Officially Missing Manila

Manila is the first city I fell in love with instantly. It began when we started going there because my dad got assigned to work there. Every summer, semestral break and even during intramurals, my mom, my sister and I would always grab that chance to visit Dad. That's when the love affair started. A visit to Megamall and Gift Gate everyday, I'm the happiest kid alive! Then I lived there for 4 good years in college. Never mind the flooding every rainy season (I'm from UST) and the hassle of commuting. I always feel a certain high whenever I'm there. Then after law school, Dad bought me a house and shipped my car there. Much to my delight! Living there made easier 100x! I love my Daddy soooo much for that. Reviewed for the bar, worked there. That's more than 2 years in total. Now I'm back in Bacolod for almost 4 months. I'm sad. I am officially missing Manila! Waaah!

Last night, we were at my uncle's house to celebrate his birthday. While we were lining up to get the food, the topic of Manila came up. My aunt asked if I miss my life there. I'm like YEAH! Then my cousin chimed in, she felt sad when she entered the house (she stayed at my house when she visited 2 weeks ago) because it was pretty obvious that no one lives there anymore. Cobwebs on corners! My heart just sank... I wanted to fly out immediately! If only I can. I went on to saying that I saw a pic of her hubby taken in my room. All the more I realized I miss it sorely. I miss Manila and everything else that comes with it.

I am having this bad habit of comparing everything here with Manila. I know I'm not supposed to be doing that because apparently it's 2 different cities. But somehow, unconsciously, I am guilty of it. I guess I am one of those few who'd rather live in Manila than in Bacolod. A handful of people I know who came here for a visit all fell in love with the place, the lifestyle and with the people. Maybe like me when I first set foot on Manila soil. They would enumerate all the bad stuffs they can say about Manila. I would always pleasantly say, me? I prefer Manila. I have friends there, more things to do, a lot of places to go to and more importantly, freedom. Not just from parents but even from people around you. Inhibitions fly out the window coz of the anonymosity. I guess to each his own.

My coming back in Bacolod was so spontaneous that I didn't spend ample time to think over my decision. But no regrets. I'm learning and I love what I'm doing. I just can't help it sometimes when I would wish I was in Manila instead. Maybe because a big part of me is still very hopeful that one day or sooner I will be back there again. A very good job offer perhaps? Or who knows, I just might wake up one day and pack up my things. Til then, I'm leaving my house vacant.

Diving into Politics

I had a surprise visit from a lawyer friend yesterday afternoon. He came with a decision we have been discussing about for several weeks now. I can't say it's a great news. But definitely, it's a challenge for him... He is diving into politics!

I am not well-versed with our local politics. I found out who our vice mayor is just last week! And his name or face doesn't even ring a bell. hahaha That's how clueless I am! I started to become curious when this friend of mine told me that he was being invited to fill in a slot in this particular line up. My initial reaction then was, 'politics? seriously?' I gave out a laugh. I couldn't imagine him campaigning, being on stage in a gathering and selling himself, speaking in Ilonggo, no less! hahaha It's too funny! But I have always asked him over and over again if he wants it too. We have had some deep conversations about it. I guess he found it fitting that I was the first person he would visit after giving his confirmation to the party.

Our set up is the same. When he passed the bar, he also joined in his uncle's law firm. He has him for guidance. But as eager lawyers as we are, we constantly try to find ways how we can break away from our uncles' shadow. There was this one time I was offered a Clerk of Court job somewhere far from Bacolod. I was dead set on taking the job. I would rationalize my decision to him. He got my point and he was all supportive with it. Until I talked to my uncle and he explained the risk of travelling that far everyday. His point was, it's not worth it. So I had calm down my excitement and decided to take his advice. Then one day, he told me that there's an opening at a Branch here in Bacolod and he was going to apply. I asked him, why? He said because I sold it really well to him! hahaha And there's this another court too that is in need of a Clerk of Court. We were thinking that it would be really cool if we both get the job. Unfortunately, I submitted a little too late for they have endorsed an applicant already. But as with him, he was all on go. During those times, he was confused. He had to pick just one. Either he becomes a COC or be a candidate (winning is almost good as sure). We rationalized it together, until we decided to leave it to fate. Fate chose COC. So he went on to preparing everything he needs but somehow, there is this thin thread that ties him to the idea of entering politics. Just the day before his flight to Manila to personally follow up his application with the Supreme Court, he decided to run this coming election.

