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From Fear to Flourish – My Toastmasters Story

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“Atty. Den, I’m inviting you to join Bench and Bar Toastmasters.” That single line from Fiscal Jen changed my life. It was both a blessing … and a curse. A blessing, because I knew Toastmasters was filled with brilliant, confident, and inspiring people. A curse, because I thought — “Oh no. I’m not one of them.” So I said yes — not because I was confident… but because I wanted to become confident. It was July last year — my very first Zoom meeting with BBTM. When I joined, I saw DTM Gie Europa and DTM Rene Lizada on screen. And my first thought? “Unsa mani akong gisudlan?! I thought this was a walk in the park — pero murag Jurassic Park man diay!” I was the only guest that day. Nervous. Sweaty. Silent. Then came the words I dreaded most: “Let’s call on our guest for Table Topics!” My heart said, Noooo! But my mic said, Yes, go ahead! I gave a short, trembling answer, filled with “uhms” and “ahs.” Then in the evaluation portion, I accidentally said, “Opo”...
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“Objection, Your Honor!” – My Journey from Comfort Zone to Courtroom

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  “Objection, your Honor!” I never thought those words would ever come out of my mouth… at least not in real life. I used to imagine myself saying it in front of the mirror, holding a hairbrush like a microphone, just to see if it would sound dramatic enough. But lo and behold, lately I found myself blurting it out inside the courtroom—for real—while fighting for my client’s cause! Finally! After more than a year of postponements, my trial proper had come. Direct and cross-examinations! But… between you and me… those postponements were secretly a relief! Why? Because honestly, I didn’t know how to do a direct examination. Moreso, a cross-examination! In short: lutang. For context, I passed the bar three years ago. Yes, technically I’m a “young lawyer.” Young because… well, I want to believe I still look young. (Insert laugh). But seriously, I’m new in practice and still inexperienced. When I passed the bar, I was exhausted. Imagine: 8 years in law school, 1 year bar review, bar exa...
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𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐬, 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐬: 𝐀 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐞𝐧𝐬

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  Every year, as floods submerge our cities and countryside, Filipinos are left to wonder: Where have the billions of pesos allocated for flood control projects truly gone? Despite massive budgets and grand promises, the suffering persists—especially in Luzon, where many wade through chest-deep waters while a privileged few remain untouched by the crisis. This stark divide raises urgent legal and moral questions. The Constitution and our laws demand that public funds be managed with integrity, transparency, and accountability. Yet, when flood control projects fail or are marred by allegations of overpricing, substandard work, or outright “ghost projects,” the public’s trust is eroded. Under the New Government Procurement Act, all government infrastructure projects must undergo transparent, competitive bidding, with strict penalties for collusion, undue influence, and other procurement violations. The Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and the PPP Code further impose criminal, civ...
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Why Receipts Matter: The Crucial Role of Proof of Payment

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Just last week, my parents and I visited a furniture store in a well-known mall in a nearby city, primarily because they also sell oil diffusers. As a fragrance enthusiast, I am passionate about ensuring my living space smells inviting, as it not only leaves a lasting impression on guests but also provides me with a sense of relaxation and comfort. At the checkout counter, the cashier encountered an issue—the store had run out of receipt paper. The cashier then asked if it was acceptable for us to forgo a receipt for our purchase. As a lawyer, I firmly declined. I recalled a fundamental principle from my first year of law school: the critical importance of obtaining a receipt as evidence of payment. The Supreme Court, in Sugar Regulatory Administration v. Tormon (G.R. No. 195640, December 04, 2012) , underscored this point: "Well settled also is the rule that a receipt of payment is the best evidence of the fact of payment . In Monfort v. Aguinaldo, the receipts of payment, altho...
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