Blow Out

Friday - April 27

Since we have decided to do my Blow-Out Celebration at home, we hurriedly do some finishing touches on Mom's Garden. We have remade some corners and improved some landscapes of our home. We have also redecorated the garage/parking area so some tables can be fitted-in. We are very proud and happy of the result. Here are a couple of pics from the garden:




Saturday - April 28, 2007

We have prepared lunch and dinner for our guests. The menu for lunch included pancit canton, chop suey, menudo, pork hamonado with quail eggs, chicken pastel and lechon . Deserts are banana, ice cream, fruit salad and puto. The menu for dinner included relyenong bangus, kalderetang kambing and lechon paksiw. Deserts are leche flan, chinese gulaman salad and crema de fruta.



Thank You to all those who have come and celebrated with me. My family and relatives, my officemates and workmates, my classmates and friends from way back and to my neighboors and other acquaintances.

Syempre, Thank you to those who contributed to the occassion. Engineer Al, Ate Lorie, Bobby, Budda, Ate Ester, Pervil Cosmetics and Kapitan Ediset for the Lechon (Grabe dami Lechon dumating). Kapitan Edgardo for the ice cream, Nida for Leche Flan and Cassava Cake. Ellen B. for the puto. Ate Ellen L. for the relyeno. Ate Susan for the Crema de Fruta. Tito Ambet for the Kalamay. Ate Mina for the yema rolls. Ante and Carmi for the kalderetang kambing. And many others I forgot. And also to the cooks from Sumacab and Polilio. And of course - to Kuya Ednor from Chicago who financed the Blow-Out. THANK YOU!!!

Sunday - April 29, 2007

As my treat to those who organized yesterday's event, we went to Greenlanes Resort in Kalikid Sur, Cabanatuan City.



Greenlanes is one of the better resorts in Cabanatuan. It has four swimming pools (2 for adults and two for children). It has its own rooms, function hall and cottages that you can rent. Entrance for adult is Php80 while for children is Php40 only.

Oath Taking

It's April 25, 2007: The day that I, and my fellow Bar Passers, will take the our oath before the Chief and Associate Justices of the Supreme Court. The Oath-Taking will start at exactly 3 PM and we were advised to be inside the PICC Plenary Hall at least two hours before that time for the registration.

In a little over 3 PM, the program started. The examiners for each subjects were introduced amidst the cheers and boos by the Bar Passers. The 2006 Bar Examiners as introduced by the 2006 Bar Chairperson Justice Angelina Sandoval-Gutierrez were:

Political Law - Atty. Salvador B. Lao
Labor Law and Social Legislation - Atty. Salvador C. Medialdea
Civil Law - Justice Josue N. Bellosillo
Taxation Law - CTA Presiding Justice Ernesto D. Acosta
Mercantile Law - Atty. Nilo B. Pena
Criminal Law - Justice Romeo M. Escareal, Jr.
Remedial Law - Justice Bernardo P. Pardo
Legal Ethics and Practical Exercises - DCA Zenaida N. Elepano

The loudest cheers were given to the examiners in Labor Law and Remedial Law while the loudest jeers, as expected, were received by the examiner on Taxation and Criminal Law. Further, the bar passers were jubilant upon learning that the examiners in Labor, Taxation, Criminal and Remedial Law gave a 50% plus passing rate.

Then, the SC Clerk of Court Atty Ma. Luisa Villarama administered the taking of the oath:



I, Norman Perez Serapio , do solemnly swear that I will maintain allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines; I will support its Constitution and obey the laws as well as the legal orders of the duly constituted authorities therein; I will do no falsehood, nor consent to its commission; I will not wittingly or willingly promote or sue any groundless, false or unlawful suit nor give aid nor consent to the same; I will delay no man for money or malice, and will conduct myself as a lawyer according to the best of my knowledge and discretion with all good fidelity as well to the courts as to my clients; and I impose upon myself this voluntary obligation without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion. SO HELP ME GOD!

As I recite this oath, together with other Bar Passers, I feel like electricity is flowing in my veins and it sends chills down my spine. It is one of the best feelings I ever had, my hair is raising as the unison voice of around 1,900 Bar Passers fill the air. It's heavenly and euphoric, an indescribable feeling that is better than ***. Suddenly, I feel nostalgic. All the sacrifices, lost opportunities, my blood, sweat and tears during the four years in law school (believe me, it is difficult to work and study at the same time), and the six months I have spent reviewing and taking the Bar - are all worth it. GOD IS GOOD!

And when Chief Justice Renato Puno granted the petition for admission to the Bar of the successful 2006 Bar Candidates,the entire hall erupted in jubilee.

So, there is just one more final step to take - the signing in the roll of attorneys. I am scheduled to sign the roll on May 3, 2007. So after that, I can now legally affix the title "ATTY" before my name.

Supreme Court - Clearance Date

After three days of postponement, Atty. Joan Dela Cruz and I finally went back to Supreme Court to get our clearances so that we could take our oath as lawyers on April 25 at the PICC. It took us only about an hour to process our clearance. We paid P2,350 in the Supreme Court for the clearance/oath-taking fee and another P1,200 as Building Fund/Membership Dues to the Integrated Bar of the Philippines. Then, the Office of the Bar Confidant scheduled our signing in the Roll of Attorneys at May 3, 2007. So, we just need two more steps, i.e, oath-taking and signing in the Rolls, before we can be call ourselves full-fledged lawyers. Yehey.

Then, we proceeded to Legarda to treat two of our friends who are reviewing for the 2007 Bar. Aries and Tin-tin are both lodged at NRM Mansions and both are also attending the review class in San Beda Colleges.

