A very much need update - abogado na po tayo

Hello, blog! It's been a while. No, really. My last post here was on December 2022!?!?

Okay, let me recap what happened since???

I finished law school last August 2024. Not necessarily with flying colors. But just enough to pass. Akalain niyo yun mga mare, natapos natin ang tinatawag na law school? I was reading my very old blog posts here (around 2008-2010), and ang tanging pinoproblema ko lang noon eh kung magshshift ba ako from Information Design to ECE. Tandang-tanda ko pa noon, grabe yung iyak ko when I called my Mom just to tell her na hindi pala ako happy sa course ko noon. And now, andami ko nang napagdaanan. Hindi rin naman pala ako magiging happy sa nilipatan kong kurso. Nang mag-ECE na ako, eh tuluyan naman akong nahulog sa mundo ng teatro. May pa-panata pa ako noon na magigi akong theater actor pag-graduate habang nagkakakanda-bagsak-bagsak ako sa ECE subjects ko. Nang mag-graduate naman ako, eh hindi rin naman pala ako magteteatro for good. Napadpad ako sa una kong trabaho with my ECE blockmates na patungkol sa mga patents. At doon na nga napadpad ako interes ko na baka pwede naman pala ako mag-abogado. Fast forward to "maemmm lawyer na me!?" hahaha!

Ayun na nga, nakapagtapos na sa pag-aaral. Tinahak naman agad after graduation ang bar review season. Isang taong hindi ko inimagine na kaya ko naman palang gawin. Sa buong bar review season, lagi lang talagang tumatakbo sa isip ko na hindi ko naman talaga binibigay lahat. Lagi mindset ko na "okay lang di pumasa". Isang malaking blessing (at luck na rin) na lang talaga na PUMASA AKO? Lagi't lagi ko yang sinasabi sa sarili ko (at sa iba na rin). Na "hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na pumasa ako". (Sa mga susunod na blog entry ko na ikkwento yung week ng bar results kasi medyo nakakaloka yun.)

Fast forward to today, nakaka ilang buwan na rin ako as Associate Lawyer sa law firm na matagal ko nang pinagtatrabahuhan as paralegal. Minsan masaya, minsan hindi ko alam kung masaya ba talaga ako. Kaya minsan, tinitingnan ko kung may mga pwede bang paglipatan. Mukhang nahihirapan yata ako maghanap ng ibang trabaho na mas mataas ang sweldo. Pwede ko naman piliting lumipat. Pero it's either mababang sweldo with chill life, or mas mataas na sweldo pero ngarag life. Parang sa ngayon, leaning towards chill life na lang muna siguro ako. Hindi ko kayang maging mas ambitious these days. Parang nakakatamad lang talaga.

Sa ngayon, hindi ko lubusang maisip na isa na akong ganap na abogado. Kasi naman, hindi ako yung tipong pumupunta sa korte para mag-hearing. So yun na nga yung chill life haha.

So far, yun yung pinaka bonggang update ko since December 2022. Grabe, ang tagal noon ah. Hindi ko namalayan.

Quick updates lang for today: Midterm elections ngayon. Kaya naghihintay tayo ng resulta na I will not be surprised puro mga walang kwenta na naman ang mananalo. In 4 days, lilipad kami ni bb to Singapore para manood ng Lady Gaga concert (okay this deserves a separate post, kasi first time ko makikita sa Mama Monster HAHA) Kaya naman for the past 2 months, puro Mayhem lang ang pinapakinggan ko!!!

Okay, I guess ito muna. Pa-isang picture lang. Here are proof I voted today:

Kuha ito sa tapat ng Miriam College, sa may SM Savemore sa Katipunan

Pila bandang 7:15am sa loob ng Miriam College

Isang semi-awkward selfie habang naghihintay ng MoveIt pabalik ng condo

Christmas meet ups!

Yesterday was fully booked! Met with my close law school friends.

First, went to BGC from McKinley (cos I had overnight at Mark's). Then had lunch at Wildflour with Japot. Stayed there until around 1pm? Then transferred to Mary Grace at Uptown Mall for some cakes and hot chocolate drink. We gave our exchange gifts.

