UMAK-SOL Launches the Conflicts of Law Sports Festival Amidst the Pandemic
Pursuant to Proclamation No. 1477, s. 1975, UMak SOL, with the assistance of SOLGOV, joined the nation in commemorating the Philippines’ National Law Week last September 19 to 23, 2022. The event was participated by various organizations, such as the UMak Debate and Moot Court Society, UMak International Law Society (“ILS”), UMak Center for Clinical Legal Aid Services (“CCLELAS”), and UMak BarOps, among others. Each organization conducted multiple activities and programs to celebrate the importance of the rule of law in our society and to cultivate a deeper understanding of the legal profession.
To kick start National Law Week, the UMak Debate and Moot Court Society spearheaded a Mooting and Memorial Writing Seminar to equip and expand the UMak SOL students’ mooting knowledge and teach them legal writing techniques last September 19, 2022. Atty. Mark Xavier C. Libardo, Atty. Oscar Catolico III, and Atty. Angel Chona Grace Valero-Nuñez were invited as resource speakers of the said event, which was held at the Moot Court of the University of Makati. The event was participated in by UMak SOL students interested in improving their legal writing knowledge and putting it into practice.
On September 21, 2022, the UMak Center for Legal Aid Services (“UMak CCLELAS”) conducted the LSP Essentials: Effective Legal Writing Workshop. Atty. Elizabeth Joy Cortez and Atty. Angel Chona Grace Valero-Nuñez shared their valuable insights and expertise with the UMak SOL students who attended the event. The first half of the activity included a discussion on legal forms of writing.
In contrast, the second half was a workshop wherein the students were divided into groups and asked to draft different affidavits. The participants presented their output, and Atty. Angel shared her comments on the affidavits drafted.
The UMak ILS, in partnership with the Philippine Navy through the Office of the Assistant Chief of Naval Staff for Civil-Military Operation, N7, the National Coast Watch Council, the National Youth Commission, Democracy.Net.PH, and Solanda Enterprise, Inc., conducted a hybrid seminar entitled “#YESWPS” at the UMAK HPSB building and via zoom application on September 22, 2022. The theme was “The Youth: Indispensable Partner to the Defense of the West Philippine Sea .” Mr. Elyxzur Ramos, the University of Makati President, and various navy officials attended the activity. This youth empowerment seminar centered on the discussion of the West Philippine Sea and other maritime security challenges in line with the Maritime Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (“MANA MO”) of the National Coast Watch Council (NCWC) and the University of Makati’s National Law Week. Further, eighty (80) registrants of the said event received a #YESWPS kit sponsored by the Philippine Navy.
The UMak CCLELAS launched its Legally Blunt! Podcast (Season 2), held last September 22, 2022, via Zoom application and FB Live. The new season’s first episode, “Ako Legal Wife!” tackled infidelity and its legal consequences. Judge Nickie Tamparong-Viaje was invited as the guest speaker and shared her knowledge and insights about infidelity. UMak SOL students attended the event.
The highlight of the National Law Week celebration was the Conflicts of Law (COL) held on September 19, 2022. It featured various sports events participated by the UMak SOL students. This event was the first face-to-face sports activity since the pandemic started. The COL sports competition began with a prayer led by Ms. Rich Tijam. Atty. Angel Chona Grace Valero-Nuñez delivered the opening remarks and the Oath of Sportsmanship. Table Tennis, Chess, Badminton, and Basketball were among the sports included in the Conflicts of Law. The games were held and facilitated by Ms. Jasmin Olila, Ms. Ana Villagracia, and Ms. Judie Anne Abejero from the SOLGOV Executive Board.
The most anticipated event was the Basketball exhibition game between UMak SOL students and the UMak Admin and SOL professors. President Elyxzur Ramos, Dean Jay Layug, Atty. Rhenie Renido, and Atty. Dave Go, were among the players who participated in the exhibition game. The game ended with a score of 87-56. It was in favor of the UMak Admin and SOL professors who emerged as the champions of the match. Atty. Dave Go was awarded the Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the UMak Admin and SOL professors’ team, while Lyndonn Perez won the same award for the UMak SOL students’ team.
The Over-all Champion of the Conflicts of Law 2022, the Excelsior Batch, showed remarkable teamwork and excellence in sports. The event ended with Dean Layug’s closing remarks as he thanked everyone who made an effort to attend the event. Indeed, the sports competition boosted morale and instilled discipline among law students. Also, it allowed everyone to bond and mingle with fellow law students. Above all, the UMakSOL Conflicts of Law served as an avenue for recognizing prospective athletes who will represent the university in the forthcoming Association of Law Students of the Philippines National Conflicts of Law.
UMak’s National Law week ended with the UMak BarOps’ Karaoke Night for a Cause, held last September 24, 2022. The event was participated in by UMak SOL students and SOL Professors who showcased their singing prowess and musicality. The primary goal of this event was to raise funds for the UMak SOL Barristers for the upcoming Bar Examinations. At the end of the celebration, Mr. Lexter Abraham Bautista from JD2B and Ms. Jasmin Olila from JD3 won the Birit King and Queen.
Ms. Jelyn Dades, SOLGOV president, concluded the Karaoke Night and the UMAk National Law Week by giving her closing remarks. Truly, the whole event would not be possible without the help of the UMak SOL Admin in assisting the SOLGOV Executive Board in coordinating with various stakeholders, the UMak SOL student organizations for their participation in creating meaningful events throughout the week, and Dean Jay Layug, Jr. and Atty. Angel Chona Grace Valero-Nuñez in showing their guidance and tremendous support for the event.
Written by Nikko Sytian
Captions by Ana Villagracia and Judie Anne Abejero-Bonifacio
Checked and Edited by Jelyn Dades and MJ Gigata
Final Editing and Revisions by Rich Tijam