By Mikhail Joshua T. Bellosillo
Layout by Lynden Alyanna M. Valenzuela
Atty. Quimberlyn G. Ranchez graduated from the San Beda College Alabang – School of Law in 2024. She took and passed the bar examinations in the same year. Previously a member of various student organizations (namely The Red Chronicles, SBCA’s Centralized Bar Operations, and the Rene A.V. Saguisag Legal Aid Center), she possesses deep roots in both the community and the culture of SBCA – SOL. Now a lawyer finding purpose working for a non-governmental organization (NGO), she reflects on her journey thus far.
THE SEEDS OF PURPOSE WHISPER
“Pursuing law has always been a childhood dream of mine,” Atty. Ranchez shared with The Red Chronicles:
“As a young girl, I was deeply intrigued by the idea of becoming a lawyer—an image I first encountered through movies and stories. I didn’t fully understand what it meant back then, but I knew that lawyers had a unique power: to speak with conviction, to defend the voiceless, to stand up for what is right, and, admittedly, to look cool and respectable in their coats and high heels or stilettos. That image stayed with me as I grew older and slowly transformed into a calling I could no longer ignore.”
When asked about what propelled her to take the leap of faith and enter law school, Atty. Ranchez shared that the dream of becoming a lawyer was long-held. Although not fully comprehending the concept of a lawyer, she was enamored by its mystique: the aura and the attitude that came with being an officer of the court.
She further shared that her mother always believed she was meant to be a lawyer, reasoning, “Because at just six years old, I would always stand up for what I believed was right. I was curious, outspoken, and constantly questioning things that didn’t make sense to me, even if it made adults uncomfortable.”
THE NOBLEST PROFESSION CALLS
For Atty. Ranchez, lawyering meant more than just fulfilling her dream. She stated, “Beyond fulfilling a personal dream, I entered law school because I wanted to be part of something bigger than myself. My passion for human rights and social justice was shaped during my college years at UP Baguio, where I wrote stories for our student publication. Through fieldwork, interviews, and immersion activities, I was exposed to the lived realities of Indigenous Peoples in the Cordillera—communities often silenced and overlooked.”
It was this exposure that led her to flesh out her aspirations. She stated, “Covering their stories opened my eyes to the injustices they face: land displacement, development aggression, red-tagging, and the ongoing struggle for self-determination. Those experiences made me realize how the law can be a powerful tool to defend their rights and amplify their voices.”
“From then on, I knew I wanted to become a lawyer not just for myself, but to stand with communities like theirs and use the law in the service of justice. That purpose continues to guide me through this journey,” she said.
TO HEED IS NOT FOR THE WEAK
To become a lawyer, one must first become a law student. To earn the privilege to practice law, one must first face the daunting task of studying it. When asked about her law school journey, Atty. Ranchez recounted her humblest beginnings in the law school journey.
“Everything felt unfamiliar, and I had to develop strong study habits while learning how to think like a lawyer. The workload was heavy, with constant readings, recitations, quizzes, and exams. It was also a humbling experience; everyone seemed sharp and well-prepared, yet we all stumbled and grew together. That year tested my discipline, but it also shaped my resilience,” Ranchez recalled.
Thinking she would feel finally adjusted after her first year as a law student, she was met with a new challenge: studying law during a global pandemic. She shared, “There was a lot of anxiety because of everything going on. It was a tough environment to study in.”
Ranchez found herself bewildered by the experiences she had during the conduct of online classes during the pandemic. She reminisced, “One experience I’ll never forget is being required to wear a blindfold and keep my eyes closed during online recitations to prevent cheating. I remember reciting provisions from the Civil Code and even computing wages during a Labor Standards class — all with my eyes closed. It feels like a wild experience, but also kind of funny. I still can’t believe I did that.”
Bearing the brunt of the new normal, she recollected the challenges she faced as a third-year law student. In the latter years, she found the strength to continue in her resolve. “I started to feel the burnout, and there were times when I seriously considered filing a Leave of Absence. But I decided to push through, telling myself, “I’ve already made it this far, so I might as well finish it.”
Ranchez felt that her final years in law school were the hardest peak of her journey. The combination of challenging professors and demanding subject matter created a perfect storm that she needed to weather. But, with a crucible armoring her through time, a new sense of confidence accompanied her as she ended her law school journey in SBCA.
THE PATH IS PAVED WITH WOUNDS AND THORNS
When asked about the opportunity costs of law school, Atty. Ranchez shed light on the things she had to give up due to law. “During law school, I had to make a lot of sacrifices. I had less time for friends and hobbies, and most of my free time was spent resting or studying. I often chose reading cases over going out,” she said.
Ranchez also found herself doing volunteer work for a human rights NGO. Though it was hard enough to balance with her duties as a law student, this volunteerism came at a time when speaking could mean broaching danger. She shares, “Balancing the demands of law school while actively engaging in human rights work during a time of heightened red-tagging was never easy, but my commitment to justice and human rights kept me going.”
Despite these perils, Atty. Ranchez did not back down. She understood the risk, but saw a greater good that justified seeing past them. She emphasized, “As long as I was not breaking any laws, there was no reason to be afraid or to stop speaking up. The attempts to discredit or intimidate human rights workers only confirmed that we were pushing back against systems that needed to be held accountable.”
NEVERTHELESS, QUIM ANSWERED
Fast forward to present day, Atty. Quimberlyn Ranchez stands resolute to continue her advocacies. Now working for an environmental NGO, aside from handling environmental cases and helping clients from indigenous communities, her work also involves policy-making and research, with a focus on environmental rights, Indigenous Peoples’ rights, and the rights of persons with disabilities. According to her, “[t]his experience has deepened my commitment to pursue a legal career grounded in public interest and advocacy.”
Indeed, Atty. Ranchez wore various hats that resonated with the basic mass sectors and the marginalized. As a sworn vanguard of justice, she firmly believes that her legal track must answer the calls for justice for the oppressed citizenry, and disenfranchised communities. Ranchez ends with a final note, “Being part of the legal profession isn’t just about knowing statutes—it’s about using the law to protect rights, seek truth, and demand justice.”