It's a yes for him. Without much thoughts on it, he is taking the challenge. I was telling him yesterday that he better be prepared to say goodbye to late nights and being publicly seen having too much alcohol fun. Well, at least until he gets elected. hahaha He'd be wearing a halo from now on.

This will be a busy election year. 2 lawyer friends running. Both dream of one thing... change.

-oOo-

An update: My friend decided to revert back to what fate chose for him. He withdrew his confirmation to run this coming election. Clerk of Court it is.

Alcohol and Law

Felt like it was a long day today. The moment I stepped out of the Hall of Justice going to my car, I thought, a nice below zero beer would be perfect to end the day. But it was only 5pm and I'm on antibiotics. Meaning, it's too early (as if we haven't drank this early) and more importantly, I can't drink. It would have been nice to cap off the day with friends and beer and discuss what just happened. I am a newbie and insights from not-so-newbie are very much well-taken and are very helpful as well.

Seems like it was just not me who had a long day. A few minutes after I was home, a lawyer friend texted:
M: U heading home?
A: Just arrived. Was at HOJ earlier. U going out to drink?
M: A cold beer would be nice. I was hoping we can meet up for 1 or 2 bots.
A: Yup, would have loved it too. I can't drink tho. I'm on antibiotics. Still coughing like hell! Long day?
M: Yeah, long day. I wanted to unwind but beer tastes bitter when you're drinking alone. Ur not yet well?
A: Not yet. So sick of it already. I have a story to share. Next time then.
M: Is that a SNN story material? Too bad.
A: Chismoso! It's a serious story. About a case.
M: Oh, it's a professional story. Would have been perfect to discuss it over beer. You're handling this case, I suppose?
A: Co-handling, I guess. Appeared at the hearing this afternoon. I have a comment I want to share. I guess, it's still chismis.
M: Too bad. Look me up when you're fine. Rest well.

So there. 2 lawyers who both had a long day had the same thing in mind. Beer. I'm pretty sure there's no connection between law and beer. Somehow, these 2 are always a perfect match. It started out in law school where you learn to drink after a long day in class. A terrifying recitation or maybe a brain-breaking exam or perhaps just another day of legal jargon. Bottomline is, we are thinking of the same way how to unwind. Sit down somewhere cozy, with a cold beer and great conversation. This is something that hasn't changed. Sure, it may have been lessened because of deadlines to meet the following day but fact remains, we make time to unwind and along with it is our dose of alcohol.

In the U.S., when you are sent the forms when you will renew your license, there is a flyer inserted about alcoholism. I asked my boss then, why is that so. He said that the most common problem/disease of lawyers is alcoholism. This is due to drinking every after workday and it eventually progresses to becoming an addiction. Ergo, work ethics and delivery are affected.

It's just not us who think the same. I guess it's safe to say that most lawyers, after a long day, want a cold beer/alcohol. To ease stress, enjoy the conversation that comes with it and for a moment forget about the deadlines. The irony of it tho is that during these drinking sessions, guess what we talk about? Law of course! hahaha Maybe law sounds simpler with a little push of our buddy SanMig. Maybe.

Lawyering

Like I have said, I have been on house arrest for more than a week now. I have been itching to report to the office and to get my hands on on a couple of cases I should be getting started on. Instead, I chose to take a break because I wouldn't want to gross people out with my constant coughing. But today, Tito called me up and asked if I was free this afternoon. Without hesitation, I said I was. My heart was jumping up and down because I'll be in court. Wohoo! So he went on to brief me what the case was about and what I have to do. It's pretty simple really. And I have heard of this case already. Thanks to our legal secretary whose keeping me updated.

