ACCEPTING DEFEAT

As the old adage goes,

"Be humble in victory, be gracious in defeat"

Last May 3, 2015, the world was at the stand still because of the "fight of the century" between the best pound-for-pound boxers Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.

The fight ended with a Unanimous decision in favor of Mayweather.

Fans at the MGM Grand booed at the decision. Filipinos from all over the globe cried conspiracy allegations and vent their anger at their respective social media accounts. Personally, I also vent my frustrations in Twitter. It is frustrating to see your nation's pride having a hard time solving the puzzle that is Mayweather.

Leading towards the fight, I was really concern with fighting style of Mayweather. He is so intelligent and savvy that he could telegraph every move of his opponent. His in-game adjustments are also unmatched.

Outside the ring, he may be a villain but once the bright lights are on, you will marvel at his defensive prowess. It is comparable to the Fort Knox because they are impenetrable.

However, also leading towards the fight, I thought Pacquiao could do a better version of the tactic which was utilized by Maidana. The latter fought a rugged type of game plan. Pushing Floyd towards the ropes and putting his entire weight towards him in order to land his haymakers. Maidana threw punch after punch with reckless abandon. 

In my head, Pacquiao could do better than that. He has a good footwork and he can unleash a furry of punches from all angles. 

During their much awaited encounter, Pacquiao looked like the past Mayweather opponents. Manny was having a hard time landing a clean punch because Mayweather was ducking, weaving and running away from the action.

What other Pacquiao fans fail to realize is that Floyd carefully picks the moment when he should attack. Once he attacks, he would perfectly hit Pacquiao with precise punches.

After the fight, the Compubox stats were released.

Like everyone else, I was surprised that Mayweather threw more punches than Pacquiao. However, I was not surprised with the landing percentage of the punches because Mayweather is known to be precise puncher throughout his career.

Compubox stats was an indication that Pacquiao failed to execute his gameplan. He was supposed to threw a barrage of punches towards Floyd and cut the ring to effectively limit Floyd's movement inside the ring.

Instead, Mayweather utilized every advantage he has, he used his reach advantage in keeping Manny at bay. He used his weight and height advantage to clinch Manny when he is about to launch his plan of attack.

In the press conference after the fight, It was revealed that Pacquiao has a shoulder injury. True or not, it is just an excuse to save the face of the entire Pacquiao team.  It is not the first time, Pacquiao used an excuse when losing a fight. 

During his first encounter with Morales, his excuse was that he couldn't rest properly because the suite in which he was supposed to stay was taken by his then promoter. 

Also during his first encounter with Marquez, his excuse in why he didn't finished off JuanMa is because of his socks caused blisters which limited his movement.

As a Filipino, my nationality does not accept defeat easily. We will always have an excuse in our back pocket every time. It is hard to own up to our mistakes. 

In the MayPac fight,

YES, Floyd ran and clinched (hugged) Pacquiao. Running and Clinching are not illegal in a boxing match.

YES, Floyd is a boring fighter. He maybe boring but he is an effective fighter. He attacks in a position of strength. This what makes him intelligent. Every move he makes is calculated.

YES, the fight was held in the US and the judges are Americans. But it does not necessarily mean that the fight is rigged. 

Filipinos are hurt with the result of this fight because Floyd was the "villain". He bad mouth Pacquiao and even our country before. We love the story that the good always trumps evil. Our anger towards Floyd became personal in a way that we hoped that Manny would beat the shit out of him.

Unfortunately we lost, but we must accept the fact that Mayweather outwit, outplay,outclass our Pambansang Kamao. 

THE TYPES OF PROFESSORS YOU WILL MEET IN LAW SCHOOL

Since we started studying in school, we have encountered different types of teachers along the way. From Elementary to College, we all had our list of our most-loved and most-hated teachers.

This is my attempt to categorized or described the type of teachers in Law School based on my personal experiences and based from past experiences from Lawyers and fellow law students from different law schools.

1. GATEKEEPERS

WHO ARE THEY?

BAR Topnotchers, Members of the Judiciary, Members of the Administration and those who graduated with top honors in Law School.


WHAT TO EXPECT?

• READ AND MEMORIZE THE CODAL PROVISIONS.
• READ THE FULL TEXT OF THE CASES.
• MAKE A DIGEST OF CASES.
• HIGH-MORTALITY RATE.
• TRANSPARENCY IN THE GRADING SYSTEM.
• HARD RECITATION QUESTIONS AND HARD EXAMINATION.
• YOU WILL LEARN THE BEST TIPS ON HOW TO STUDY IN LAW SCHOOL AND FOR THE BAR.

2. THE SAINTS

WHO ARE THEY?
Those who actually enjoyed during their stay in Law School


WHAT TO EXPECT?

