A common perception among the public is the romanticization of law school. For some, they may often find the journey to be filled with rigor — all in the hopes of reaching a dream that lays the groundwork for a fruitful future. Others have a different perspective; they see the bumps and twists associated with the path of the legal profession as a catalyst. This echoes volumes for the judicially unassisted. There exists a specific breed of student that lays hidden among a sea of legal aspirants, yet they possess a trait that is often seen as either honorable or a detriment to their journey.
The first-generation law student is not just the spirited soul who has wandered into the legal profession alone. They serve as sparks to a flame; trailblazers who have cultivated a courage so deep they brave paths without a lifeline when the times get rough. As pioneers, they take on the mantle of establishing a legacy that does not just echo their voices and ambitions but also serves as a reflection of their journey. Their voices do not merely reverberate suffering; rather, they resonate grit, passion, and success.
So….why law school?
“Witnessing injustice [was] my primary driving force for pursuing law. My ultimate goal is to become a credible lawmaker after I finish my studies, as well as establish a law firm dedicated to taking on pro bono cases for those in need.”
For first-generation student Juan Miguel Gonzales, lovingly known as “Jomig” to his relatives and friends, there is a noble cause behind his choice to be the first in his family to chase the dot. With a large gathering of support behind him, his law school story starts off filled with a glimpse of hope — one that is dedicated to pursuing a passionate cause.
“My parents are proud and often talk to their friends and colleagues about my law studies. Knowing they are sharing my journey adds a layer of pressure not to disappoint them, but it also serves as a massive motivation to succeed and make [them] proud,” he claims enthusiastically.
For others, the law is not born out of a desire to give back to their village, but is instead a more holistic and fiery ambition for justice. But for Robert John Cuyugan — collectively called as “RJ” by his peers and closest friends — the law’s strict and harsh endeavors fuel the flame within him to hold wrongdoers to accountability.
“[Parami nang parami] ‘yong mga tao that blatantly disregard the law. Like in social media, [most] people think that they can get away with things easily, and that irks me. There’s this fire in me [na nabubuo] kapag nakakita ko na [nadi-disregard] yung mga batas natin,” he says passionately.
Of course, the decision to pursue higher education is no mere simple choice — especially if they are the first. In Jomig’s case, his partner has been his crux in fulfilling his legal dreams.
“My girlfriend, Patricia, has been my biggest anchor. Whenever people ask why I decided to [enter law school], I often joke that seeing her work toward her own title as an architect sparked a bit of inspirational jealousy in me. Her drive motivated me to finally step up and pursue a professional title of my own,” he tells intimately.
For RJ, on the other hand, it all boils down to faith and a drive to pursue something much more. Driven by passion and searching, the pioneer took a simple leap of faith to reach where he is now.
“Si Lord. I know it’s a bit cheesy to share this, but before law school, I was lost in doing the rat race. Doing money, securing my kids’ future, I kept asking myself if this was [all I’ll ever be]. Parang may kulang. And in one silent moment, I asked, “Lord, ano ba pwede ‘kong gawin sa buhay?”, so I just went to San Beda to ask if I could start law school in the second semester,” he said enjoyingly.
New people, new experiences
For the uninitiated, the age-old saying that “law school is a very small world” often goes unnoticed. With a new environment, all tropes and personalities await the ever-so-curious 1L. From students with diverse backgrounds to professors with accolades as far as the brain can conjure, it can sometimes feel like an intimidating mountain to hike for those who lack the crucial foundation of having a village that grew up on the basis of interpreting the law.
This could not have been any farther from the truth for people like Jomig.
“It was definitely challenging at first. Once I made friends with some of my classmates — our shared struggles — what we jokingly call our “trauma bond” really brought us closer. But getting to that point was tough, because most of my peers had pre-law backgrounds in legal management or political science, which gave them a significant head start,” he says frustratingly.
