Page 62 - The Flame

OURT of Appeals Associate Justice Rosalinda Asuncion-Vi- reads all the records and clearings submitted by the party and
cente never thought that running late for an entrance exam weighs them thoroughly.
Ccould change her life forever. She said that it was the case between the Manila Electric Com-
Unlike most students who were given the freedom to choose pany (Meralco) and a father in Tondo that is most memorable for
their course in college, Vicente gave in to her father’s request to her. She added that her value for integrity, fairness, and impartial-
take up a pre-medicine course. But as she arrived late to take the ity were put to test when she sought for the simple detail needed
entrance test, she ended up earning a degree in Sociology at the to award the case to the plaintiff.
then College of Liberal Arts (AB). “In this case, a father in Tondo accused the company of negli-
“It was only pre-medicine courses that had entrance tests be- gence for the death of his two sons due to electrocution,” Vicente
fore. Unfortunately, I ran late and [the exam for science courses] said.
was closed already,” she said. “The dean of Liberal Arts advised “Meralco said that whatever happened to the children was
me to take AB first, and then shift to the College of Science after outside their jurisdiction because they used the electric wires as
a year.” clotheslines. Apparently there was already something wrong with
With the new friends she found in AB, she decided not to shift the electric box in the post that needed immediate attention, and
and to just finish the course she took.
Resentments of a father “To those students who want to keep up with the
Vicente graduated Magna Cum
Laude in 1964, but despite this achieve- pressure of establishing a career in the future,
ment, her father still resented her de-
cision not to pursue a pre-medicine just study hard to succeed in any career you
course. She later entered the College of want to pursue. It is your obligation to your
Education for it was always her dream
to be an educator. Still, this did not parents, family, and God,”
please her father. It was then when she
finally decided to put things in perspec- - Court of Appeals Associate Justice Rosalinda Asuncion-Vicente
tive.
“I realized that maybe, my father
wanted me to have a professional title,” she said. “If I could not it was the deciding factor in the case that made Meralco pay the
become a doctor, I could become a lawyer and it may finally give just compensation to the father, as provided by the law,” she said.
him a breather.”
Despite that perception, Vicente admitted that entering law Badge of honor
school never occurred to her. During her stay in AB which was then The glorious year came for Vicente in 1991 when she started
housed at the Main Building, she would pass by the Civil Law class- teaching at the Faculty of Civil Law.
rooms where she would see, observe, and later bash law profes- “After 23 years, my dream as an educator was finally fulfilled,”
sors for their pedagogical style of teaching. she said.
“I would make fun of them because I hated memory work and I As a professor, she wanted her students to be at ease with
could hear from behind the open doors and windows students re- her in order for them to appreciate and absorb all the lessons she
citing in verbatim long sentences. Such method sounded dreadful would impart to them.
to me,” she said. “I was really more of a note-taker who would just “I never wanted to be a terror teacher because it would just
jot down important notes and study them after.” cloud them in fear and would consequently make them stutter or
This habit was put to test when she lost all of her notes just a forget their answers,” she said.
day before a scheduled exam. Vicente always tells her students to uphold truth and the rule of
“I was not used to not having any notes to study and it just law because that is the badge of a Thomasian lawyer.
made me too anxious,” she said. “To those students who want to keep up with the pressure of
Vicente may have initially criticized the culture of law classes establishing a career in the future, just study hard to succeed in any
but she later realized that the severity of the professors was just a career you want to pursue,” she said. “It is your obligation to your
training for aspiring lawyers to be tough in any legal battle. parents, family, and God.”
“In court, there are judges who are also terror,” she said. Despite her father’s resentments on the course she pursued,
Vicente does not regret her decision.
Conservative nature “[In his deathbed], he said that if I listened to him, I could have
A former desk writer for the Supreme Court, Vicente admitted taken care of his illness. But I have no regrets,” Vicente said. “I am
that being an introvert reflects the traditional philosophies she be- able to contribute to the cause of justice and to show the mercy
lieves in. of God. I become a reflection of the Lord through this little way.”
Graduating Cum Laude from the Faculty of Civil Law in 1968, Through the years, Vicente brings with her lessons of Thoma-
she proved that having a gentle disposition was monumental in her sian education sealed with humility. Her emphasis on values that
days as a law student. is rooted on work—instead of awards and recognitions—is truly a
“I was not active in extra-curricular activities because my classes humbling feat.
were my priority and I did not really like to socialize,” Vicente said. She may not have planned her career straight out but it was
But during her spare time, she and her friends would find plea- her dedication, diligence, and trust in God’s will that made her not
sure wandering around the botanical garden in campus. only a part of the notable roster of Artlets alumni, but a model to
“Schoolwork first before other things” was her mantra. students who remain uncertain with the path they will take.
“A Catholic education in the Liberal Arts made me a very consci-
Memorable case entious professional,” Vicente said.
In her 42 years as a practicing lawyer, Vicente said that solv- “Whatever happens to us is God’s will. Whenever I lose track
ing problems in accordance with the law was the best thing she of my life, I just pray to God for enlightenment,” she said as she
encountered in her profession. In deciding cases, she meticulously recalled the day when a small decision changed her life forever. F
62 | FLAME