thursday's child

I met a non lawyer today who regularly appears before the DARAB, an administrative board, as counsel for the farmer beneficiaries. He came to the office to have several pleadings notarized and I immediately observed the defective verification attached to the pleadings on appeal. Instead of the valid IDs of the parties, meaning government issued, he indicated IDs issued by their own private farmer's association. I brought the matter to his attention, that his pleadings would eventually be denied on mere technicality as improper verification, and therefore all his efforts at representing the parties would be futile and dismissed outright, which is a sad thing. I must have embarrassed him by pointing out the issue  in front of his 'clients', but I tried my hardest to explain it to him in a way that didn't humiliate him or put to question his credibility to handle the cases. I'm glad he listened. I made him come back and change the verification page, gather the valid...

Today a client walks in and charges a colleague of mine with discrimination, saying that the latter refused to extend legal help due to the former's disability. He was not shy expressing his disgust with the office, and all my attempts at drilling some sense into him were futile. Records bear out that he was denied assistance by our office thrice: twice for conflict of interest, and once for lack of merit. As I spoke to this person he was clearly not in the mood to listen. My assistant would later tell me that he was the kind of person who is indisposed to people saying No to him. I simply gave up. Every time I open my mouth, he interrupts. This guy would not listen or attempt to listen to any explanation at all. So I made him gather himself and leave the office, politely, of course. I also told him that if he would like to file a complaint against us, public defenders, he may do so. The law is on our side. Stubborn at best. Ohm. Ohm. Ohm. Great thing about the incident: ...

First day at work today. I made it to the municipal hall 10 minutes before clock-in. The RTC where I'm assigned is Branch 21. My staff Jen accompanied me there and I introduced myself, armed with my folders of the day's cases for hearing, seven all in all. However, we were informed that the presiding judge was put under preventive suspension starting today. My lucky stars? Err, no, because it means a temporary and indefinite halt for the progress of the cases. My first day in this little town. I am in for more surprises.

Hi! I thought blogging on here would become a regular thing, but with all the craziness of the situation at work, which is a good kind of crazy I must say, blogging seems a long shot. Anyhoo, I'm here because I just had to share what transpired in court today. I was defending the accused in a drug use case and presented him on the stand to testify. Direct exam went smoothly until I threw the last question at the accused: "Do you take any illegal drug?" Dear friends, the answer of my client was : "Yes." Ni-ulbo akong kaspa. XDDDDD

Excuse me while I wallow in a moment of downfall.... I feel like a doormat. Thank you very much for actively ignoring me. I fare thee well.

Carly Rae Jepsen's Call Me Maybe is playing on loop now as I type. I thought I should update this so-called journal while the folks are out and I have the house all to myself. I checked in with the personnel of PAO Regional Office two days ago. The officer in charge told me I will be spending the first month of my engagement in the regional office. This means the first few cases I will be handling will be heard in the Hall of Justice below the HQ. Think familiar faces and me stuttering my 'Good morning' and 'Objection, Your Honor!' 'On what grounds?' 'Let me get back to you on that, Your Honor.' Ligwak!  I know, I know, I am getting way ahead of myself. I sincerely wish none of this horrendous experience will occur.  So, what day is today...Friday. As is always the case, I am home. Both my liver and wallet love the fact that I am home. The credit card, however, did not have the same sentiment--I shopped for new 'work' c...

I have a little over three weeks to prepare for yet another move to a new home in a different city. Where that will be, I still do not know. But I welcome the surprise with all the giddyness of a girl on her first day of college. Emotions are mixed--fear, excitement, anxiety. I have never appeared in a courtroom as counsel before. (Brrr.) I am getting myself into something really scary. Why did I wish this? The answer is I need to feel alive. I need to step out of my comfort zone in order to do that. I need to make a difference in someone else's life and give a huge chunk of myself to a good cause. I thank God with all my heart that I am going to be able to do this and not chicken out when I no longer find it convenient. I hope I could persevere, with God's grace. Now, I'm going out to look for work clothes (think white shirts and subdued clothing.) Let's do this!