Angela gave us a finals care package! Julie gave us some sort of freshener that you have to hang. Pedro gave us like a key chain which he bought from Thailand I think (Labrador). Dessa gave us a glass set of various straws. I gave them a coffee I bought the night before in the Japanese-inspired mall here in BGC.

Then we went to Maginhawa to meet Benjie. Angela also joined us. Had white wine at Talisay. Benjie gave me the chocolates I asked him to buy in Belgium. Belgian truffles!

Then went home. I thought I was gonna be sick :(((

Parents arrived in Manila at midnight. Gonna meet the family later!

Just another update

Wow! 16 months since my last blog. I don't really know what to talk about. A lot has happened. A lot has changed. I don't know if currently, I am happy or satisfied or just existing.

I'm on my way to my 4th year in law school, but still waiting for my grades in previous semesters. Hopefully, I pass them all. Recently, I took a completion exam for a subject which we took in the first semester (half a year ago). Our prof gave me an INC grade, so I had to take another exam to pass the subject.

Also, I finally left Katipunan for good. I've been staying in a new condo somewhere in QC which is nearer BGC. We actually bought this (my mom and me paying haha). So I guess this is now my place for good.

A lot has also happened with my personal relationship with friends. A close friend, P, is now not a close friend anymore.

To be honest, I don't know what to talk about pa. My worry now is I have a lot of expenses which I think I cannot pay. The entire night, I've been searching for some part time jobs, pero walang OK. I applied a couple of days ago for a Research Assistant position for a previous prof; I hope I got accepted. She teaches IP, so this is really in line with my speciality, kebs na kung di namin siya nagustuhan during our sem.

2 nights ago, the Triple Threat had dinner at Toyo Eatery!!! Sobrang mahal pero sobrang sarap and worth it. The tasting menu PhP 3,900. Pero shucks, what an experience.

Vivid Dream!

 Sharing my dream this morning!

Pumunta kami sa isang bookstore ni Jake, pero pagpasok namin naging si Mark and Jerome na kasama ko. Tapos parang nagi siyang Uniqlo ata. Then Mark pointed out yung malaking mirror, tapos tinuro nya yung bag ko na nakalagay in front of the mirror. He was pointing out na lahat daw ng mga nagsasalamin doon, yung dandruff nila nalalaglag sa bag ko.

 

Cut to kumain kami sa isang restaurant now with Mark and Timmy and others I don’t know. Then, si Timmy may kinuha na parang yung maliit na lalagyan ng menu na stand sa table. Apparently, nilagay niya sa bag ko. Tapos nung nag babayad na ata sa counter, nagtanong yung sa counter na babae na apparently may-ari ata ng resto, kung nasaan na daw yung menu stand. We said na wala naman samin.

 

Then we went to another dessert place sa isang mall siguro. Then sabi ko, punta lang ako sa mga cellphone place to check out mga cellphones. Then nung nagtitingin-tingin na ako, may tinuro akong phone, tapos tinapon lang nung guy sa floor, di inabot sakin. Nung pinulot ko, kaya naman pala, nakalagay sya sa isang case na sobrang strong, kakaiba itsura nya parang bones na nakabalot sa phone pero metal, so impossible na masira. Pinapakita lang pala nung guy na good quality yung case kaya nya hinulog! I was checking it out pero binalik ko na lang kay kuya. Apparently, habang nandun ako sa cellphone place, madami pala akong nilabas sa bag ko, na pa rang may hinahanap… (this is important later)

 

Cut to bumalik ako sa dessert place. May kasama pala kami na isa pang lalaki na pogi ata (im sure artista to but I cant remember) and may boyfriend din sya. Medyo nilalandi niya si Mark, tapos kina-caress ganun, kahit naka upo si Mark between my legs (kasi apparently parang nasa floor kami na may carpet na pala). Then sa isip ko, edi go lang bahala siya, pero naisip ko baka nadidiscomfort na si Mark, so I ask him, “ok lang bang nilalandi ka (niya)?” sabi nya naman “oo”. So itong poging lalaki kinikiss si Mark, tapos more caressing… then the pogi guy started also kissing me. Tapos uhm, kaming tatlo naghahalikan na. Tapos dumating na yung boyfriend nung pogi, tapos ewan natigil na lang bigla.