• A RELATIVELY SHORTER READING ASSIGNMENTS.
• MEMORIZING CODAL PROVISIONS IS NOT MANDATORY.
• READING CASE DIGEST ONLINE IS ENOUGH.
• THEY OCCASIONALLY ALLOW THEIR STUDENTS TO READ THEIR NOTES AND CODALS.
• THEY WILL ASK THE BASIC QUESTIONS.
• SOMETIMES THEY WON'T CONDUCT RECITATIONS.
• THEY GIVE OUT RELATIVELY HIGHER GRADE.
• THEY ARE SOUGHT AFTER EVERY ENROLLMENT PERIOD.

3. THE SCRIPTS

WHO ARE THEY?
Those Professors who have a reviewer, exam, notes and audio lectures named after them.

WHAT TO EXPECT?

• MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, THEY WILL JUST FOLLOW WHAT IS WRITTEN IN THE REVIEWERS.
• GET A HOLD OF COPY OF ANY OF THEIR EXAMS, MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, 50% OF THOSE QUESTIONS WILL BE REPEATED IN THEIR NEXT EXAM.

4. THE DART PLAYERS

WHO ARE THEY?
Professors who give grades of their students not based on merits.

WHAT TO EXPECT?

• STUDENTS WHO ARE EXPECTED TO FAIL WILL MIRACULOUSLY PASS.
• STUDENTS WHO ARE EXPECTED TO PASS WILL SURPRISINGLY FAIL.
• THEY WILL NOT RELEASE THE BREAKDOWN OF THE GRADES OF THEIR STUDENTS.
• THEY WILL NOT RELEASE THE RESULT OF THE QUIZZES OR EXAMS.

5. MAJOR PLAYER

WHO ARE THEY?
Super Demanding Professors who handles minor subjects (below 3 units)

WHAT TO EXPECT?

• GIVING A READING ASSIGNMENT WHICH ARE EXPECTED TO A MAJOR SUBJECT.
• THEY REQUIRE CASE DIGEST, GIVE OUT QUIZZES, PRE-MIDTERM EXAMS, PRE-FINAL EXAMS.
• THEY ALSO ASKS FOR TERM PAPERS.
• THEY ARE DEMANDING BUT THEY ARE OFTEN LOW-GRADERS.

6.  PLAYING FAVORITES

WHO ARE THEY?
Professors who give extra-importance to those pretty or handsome classmate of yours.

WHAT TO EXPECT?

• THE PROFESSOR WILL BE EXTRA-PATIENT WHEN THE "FAVORITE" IS CALLED FOR RECITATION.
• THE PROFESSOR WILL GUIDE "FAVORITE" TO THE CORRECT ANSWER.
• THE PROFESSOR WILL ASK THE EASIER QUESTIONS TO "FAVORITE" THAN YOUR OTHER CLASSMATES.
• WHEN "THE FAVORITE" IS ABSENT, THE PROFESSORS WILL ASK THE CLASS WHY. 

7. BARELY THERE

WHO ARE THEY?
Professors who will meet the class at the maximum of 5 times in the semester. They are usually the junior associate in a law firm.

WHAT TO EXPECT?

• MAKE-UP CLASSES.
• AN EXTENDED READING ASSIGNMENT.
• EXTREME DIFFICULTY IN STUDYING FOR THEIR SUBJECT.

8. FINALISTS

WHO ARE THEY?

These professors believe in the saying "It is not how you start, it is how you finish" 

WHAT TO EXPECT?

• FINAL EXAM SCORE > MIDTERM GRADE + QUIZZES + RECITATIONS

9. THE EYE CANDY

WHO ARE THEY?
Professors who are pretty, handsome, gorgeous, classy, hunk among others.


WHAT TO EXPECT?

• KILIG EVERYTIME YOU SEE THEM IN SCHOOL.
• DIFFICULTY IN KEEPING EYE CONTACT DURING RECITATIONS.
• YOU DON'T MIND GOING TO THEIR CLASS EVEN WITHOUT STUDYING ANYTHING.
• YOU ARE SOMETIMES ENVIOUS ABOUT THEM BECAUSE THEY BOTH HAVE BEAUTY AND BRAINS.

QPI CALCULATOR

Instructions:

*Feel free to change the entries especially the name of subjects
*Indicate the correct number of units for the corresponding law subject

*If you have less than 16 subjects per year, just leave the number of units and final grade to zero (nevermind the failed status)
*Do not mix the subjects of different year levels. (e.g. Do not include your first year subjects with your 2nd year subjects)
*This is just a simulation in order to aid your computation in achieving your desired QPI
*Enjoy!

COULD THIS BE THE END OF SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL?

Last April 1, 2015, Urbandub announced that they will be holding their last concert as a band on May 9, 2015. Some fans, including myself, were not convinced because it maybe an April Fools Prank.

