2015 has given me several
opportunities to create a better version of myself. From coping with challenges
in my academic life to joining a number of school organizations, I learned that
I should not fear my weaknesses. Instead, I must learn to embrace them because
they will make me stronger and wiser than before. That was easier said than
done, considering the numerous ups and downs that I experienced while crossing
the path I seek and trying to get up from falling, but I did it. I wouldn’t be
where I am right now if not because of everything I’ve been through the past
years.
I hoped to graduate on
time because I have many plans in my life before reaching the age of 30. I
wanted to become independent, probably study abroad, and travel around the
world before I settle down. Things changed when I learned that I wouldn't be
able to join my friends in the "road to the red toga" a year before. It
was painful, but I still believed that God had a better plan for me and he
designed it in such a subtle way.
Looking back, I realized
how my failures opened the big doors for me.
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| Legal Aid Bureau 3C represent |
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| 3C Creative Class Picture |
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| 3C Geeky/Nerdy Look Class Picture 2 |
JURASSIC PARK
My journey in law school
is a culmination of hard work, determination, and countless prayers. Like
everyone else, I thought that I could finish law school in four years. That,
however, turned out to be written in water when I failed my first subject
during the first semester of my freshman year. I cried because I was exhausted
and felt that I didn't have what it takes to become a Bedan lawyer. But I
didn't quit. I believe that it is already written in the stars that I will
become a Bedan lawyer.
Failing a 5-unit subject
was a challenge. There was fear of getting kicked out either by reason of the
two-flunk rule or failing to meet the QPI. That fear grew the following
semester when my blockmates and I learned that our Criminal Law 2 professor is the
great Atty. Maximo Amurao. Most of my classmates dropped the subject and our
class was reduced by half. The fear increased when I learned that Atty. Amurao
passed only 5 students during the previous year. I thought of dropping the
subject as well, but I stayed. I wasn't confident, I was scared. Heck, I didn't
attend his classes during the first week. Eventually, I put myself together and
had the courage to attend his class and experience my first (definitely not the
last) nerve-racking Amurao Bokya.
(Ibang level mabokya sa kanya. Parang gusto ko
masuka habang nagbabalasa siya ng class
cards.) I survived my first year in law school and was ready to hurdle another
year.
I tried my best to pass
the rest my subjects up to my third year. I thought it was a sign from heaven
when I passed Atty. Amurao's Criminal Law 2, Dean Sundiang's Negotiable
Instruments Law and Dean Jara's Civil Procedure classes. Finishing law school
in four years was no longer just a possibility but a probability. I thought
that probability would work in my favor. However, one fateful morning, while I
was rendering service as a Hustisyeah volunteer in the Makati Halls of Justice,
I received a text message that our professor finally released our grades. I
hurriedly checked mine online and learned that I failed. I could have been
qualified as a senior law student despite the first subject I failed because
seniors are allowed to overload 6 units only. Apparently, I already had 6 units
to overload, and adding the subject I failed, the four-year road to the red
toga was not anymore an option..
I didn't cry. I probably
felt numb as far as I can remember. I thought I deserve it. There was no
regret. The challenge, however, did not end there because I have nothing to do for
a year if I could enroll only three subjects (I needed to drop two
subjects during my junior year because I wanted to take Civil Procedure which
is a 5-unit subject and a prerequisite for two subjects. I decided to drop a
4-unit and a 2-unit subjects).
LAYOUTING THE NEXT STEP
Creating and editing
designs are some of my hobbies. They are within my comfort zone, unlike news
writing and public speaking. Since I had only three subjects for the year, I
thought this was a great time to improve my current skills and learn new ones.
I started to layout what I must do next.
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| I used Adobe Photoshop for my first newsletter layout |
After helping the Bar Operations for their Red Den Issue, I thought of joining thebarrister, the official student publication of San Beda College of Law. I applied and was accepted as a junior layout artist. Never have I anticipated that joining thebarrister would give me one of the best moments in my law school life.