 

Biglang yung dessert place is apparently in California pala. Nasa dessert place na kami na hiwalay (hindi na sa isang mall). Tapos (here’s the climax) biglang dumating yung babaeng may-ari nung unang resto na pinuntahan namin (plus isa pang babaeng may-ari din ata na parang kapatid nya na mas mabait). Plot twist: pinakita niya sa akin yung menu stand na “ninakaw ko” daw and she was confronting me. Nadismaya ako and kept on saying that it was not meee. Di sila naniniwala. Naghihintay sila and they were not leaving (parang gusto ako ipakulong).

 

Bumulong ako doon sa mabait na kapatid, I said “can I talk to you please. I wanna explain. Privately.” Ayoko ikwento yung buong nangyari, kasi ayoko malaman ni Timmy na ibubuking ko siya. I wanted to tell the truth pero ayoko na malaman ni Timmy na sinabi ko na sya may kasalanan. So lumabas na silang lahat (Mark, Timmy, yung pogi, etc. pati yung babaeng may-ari na masungit) I was half expecting na aamin na timmy but no, lumabas lang sya haha. Nag-usap kami nung babaeng mabait and kinwento ko lahat. Na si Timmy kumuha ng menu stand sa table. And baka nalagay lang sa bag ko. Apparently they found this out kasi yung Cellphone Guy (plot twist ulit!) nakita yung menu stand (with the resto’s name) doon sa cellphone store. (kasi nilabas ko nga sa bag ko, but I left it kasi malay ko ba na di naman yun akin) So probably he called the resto. Nalaman ng resto na nasa mall yung menu stand. So probably they checked the CCTV and saw me put it out of my bag. Tapos naiwan ko na lang sa cellphone store.

 

So I kept on explaining this to the mabait na babae. I told her to please tell this to the masungit na may ari kasi I want her to know I’m innocent. That it’s one of my friends (na di ko na rin sinabi kung sino) basta ang point: it was not me. I kept repeating this because I want them to know na gusto ko yung resto nila, and that I really want to come back there some time. And that I love coming back to California if ever. Wuw.

 

Then sina Timmy, inaantay na ako matapos with the conversation because antanggal. Sumisilip na sila sa bintana from labas. (akala ko nga nakikinig si timmy sa binatana, baka malaman nya binuking ko sya) Apparently, may picture taking daw na inaantay na ako. So ayun lumabas na ako. And biglang andami nang tao, as in class picture levels. I was looking for Mark kasi tatabi ako sa kanya. Nang makita ko siya, sobrang siksikan, and di ko siya matabihan. Tinatapik ko siya pero di nya maramdaman. Malapit na mag take ng picture yung photographer, and di pa rin ako makatabi kay Mark, and di rin ako makita sa camera. Hanggang sa nasa likod na linya na lang ako ni Mark, and di ko siya katabi sa “class picture”. I was so sad like sad na may halong naiinis kasi di naramdaman ni Mark tapik ko…

 

Then I woke up…..

Life Update after 2020

So. It's been 9 months since I last added something here. What a year. We have always been saying that this is the year the future generations will talk about. This year is special in history. A lot has change in an instant. We always think that culture and behavior change gradually. But 2020 really did it. Our lifestyles changed over night.

I am now in my second year of law school. And since March of last year, we have been holding our classes online. The second semester of first year got rid of numerical grades, implementing a pass-or-fail system for students. Luckily, I passed all subjects. But still, the end of this pandemic is not in sight as the year ended. The first semester of the next school year, which started in September and ended much earlier in mid-December, was fully online. We have never met our professors. We have never met our classmates. All requirements were scaled down. It was easy and difficult at the same time.

