By: Hannah Keziah Morales
Law school has always been perceived as hell on earth. With endless pages of readings, mountain piles of books, and hundreds of cases assigned, it is easy to get lost in the flurry of things to do. Especially in an online setting where classmates and professors are seen in small pictures, getting around the class and what the school has to offer is a bit intimidating.
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Fear not! The professors and administrative officers of the San Beda College Alabang – School of Law will guide us through the darkest times and will make us feel at home in the happiest law school.
DR. ULPIANO P. SARMIENTO III (Dean)
- “Come to Papa!” Dr. Ulpiano P. Sarmiento III is the Dean and father figure of the School of Law. Known for his warmth and dedication towards his students, Dean Ulan ensures that our law school is a welcoming environment while still upholding excellence in legal studies, certifying that all his students become great Bedan Lawyers. First-year students would encounter him as a professor in Obligations and Contracts where he co-wrote the law textbook Obligations and Contracts Annotated, and Gender Sensitivity and Laws on Women and Children’s Rights. He also teaches Problem Areas in Legal Ethics, Conflicts of Law, Civil Law Review 2, Legal Counseling, and Social Responsibility, as an active and versatile educator in the field of legal education.
ATTY. CARLO D. BUSMENTE (Vice Dean)
- Known for his calm and collected manner of teaching, Atty. Busmente guides his students in the application and complexities of the law and would often tackle each topic beyond the books, putting his experience on the table as an accomplished litigator. He was previously the Prefect of Student Affairs, and he teaches Sales and Lease, Corporation Law, Law on Intellectual Property, and Commercial Law Review.
ATTY. MA. ELIZA YAMAMOTO-SANTOS (Prefect of Student Affairs)
- Atty. Yamamoto-Santos is known for her fair and just method of teaching and guiding students. Her outlook on studying both sides of the situation with calm, logical, and unbiased perception makes her the perfect person—the perfect prefect—for the job. She always advises her students that there are no shortcuts in studying law. They must trust the process and always be prepared since bar preparations begin on the first day of classes. She teaches Persons and Family Relations, Credit Transactions, Insurance Law, and Partnership, Agency, and Trust.
ATTY. ROBEN B. CADUGO JR. (Administrative Officer)
- Atty. Cadugo or Atty. Jun is the person you can count on, whether you are seeking advice on being a law student, or have questions regarding enrollment, and other enlistment concerns. As a previous working student, he knows first-hand the woes and struggles of juggling law school and life in general. He is warm and welcoming to all students, and he’ll be there for you through thick and thin, especially when it comes to having fun. Aside from administrative work, Atty. Jun is also a dedicated professor, teaching multiple subjects in different fields, including Practice Court (now Clinical Legal Education Program) and Election Law, amongst others.
MS. LOUISE LEUTERIO
- Louise Leuterio is the Jill-of-all-trades and one of the ‘Dean’s Angels’. From hosting to technical support to student service, “Lou” has done it all. With impressive skills and experience under her belt, she is a vibrant force to be reckoned with. Louise is vivacious as she is warm – cordial and communicative, diligent in her studies and responsibilities, and dedicated to her colleagues, classmates, and fellow students. Tasked with assisting students with administrative matters and law school concerns amongst others, Lou is indispensably reliable.
MS. NONA GUIAM
- Nona Guiam is one-third of the trio that makes up ‘Dean’s Angels’. Always brimming with mirth and laughter, her cool and calm demeanor belies the hardworking, sunny personality that works behind the scenes to ensure that all administrative inquiries are addressed in a timely manner. Ever approachable and always with a ready smile on her face, Nona is one of the kindest essentials the SOL community is blessed to have.
MS. SAMANTHA GOLEZ
- Samantha Golez is an equally warm and welcoming face at the Dean’s Office. Sam is observant, thoughtful, and always ready to lend a helping hand. She understands the need for speed which is why she is the ultimate go-to-Angel for all things urgent and rushed. Her ability to multitask, prioritize, and establish camaraderie among her colleagues, her supervisors, and most importantly, her classmates and fellow law students are what makes her the ideal completion to the trio that brings levity into a seemingly forbidding environment.
MR. LEO ACUYAN
- “Kuya Leo” is one of the solid pillars of SOL who witnessed the growth of multiple batches of students in becoming full-fledged Bedan lawyers. He is responsible for any logistic matters and knowledgeable about all the know-how of the school, especially the best places to study and eat within the campus. Always with a smile on his face, Kuya Leo is there to encourage students to do their best as everybody’s best friend and brother, bringing a bright and happy energy through the hallway of the campus.
MS. SYLVIA ATIENZA
- Law school is not just physically exhausting but also mentally and emotionally taxing. Luckily, the ‘happiest law school’ has Ms. Sylvia, the school’s guidance counselor, to reassure us that we will get through anything. Ms. Sylvia always keeps her doors open for students who need her guidance and address their concerns and problems, be it personal or academic. Her strength to hurdle life’s problems is a testament that our community has each other’s backs to make sure that we leave no one behind. Ms. Sylvia, with her golden heart, opens doors of opportunity and activities for students to de-stress and take a breather.
MS. MARILYN YAP
- Despite the online setting, the School of Law library kept its doors open for students, providing library services including borrowing books despite the community being away from campus. Ms. Marilyn Yap, our friendly and accommodating school librarian, is always ready to assist the students with any reading material needed for classes, both onsite and online. With excellent library facilities onsite, students will surely be able to go through their daily grind and bar review comfortably.
MS. TANYA BRIONES
- With a bright and lively energy, Ms. Tanya is always ready to assist SOL students with their Registration and Records needs. As if Wonder Woman herself, she can graciously multi-task and go through all sorts of records from enrollment documents to graduation and bar requirements and produce them. With thousands of students and tons of multiple records, the SOL is fortunate to have an amazing and competent Records Assistant.