To Comapanera Joan, again Congatulations and to Aries and Tin-tin Good Luck!!!

Araullo University 2006 BAR Passers

CONGRATULATIONS TO ARAULLO UNIVERSITY'S NEW LAWYERS

1. JOAN N. DELA CRUZ
2. JENNIFER PAILAS
3. JENNIFER CORPUZ
4. ZEA MAI WYCOCO
5. ANN EILEEN MORALES
6. RODEL TOLENTINO
7. RUBEN TALAMPAS
8. RICARDO ATAYDE JR.
9. NORMAN P. SERAPIO

Testimonial dinner with AU Officials was made last April 15, 2007.
Oath-taking is on April 25, 2007 at the PICC.

Cavite Landmarks

Just a little bit of history - The Philippine Independence was proclaimed by General Emilio Aguinaldo in Kawit, Cavite, on June 12, 1898. The day was declared a national holiday.


Thousands of people from the provinces gathered in Kawit to witness the historic event. The ceremony was solemnly held at the balcony of General Emilio Aguinaldo's residence.


Aguinaldo Shrine is located in front of the historic Aguinaldo Residence in Kawit, Cavite. It stands proudly amidst a park made out of memorial markers engraved with signatures of our heroes.



Since Cavite is near the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, its sky is literally bustling with airplanes arriving and departing from the airport. In the place where we stayed, even at nights, you can hear the airplanes crossing the sky. Can you spot the airplane in the pic above?



Before we went home, we visited one of Cavite's oldest church - The Saint Mary Magdalene Parish Church.



This Church was erected in 1638 by six Filipino families hailing from the towns of Maragondon and Silang. The cornerstones were built in 1737 and was devastated by a strong typhoon in 1831. It was handled by the Secular priests in 1786 and then by the Recolletos in 1894. This was where Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo was baptized in 1869, the president of the first Philippine Republic. The church was renovated and given a traditional face lift in 1990 through the concerted efforts of the Kawiteños.

Time to go home...

Picnic Grove, Tagaytay

This is just a side trip. Tagaytay City is barely an hour away from Kawit Cavite so we decided to order some take-out food (Garden Salad from Wendy's and Sushi from Tokyo-Tokyo) and go to Picnic Grove.

One of the best views of Taal Volcano can be seen in the Picnic Grove. It also has a walking trail for those who love nature. And of course, it is just one of the best places in Tagaytay where you can just chill, meditate and just let the sun go down.

Entrance fee is only P50 per person. Here are some of my snap shots taken in Tagaytay:

Island Cove, Cavite

While my co-officers are attending seminar, I literally escaped (hehehe) and roam around Island Cove. The Park has wide array of activity centers that will cater to just about anyone. It has a swimming pool, a gym, a tennis court, a beer pub (By The Bay), a walking trail and a mini zoo.

Island Cove Resort and Leisure Park is located at Kawit, Cavite. You can reach them at(02) 810-3740, 810-3728, 810-5351
or through SMS at 0920-625-7037, 0916-720-3339, 0917-5517776.

Here are some pics taken in the park:

Water Camp, Cavite

I spent four days in Cavite to attend a seminar sponsored by the Philippine League of Local Budget Officers. The venue of the seminar is on Island Cove but we were booked on Josephine Water Camp. I was with our Budget Officer and our City Treasurer so I leave them attending the seminar while I just enjoyed and toured the places that Cavite can offer.

Here are few snap shots of Water Camp located in Panamitan, Kawit, Cavite. You can contact them at (046)436-1828.

Return to Manaoag

Our Lady of Manaoag is a religious shrine known for its countless miraculous tales and healing powers. It is located in Manaoag, Pangasinan.

Reflections

I have the same birthday as that of Mama Mary. I always believe that Mama Mary always guides and keep me safe. So when I learned that I have passed the Bar last Tuesday, I prayed and visited her images at the San Nicolas de Tolentino Cathedral where this picture was taken.

I have spent Holy Thursday and Good Friday entirely at home. These two days gave me opportunity to reflect and improve my relationship with God. Honestly, I do not have immediete plans yet on what to do and what career paths to pursue now that I have become a lawyer. Passing the bar has opened so many doors for me that I seek the guidance of our Lord to lead me where He wants me to be.

"In God himself who has made us what we are an given us new lives from Christ Jesus; as long ages ago he planned that we should spend these lives in helping others."

These couple of days gave me the opportunity to thank the Lord and pray. I thank Him for all the good things that He has given to me and my family. I thank Him for keeping me safe in my travels and for giving me family and friends that truly support me. I also thank Him not only for my success but also for the success of two of my friends, Atty. Jo Anne and Atty. Jenny who passed the Bar Exams also on their first attempt.

Then I pray that may He comfort my friends Edward, Lei, Rico, Aris, Claire, Raygan, Tina, Karen and Onie who have failed to pass the Bar. I believe that everything shall be given to them in God's time.

"I glorified you on earth by completing down to the last detail what you assigned me to do."

Need I Say More?

I PASSED

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!

To all those who prayed and wished me good luck. Thank You!

2006 Bar Exams Results - Out Tonight

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After 190 days of waiting, the Supreme Court finally announced that the results of the 2006 Bar Exams will be released today. So all of us anxious examinees will finally move on with our lives. And what a better time for the results to released - on a Holy Week.

To all my classmates and co-bar reviewees and all the examinees in general, Good Luck to all of us.

To see if the results of the exams are already posted to SC Website click here.

Puerto Galera - Weekend Getaway

After five hours of travel by land, passing three Express Highways (NLEX, SLEX, Star-Batangas) and an additional hour of travel by boat, we are now at Puerto Galera - an island paradise in Oriental Mindoro.

Puerto Galera's Famous Sunset