AMARO, KRISTIE XYLA R.

LEGAL TECHNIQUE & LOGIC

CENTRO ESCOLAR UNIVERSITY-SCHOOL OF LAW & JURISPRUDENCE

Success is measured not by achievements, but by the lives of people you have
touched along the way. These were the exact words I uttered when I was asked to define
success back in college. True enough, real success cannot be obtained when we are only
focused on earthly achievements. It would be meaningless to have all the fame and glory
in the world without having anyone to share it with. The articles discussed and the movie
shown in Legal Technique & Logic class support this idea and definition of success.
It is my childhood dream to become a CPA Lawyer. I fulfilled the first part when
I officially became a Certified Public Accountant in 2009. And now, I am on my way
towards becoming a lawyer. Indeed, there are no blocks too big to get in a way of a
determined person in accomplishing his goals. In a way, I identify myself in the character
of Phunsukh Wangdu (impersonator of Rancho) in the movie 3 Idiots. We are both
passionate with our craft and determined to pursue and fulfill our dreams no matter what
it takes. In the movie, Wangdu agreed to trade his personality with Rancho for the love of
learning. In fulfilling my dreams, I willingly traded my comfort zone in my hometown
and courageously faced the challenges the bigger city has to offer. But no matter how far
or how different my lifestyle is then and now, my passion and my drive to fulfill my
dreams remain the same. I dreamed of becoming a CPA Lawyer and I will be one, soon.
I consider myself very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to understand
at an early stage that becoming a lawyer is not about prestige or fame. Lawyering, as a

profession, is a responsibility. It is accorded with such immense duties that there can be
no other way but to become the best in this profession. Peaceful and orderly society is
what is in the hands of great lawyers. It is then a very salient task for law schools and
institutions to inculcate in the minds of aspiring lawyers that we are here not to serve
ourselves, but our society, as a whole. We are here not to brag about our profession but to
be humble enough to promote justice. The articles discussed in class convey one ultimate
message to us, aspiring lawyers: To be the best lawyers we can be, we need to have a
deep understanding of our laws coupled with unwavering social responsibility grounded
on Filipino values and morals.
The Technique Element in Law article gives us a framework of the vast coverage
of law. It enables us to have a better grasp of the fields of law, including their purposes
and intents. It also helps us understand fully various subjects in law school by providing a
backbone of all major fields of law and the relevant laws under each umbrella.
Application of laws will be much easier once comprehensive understanding is achieved
and Soames article on Legal Interpretation comes into play for any ambiguity present in
our existing laws. Toward a Theory of Legal Interpretation is a condensed article on
statutory construction and interpretation. In cases when there are conflicting laws or
when there is ambiguity in the law, ascertainment of legislative intent and consideration
of surrounding circumstances are indispensable. The other two articles, The Duty to Obey
the Law and The Morality of Law, are geared towards the social aspect of law. Both
articles discuss the impact of laws in society and what lawyers are tasked to do to
maintain equilibrium between legality and morality. They both deliver the message that
laws are created as means to solve social problems and ultimately to make our lives

better. Laws are there to provide for remedies and alternatives to various issues and
problems of mankind and consequently attain desirable human objectives.
All four articles are interrelated and are specifically chosen for us to know and
understand our chosen profession. The articles give us an introduction on the various
fields of law, provide guidance on instances when ambiguity is present, and remind us on
the core purpose of the law, which is to promote order and justice in society. With all
these articles, we are given a firm foundation on the profession that we are all aspiring to
practice. We are equipped with knowledge and wisdom, which are never found in the
Constitution or in any provisions of law. As what my Accountancy professors always
remind us, It is better to sweat in training than to bleed in war. These articles, although
some are really hard to understand, are helpful tools towards becoming lawyers. And no
matter how many times I read them just to understand the messages they convey, I still
am willing to go over it and learn. I believe that this is just one of the many challenges I
still have to face as I pursue law school.
Simple as it may seem, but the class discussions and the movie shown opened my
eyes to the real world of legal profession. It made me see that part of legal profession that
is usually untapped. When we speak of law, what comes to mind are usually the pile of
thick books, debates and arguments. Little do we talk about the reason why laws are in
place or the intent behind the enactment of some laws. We deal, more often than not, on
the surface of the laws and very little on what lies beneath. Perhaps, if we take time to
understand the real meaning or purpose of every law, we will be able to identify which
ones are deficient and need to be revised or improved and which ones are comprehensive
in itself and for enforcement. Perhaps, if we take time to consider social justice and order

every time we enact law, there will be lesser social problems and we will obtain a more
tranquil and peace-loving community. The movie and the articles inspire me to become
the best lawyer I can besomeone who is not only knowledgeable in legal concepts and
principles but who is also wise enough to apply laws and improve them, if given the
opportunity, to promote social justice and order. An ethical lawyer, who will use the
profession to touch other peoples lives and consequently create a ripple of change in the
society, is what I will be. Only then can I confidently say that I have succeeded and I
have become the best of who I am, not only as a lawyer, but more importantly, as a
person.