Do you recall a day when all the events, when threaded together, all lead up to a most sensible conclusion? Like the universe was hinting you clues of what was already happening without your knowledge. Yesterday was such a day.  In the morning, as I was riding in the car with my mother, she expressed how she wanted to wash all my suit jackets as they have been stored for a long time, and exposed to nasty bugs lurking in dark, moist places. (Hello, basements in tropical countries.) At around lunch time, my friend Karyn in Manila posted on my timeline that she wanted me to visit her there immediately. In the afternoon, Ma asked if I wanted to apply for a tourist visa with them, but I said No, not now as I am still waiting for a proper job, and a steady flow of income money was an important  object in any visa application. Before dinner, the universe dropped the bomb. I got into PAO. I was informed that I will be flying out to Manila (Karyn) to take my oath of ...

I am in Manila at the moment. I have nothing to do, nowhere to be, as John Mayer would have it. I have crashed into my friends' space in Malate, and I've been treated with utmost warmth and generosity. Thank you, dear God, that you have blessed me with awesome friends. Four days ago, I went through a gruelling series of exams at the central PAO office, with my Portia sister, Jammy. We are crossing our fingers and toes for positive results. If I get the job, I will be more than thankful and happy for the blessing.

There is nothing cute about writing this post in the toilet, especially when the device I'm typing this entry from is a big ass jurassic age laptop. Apparently, I do not believe in desks anymore. That was TMI,please forgive me. :) Thursday is brought to you by another call from the office requesting my personal data sheet for *government* purposes. This is progress.

At 8 am today I received a call today from Ms. Judy of the Region X Office. I was called in for my interview with the 5 lawyers at PAO. Sigh of relief when I learned they were going to interview me in their respective offices, and individually, instead of holding a panel interview where all five of them could come at me at once. I think I did well. However, there was a major blunder on my part which had to do with the actual strategies of litigation practice , of which I  have had no experience. But other than that, they were all very accomodating and nice. I cannot complainn of the possible assignment post--Ozamiz City. I am currently easing into an Ozamiz State of mind, just for good vibes. Let there be internet where the path takes me.

Easter Sunday is over and everyone has gone back to work. Everyone but me. I'm not regretting the tiniest bit of my decision to take a long break from the world of toil and slavery. Today I will go with Ma to SSS, and  probably a little shopping on the side. And when I speak of shopping, I mean the cheapskate kind--Gaisano, ukay, Japan Home, Surplus shops---you get the drift. One has to be on the lookout for the potential of a certain item, otherwise, it'll just look blah on the hanger or on the display rack. My sister and I used to go to ukay shops and hold a contest of who can find the most high-end looking garment at a lower price. The fun is in the hunting, which is the reason we always go back to the thrift shops to waste time away. Off topic. I miss going to the gym. It was a solid month of intensive training that gave my lower back the much needed relief.  I swear I'm going back soon. Ok, hafta go take a shower.

I'm eight months away from 30. Yahoo says the happiest age is 33. I'd like to get to that age now. I have already made peace with my what-could-have-beens. Still, I thank the heavens for the heapfuls of affirmation which came my way yesterday. Thank you, yes you, for brightening up my day. (I am still waiting for that public service post.)

Six in the morning. I woke up in the same state before I slept--Waiting. Waiting for a call.  Dear mobile phone, please ring already. In the meantime, today will be spent in the hospital assisting Ma as she goes about her medical checkup. There are things thrown here and there to keep the wait a little absurd, such as Magic 89.9 Good Times With Mo with Petra Mahalimuyak. Gah, I love her. Word of the day: Aprilingus. Gago lang si Mohan Gumatay.

Hi. Allow me to get ahead of myself. I am a lawyer waiting for an appointment in public service, and this is where I shall hopefully chronicle the craziness from hereon. Welcome to my online diary.