I have also been working from home since March 2020. I've been to the office for a total of around 5 times, I think, just to check up on things.

I've met with my boyfriend only twice since lockdown started. He is staying in the province now. And we both work from home. So we don't want to risk it and expose ourselves against this virus.

There are still a lot of things to talk about but everything is just a blur at the same time. I haven't gone home for the holidays, just stayed with my sister here in the Metro for Christmas and New Year.

Just to update you with my current interest, I finally decided to start reading works of Brandon Sanderson. Just finished The Way of Kings (Stormlight Book 1) a few days ago and jumped ahead for Words of Radiance (Book 2). Already bought Warbreaker and Elantris. I am in for a treat! It's gonna be a long ride for 2021 discovering the world Sanderson created. It's been a long while since I really read a tome of a fiction. I just needed to fill the void ASOIAF left, since no publications are in sight in the near future.

Since the semester just ended, I am not focused on work, and we have a number projects. Tomorrow, I will go to work because my boss set a meeting, and he was inviting us for a lunch. (Pandemic who?)

Anyways, just checking out this ever dependable blog of mine. It's been a while.

See you soon.

-Third, in my apartment alone

Day 19 of Quarantine

It's my Day 19 of quarantine. 10 days na lang at muli na namang babalik sa opisina. Yan ay kung hindi nila i-extend pa itong muli. Pero sana bumalik na sa normal. Kaso mukhang may di kasiguraduhan kasi nga mukhang lumalala pa rin itong pandemic na ito. Our college of law released a memo this week. They said that the recommendation is to cancel all face-to-face classes even if quarantine would not extend. And PASS or DROP lang ang grade na pwedeng ibigay. Kung DROP man ang maging grade mo, you have 1 year to reenroll that subject. Bawal magbigay ang professor ng numerical equivalent na grade. Wow, I did not expect this scenario to happen on my first year in law school.

This morning nanaginip na naman ako. First time ko yatang mapanaginipan si Kim Kardashian. Nakitulog daw siya at ang kanyang asawa sa bahay namin. At inaway ko siya kasi di ko gusto yung asta niya sa bahay namin. Kaya kinonfront ko siya and told her I was disappointed na iba yung ugali niya, na gusto ko sana siya as a celebrity.

Anyway, yesterday, I started reading a fiction book (A Gentleman in Moscow) na nakita ko sa isa sa mga book reviews ni Bill Gates. Yun ang ginawa ko bago matulog. Itinigil ko muna ang social media dahil ilang linggo na ako babad dito. Maaga rin ako natulog, mga 11pm. Paggising ko, gulat na naman ako na nagpa-presscon na naman ang poon nyong si Pduts. At binatikos si Chel Diokno dahil sa pagtulong nito sa mga hinuling nag-rally para humingi ng pagkain. I mean, guuurl. Pero buti ay dinepensahan niya naman si Leni Robredo patungkol sa pag-solicit ng mga donasyon. Ifa-fire nya raw ang PACC commissioner na nagsabing paimbestigahan si Robredo ng NBI ukol dito. Syempre tingin ng tao, later on, ia-appoint lang din naman yun sa ibang position. Yan ang kaganapan sa huling presscon niya na walang kwenta--kung saan inihalintulad niya si Diokno sa isang janitor at ininsultong may malaking ngipin. Kita niyo, ginagawa niyang insulto ang isang janitor, at ang isang may malaking ilong. Kelan pa naging batayan ang itsura sa paglilingkod? Kakasuka.

Kahapon naman, nakipagdebate naman ako sa FB nang mag-post ang former officemate ko tungkol sa mga kagaguhang nangyayari. Syempre, todo depensa si ateng. Kaya nagreply ako ng mga counterarguments ko against sa mga punto niya. Of course, typical DDS.

ELEKSYON NA BA!? Kakapagod na ha. Anyway, don't forget to register starting May 1 again. Hay, I'm still sad my last vote was 2010 pa. AGH HATE MYSELF FOR THAT.

