by: Gian Carla B. Guido
Last June 4, 2021, San Beda College Alabang – School of Law (SBCA-SOL) conducted its annual robing ceremony, the official welcoming of its freshmen and transferees. The ceremony was conducted on-site at St. Benedict Chapel, SBCA, and online via Zoom. It was also livestreamed through SBCA’s official Facebook page.
The SOL community celebrated a holy mass which was presided by SBCA Rector-President Rev. Fr. Gerardo Ma. De Villa, OSB. The celebration included the blessing of the academic robes to be donned by the new members of the community. Thereafter, a moment was also given to honor the late Vice Dean Atty. Risel Castillo-Taleon, who has long been a member of the SOL faculty.
The program included the recognition of the dean’s listers and the annual honor roll. Atty. Ramayana Saidamen, SOL alumna and 2020 Shari’ah Bar topnotcher (2nd place) also delivered a speech in which she shared how SOL community molded her experience to be a lawyer. She also shared her very fruitful experience as a Features Writer for The Red Chronicles. Atty. Saidamen was awarded with the prestigious Orbaz Budi Award “for garnering the second place in the Special Bar Examinations for the Shari’ah Courts.”
During the robing proper, Dean Ulpiano Sarmiento III and Vice Dean Atty. Melanie Trinidad spoke about the significance of the academic regalia. They reminded the students of the importance of the academic robe in symbolizing the Bedan ideals.
“The Robing Ceremony is our rite of passage in San Beda Alabang. It’s our way of welcoming the freshmen and the transferees in the Beda Alabang family and our way of saying that you’re officially in law school and that you’re not alone. Our school and the School of Law community prides itself in its sense of camaraderie and teamwork and the robing ceremony is what starts it all. Think of it as the official starting line of one’s law school journey,” said SBCA School of Law Government (SLG) President JC Santos.
Due to the challenges brought about by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the ceremony was delayed by a whole semester. According to Santos, they had to make sure to comply with the LGU and school restrictions. First year Batch Representative Phin Perez concurs, stating that they also had to deal with logistical problems.
Finally, this year’s robing ceremony succeeded in inspiring its new students, like Tom Herrera, to live by the Bedan ideals. “I believe being a true Bedan can be portrayed by achieving my full potential. I will not only think of my own good, but will also consider the needs of my community. Being part of the happiest law school, I will share the happiness and brightness I have to others who are losing hope in their goals and aspirations in life especially this time of pandemic,” Herrera said.
Through its perseverance, the SBCA gave its new students a sense of belonging. “[D]uring this time of pandemic, all of our classes are conducted virtually [and] we feel the gap between us and our school. Through this robing ceremony, we finally feel that we are part of the San Beda law school community. That somehow the gap between us was made smaller because of this,” Perez added.
SBCA-SOL continues its yearly tradition of conducting a meaningful and organized robing ceremony. For despite the changes, the Bedan community still finds a way to welcome its new members.