Last Saturday, July 7, 2018, Inquies Pro Lege concluded the first stretch of its three-week long legal mid-term course.
Week 1 began with an introductory talk by Universitas Foundation Inc. President and CEO Atty. Oliver Tuazon at the multi-purpose hall of the University Residence Hall along St. Josemaria Escriva Drive – Ortigas Center. It was followed by a peer review activity where the participants were asked to read, digest and engage in an open discussion on a landmark case that was decided by the Philippine Supreme Court.
In the afternoon, the staff and participants traveled north to visit the Quezon City Hall of Justice. There, they enjoyed the warm welcome and gracious hospitality of Hon. Judge Joel Lopena of the Metropolitan Trial Court, who hosted a get-together over afternoon tea.
Atty. Oliver Tuazon gives an introductory talk to the participants.
The participants read & digest a Supreme Court decision.
The second day of the mid-term course was enlivened by the insights and stories shared by the day’s roster of speakers. Russel Ong, a licensed geologist, delivered a formative talk on virtues, specifically zeroing in on the topic “Love for God”. This was followed by the dynamic and interactive lecture on Latin for Lawyers by university Latin instructor Robert Z. Cortes.
The day was capped by the talk of top Philippine lawyer Atty. Raymond Fortun, on the topic “Passing the Bar”. Aside from sharing tips and personal insights from his first-hand experience in taking the bar and eventually becoming the bar examiner for Criminal Law in 2007, Atty. Fortun also shared bits of his experiences as a litigator and his views on the current state of the country’s legal system.
The participants pose with Latin instructor Robert Z. Cortes.
The participants with Atty. Raymond Fortun.
On the morning of the third day, University Center Foundation Inc. Executive Director and PAREF-Northfield Educator Amos Alarcio gave a formative talk on the virtues of Reverence and Piety. In that same morning, IPL 2018 participant John Patrick Roxas had the opportunity to facilitate a peer review among his fellow participants with a presentation about key and practical insights on Worthy Goals. Likewise, IPL staff Marnel Tamayo discussed his Legal Theory paper on the thoughts of the legal philosopher Lon Fuller.
Finally, Philippine playwright, historian and educator Dr. Paul Dumol gave a remarkable lecture on the History of Philippine Nationhood, with his main thesis being the Philippines is not yet a nation, but that it is “a nation in-the-making.”
The participants pose with Dr. Dumol
Week 1 of Inquies Pro Lege 2018, full of learnings and insights from the speakers, as well as of the shared encounters and experiences among the staff and participants, serve as the foundational piece of this three-week endeavor.
This coming Thursday (July 12), the Inquies Pro Lege will begin with its second week, with a different set of speakers to hear and learn from, and a different set of activities to engage in. It is the goal of the Foundation in the succeeding two weeks to further strengthen the bond of the staff and participants, and contribute not only to the growth of their knowledge of the law, but also to their personal development as future lawyers and leaders of society.
Those interested may still join Weeks 2 and 3 of the course. You may contact Course Director Isaac Tambunting at 0917-898-4425.
NOTA BENE: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author, and the speakers mentioned in the article, and not necessarily to the Foundation.
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