Establishing a routine

It's been almost a week now since the lockdown. Just to be clear: the total lockdown started last March 16 (Monday) in the evening. But our law classes were suspended last March 10 (Tuesday). And, our Oblicon prof did not push through with our class last March 9 (Monday). So, the last class we have attended was last March 7 (Saturday), which is our Legal Method class.

For work, I was on leave last March 16 (Monday), so the last office day I had was last March 13 (Friday). So technically, I have been isolated (well at least not doing anything) since March 14, both no office and class. So, this is my Day 7 of being alone, in a way. The only people I see on a normal day is the guard at the lobby of the apartment, people buying stuff in convenience stores, which is literally a handful lang, and other guards in other buildings, staff in convenience stores, a couple of people walking sometimes. I can literally count them in a given day. There are still vehicles along Katipunan but it's definitely much, much lesser compared to even the Holy Week, which is by the way, approaching as well.

Holy Thursday will be on April 9, and I should have bought ticket already. But since lockdown is until April 14, I don't wanna really go home because I might pass on the virus if I have it.

Yesterday, March 19, my roommate, Trish, passed by to get some of her clothes. And we were discussing (and even Mark mentioned it to me) that our lives are gonna be the same again. It will not be the life as we know it. Even if this pandemic ends, even if there are no new cases, the effect of this will last a lifetime. And it affects how we do work, how we study in schools, how we arrange events, etc.

Yesterday, I thought I was having dry cough. I did a couple of times, but I guess it was just because I ate, or I was thirsty. But I always think if I have acquired the virus every time I go out to buy food.

So far my routine is like this (which I hope I can sustain for a month):

• Wake up around 6:30-7:30am
• Do a daily workout for 30 minutes or so
• Take a bath right after
• Work from home: this can take an hour or 2 maybe. But usually, it's a light work since all offices are suspended
• Around 11:45am, go out to buy lunch. (I intend to buy dinner as well.)
• Around 6pm, eat dinner.

The rest of the day, I may study, read books, watch movies and series, etc.

I'm still finding out ways to keep myself from boredom. I'm thinking whether I should study, or just wait for the classes to resume, since perhaps it's not practical to keep on studying, and then, forget everything later on.

I'm currently reading Closed Chambers: The Rise, Fall and Future of the Modern Supreme Court by Edward Lazarus. A great read I found in a bookshop in Maginhawa, when I was with Mark, probably last week?

Anyway, just to update you with what's happening in the Philippines:

• The "great" president made a presscon again last night (or early morning, 1am, who even does that!?) reminding LGUs to follow rules set by the government. This is definitely an implied parinig to Vico Sotto as mayor of Pasig who pleas to the government if they can lift suspension of tricycles for transportation, since people cannot go to hospitals, for example.
• There are fake news spreading, where squatters or indigents are allegedly planning to loot or were looting Puregold stores. OK, this is getting messy. If it's real, then government has to step up on figuring the REAL CAUSE of this, and not simply to punish them. If it's not real, it definitely is some concoction by the government to give them a reason to declare Martial Law. This is getting out of hand. Government today is INCOMPETENT. Period. At least the executive department, the cabinet of the President. God, help the Philippines.

For my exercise update, it's my 3rd day this morning to do my daily workout. It's kinda simple, but not really challenging. As long as I insert half an hour of physical activity, that's good.

Yesterday, I also made a video call for around 4 hours with blockmates, because I was getting bored.

Fearless forecast: this suspension and lockdown will last longer than what is set now. This is going to be chaos, especially with the incompetency of the government.

Day 2 of Lockdown

Hey guys!

I can't believe that what I will write is an update on the ongoing global pandemic. It feels like I'm in the middle of an apocalypse or dystopian film. But it's true. The world, as I type, is suffering from a global pandemic called COVID-19. As of now, Philippines has a total of 202 cases. And the world is approaching 180,000 cases. Almost 7,500 have died worldwide. A lot of places are in total lockdown.

Metro Manila has been on lockdown since Monday night, March 16. All government and private office are closed for a month. So, we do not have work until April 14. Our law school (and, of course, all schools in Metro Manila) are suspended until the same date. UP has prohibited all means of classes, including online ones because of internet inequality.

