The Dr. Jovito R. Salonga Center for Law and Development (Salonga Center) was off to a great start as it had its Grand Orientation for its new recruits last July 6th, 2017 at the Justice Venancio D. Aldecoa, Jr. Moot Court, College of Law, Silliman University. The orientation was organized by the Sophomore law students/volunteers of the College of Law of Silliman University.
Aside from the enthusiastic recruits and incumbent volunteers, the said orientation was attended by Atty. Mikhail Lee Maxino—Director of the Salonga Center, who shared with everybody the history of the center’s becoming and its thrives and endeavors; Atty. Sheila Lyn Catacutan-Besario—Dean of the College of Law of Silliman University, who stressed out the importance of taking an active part in extracurricular activities of the college that are germane to the study of law; Atty. Reynil Arcide—who shared his sentiments as a newly-minted lawyer and a former active volunteer of the Center; Atty. Leslie Cuevas—who emphasized the relevance of balancing one’s academic life with his extracurricular life and in working together in assigned cases, saying that “two minds are greater than one”; Atty. Gracelyn Bellingan—who discussed the various teams that comprise the Center such as the Litigation team, Legal Research team, Legal Education team, and Special Projects team and its functions/duties; and Atty. Kharissa Faye Tolentino—who impressed the idea of “earning while learning” as one of the many benefits in being an active volunteer of the Salonga Center and thereafter concluded the orientation. The orientation was also graced by the presence of Dumaguete City Mayor Felipe Remollo, who expressed his support to the endeavors of the Salonga Center.
In between speeches, the orientation was adorned by the beautiful performances of Miss Melanie Cardoza (JD-I) and Miss Josiebeth Azuelo (JD-II), who serenaded the crowd with their song numbers. And to maintain the energy and enthusiasm towards the focal points and functions of the office, the Salonga Center took the initiative to insert trivia question in between its speakers, wherein the emcee would ask questions taken from the talks given by its invited guests and/or from the history of the office, and anyone who would provide the correct answer to the said question will receive a cash prize or the limited edition Salonga Volunteers polo shirt. The orientation was also attended by interested students from the College of Law and Jurisprudence of Foundation University and the College of Law of Negros Oriental State University.
The Salonga Center is looking forward to a more productive year ahead, especially now that it has expanded its membership throughout the other law schools in the city, while maintaining its quality legal assistance services for the local and international folks of Dumaguete City.
-EDCARL REALIZA CAGANDAHAN (JD-II)
