from her husband since 2007. She chose not to disclose the reason out of respect. This circumstance allowed her to dedicate more time to her studies. She also considered herself fortunate to have disciplined and independent children, as well as supportive colleagues at work who helped manage responsibilities.

Despite her preparation, law school remained challenging. At the beginning, she questioned her decision and felt overwhelmed. Yet she never considered giving up. Her early experiences had already trained her to face difficulty with resilience.

Over time, she adapted. She studied in advance, practiced answering questions, and improved steadily. As the years progressed, she observed how the number of students decreased. By her fourth year, doubts about taking the Bar began to surface.

A defining moment came after a difficult examination. A strict professor called each student individually. Many received failing marks. When it was her turn, she was told that she was the only one ready to take the Bar. Her grade was 78. While not high, it affirmed her readiness and encouraged her to prepare further. From then on, she practiced answering bar-type questions daily.

Before filing her Petition to take the Bar, she ensured that she was prepared financially and personally, including arrangements for her children. When the pandemic came, she continued her preparation. She completed her annotated books and focused on memorizing codal provisions.

When the Bar examinations were scheduled for 2021, the process had significantly changed. Reviews were conducted online, and several laws and procedures had been revised.

Just days before her scheduled travel in December 2021, her rented apartment in Masbate City was burned down. All her belongings, including books and review materials, were lost.

She experienced deep distress, but after a day, she began to rebuild. For her daughters, she found a new place to stay. With the help of colleagues from the Department of Education, she received support and was able to secure basic needs. Her classmates lent her review materials, allowing her to continue preparing.

During the Bar examinations, further challenges arose. There were revisions in the syllabus and an increased volume of materials to study. The time between examinations was limited, leaving little opportunity for rest.

What sustained her was the routine she had developed. She studied throughout the day, practiced answering questions repeatedly, and maintained short daily exercises. With her bar partner, they divided topics and shared discussions in the afternoon. At night, she focused on memorizing codal provisions.

Throughout this period, she relied on her faith.

When the results were released, she was inside a cathedral, quietly looking at the altar when she was informed that she passed. She did not immediately react. It was later, when she returned to the office and was embraced by her Chief, that she felt the weight of her journey and began to cry.

Afterward, life returned to its normal course.

As a lawyer, she finds meaning in helping others address their legal concerns. In the Department of Education, she provides free legal advice to fellow employees, which has been a significant support for them. She also contributes to policy development within her office.

As a law school teacher, she views her role as a way of giving back. She made a commitment that if she became a lawyer, she would teach. She now works to guide her students and prepare them for the Bar, aiming to become the teacher she once needed.

As a mother, she considers her greatest achievement to be her children. She has raised them to be compassionate, respectful, and understanding individuals. She continues to support them and believes in the value of her prayers for their future.

For her, what others describe as struggles were simply parts of a full and purposeful life. She focused on preparation, discipline, and belief in her abilities. Time management, routine, and prioritization remain her guiding principles.

Her advice is grounded and practical. Make calculated risks. If circumstances change, adjust accordingly. Continue even when faced with difficulty. Hold on, remain steady, and pray.

Begin with the end in mind.

Her story does not rely on loud declarations. It moves with quiet consistency, like a melody that endures.

In the midst of chaos, of unheard voices, and of injustice, there remains a sound that rises with clarity and purpose. Not to overpower, but to guide.

And in that steady rhythm, her life becomes a reminder that even the most difficult moments can be woven into something meaningful.

A 𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐝𝐲 that continues, shaping not only her own path, but also the lives of those who listen and follow…