By: Aaron Gabriel R. Gomez
The life of a Bedan is enshrined in the Benedictine maxim ora et labora—pray and work. It calls for a person to be persistent in prayer and relentless in labor despite the uncertainties he may encounter. One’s first foray into the world of law school is often fraught with uncertainties, and even doubts about one’s worth.
Still, the world of law perseveres through ora et labora. How this phrase effectively serves as a guiding principle for Bedans is mirrored by one of the pioneer students of San Beda College Alabang School of Law (SOL) and now, one of the most beloved SOL faculty members—Atty. John R. Jacome.
When asked about his initial dive into the world of legal education, Atty. Jacome did not sugarcoat anything. He walked us through his journey in the Red Lion’s den, a definitive chapter that forged him into the Bedan lawyer that he is now.
Photo by Andre Lim | The Red Chronicles
With grit in hand and competence in mind, Atty. Jacome emphasizes the value of hard work. With a gentle tone, he says, “Adversity is really the true test of character; the true test of a law student’s will.”
First Secret: Acknowledge Your Weakness, But Never Give Up
“I realized that [as early as] my first three weeks in law school, it was hard especially because of my Criminal Law 1 subject [under] the late and great Atty. Maximo Amurao. My first five consecutive classes under him, I received grades of 60,” he reminisces fondly.
He also emphasized that failures in law school are inevitable, happening as early as the first semester. “My midterm exams were not good either. I received a failing midterm grade. As early as that, I was already having doubts; the toughest part was to stay motivated to pursue law. For many days, I was asking myself if it was worth it. But, I realized that those were the moments [where] I really pushed myself.”
Indeed, Atty. Jacome pushed himself. Reaching perfect marks across his Criminal Law 1 subject, he aced his final exams. From the straight 60s, he got straight 100s during his Finals recitations; little did Atty. Jacome realize that it would only be five of them who would survive Atty. Amurao’s grueling semester.
Echoing his tenacity to finish and reach his dreams of succeeding in the legal profession, Atty. Jacome’s journey was paved with perseverance and sheer grit. “Adversity is really the true test of character; the true test of a law student’s will,” he emphasized with pride.
Second Secret: Push Your Self to Read One More Case, One More Provision
The physical and mental toll of law school spares no one. Before the start of classes—where the mind and body refuse to collaborate and the soul is left to fend for itself—Atty. Jacome recalls having to force himself awake to read one more case or one more provision. Funnily enough, Atty. Jacome recalls a blunder in law school where he used to shout to his classmates before class, “Let’s push ourselves right now! Stay tough, this is what it’s all about. Think about what you’re doing!”
This demeanor has become the hallmark of Atty. Jacome’s prowess as an academic instructor. Students from all across San Beda Alabang have known the beloved professor to teach with a fiery, passionate voice during classes that ignites even the most stubborn of hearts.
Some students even recall that passing his classes earned them the moniker of being “Bar-ready.” When asked about this, Atty. Jacome wears the distinction with a humorous, yet humble tone.
“I hope na hindi nila ako binobola. It means a lot; I fully appreciate those complimentary remarks. It is humbling to hear them, but at the same time, I’m glad that [both] law students and [Legal Management] students recognize the very reason why I teach in law school, [which] is to help them pass the Bar Exams, and help them become the Bedan lawyers they aspire to be.”
Atty. Jacome has become synonymous with the vigor and persistence demanded of anyone seeking to fulfill their dream of being a legal practitioner. But said dream is not handed on a silver platter; it demands time, sacrifice, and sheer willpower. Yet in his words, the calling of the legal professional is one that is a personal—and quite simply—intimate endeavor.
“Puso. Our Holy Father, Saint Benedict, said it in his guidebook’s Prologue: ‘Listen carefully, my son, to the master’s instructions, and attend to them with the ear of your heart.’
Photo by Andre Lim | The Red Chronicles
Third Secret: Put Your “Puso” In Your Study of Law
When asked about his message to the SOL students, he shared one word—“puso” (heart).
“Puso. Our Holy Father, Saint Benedict, said it in his guidebook’s Prologue: ‘Listen carefully, my son, to the master’s instructions, and attend to them with the ear of your heart.’ The heart represents the Bedan community; it represents love, compassion, and understanding. These are traits and values that our SOL community needs to excel academically, while at the same time maintaining our claim of being the ‘Happiest Law School in the Entire Universe.’”
Fourth Secret: A Vocation, Not a Career
Prior to his path in the legal field, one of Atty. Jacome’s pivotal moment was his time spent in the seminary. While it was a path that he did not pursue to the end, to him, his life still reached “full circle.”
“Although I did not become a priest, lawyering is also a way of giving back. As a lawyer, I [help] other people, especially the indigent ones, through my practice of law. I am also [an advocate] for education,” he shares proudly, noting that the noble profession of teaching runs in his blood, as his mother was also a teacher.
Mentoring bar examinees has also been one of Atty. Jacome’s ways of paying it forward. Speaking with warmth and care, he describes the act as “another opportunity for him to reinvigorate Catholic, Christian, and Benedictine teachings to students before they leave the hallowed portals of San Beda.”
Through all these efforts, the path to becoming a lawyer is that of a calling—not a career to satisfy one’s animus lucrandi. Atty. Jacome believes that “nobility in the legal profession lies in service—just like priesthood.”
Echoing the sentiments of his favorite case, Calalang v. Williams, which talks about social justice, Atty. Jacome holds a well-founded belief that the true meaning of the law is to serve. With social justice in mind and a sense of humility, he says, “To [always] be grounded, to be good, and to do good.”
Do the Secrets Really Work?
We rule in the affirmative.
Photo by Andre Lim | The Red Chronicles
With decades of experience under his belt, Atty. Jacome teaches a multitude of subjects at the School of Law. From Political Law Review, Constitutional Law, Evidence, Legal Philosophy, to CLEP 1 and 2, he brings a multi-faceted approach that results in quality Benedictine education.
Today, Atty. Jacome is the current Managing Director of the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA). As the country’s largest collective for private education, he stands at the forefront of spearheading a unified voice for pedagogy.
“It’s a big task, but it is [my] chance to serve our country on the national level and I will take every challenge and opportunity to help,” he ponders with humility.
Known affectionately as “Atty. JJ” by many, Atty. Jacome embodies quintessential traits of a Bedan Lawyer—he lives and breathes excellence. Having obtained his Juris Doctor degree from San Beda College Alabang in 2010, the beloved professor passed the Philippine Bar Examinations in the same year—a testament to his exceptional commitment to his studies. After obtaining his Master of Laws degree in 2022, Atty. Jacome is now pursuing his Doctor of Juridical Science degree at the San Beda University – Graduate School while earning his place among the School of Law’s esteemed faculty—helping generations of Bedans reach their dreams of becoming lawyers.
