If you’re reading this, we sincerely congratulate you for surviving the COVID-19 pandemic, arguably the most devastating crisis that has wreaked havoc on the lives of at least three generations of Filipinos since World War 2.
As we all cautiously break free from harm’s way, we pray for our relatives, friends and colleagues who have moved on but will always be with us, and we give thanks for Divine Providence that has kept us safe and well.
Christmas 2022 will be remembered as a time of deliverance and a passionate celebration of life. We’ve all heard of revenge shopping, revenge travel, revenge partying and the like. But because we in the PBA are all upstanding professionals (who by now have read the proposed amendments to the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability), we like to keep a low profile and do things in moderation. What better place to celebrate the holidays in that spirit than the Penthouse of the Del Rosario Law Center in BGC, Taguig City?
Imagine a sumptuous buffet of Spanish cuisine catered by ALBA’s, traditional lechon, a live three-piece band and chanteuse serenading us with Christmas songs and old standards, while we responsibly drank premium wines, cocktails, liquor and spirits.
In the haunting lyrics of Manilow, the “spirits moved me”.
In attendance were our esteemed Advisers Ruben Fruto, Fina de la Cuesta-Tantuico and Rodel Cruz, the Trustees of the 2022 Board led by outgoing President Rodelle Bolante, and the Trustees of the 2023 Board led by incoming President Bingbing Villareal-Fernando.
Also present were Past Presidents Rico Domingo (who along with Past President and former Undersecretary Juju Lotilla, had masterfully steered the PBA through rough waters in the disquieting COVID-19 years of 2020 to 2021), former Commissioner Pope Solis, and Rico De Guzman of ACCRALaw. Another PBA Past President, and my personal favorite, Victor Lazatin (“BoyLaz” to his legion of admirers) was there, and as expected his mere presence evoked joy and a sharing of fascinating stories of triumph and misadventures in our common pursuit of the noble, fulfilling and worthy life as guardians of the Rule of Law. A new but not-so-young recruit, Bong Bernas, who is also known by now for his disclaimer that he is not the son of the venerated Fr. Joaquin Bernas, SJ was there along with other new PBA members from the law offices of Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia and Tolentino Corvera Macasaet & Reig.
As is customary in PBA encounters, towards the end of the evening and with our moods enhanced by a healthy degree of inebriation, plans were made for more enjoyable projects, coupled with fellowships and promises of more escapades in the coming year. We in the 2023 PBA Board of Trustees are joined once again by Jerby Del Rosario Rebano, who happens to be the next generation’s MP of the Del Rosario Law firm, with its enchanting Penthouse in BGC, Taguig City. These days, everything seems possible.
See you all at our next Christmas Party!
– Jose Luis V. Agcaoili
