By Gian Carla Guido
SOL’s former Vice Dean, now LEB Chairperson, Atty. Melanie Trinidad shares an embrace with Dean Ulan Sarmiento. (Photo by Paolo Enrico Pascual / The Red Chronicles)
On 11 November 2021, the San Beda College Alabang – School of Law (SBCA-SOL) held a Testimonial Program dedicated to Legal Education Board (LEB) Chairperson Atty. Anna Marie Melanie B. Trinidad at the Manny Reyes Hall, Our Lady of Monserrat Building, SBCA. Professors as well as representatives from student organizations attended the program. The event, organized by the School of Law Government (SLG), was broadcasted via Zoom and Facebook Live.
Atty. Trinidad’s former colleagues and students reminisced memories with her throughout the entire event, filling the celebration with appreciation to the well-loved Atty. Trinidad. Members of the Bedan community extended their messages in person and online.
Among her colleagues, Atty. Isabel Romero wished Atty. Trinidad all the best in her new adventure as LEB Chairperson. She said that there would be many challenges, all of which Atty. Trinidad will be able to face and live up to.
SOL Admnistrative Officer Atty. Roben “Jun” Cadugo spoke about being starstruck by Atty. Trinidad upon meeting her for the first time. He talked about her being a good mother, daughter, and co-faculty. He also shared fond memories of her in and out of school, from always sharing ensaymada with her co-faculty to defending them from a rude foreigner during an overseas trip. He called her the “epitome of beauty and grace, with a heart”.
Newly-appointed Vice Dean Carlo Busmente recalled first seeing Atty. Trinidad as a courtside reporter, then later seeing her comforting a crying child when she was in law school. He then assured that under Atty. Trinidad’s leadership, the LEB will continue achieving its goal of raising the standards of legal education in the country.
Among the students who gave their messages was SLG President Juan Carlo Santos. Santos talked about his admiration for Atty. Trinidad’s knowledge of the law, moral guidance of her students, and passion for teaching the law. He reminisced her pouring her heart and soul into her daily lessons, and even giving her students life and love advice.
Vice Dean Francesca Lourdes Señga of the San Beda University – College of Law (SBU-COL) said that Atty. Trinidad was beautiful inside and out, always championing for the students and making them fall in love with the subjects she taught with her motherly approach. She recalled Atty. Trinidad’s words of wisdom: “Knowledge is perishable, so we have to keep studying.”
Dean Rico Paolo Quicho of the Universidad de Manila – College of Law affirmed that Atty. Trinidad exuded the virtues of what a law professor should be. He talked about her treating students with compassion and admiration. He also recalled Atty. Trinidad still recording lectures for her students when they were celebrating her appointment as LEB Chairperson. “If that isn’t commitment, tell me, what is commitment?” he said.
Dean Marciano “Rocky” Delson stated that it has always been his wish to see his former students succeed. He proclaimed that Atty. Trinidad was an ideal public servant, a complete package, and that history will soon affirm this. He proudly recollected recommending Atty. Trinidad as the new Vice Dean of SBCA-SOL when he stepped down to take his new post as Dean of the SBU- COL.
Atty. Trinidad then delivered a heartfelt speech of her own. She fondly looked back on how her career began and everything that has happened in her life. She credited SBU, as she called it her mother, while she treated SBCA as her child. “Your mother always tells you to do the right things, so as a professor in the San Beda College Alabang – School of Law, I try to remember all the virtues that I have acquired in my mother university,” she said.
Atty Trinidad made sure to remind her students:
“As I always tell you, no success or failure is ever final. Enjoy your life in law school. While you always hurry to graduate, believe me, being in school is one of the most fun parts of life. You will meet lots of personalities that will shape your personalities as well, not only as a lawyer but also as a person and as a member of your respective families someday.”
The program ended with words from Dean Ulpiano “Ulan” Sarmiento III. Dean Ulan first talked about his attire—a pink suit. He wore the color as it represented “subdued joy”. He was joyful for Atty. Trinidad’s new chapter, but also melancholic as he would miss her terribly. He said Atty. Trinidad was incredibly kind but had the tenacity of a lioness in teaching, not to scare the students, but to make them shine. He called her his ‘partner-in-crime’ and expressed how grateful he was to have her for the past few years.
In a meaningful note, Dean Sarmiento likened Atty. Trinidad to the pillars of The Church of Magdala’s Women’s Atrium, as she was a woman of faith, an impassioned leader driven by dedicated hard work, and a pillar of SBCA-SOL. He encouraged her to go deep into her new undertaking, “May you continue to be a pillar of the Legal Education Board just as you were a mighty pillar in San Beda College Alabang.”
Atty. Trinidad’s testimonial program was bittersweet. While the SOL community’s heart swells with pride for the LEB Chairperson, it also weeps. Students and faculty alike will surely miss her as she reaches new heights with the LEB. ∎