This semester, I have 4 subjects. And so far, only one professor has reached out to us on what to do during the suspension for one month. He only gave us topics per week on which we may self-study. At least, we students have something to do. For work, they have no further instructions but to work from home.

It feels surreal. I've been alone in my apartment for 3 days now. I was absent last Monday because I was really uncomfortable going to work. I'm just afraid that I could randomly acquire the virus. (And I was just lazy going to work that day). And then on Tuesday, the total lockdown started. Law school was actually suspended since March 10, a week earlier.

I may have to post much more frequently, since I definitely have more time. And because I think it's important to document all that is happening around me and the world. I may need to document how my health goes, to keep my mental health intact, and just to remind everyone that would be reading this how everything will unfold, or how this will end hopefully.

It really feels weird. When I woke up this morning, I thought it was already Thursday. I can't keep track of time. Good thing convenience stores and restaurants nearby are still open. But some 24-hour fast food chain are now closing. Apparently, a curfew was also issued from 8pm-5am.

People are frustrated with the government. This current administration is the most incompetent this country has ever had. Imagine announcing a lockdown, or community quarantine, or whatever the government wants to call it, but then leaving its citizens without clear rules and regulations. Citizens are at a loss. I can't wait for the election. (Which reminds me, I have yet to register.)

For now, I just read cases and textbooks, and just watch random stuff on Youtube and Netflix. Yesterday, I cleaned our bathroom. I'm not yet getting crazy, but the limitations are killing me. I wanna workout. I wanna run and exercise. But I just get so lazy here in the apartment, I can't do any proper exercise. I have to wake-up early tomorrow and plan to what to do every single day.

I hope this pandemic ends, so we can all go back to our routines.

Almost a year done!

My last post was last June! So much has happened. And I still couldn't believe that I am here right now. Filled with stress but with joy as well. Law school is one hell of a ride. I had always been preparing for the sacrifices, the horror stories, the sleepless nights. Fortunately, I really do enjoy it. There are moments that I doubt myself, but usually, I get over it the next day and just live life one class at a time.

Finished first semester last December, and we are now almost half way the second semester. I usually have my deserved breaks during Saturday afternoons. That's why I remembered writing today.

Out of the original 23 students of the Evening Block 2024, 19 of us survived the first sem. The 4 of us dropped early on because of other opportunities. We were able to pass the 5 subjects (or so I think). We had Mol/o, Rasu/l, Marcel/o, Tamas/e and Jimene/z as profs for first semester.

I was also able to find my close friends. During the finals week, we booked an Airbnb and studied there for 3 days. I guess it helped.

With them, I can share things I couldn't share with the entire block. It's good that you have a tighter support group than the whole block, because you can ask them anything!

Pictures above are from today when we had lunch at Samgyupsalamat at One Park Drive.

So far so good. Of course, the experience is very difficult. But I think once we are able to finish the first year, everything will make sense. And everything will be much easier. So many cases to read, so many concepts to grasp, so commentaries that we cannot finish to read. But everything will be worth it. Everything is for the duty to public service. Naks.

Of course, thanks to the support of my boyfriend who's been very understanding every single day. Who manages to make time late at night meeting me up and spending time with me studying or just rushing for dinner since it's too late already.

When we watched '1917' on Valentine's Day.

But even though everything is going well with me, there are bad news and unfortunate happenings that I will not delve into. I hope everything will be fine with my Mom. I just feel sad that at this stage of my life, I can't help her financially or emotionally. I'm sure everything will eventually be fine.

Finally!

It's been a month since I updated this blog about my law school application. And I am happy to announce that I am accepted for admission to UP Law! Although, there's a lot of requirements and I have to take a lot of leave for work. But I am not complaining!

Out of 313 LAE passers, 284 were accepted after the interview. And I doubt everyone will push through with UP, as some might choose Ateneo or other law schools. Would you look at that! The only law school I applied for, and I got accepted. Thank you for that ONE SHOT. I was nervous as hell. Even though my colleagues and friends kept on saying "Pasok na 'yan!" of course, I always had doubts. And I don't want to disappoint a lot of people. That's why I don't expect a lot. I don't want to be very sure before the final announcement.

