By: Kathlean Pallorina
Photo credits to Mariella Gallardo
In a room full of college and law students from all across the nation, Colegio de San Juan de Letran-Manila’s students have once again stepped into the spotlight covered in thousand-knowledge of the law.
The students of BA Legal Management, won at the IP Circle League Quiz Bee of 2024 organized by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines, last October 14. The participating students, Mariella Gallardo, Alexis Victoria Peralta, and Shennah Mae Rondera, under the supervision of Atty. Jielene Kelly Espera won first place out of 17 participating schools.
For Atty. Jielene Kelly Espera, “Coaching the Quiz bee has been both a privilege and a significant personal commitment.” And more than being a coach herself, acknowledging the efforts of the students who participated matters to her more.
“The Victory doesn’t just represent their individual brilliance, it is a result of teamwork, collaboration and collective effort of everyone in the team,” which puts immense trust and responsibility for every member of the team.
As the coach, she made sure that the students will be having their individual accountability and personal goals while enjoying the process of learning from beginning to the end.
It is the second time that Legal Management students have participated in the competition and both teams have bagged first runner up. However, with this competence and accomplishment, this form of academic competition still seeks further support from the institution despite the ongoing triumph of the Colegio.
Some of the universities who participated in the event are: Tañada-Diokno College of Law from De La salle University, School of Law from University of Makati, Centro Escolar University-Makati, Centro Escolar School of Law and Jurisprudence, College of Law from Bulacan State University, Mindanao State University, and many more.
Prior to the Competition
Before the competition, the participants made the necessary preparations by making them have individual responsibilities and accountability. This helps build a team of trust and empowered individuals who can contribute in their own respective topics.
As per Atty. Espera, she created a strategic and collaborative group that fosters teamwork, collective effort, trust and building of individual and team confidence. Having their own identity and roles, it grants them the ability to be in control of the outcome they envisioned.
In the process, participants were given clear goals and expectations. This creates a healthy competition mentality as it encourages them to be motivated and aligned.
They have been set to a vision that “We’re not just here to compete, but also to win.” That the hard work they do will not just reflect in knowledge and experience, but also in acknowledgement of a victor.
Taking mind that the team last year has already won first place, the Letranites were dedicated and have persevered to not fall back. That the only option was to be the champion, or to secure the first place. This made them more motivated because they are being entrusted with such an honorable and manageable expectation. Students were seen to be confident by their coach, seeing how driven they are in the process. This made their coach believe in them, more than they believed in themselves.
Aside from this, they were encouraged to set their personal goals. Imposing that they have their own role to play, to divide and conquer. They were tasked to choose what they want to study, making them feel accountable for their own and be in charge of it during competition.
This was achieved by dividing their topics and selecting the ones they preferred to study. “As their coach, I advise them to assess their personal strength and weakness. Identifying their Strength.” She continued: “That they should be able to understand their key assets and honestly accept their vulnerability.” Their coach, Atty. Espera said.
Their victory was manifested through a strategy of structured learning with emphasis on the key concepts rather than simply memorizing, making sure to build confidence and self-reliance without putting unnecessary pressure, to not only reinforce learning but also to trust the team. They were advised to Pray and manifest their victory for nothing is impossible, to believe in themselves and trust God, above all.
During the Course of the Competition
Knowing that the team last year had won, the pressure during the competition was different. However, their coach has guaranteed that this team handled the pressure with grace and confidence. Confidence from their capability and preparation in which they enjoyed. Rather than taking this pressure as a threat, they embraced it as a challenge to bring home the championship or first place which inspired them and disciplined them with great motivation.
Pressure and doubt takes over during the competition, especially that there are 17 schools who are present to participate. For the team to be able to do their best with proper assistance and guidance, it is important to boost the morale of the team. As a coach, Atty. Espera has made sure to acknowledge their progress from then to now in order to motivate them. Despite workloads, She made sure that she was present since she was the one who was there for them from the beginning. Offering guidance not only on academic preparation, but also how to manage stress and expectations. ”I made sure that I’ll be there from the start of their preparation and end of the competition, no matter what the result will be,” as stated by Atty. Espera. Being there as their coach at the competition increased their performance properly because they are given time to discuss strategies and boost their confidence.
Considering Post-Competition
After the competition, they overcame and once again persisted. They proved that a key to success as a team is to strengthen the weakness of others, and compensate for each other’s assets and vulnerability. They have learned simply more than just the Intellectual Property law itself, but also the importance of cooperation, teamwork, collaboration, and power of perseverance.
“Success is not a dish in the buffet, it requires perseverance and sacrifice,” said Atty. Espera.
Bringing another trophy for the Colegio, Letranites have hailed the victory and deservingly acknowledged the team as a whole. There was no regret or weaknesses observed, except for one thing. The insufficient support of the institution to provide assistance for the preparation, during, and after competition. It is a regret that there was a lack of subsistence despite how much these students have brought glory to our dear Alma Mater.
This reflects the absence of support from Letran in academic and co-curricular activities in which the students can proactively develop their skills; knowing that competitions give a different sense of confidence and mental enhancement rather than by simply reading a book. This will boost the quality of education among students as it incite participation and desire to learn for greater purposes. This may also inspire future students to participate not just only for themselves, but also for the Colegio. This calls for the awakening of the institution to support the same way it is in sports as a necessity to improve academic performance and quality, having been in the spotlight of a nation-wide competition. After all, Victors are called not for their names, but victory is engraved in the honor of Letran.
A warrior needs a strong fortress at its foundation and solid ground. May it be the chief that leads them, their wisdom and knowledge, or the castle they safeguard.