Passing the bar and becoming a lawyer is an achievement not conquered alone but along a conspiracy of people with good intentions for me to get that goal. Let my passing of the bar shows you how much I strived to never put all your efforts in vain. A simple thank you is not enough to compensate your goodness and sacrifice. It is my solemn vow that I shall pay forward your goodness by sharing my talents to those who are badly in need of it.


Who would have thought that I would have gone this far? I was a kid who grows knowing life is never easy. My father died when I was 11 years old after almost 8 years paraplegic on his bed. I had taken scholarships and push my self in order to maintain the grant. I had taken little sacrifices just to commit myself to a school to learn and pursue my dreams.

During my elementary years, I had to run errands on my Tita Lucy’s canteen for me to have a ba-on and a lunch. I took summer jobs just to augment our budget for my school supplies for the next school year. I have to be separated from my family for 4 years during the crucial years of my formation to pursue my high-school studies at the Sisters of Mary Boystown School. Mandaue City government was so kind of granting my College scholarship at University of San Jose Recoletos where I took Computer Engineering. My classmates must have not only remembered me as their bubbly friend but maybe as their supplier for sandwiches, kaykay, piayaya and even chorizo which I sold at a very friendly prize. I dignified the Mandaue City scholarship grant by coming out as Magna Cum Laude in Computer Engineering when I graduated college. I joined Innodata XML as a programmer, where I meet true friends and colleagues who understands the load a full time Law student and a full time earner. To quit from work to go full time in studies was never an available option; I could not kill the cow which gives me the milk. Looking back makes this achievement even more profound.


I have reached success because somebody had brought me there. They are friends who lifted me when I am down and troubled. I specially thank my benefactors for their generous endowments and always believing in me. I thank Jessica Libre of UAE, Louchie Raymund Borja who is on the seas right now, Allan and Mabeth Laborte of UAE, Jory and Lexie Compendio of Canada, Ely and Esther Maglangit of China, Jannette Balbona of UAE, Evelyn Albiso – Koch of USA, Bayani and Pacienca Patiluna, Manuel Asignar and the late Mama Ester Asignar, Councilor Lea Ouano-Japson, Allan and Brenda Tumulak, Nestor and Jocelyn Adag, Rogelio and Lucy Borces, Genero Borces, Arnold and Thelma Ouano of Vietnam and Nestor and "Ebet" Ceniza of China and everyone who in one way or another had supported me financially, spiritually and emotionally.

I thank my alma mater USJR for its constant guidance, for its grant of 50% scholarship all through out my stay in the College of Law and for the 100% scholarship during my review. I am grateful that the school had chosen me to be exposed on lawyering and advocacy by making me the pioneer mooter of Cebu and participate on National Competitions held in top universities like UP and Ateneo. I shall continue my advocacy to promote mooting in law schools in Cebu. I also thank my professors for tirelessly sharing their knowledge and time with us.

I thank my doting family, for having put up with all my mood swings and always understands me when life rocks. I am blessed to have a prayerful family and relatives. It is very comforting to know that a battalion of prayer army is at my back in this great battle that I had taken.

And to all my friends who extended their support, encouragement, time and indulgence to cheer me up or simply to waste their time talking or chatting with me or reading this blog I appreciate your company. Thank you for your continued patronage.

Above all, I must praise and thank God for He has answered my fervent prayer. He anoints me with oil and my cup now overflows. In God I shall fear not, if God is in us who can be against us?


Daghang salamat…

Engr. Ethelbert B. Ouano
Attorney-at-Law