Editor’s Note

by John Mark D. Cariño

The world, as we have known it, has changed. It’s been two years since everyone has made a 180 degree turn, adjusting to the new normal. As I’m writing this in my home office, quarantine restrictions are already being eased out, and the world is, step-by-step, opening again. But we must not lose sight of the fact that within those two years, we had to adjust to what we were used to. Plans were cancelled, some dreams were postponed, lives were lost. We have been physically and emotionally drained to the point that we have nothing to look at but forward. We have recalibrated our notions of what it means to live in a society suddenly dictated by the unforeseen whims of a pandemic.

For us law students, the study of the law must overcome these obstacles. We had to continue reaching our dreams, albeit taken to the four corners of our computer screens. Our current set-up has trained us to always look for silver linings, in the hopes that one day, we will all reach our goals of becoming defenders of the law. Hopefully by then, we could laugh with our friends without face masks, and physical communication and intimacy will no longer be barred by a mandatory distance.

As for the organization, we have been looking to celebrate our 50th anniversary even before the pandemic hit. We had planned to celebrate this with a ton of events and activities but considering everyone’s safety, we opted to release this issue that both satisfies commemorating this milestone and at the same time being true to our role in the society as journalists and bearer of truth. 

As I end this note, I wish thebarrister a happy 50th anniversary. May we continue to uphold the integrity of our purpose as journalists, and be advocates of the law. To everyone, stay healthy and stay safe.