(ED’S NOTE: MESSAGE OF HON. RONQUILLO C. TOLENTINO, VICE GOVERNOR OF AKLAN ON THE OCCASION OF THE INDUCTION OF OFFICERS OF THE AKLAN CATHOLIC COLLEGE LAW SCHOOL STUDENTS ASSOCIATION, RIC ARA’S CAFÉ AND RESTO, AUGUST 20, 2004, ANDAGAO, KALIBO, AKLAN).
Greetings:
Fellow brothers and sisters in the Bar, officers and members of the Aklan Catholic College Law School Students’ Association, ladies and gentlemen;
It is admitted and therefore non-debatable that the legal profession and the pursuit of Law – as history and tradition have always graded and ranked – is among the noblest, the most exalted, and the most learned of profession. Justice Ameurfina Melencio Herrera, once said and rightly so, that the Bar is an order as ancient as the magistracy, as noble as virtue, as necessary as justice. But even as this is so, Justice Herrera stresses, that as others see the Bar, the profession of law has been far from popular. This would stem from the wrong observation that lawyers are fomenting disputes to promote their own interest or even retarding the progressive pace of development. And lawyers, too, are often the butt of uncomplimentary anecdotes. And there’s even a book about it titled “The Lawyer Joke Book”.
A friend of mine sent me a copy of the book which he bought at the Barnes & Noble bookstore at Manhattan, New York on July 9, 2000 I highlighted an anecdote, thus:
“Mr. Giroux, a country lawyer, had led an exemplary life, representing clients honestly and professionally, never gouging or padding his fees, and donating his services to the indigent. When he died he was whisked straight to the Pearly Gates where St. Peter was waiting for him.
“Come right this was. Mr. Giroux.” St. Peter gestured. “We’ve been awaiting your arrival, and your room is ready for you. Let me show you the sights as we walk.”
The two set out, with St. Peter pointing out the magnificent scenery, the rolling hills, the waterfalls, the eighteen –hole championship golf courses, and the blossoming, exotic forests. It was breathtaking.
“Soon they arrived at a modern apartment building that stretched hundreds of stories above the surrounding countryside. The two stepped into a glass elevator, and it rose automatically. Higher and higher it went, until it stopped and the doors opened, showing a luxurious apartment, decorated lavishly, with no expenses spared. Awestruck, the lawyer started to step off.
“No, this isn’t your apartment,” St. Peter said,
“This belongs to Pope Matthew IV. Step back in.”
He did, and the elevator rose another few floors until it reached the penthouse. There, the doors opened on an even more spectacular apartment that overlooked the vista on all four sides and contained a monorail just to shuttle the occupant around the many wings of the place. The lawyer was bewildered.
“There must be some mistake, St. Peter. This is even more beautiful than the apartment we just saw. And he was a Pope.”
“Oh, it’s no mistake,” reassured St. Peter, “We get plenty of Popes up here, but you’re our first lawyer.”
My warmest congratulations to the officers of the Aklan Catholic College Law School Students’ Association.
As elected officers, you are well aware of the biblical injunction which is off repeated that, for whom much is given, much is required. And for whom much is required, much is demanded.
As leaders of your organization, be it considered that the leadership is the lifting of man’s vision to higher plans, the raising of man’s performance to a higher standard, and the building of man’s personality beyond its normal limitations. As leaders, you should have the ability to see problem, recognize it, plan a solution, and execute that solution without having to be prompted by someone else. Consider that leadership is the ability to make people want to accept as their own the object of the enterprise of which they are part.
Even as I congratulate the officers and members of the Aklan Catholic College Law School Students’ Association, I would like each one of you to devote yourselves to the study of law and be admitted to this noble profession. For, indeed, there is no question in the Philippines that the most glamorous profession is the legal profession. You are aware of course of the Supreme Court resolution which took effect only last July 15, 2004 that those who fall the bar examinations after fifth time will no longer be allowed to take the examination forever.
Take comfort in the following words from a poem as you take a decision to take a risk to become a lawyer. These words have been handed down from one trainor to another in hundred of inspirational seminars, thus:
“To laugh to is to risk appearing the fool;
“To weep is to risk appearing sentimental;
To reach out to another is to risk involvement;
To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self;
To place your ideas, your dream before a crowd is to risk their loss;
To love is to risk not being loved in return;
To live is to risk dying;
To try is to failure.
