In one of Fr. Jerry M. Orbos, SVD’s books — Just a Moment — he asks a powerful question: “Was there a moment in your life when you experienced God in a very real and personal way?” My answer is a wholehearted yes — not just once, but many times.   I didn’t grow up religious. I wasn’t taught to rely on God’s grace. As a child, life felt messy, hopeless, and out of control. I wanted to grow up fast so I could fix the things I hated most — especially the way we were living. Back then I didn’t know it, but God was already working behind the scenes.   The first time I truly felt His presence was in 2008, when I passed the bar exam. That year, the passing rate was unexpectedly adjusted — something I saw as God’s perfect timing. Honestly, if that didn’t happen, I don’t know how I would have survived it. It was a turning point that made me believe God sees us, hears our whispered prayers, and knows how much we struggle. From that day, I promised myself to live ri...

Corruption doesn’t just appear out of nowhere. Nobody wakes up one morning already corrupt. Most of the time, it starts small—through little acts we don’t take seriously. Remember those small white lies as kids, or the way we fought over toys just to get our way? We laughed at them back then, parents brushed them off as harmless, but if those habits aren’t corrected, they grow into something else: greed. Not just for toys or attention, but eventually for money, power, and influence. Even on social media, we joke about “ghost projects.” As students, some of us asked our parents for extra money—pretending it was for school when really it was for hanging out with friends. It looked innocent, even funny. But think about it: when we normalize getting something through deception, it plants a seed. Small dishonesty can turn into bigger dishonesty, and bigger dishonesty eventually affects society. The Role of Parents and Families👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 I often remind couples during marriage ceremonies: pa...

  They say prayers move mountains—but only when matched with hard work and grit. God does miracles, yes—but often for those who show up with unwavering faith and quiet perseverance.   With the 2025 Bar exams drawing near, I want to share my journey—from knowing almost nothing about the legal profession to finally earning the hard-won title of “Attorney.” This isn’t a story of brilliance, but of endurance. And if you’re struggling with life while chasing your dream, maybe this is for you.   I’ve mentioned in previous blogs that becoming a lawyer wasn’t really my dream at first. Nobody in my family or circle was a lawyer. We were far from financially secure. My parents did what they could to make ends meet. I knew from the start that going to law school would be a stretch—for them and for me.   There were days I felt torn. Should I find a job to help support my family? Or should I study full-time to keep up with the demands of law school? I had no idea what...