Features

Graphic Art by Louise Mansing

Marco Angelo Cabrera, OSB (Overstaying Bedan)

By  Ian Jonas Ruga | July 5, 2024

MARKING the 14th Commencement Exercises of the San Beda College Alabang School of Law, proud smiles filled St. Benedict Chapel last June 23, which saw the graduation of 231 Bedan law students. Among them was Marco Angelo D. Cabrera (BAIS ‘13), the Editor-in-Chief of THE BEDAN HERALD Vol. 18 (AY 2012-2013). Marco’s journey through law school was marked by determination and resilience.


Parental Influence and Law School Grit

     Marco admits that his law school experience was fraught with immense challenges. Reflecting on this, he said, “If I’d known then what I know now (about the challenges and difficulties in law school), I would’ve had second thoughts about it.” 

     He attributes his decision to pursue law to his parents. “I took law school due to the prodding of my folks,” Marco recalls. But after the tragic loss of his father during the COVID-19 pandemic, he struggled with his motivation to continue. After recovering from COVID himself, Marco did some soul-searching and ultimately decided to pursue his law degree out of respect for his late father.

     Marco says it is not unusual to see students like him studying law for more than the usual four years. “In my case, it was about double that,” he says. “Having a day job, surviving a pandemic, going through depression, among other things, can do that to you. What’s important is to never quit and keep showing up if you really want it,” he added. Thus, Marco joins the infamous group of the other OSBs (Overstaying Bedans) of San Beda.

     “Every day was a challenge,” Marco confesses. The constant pressure of having to prepare for graded recitations, the difficult but brilliant professors, and having to deal with different approaches to teaching, such as the Socratic method, took a toll on his mental and physical well-being. However, the pandemic brought a silver lining as the shift to online classes allowed Marco, a full-time civil servant in the Professional Regulation Commission, to balance his job and studies better. He wishes for the Legal Education Board to consider maintaining this as an option for the benefit of working students like him.


Bar Operations Experience 

     Marco's standout experience was his involvement in San Beda Law’s bar operations. "There’s a cathartic feeling of serving Bedan barristers as they prepare for the examinations," he shared.

     “It’s the concept of ‘paying it forward’ that truly endears me to the Bedan law community,” Marco shares. “Bedans in the School of Law believe in good karma, and I saw it from my days sharing erstwhile secret notes and reading materials, volunteering in the BarOps, and helping my fellow working students, all the way to graduation day when I saw full-fledged Bedan lawyers assisting in the graduation rites.”

     Despite his tight working schedule, this experience left a strong positive impact, further encouraging him to continue the path of becoming a Bedan lawyer someday.


Skills from Herald to Law School

     During his time in THE BEDAN HERALD, Marco developed skills that proved invaluable in his professional career. "You need a lot of patience, determination, and humility," he notes. Time management and a strong support system were crucial. "Good interpersonal skills and connections with people from all walks of life were essential," he adds.

     Marco’s goal after earning a law degree is to prepare for the bar examinations while continuing his duties as a career civil servant. He still dreams of one day joining the career foreign service corps as a Bedan diplomat. “I am content with my current role as a dedicated civil servant,” he explains, “but it would be nice if I also earn that “dot” to my “A-T-T-Y before considering a career in the Philippine foreign service.”


Perseverance and Purpose

     Throughout his law school journey, Marco displayed determination, courage, and a strong sense of duty to honor his parents' wishes. His advice to aspiring and current law students is realistic: “Law school is quite challenging (especially in San Beda), and most of the horror stories are true,” he cautions. Nevertheless, Marco emphasizes the importance of perseverance and the potential future benefits. “The skills you learn now will help not only your future clients but also your fellow countrymen someday,” he says. Marco’s experience demonstrates that while the path to success is never easy, it is filled with opportunities for purpose and growth.