It is really funny that despite being a member of the legal profession, I always get bullied, and I am so weak I couldn't counter the stance against me. Worst, this frequent and incessant bullying made me somehow permissive and strangely obedient. Last night, I was again got caught by bullies and forced to give an extemporaneuos speech before the UEP College of Law graduating class of 2016. I was able to record my impromptu peice and here it is.
Guests, honorees, ladies and gentlemen, good evening!
Please forgive me if I may not be able to give you a well-researched, scholarly peice tonight because I was never informed that I would be a part of the program. Only at the onset that one of the hosts told me that the faculty are set to share their words of challenge and encouragement to the graduating class.
Sensing that I am in great danger for being embarrassed before these highly intellectual people due to coming here unprepared, I immediately texted my wife to prepare me a short talk. She then responded swiftly and very concisely, thus she said and I quote, "Nanu na? Hain ka na? Dire ka pa mauli?" I surmised my speechwriter, my wife, also came in unprepared, and worst, not only confrontational but somehow irrational. So that now as I have said earlier, I have to beg for your indulgence if won't be able to satisfy your ears.
You know, what I would be saying here tonite would all be useless for you because words would never be enough to overcome your anxiety today and onwards until the release of the results of the 2016 bar exam. But we are just hoping that the insights we give here could somehow help you ease the pain. I and the other members of the faculty here have encountered the same feeling, so we knew what you were going through.
I assume y'all were here when the college invited us in a testimonial dinner after we easily passed the bar, so that you may have already heard the accounts of my struggle and the secrets weapons that I finally revealed. Nanu na ngani adto?
As i have told you, I armed myself with three secret weapons in slaying the bar exam dragon: 1.) prayers; 2.) hardwork; and 3.) karma. Let us not however discuss each of these weapons and how I harnessed and eventually used them. Bahala na kayo diyan! As what Justice Paras told us, These are all self-explanatory.
Though these weapons were proven to be dragon slayers, if i may just add another chakra, a hero trait, one which most of the lawyers have equipped themselves upon assumption of their duties as officers of the court.
Confidence!" Do not leave this virtue at home. Bring this always to the review and to the bar exam.
What is confidence? In legal practice, it is simply and commonly called "Yabs!"... Yabang! Fill your mind and heart with hope and courage. Make "I can do it! I will pass the bar!" your mantra. Get inspiration from us. Make me your inspiration. If I was able to make it, then how would you not? Realize that you are far better than me or any of our professors here. If we did it, there is no doubt you can also make it.
In parting, please accept my congratulations! I expect you all to be back next year for the testimonial dinner with you sharing your experiences to your underclassmen, not as a student of this college, not as an alumnus, but as a member of the bar.
Try to harness your weapons and build your wall of confidence so you may be able to slay your bar exam dragon.
Thank you and again congratulations!