It is a criminal case and we represent the accused. As a lawyer, it is always advisable that you separate your personal self in handling cases. Especially in a sensitive criminal case like this one. I will be meeting and briefing the clients before we go to court. I made sure tho that I arrive in the office earlier than them so I will be able to read the file before I actually meet them. While going thru it, I find myself shaking my head a few times. It is such a sad sad case. But like I said, I have to separate my personal opinions if I want to effectively represent this client. So I met with them and then off to court we went.

You know the phrase, 'innocent til proven otherwise'? Somehow, on cases like this, the accused is looked down on with disgust and worse, convicted as guilty even before the ball starts rolling. It is such a bad bad behavior when there is blatant biasness. Making it known that you don't believe in every word that comes from his mouth. But as a lawyer, you can only do so much. You have to play it by ear, based on the behavior of the person in charged. Even when you feel that you have the right to get all mad, sometimes you just have to swallow down the things you have to say. Because more often, it will cause your case more harm than good.

Lawyering is not just about the intelligence. I'd like to believe it is more on wits and strategy. You can't keep a car running by its instruction book alone. Sometimes you need to feel and connect with it in order to know how best to remedy what's broken. Or try out other ways if the damage still continues to exist. Just like lawyering. It's a constant trial and error. There is not one book that will teach you how to become a great lawyer. You become better as the years go by and your practice becomes more intense. One strategy is just not enough. Each case is different so it must be treated differently too. If you can juggle cases easily, that's when you know you're a good lawyer.

Bogged Down

I have been practically on house arrest for over a week already. Been barking like a freakin' dog since Wednesday. I had too much fun 2 weekends ago. I guess now I'm paying for it.

My throat started to itch 3 weeks ago. I was feeling like I was coming down with colds. I was actually anticipating it. Somehow, it never came. I went on to deciding I'm spending the weekend at Patag. It's a mountain area up in Silay. A friend owns a resthouse. It's been 3 years since we last went up there. So everybody was excited about it. Despite the hesitation that I was feeling then, I still went. The day before, there were 9 of us going. The night before, only 7. And that morning, only 6 of us pushed through. We kindda stretched the morning as we were having coffee at Courtyard. Probably hoping someone will show up and join in afterall. but no one came. hahaha Finally, we were on our way. About an hour of driving the bumpy, mountain-y road, I was exhausted! We keep on laughingly asking, 'are we there yet?' We can't remember this ride to be this long. Finally we arrived around 1pm, in time for a late lunch. Then started drinking! Literally after lunch. tsk tsk We sat on the pavillon, listened to the music, chit-chatted and gulp gulp til it was dinner time. We transferred table to eat then back again to the pavillon then more gulp gulp. I was starting to feel cold. Because the breeze was too cool and strong. We were at the pavillon so it's really very open. Until the ghost stories came. It went on for more than an hour until finally one said, we transfer to a much warmer place, to my delight! By 12 mn, I was not feeling well already. So I said, this is it, I am going to be sick. And so I am now.

I find it rather strange that this is taking too long to heal. I was taking my vits everyday prior to my becoming ill and during my illness. Dosed up on my Vit C. But the cough just keeps on getting worse. I would recall the nights I used to work all day then drink all night then wake up early for work again. It feels like nothing happened. I feel great, ready for another round of drinking session later that night. I didn't get sick nor did it affect my productivity at work. But now that I'm here, where I'm being taken care of, not as much stressed and my time is in my control, I find myself weaker and less resilient. Maybe my body is used to being active all day and night. All of a sudden, when I got back here, I have more time to chill. My day starts late and ends early. Normally hesitant to head home.

So what's wrong? My body bogged down and prepared itself for a new routine. Since I was sick, I wasn't reporting to the office. I would stay home. I basically do nothing all day. Oh, play Cafe world on Facebook. hahaha I would do some reading. Send out a few emails. Other than that, nothing. So I guess my body is adjusting itself to a more relaxed lifestyle. Calm my mind from thinking too much. Tie down my feet so it would stop itching to going somewhere. Chill. But the question is, do I like to chill? Sure. But not on a daily basis!