IN the legal world, taking up a Doctor of Juridical Science typically signals one’s path toward courtrooms or in the corporate world. Many who earn the title of “Attorney” are expected to rise through the ranks of law firms or make their mark in the judicial system. However, Atty. Juan Ruffo D. Chong took a different path, focusing on shaping students to be globally competitive professionals.

After being awarded for his decade of dedicated service to SBCA last July, he steps into his new role as Director of Tertiary and Graduate Schools. This new position affirms his dedication to fostering an institution that thrives on excellence, inspired by the school’s vision of being committed to forming students holistically to excel in their endeavors guided by the Benedictine principles of prayer, work, and peace.

A Long Journey

Over the years, he held multiple crucial roles, viewing every position as a step towards growth and a learning curve that molded him. Starting as a part-time employee, Atty. Chong began teaching international law in the Legal Management Department. After a year, he became a full-time faculty member. 

“I am not a professional educator, meaning, my training is as a lawyer, so I had to get familiar with working for the academe,” he admits. Yet through it all, he was determined to adapt to a different field and thrive in it. 

Being appointed as Department Chair of the Legal Management program, he became attuned to the needs of the students, allowing him to have a deep understanding of their needs and create an effective academic structure. When he transitioned to Vice Dean for Student Affairs, he began to see students not just as learners in the classroom but as individuals in need of guidance, support, and holistic development. 

Having a momentous time as the Technical Adviser and then eventually Moderator of The Bedan Herald gave him a rare view into the complexities of campus journalism, making him familiar with the system of a student publication. “I also became more in tune with the peculiar needs of a student publication, as well as the issues that confront student publications at the tertiary level,” he recalls.

Finally, Atty. Chong’s experience, with a year as the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and two years as the first Dean of the School of Business, Accountancy, and Management, provided a panoramic understanding of school operations, witnessing the beauty and chaos of the students’ journey from enrollment to graduation and everything in between. 

A Step into Directorship

Now tasked with overseeing the tertiary and graduate school, Atty. Chong embraces the position with humility. “It’s an honor, but it also puts a weight on my shoulders,” he says. “With more responsibility comes the need to be even more deliberate in how I lead. Every decision must be based on evidence, on data, not on impulse.”

Armed with skills and experience formed over a decade, Atty. Chong aims to carry the practices and values he attained. More than managing operations, his approach is grounded in visibility and accountability. He believes leadership should not be removed from the realities of those it serves, but rather be shaped by them.

He envisions the lasting impact of his leadership through leading by example. “So, if I demand excellence from people, they would also see excellence in how I do things. I hope that if I aspire for professionalism, you would also see that I do things very well.”

Grounded in the belief of always being ready to serve and help, Atty. Chong’s door is always open to students, administrators, faculty members, and staff for any consultations and advice as he always keeps his door open.  “I believe that I should be in touch, not only with my fellow administrators, not only with faculty members, and I keep myself rooted to the needs of the students in general,” he added.

Excellence Without Borders

Looking ahead, Atty. Chong envisions SBCA not only as a center of learning but as a standard-bearer of academic excellence, both locally and internationally. “My vision is also aligned with the vision statement of San Beda College Alabang; we are concerned with the holistic formation of students,” he emphasized. 

In his directorship, he hopes to see the institution, especially the schools under his supervision, rise to meet and even surpass the standards of the country’s best educational institutions.

 He firmly believes that excellence cannot be confined within borders, and as such, plans to benchmark with globally renowned universities. “We should also see ourselves as part of a global community,” he explains, determined to adopt best practices from institutes of higher learning abroad.

Through the years, Atty. Chong’s previous roles, including his current position as Director of Tertiary and Graduate Schools, sharpened his insight and deepened his resolve to continuously lead with integrity. As he steps forward into this new chapter, he carries with him not only the wisdom of experience but the unwavering hope of leaving a lasting impact on the students, faculty, and the entire academic community. 

“We do not just be satisfied with what we've achieved, but we build on our achievements to achieve more—for the glory of God.” These words encapsulate a mission that Atty. Juan Ruffo D. Chong carries with conviction. As he leads the Tertiary and Graduate School, he remains a mentor, leader, and guide for the students he serves and the institution he uplifts.