Joining thebarrister gave me an avenue to develop my creativity skills. As a layout artist, I had to meet the deadliest deadline even if there were prior delays because I am the last person to edit the final draft before publication. I learned how to use Adobe InDesign and I was able to improve my photoshop skills. I learned to value commitment and professionalism. I took constructive criticisms positively and worked harmoniously with the press work team. Working with three issues and one portfolio planner made me proud, happy, and grounded. The people I worked with brought the best person in me and the organization equipped me with skills I probably wouldn't have the time to learn after law school. I also met new people who are now my closest friends.
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| Graduation Issue 2014-2015 |
INTERNATIONALLY SPEAKING
I admire debaters and
mooters, but I never saw myself to be one. Surprisingly, I was able to overcome
the fear of speaking in public and bring out the best speaker in me.
During an org fair, San
Beda International Law Society (ILS) was recruiting new members and I was
encouraged to apply by a close friend who happens to be a brilliant speaker and
a member of ILS. I doubted myself but I submitted my application form anyway.
If I make a fool out of myself, at least I tried, right? Eventually I became a
member and I tried out for a competition praying hard to not suck at it. I was
really mean to myself. Who would have thought that my first moot
competition is an international moot court competition in Gujarat, India? I
didn't. I was originally picked for another competition and started training
with the team when the members were regrouped. A new team was created for the
competition and I became one of its members.
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| San Beda ILS Family |
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| ILS 2015-2016 |
I was a researcher for the
team and I studied public international law particularly in the field of trade.
The more I was reading articles and digesting cases, the more I became
fascinated with the topic. I learned a lot and I realized that there is so
much to learn in this field. It was like finding new love when you least expect
it. I didn't expect to be fit for mooting but I believed and persevered.
This academic year (2015-2016), I
became part of the team to join the FDI moot court competition. It was a competition
with a proceeding and a topic (international investment law) different from
what I usually join in. It was the first time for San Beda ILS to join such a
competition. With less than two months to prepare, the team was sent to Korea
and placed 3rd in the Asia-Pacific Region. The team advanced to the global
rounds in London. That was my first time to
become a speaker and it was not easy. I struggled but I made it through. I
didn't even expect to earn any place in the Top 50 Best Advocates in Korea and
in London. Having people who believed in me made that possible.
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| The team, who also garnered positions in the Top 50 advocates, is composed of: Maxencio Rios, Jr. (Top 8), Kria Celestine Manglapus (Top 39), Anna Margarita Malonzo (Top 17), Miguel Jaime Encarnacion (Top 2), Robert Francis Fernandez. The team is coached by: Atty. Ramiila L. Quinto and Atty. Zoilo Velasco. The team is accompanied by Father Rembert Tumbali. |
Becoming a member of San
Beda ILS brought me to new horizons not just as a law student but as a future
lawyer (Naks! claiming it...) as well. "Doubt kills more dreams
than failure," our team coach told me at a time I felt I was the weakest
link in the team. She saw my struggle but she never gave up on me. Indeed, I
shouldn't let doubt push me to quit. After the competition, I was glad to bring
home the pride of being a Bedan law student. My real prize is the humbling
experience of training and competing with my friends who I now consider my
second family. This is an experience I will never forget and will treasure for
the rest of my life.
Looking back to all of the
failures I’ve encountered, I am grateful that all of them have made me a stronger
person. It may seem like a walk in the park, but as they say, it is more like a
walk in Jurassic park. As I continue my journey as a senior law student, I still
have a long way to go but I'm ready for the bumps and rocks ahead.
Indeed, there is no self waiting to be discovered, only a self waiting to be created.
MOVING FORWARD
Indeed, there is no self waiting to be discovered, only a self waiting to be created.
I am
Maggie Malonzo
a traveler with a purpose,
a young blood aspiring to become a Bedan lawyer.
Welcome to my blog as I embrace my new beginning!