BUT BOY I AM GOING TO UP COLLEGE OF LAW?????

Many people tell me (in fact everyone!) it's gonna be hard. Some says "Sure ka na ba!?" or "Good Luck!" with their sarcastic tone. It's as if it's the hardest thing you'll ever encounter. I can'y say it yet though. But more than the worries and nervousness, I just feel excited! I can't wait to read a lot. I can't wait to feel the rush of recitation, the breakdowns, the exams, the crying (if there will ever be), the joy. I can't wait to meet new friends and colleagues. I can't wait to learn. I can't wait to understand more. I can't wait to apply all these things to whatever higher purpose there is and will be.

I have a month and a week to fully cherish my free days (except for work). And after that, I would be devoting my time to law literally 24/7 because of work and law school. I won't wait this time.

I have always promised to myself that the first day of class will be the first day of bar exam review. UNDERSTAND. DO NOT FORGET EVERYTHING YOU'LL LEARN. Isapuso. Apply to everything. AAAHHH.

There is no harm in being a topnotcher a goal, right???

Sorry, I am just too excited!

Countdown Begins!

Four more days before my Admission Interview for UP Law! Wow, I have come this far and I can still remember the times when this was not even my list of goals or things I want to do. It started in February 2017 when I filled up my LAE form and was thinking that I can try. And here it is, 2 years later, I passed that exam and got accepted for an interview. Still hoping for the best!

Yesterday, I attended a mock interview and talk for accepted LAE takers. It was kind of a whole day event and started at 8:30 am for the registration at the UP CMC auditorium. It featured for speakers, 3 of which are the recent passers of the 2018 bar examinations, and the other one the 2018 class valedictorian. I must say, after their talk, it gave us the boost, well, at least for me. Taking the mock interview in the afternoon was very useful because it gave me something of a heads up for the real interview next week. And the panel who conducted the interviewed said I did OK. They remind me of Bam Aquino. Later that day, I confirmed it with Mark. He said that now that I brought it up, it was his impression of me on our first date! Probably because of my mannerisms and the way I nod. I thought it was because of the eyeglasses! Haha!

With my panel, there were 5 students in front of me. I was pretty much sure one of them was acting as a bad cop. He kept on butting in whenever I am answering the others' questions. But most of them were gentle enough and they were really interested with what I was saying. One of them was a close friend of Trish and she actually brought up that she knows me, and that she has already seen our apartment unit and that she already sat on my bed! Haha! She said our room that time was really messy (still true today). I mentioned that I was a practitioner of Theater Arts in college. So they asked me to sing! And I did!--a bit! I sang the first 2 lines of This Is My Now by Jordin Sparks since it was the detail I put on the questionnaire they gave us during lunch break--probably so that they have a background on what questions to ask the students.

Leaflet they gave us during the talk

After my interview, going out of that room, I was accompanied by a law student to the waiting area. He introduced himself and asked if I wanted to join them for a more focused and intense mock interview later in the evening. He told me it was kind of a way to recruit for their fraternity. He got my number and even texted again for invitation. He also added me on FB just this morning.

I have no qualms in joining fraternities. It's a good way to expand your network and it can help you a lot in law school. But after searching online, I just get iffy when frats get involved in violence. And if you are member of these groups, there is always the concept of utang na loob. Sometimes, it's helpful. But sometimes, you just have to be forced to do things you are probably uncomfortable with. I was considering his invitation but I am not fully sure. For me, it is better join an organization with causes that are close to my heart. I am eyeing on one! And the founding president of that org was one of the speakers!

Went home feeling great! But I was thinking if I should really consider joining a fraternity. My only concern is if they accept LGBT people?? It is a huge concern definitely. When I arrived at my place, I slept so hard and woke up after a couple of hours. I was disoriented and I thought it was morning already.

Good day! FOUR MORE DAYS!!!