by Clarisse Marquez and Angeline Wilson
In this corner, thebarrister recognizes and honors our departed legal luminaries and beloved professors whose lives have touched and influenced our journey towards becoming a part of the legal profession.
With paramount respect and appreciation, we reminisce about the lives of the Bedan law professors who inspired us to be better. Although gone, they will never be forgotten.
Dean Jose Rodriguez Sundiang Sr.
Born on November 26, 1931, Dean Jose Rodriguez Sundiang Sr. was one of the respectable pillars of the Bedan law community. He passed away on July 21 this year at the age of 90.
Dean Sundiang started his teaching career in San Beda in the 1950s, juggling work and studies. After passing the bar, he was invited to teach at the College of Law and from then on, he continued to be known by his students as a tough yet fair professor who brought pride and glory to the mighty red school.
He was the third dean of San Beda College of Law and of Arellano Law Foundation. He served the academe for more than 60 years and was a renowned expert in Commercial Law.
He was also an awardee of the Bedan Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award.
Dean Ed Vincent Albano
Dean Ed Vincent Albano was born on December 9, 1949. He died on August 27, 2020, after a bout with pancreatic cancer. He was 71.
He finished his law degree in 1974 where he graduated as cum laude. He was a retired Regional Trial Court Judge who, after his retirement, built the Albano Review Center in 2011.
He served the academe for five decades and authored various law books spanning different Bar subjects ranging from Political Law, Civil Law, Remedial Law as well as Legal and Judicial Ethics.
He was also known as the “Nostradamus” of the Bar Examinations for having the knack of guessing what topics would be asked in the Bar.
A legal luminary, kind-hearted professor, and inspiration, Dean Albano’s lifeworks undoubtedly contributed a multitude to the legal community.
Vice Dean Clarissa Risel Castillo-Taleon
Fondly known within the Bedan community as the “Mother of Lions,” Vice Dean Clarissa Risel Castillo-Taleon lived a memorable life, molding her students with her wisdom, legal acumen, and life teaching, albeit cut short by a vehicular accident on February 9th. She was 53.
A passionate and God-fearing person with overflowing love for all her students, Vice Dean Taleon was a mother to the entire student body.
She was a true-blooded Bedan. She graduated as Class Valedictorian in 1991 from San Beda College of Law. After obtaining her law degree, she passed the Bar with flying colors, ranking 6th therein. She obtained her Master of Laws degree from the same university.
She was also a partner at the Saludo Fernandez Taleon & Associates Law Firm.
Justice Eloy Bello Jr.
Justice Eloy R. Bello Jr., 87, was known to his students as a dapper professor who looked majestic in his suit as he stood in his classes. He died on September 29.
Behind the great facade, he was a brilliant law professor who taught subjects such as Criminal law, Remedial law, and Practice Court.
He served as a judge at the Court of First Instance in his hometown in Ilocos Sur, before his appointment as Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals in 2004.
He was also one of the pioneer members of the Legal Education Board under the chairmanship of the late Justice Hilarion L. Aquino.
Former COMELEC Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr.
Former Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. was one of the country’s revered luminaries in election law. He succumbed to the coronavirus last August 11, three days before turning 81.
COMELEC Chairman Brillantes spent his high school, college, and law school journey at the university. He graduated law in 1965 and placed 7th on the Bar Examinations.
While in law school, he also served the university as President of the Law Student Council and Editor-in-Chief of the San Beda Law Journal.
He also taught at San Beda for some time.
Atty. Floreto P. Arizala Jr.
Atty. Floreto P. Arizala Jr. was a true warrior and brilliant professor. A week after he suffered a heart attack, he continued to show up in his classes in legal medicine despite his medical condition. He died last July 13.
Dubbed by his students as “Doctorney,” Atty. Arizala was both a lawyer and medical doctor. He finished his legal studies from Arellano University College of Law. He was the former National Bureau of Investigation medico legal chief.
He also conducted medical science lectures on the import of the admissibility of DNA evidence in the Philippine Legal System.
He pioneered legal research pertaining to the admissibility of the DNA as evidence, which paved the way for the Supreme Court to pass and adopt the DNA Evidence Rule.
Atty. Oswald Lorenzo
Atty. Oswald Lorenzo lived a fulfilling life being loved by many and admired by all. He died on September 30 this year.
Atty. Lorenzo was a renowned Labor Law expert. He had a full career and worked for various government departments such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Office of the President on the Peace Process, and National Labor Relations Commission. He served as DENR Assistant Secretary from 1995 to 1998 and was a former Labor Arbiter.
He also served the academe with his unparalleled wisdom, unyielding dedication, and love of the law. He was a law professor and pre-bar review lecturer of San Beda College of Law, San Sebastian College of Law, Arellano Law School, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, University of Manila College of Law, Lyceum of the Philippines and Cosmopolitan Review Center.
He graduated from San Beda College of Law in 1975 and became a member of the Bar the same year.
THE BARRISTER 