UNFORTUNATELY, the post turned out to be true!. After 15 years in the music industry, Urbandub will disband and take a hiatus. Prior before the announcement, the band posted concert posters with the words Endless and 5.9.2015. Little did we know that the said poster was just a precursor of the bomb that is about to drop on April first. 

The band played a huge role for me in appreciating OPM music even more. Back in High School, I was a fan of popular bands like Eraserheads, Parokya ni Edgar, RiverMaya, South Border among others. However, when I got into College in 2005, I was introduced to the fresh and new kind of sound, the Independent music or Indie. My dormate who eats and breaths OPM bands introduced me to Urbandub. He lend me his copy of their Birth and Influence Album. 

I was blown away by their music. Never did I imagine that heavy guitar riffs and slick bass lines could work with poetic lyrics. The lyrics were 'intellectually' written. It was really poetry. Picture this, Get any Lang Leav poem you can think of and put on a Rock music. For me, that is Urbandub music right there. 

I only watched the band perform twice. 

The first one was in the 'infamous' Rock Elbi held in the Freedom Park grounds. After their set,  I got my CD signed by John Dinopol after I sneaked in the backstage.  If I sneaked in much earlier, I could have asked Gabby, Lalay and Jan Jan sign my copy of their album Embrace.

The second one was very memorable for me. 

It was in the middle of our Midterm examination week. That was a Wednesday. I have 2 exams scheduled that day. Negotiable Instruments Law and Taxation Law 1. It was mentally and physically draining. I barely got sleep just to review. Actually I try to keep awake in the library by drinking a bottle of Cobra energy drink. Instead of having that second wind in order to stay awake, my brain was just too tired to function and I fell asleep.

Fast forward, After finishing the 2 exams, I suddenly remembered that the Urbandub will playing at the South Station at 9 pm. 

As I arrived there at 9:10 pm, the band had just come up at the stage. Songs from their past albums and new Album, Esoteric, were played. 

Songs like Soul Searching, A new Tattoo, Dim the Headlights, Never Will I Forget, Call to Arms, First of Summer, Evidence, Guillotine were played. 

Upon hearing those songs, my body felt so alive. For a moment, I felt like there were no Midterm Exams to worry about. 

Then, Gabby Alipe introduced the song 'The Fight is Over'. As the intro was playing, I felt a tear roll down in my face. The physical and mental toll of the exams seemed to much to bear and I just had to release the emotions and the stress that is consuming my body. You can't help it when Gab pauses before and after he sings the line "Could you explain to me?..." 

The last song was extra special for me because it was Endless, a Silent Whisper. My personal favorite track from the album Embrace. 

I love how Gab sings it. You know that he sings from the heart. Actually, collectively, the band plays with their heart. They love their craft, they love their fans and they stay true to their style of music. Lalay's bass lines gives the needed groove to their songs. The drums and Lead Guitars were just perfect!. Fans noticed and seconded by his other bandmates that Janjan took the Urbandub to the next level. They created the distinct UDub sound. 

I went home that night super happy. I may not have a picture with the band nor a signed copy of their new CD. But, I was still very much contented because hearing the music of Urbandub live is enough for me. 

Now that the band is about to disband or a hiatus, I felt extremely sad because the band members look so good together. A single unit playing top-notch songs which are comparable with foreign acts. 

Hopefully, the band will just take a hiatus for a year or two in order to take have time with their families, then comeback with a huge album!.

Frontman Gabby Alipe said in Rappler article that it is not the end of Urbandub. He particularly said that there are no such things as endings, only new beginnings.

So there is hope Dubistas!!! 

I had the WILL but I did not SUCCEED...

Earlier today, Wisconsin Badgers has beaten University of Kentucky Wildcats 71-64 ending UK's 38 game winning streak and also ending their title hopes in the process.

38-1. They lost only game yet they are out in the tournament.

This post is not about the NCAA Tournament. This is about my version of "Wisconsin".

Ever since I transferred to San Beda Alabang School of Law in 2013, I never had a failing mark in my Final Grades.

Until....

I experienced my own version of "Wisconsin" by the name of "WILLS AND SUCCESSION". Funny that they started with same letter. haha

Anyway, I failed the said subject. It ended my 'unblemished' streak. It was supposed to be painful but when I entered law school, I think I developed a sort of "immunity" towards failure and disappointment.

The reason why I flunked it because I was not ready for it. I simply couldn't understand it. I couldn't grasp it. Do not get me wrong but I spend countless hours studying for the subject but for some reason, it was not working for me. To be honest, if I miraculously passed the subject, I will feel lucky because I sure did not deserve the passing mark.