Battling bouts of impostor syndrome, it often takes a lot for Jomig to ensure that he can stay in the rigors of learning the law. Oftentimes, he realizes first-hand that the biggest critic he faces is himself.
“I felt very out of place at first because they were already familiar with so much legal jargon. Honestly, not knowing these terms right away made me feel a bit stupid, but after a semester, I somehow managed to [catch] up…I think,” the 29-year-old Batangueño says jokingly.
Yet for social butterflies like RJ, the new set of people associated with law school was something to look forward to. To him, it felt like the world was his oyster.
“Hindi naman. My background is in business, eh. I’m a people person, and I know how to read the room. Siyempre, there are still barriers, since I’m older than my peers, but I was never the one to feel awkward because sanay ako sa tao,” he claims faithfully.
A focus on the fundamentals
Law school is not cheap. From tuition fees to countless commentaries and codals that one needs to obtain, the legal profession requires a significant amount of capital to stay afloat. Luckily — and fortunately — both Jomig and RJ come from backgrounds that allow for smooth-sailing seas through the fiscal costs of pursuing the legal profession.
Albeit, this does not exactly mean that both of them take their standing for granted. In the former’s eyes, he sees it as a reason to step above and beyond, if it means he can help himself.
“Fortunately, finances haven’t been a major concern. [Since] I’m the first in my immediate family to attend law school, they have been incredibly supportive in funding my education. However, with recent discussions about tuition increases, I am planning to step up and help cover some of the costs myself,” Jomig claims humbly.
But for those who chose stability before a higher calling, such as RJ, the costs are worth every peso. To him, it is another step to achieving his life-long goals.
“I actually had a chance to take up law school after graduating from UP. Pero, we were all eager to make our own money at the time. Ginusto ko muna mag-earn and to experience life. Luckily, our business paid off, and now I can afford to pay for my own studies nang hindi nahihirapan,” he reminisces.
While finances are an obstacle in-and-of itself, the never-ending cases of impostor syndrome are inevitable. As first-generation students, it is already a monumental undertaking to prove one’s self almost daily. And for pioneers like Jomig, the thought of disappointing his loved ones is an outcome that he seeks to prevent at all costs.
“There is a heavy burden with the thought of not wanting to let my family down. It definitely adds to my day-to-day stress. However, the support I do get from my family and relatives is a huge motivator,” he says proudly.
To him, friends are crucial. They are a solid lifeline when the interpretations of the law get ambiguous.
“Having a solid “5-man” friend group that always initiates fun study sessions really helps lighten the load and makes the stress much more manageable,” Jomig recalls.
Conversely, people like RJ see his place as a first-generation student as an advantage instead. In his words, there is a sense of pride and duty to be able to reach that finish line first, as it forges the path for his legacy — one that his family can be perpetually proud of.
“I honestly see it as an advantage. For starters, there is a certain degree of fulfillment to be found when I eventually pass the Bar. The goal of being a lawyer is not just about the title, eh; it’s something that I wholeheartedly know na magiging basis of how I can make not just my parents, but my family, especially my kids, proud. And in the future, if ever my kids would like to also follow in my footsteps, then me being there to assist them to achieve those dreams is something nice to see too,” he envisions radiantly.
The law will always remain a strict and unforgiving pursuit of something much more virtuous. Its environment will bolster even the most fragile of hearts into capable individuals to uphold the values of integrity and justice. And while its cold exterior may either off-put or intimidate the uninformed, there will always lie a closely-knit community who is more than happy to welcome new members among its ranks.
For aspiring first-timers such as RJ and Jomig, the legal profession may seem like a long road ahead. But to them, every page read, statute covered, recitation answered, and exam finished does not just mark personal milestones — it shapes legacies.
NOTE TO THE READERS: Volume XIX, Issue 2, penned and published by The Red Chronicles, is a Back Issue for the Publication Year 2025-2026. Note that the article contents thereof align with the events relevant to the previous Academic Year 2025-2026.