But risk must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.
A person, who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, and pain but he cannot learn, feel change, grow or live. Charred by hid certitude, he is a slave. He has forfeited his right to freedom. Only a person who risks is free.
Greetings:
Fellow brothers and sisters in the Bar, officers and members of the Aklan Catholic College Law School Students’ Association, ladies and gentlemen;
It is admitted and therefore non-debatable that the legal profession and the pursuit of Law – as history and tradition have always graded and ranked – is among the noblest, the most exalted, and the most learned of profession. Justice Ameurfina Melencio Herrera, once said and rightly so, that the Bar is an order as ancient as the magistracy, as noble as virtue, as necessary as justice. But even as this is so, Justice Herrera stresses, that as others see the Bar, the profession of law has been far from popular. This would stem from the wrong observation that lawyers are fomenting disputes to promote their own interest or even retarding the progressive pace of development. And lawyers, too, are often the butt of uncomplimentary anecdotes. And there’s even a book about it titled “The Lawyer Joke Book”.
A friend of mine sent me a copy of the book which he bought at the Barnes & Noble bookstore at Manhattan, New York on July 9, 2000 I highlighted an anecdote, thus:
“Mr. Giroux, a country lawyer, had led an exemplary life, representing clients honestly and professionally, never gouging or padding his fees, and donating his services to the indigent. When he died he was whisked straight to the Pearly Gates where St. Peter was waiting for him.
“Come right this was. Mr. Giroux.” St. Peter gestured. “We’ve been awaiting your arrival, and your room is ready for you. Let me show you the sights as we walk.”
The two set out, with St. Peter pointing out the magnificent scenery, the rolling hills, the waterfalls, the eighteen –hole championship golf courses, and the blossoming, exotic forests. It was breathtaking.
“Soon they arrived at a modern apartment building that stretched hundreds of stories above the surrounding countryside. The two stepped into a glass elevator, and it rose automatically. Higher and higher it went, until it stopped and the doors opened, showing a luxurious apartment, decorated lavishly, with no expenses spared. Awestruck, the lawyer started to step off.
“No, this isn’t your apartment,” St. Peter said,
“This belongs to Pope Matthew IV. Step back in.”
He did, and the elevator rose another few floors until it reached the penthouse. There, the doors opened on an even more spectacular apartment that overlooked the vista on all four sides and contained a monorail just to shuttle the occupant around the many wings of the place. The lawyer was bewildered.
“There must be some mistake, St. Peter. This is even more beautiful than the apartment we just saw. And he was a Pope.”
“Oh, it’s no mistake,” reassured St. Peter, “We get plenty of Popes up here, but you’re our first lawyer.”
My warmest congratulations to the officers of the Aklan Catholic College Law School Students’ Association.
As elected officers, you are well aware of the biblical injunction which is off repeated that, for whom much is given, much is required. And for whom much is required, much is demanded.
As leaders of your organization, be it considered that the leadership is the lifting of man’s vision to higher plans, the raising of man’s performance to a higher standard, and the building of man’s personality beyond its normal limitations. As leaders, you should have the ability to see problem, recognize it, plan a solution, and execute that solution without having to be prompted by someone else. Consider that leadership is the ability to make people want to accept as their own the object of the enterprise of which they are part.
Even as I congratulate the officers and members of the Aklan Catholic College Law School Students’ Association, I would like each one of you to devote yourselves to the study of law and be admitted to this noble profession. For, indeed, there is no question in the Philippines that the most glamorous profession is the legal profession. You are aware of course of the Supreme Court resolution which took effect only last July 15, 2004 that those who fall the bar examinations after fifth time will no longer be allowed to take the examination forever.
Take comfort in the following words from a poem as you take a decision to take a risk to become a lawyer. These words have been handed down from one trainor to another in hundred of inspirational seminars, thus:
“To laugh to is to risk appearing the fool;
“To weep is to risk appearing sentimental;
To reach out to another is to risk involvement;
To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self;
To place your ideas, your dream before a crowd is to risk their loss;
To love is to risk not being loved in return;
To live is to risk dying;
To try is to failure.
But risk must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.
A person, who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, and pain but he cannot learn, feel change, grow or live. Charred by hid certitude, he is a slave. He has forfeited his right to freedom. Only a person who risks is free.
No comments:
Post a Comment