One indication that I did not fully comprehend the said subject was when it was the topic at the Morning Rush, a morning radio program at Monster RX 93.1. Del, Chico and Gino were talking about inheritance. They were discussing about how would the properties left be divided among the heirs if there are creditors. They started posing some questions like "Would the heirs pay the creditors out of their share in the inheritance?". They were asking their loyal listeners to help them with this legal predicament.

Upon hearing this, I was dumbfounded. I was literally drawn a blank. I said to myself, the indications are not looking good regarding my grade in Wills.

True enough, when the news that our grade in Wills were out, I failed.

Oh Well, the streak is gone but it is time to make a new one. Hopefully my grades in the 2nd semester would turn out to be great.

Going back to my NCAA analogy, hopefully we get our 'revenge' over 'Wisconsin'.

My First Year in San Beda College Alabang School of Law

Transferring to a new school is a new thing for me.

Before I transferred to SBCA, I exhausted all the remedies possible just to stay in San Beda Mendiola. In fact, I wrote a letter to our Dean that I am willing to re-take all my second year subjects including those subjects which I passed. 

The QPI negotiations were not enough to include me in the list of those students who are retained in the College of Law. 

Our Dean did not grant my petition to retake all my 2nd year subjects instead he offered me to retake all my subjects. It means I would be back in first year. The term used in Mendiola if a student goes back to First Year in Law is called "whitewash".

I did not agree with the condition he gave so the most logical thing for me is to transfer to San Beda College Alabang to continue finish my 2nd year level. Both schools employ practically the same system. Almost same line-up of Professors and same style of teaching. If you factor out the travel time to Alabang, it is really the best alternative if you were not retained in Mendiola.

New Place, Familiar Faces|

Although I was new in the school, I recognized almost 40% of the students because I have already seen them or meet them in Mendiola. My fellow transferees call it 'Mini-Mendiola'. It is then I learned that Alabang is also the alternative school chosen by those who transferred from Ateneo Law School.

Culture shock

As the first semester progress, I noticed that some of my classmates are fond of using 'team' play during quizzes and exams. They have this formation in the examination room and the necessary signals to execute their plan. And when the results are released, they have the audacity to gloat their scores. In fact, sometimes the one who copied gets the higher grade than the person he copied from.

I was shocked because in my 2 year stay in Mendiola, I have never encountered such a thing. Maybe because the students there are afraid of Karma or maybe because I was 'fortunate' enough not to be included in a class where there are rampant cheaters.

My fellow Mendiola transferees talk about this trend in our new school. We made a disputable presumption that the reason why SBCA School of Law has not fared well in the recent BAR exams is because some of the students 'cheated' their way in order to graduate. 

I would rather prefer to being surrounded by those sycophant or "sipsip" rather than the cheaters because a professor cannot grade a student based on the flattery he gets. I also noticed that I was wrong in judging other students as sycophants. In fact, they were just really friendly. My Bad...

Chill Atmosphere

Generally, the studentry is on 'chill' mode. When you enter the Library, you could likely see students chatting rather than reading books unlike in Mendiola where the competition is really high. In fact, it so intense that you could smell it. Making unnecessary noise in the Library will merit a lot of angry and resentful faces.

In addition, the staff in the Registrar, Deans Office and even in the Cafeteria are very accommodating. 

Travel time

I chose not to lease an apartment nor be bedspacer in a place near the school. I prefer commuting everyday from Quezon City to Alabang everyday. I get-up at 6 am. Get-out of the house at around 8-9 am. I arrive at school around 11-12nn. My allotted travel time is always 2 hours. 

A Year Later

Fortunately, with the Grace of God, I was able to successfully pass all my subjects during my first year in Alabang. Hopefully, this trend will continue until I graduate.

A Thank You Letter to Pope Francis

Dear Pope Francis,

Thank You for visiting the Philippines. Millions of Catholics went to see a glimpse of you and your ever sincere and genuine smile.

Thank You for visiting my impoverished kababayans in Leyte. Your presence was surely a boost in their morale and spirituality as they are still slowly getting up on their feet after the horrific storm that hit them.

Thank You for pointing out that the focus of your visit is about Jesus and not about yourself.

Thank You for reminding us that it is OK to cry. Much like the rain that day, there was downpour of tears when I watched you hug the child giving the speech and hold the hands of the children on-stage while the song "Tell the World of His Love" is playing.

Thank You for meeting the Father of the volunteer who died after a scaffolding fell on her. 

Thank You for trying to bridge the gap between the believers of different religions and those who are non-believers of existence of God.

I know a lot of news articles have been posted or published and various documentaries have been shown regarding your visit. 

I know my list of Thank You notes are not complete. I just would like to write a simple blog post just to show my appreciation for Pope Francis. 

I just hope and pray that his teachings would resonate on us for a long time.

and one last thing,

Thank You for praying for us.