What song best describes your career?
As Hans Christian Andersen once wrote, “Where words fail, music speaks.” Normally this adage would not be considered remotely applicable to those engaged in the field of law. After all, how often do these people ever run out of things to say?
Read on as these luminaries of justice tell us what they consider to be the theme song of their illustrious careers.
On that note, the Ateneo Law Batch ’88 is hosting this year’s Ateneo Law Alumni homecoming. Join them at their benefit concert entitled MAD for Music on Thursday, March 29 at Smart Araneta Coliseum. Hosted by Grace Lee, featured artists are Basil Valdez, Pops Fernandez, Billy Crawford, Nikki Gil, Geneva Cruz, Spirit of ’67 and Kuh Ledesma. Directed by Freddie Santos, tickets are available at TicketNet outlets or call 911-5555 or log on at www.ticketnet.com.ph.
Kim Jacinto-Henares, commissioner of Internal Revenue, Ateneo Law ‘85
Que Sera Sera would aptly describe my career. Without my planning to be in government, and more specifically commissioner of Internal Revenue, it seems like everything that happens in my professional and personal life prepared me to take on this position. From how I got to take up my pre-law degree (accounting), to my law degree and master’s degree. From the positions in both the private and public sectors, and even to whom I married. Looking back everything seems to be preparing me and setting the stage for the present job I have.
Adel Tamano, host, Tamano
Perspective, resident legal analyst for ANC, Ateneo Law Class ‘96
My career song would be You are the Universe by the Brand New Heavies. It’s a powerfully optimistic song about self-belief, positivity and achievement.
Merceditas N. Gutierrez, former Justice Secretary, former Ombudsman, Ateneo Law Class ‘72
The Long and Winding Road by the Beatles because there is a part there that states: “The long and winding road will never disappear” and to me I will never forget the last years of my long career in government like a “long and winding road,” which I travelled so carefully with skill, experience, and preparedness in order not to hit the side of the curves but unfortunately some thought I hit the sides.
Benjamin C. Abalos Jr., Mandaluyong mayor, Ateneo Law ‘87
Go The Distance is the song that best exemplifies my journey to politics and good governance. For me, what really matters is that I am able to lead by example and uplift the lives of people from the bondage of poverty, without fear and without hesitation. The truest measurement of progress is not gauged in the abundance of the city coffer, but rather in the manner in which we are able to raise the quality of life of each and every constituent. As the song proclaims, “To look beyond the glory is the hardest part, for a hero’s strength is measured by his heart.”
Atty. Tranquil Salvador III, professor of law, Ateneo Class ‘91
The song that best describes my career is the Impossible Dream.
Ambassador Manuel “Dondi” Teehankee, former Justice Undersecretary, former Philippine Permanent
Representative to the WTO in Geneva, Ateneo Class ‘83
Thought about the theme song and it occurred to me one of the recurring themes I remember was Sting’s 1988 hit Englishman in New York…more modern and this captures more my New York days and transplanted lifestyle.
Antonio M. Bernardo, commissioner, HLURB, chairman, Ateneo Law ‘88
My careers can best be described by Stevie Wonders’ song, Higher Ground. I have changed careers several times, both in the private sector and in public service, always seeking to move closer to the fulfillment of the mission God has laid out for me. “As the song goes, ‘Gonna keep on trying till I reach my highest ground.’
Beetle Q. Lichauco, partner, Siguion Reyna, Montecillo & Ongsiako Law Offices, Ateneo Law ‘92
The song is With or Without You by U2. Law practice is a very difficult, dynamically complicated profession. You can love it but oftentimes, you may even hate it. But you can’t leave it because you can’t live without it.
Weena Fernandez Mendoza, executive director, Wholistic Transformation Resource Center, Ateneo Law Class ‘88
Conviction of the Heart by Kenny Loggins is the song that has marked my career. It took me about six years to figure out what I really wanted to do with my legal education and even when I found it, I didn’t know I had until I was in too deep to change my path then I realized that that unfamiliar feeling I had at work was unadulterated joy at the path I chose after opening and closing so many doors. I think my choice of career (in international development) is my answer to the question in the song: How long must we wait to change this world bound in chains that we live in…? and my answer was I couldn’t wait too long. I had to work on it now. I have been doing my small part for the last 18 years almost as long as I’ve been a lawyer; sometimes I think change is too slow, too elusive, but if we don’t keep pursuing it how will we ever catch it?
Raul G. Gerodias, managing partner, GSE Law Firm, president, Ateneo Law ‘88
Change the World by Eric Clapton combines sentiments of great power and simple dreams. I think that this song encapsulates the legal profession from my perspective. You work your way up the ranks, and in time, achieve respect and stature among your peers. But in the end, only the simplest of things count. It could be love, it could be family, it could be faith, it could be any combination of these. Bottom line is, the “smallest” goals are the most meaningful. And I’ve been blessed enough to have fulfilled mine.
