By: Rey David Gayas, Ma. Jannie Addie Macanlalay, and Gabrielle Pangan
He would usually start the class fondly greeting and calling his students his “dear sheeps.”
These two words would markedly change the meaning and experience of law school for any student who had been under him.
Known as the “Good Shepherd” of the Bedan law community, Atty. Nicasio Cabaneiro has spent almost five decades teaching law in San Beda University. During the 75th Anniversary of the College of Law last February 10, he was given the Lifetime Achievement Award for his unparalleled service, dedication, and loyalty to the Bedan community.
‘I cannot imagine myself not teaching’
In his 49 years of service, his students can attest to his kindness and compassion. Guided by his unconditional faith in God, Atty. Cabaneiro would begin and end his classes with prayers and fervently remind his students to seek the Lord, armed with his own quote, “UNLAD – Unahin Lagi Ang Diyos.”
Atty. Cabaneiro, or “Nic,” as his colleagues would call him, already sees himself as the lolo (grandfather) of his students, here to guide and wish them well in the pursuit of their studies. “I just appeal to the conscience of the students for them to study hard. Well, it works!” he heartily professed.
But, unknown to many, especially his students of recent years, his current style of teaching is different from his style before. “I was terrorizing [my students] in the past,” he confessed as he compared his teaching styles in the past to the present. According to him, many of his former students knew him as a professor who would, while congratulating those who passed, throw out the window the quizzes or test booklets of those who failed.
Atty. Nic’s passion for teaching traces back to his days in the College of Law. As early as freshman year, he already admired his professors who taught for hours on end. “I loved my professors who terrorized us,” he recounted.
His dream of becoming a professor was realized right after passing the Bar Examinations in 1974 when he accepted the offer of teaching the subject on Legal Accounting. Two years later, he started teaching Taxation. “I enjoy Taxation so I taught (sic) Taxation for a long time,” he said.
Teaching is neither taxing nor demanding for Atty. Cabaneiro. But, when the coronavirus pandemic hit, he faced one of the biggest hurdles of his teaching career. “I was already a senior citizen. I had to cope with teaching with a computer. I don’t know anything about [a] computer!” he admitted.
However, like all other challenges, he faced this adversity with passion and tenacity.
To adjust to online teaching, the diligent and committed professor attended seminars and lectures. He even sought guidance from his children. Eventually, he adapted and used various educational software and online applications. “I cannot imagine myself not teaching. I had to learn this world of teaching online.”
Despite adjusting to online classes, he shared that he still prefers seeing his students beyond the screen.
‘I will take law all over again’
A true Bedan lion, Atty. Cabaneiro earned both his graduate and post-graduate degrees in San Beda University, where he graduated as magna cum laude in Accountancy and as cum laude in law.
He initially wanted to pursue medicine, but he took his mother’s advice and chose law instead. He claimed, “In hindsight, it looks like my mother is a visionary. She already saw what my career would be [like].”
Law school was not a walk in the park, Atty. Nic recalled, when he entered San Beda in 1969. Just like other law students, he also experienced difficulty in his studies, along with the strictness of his professors. He even divided his time between working as an accountant and being a law student. He recalled how strict his professor, Justice Arsenio Solidum was, saying that students “need to storm the heavens with prayers when [you] are under him.” At that time, it was an all boys’ school and there were only three sections with 20 students each.
Looking back, Atty. Cabaneiro shared that he does not regret taking up law. Despite the difficulties and challenges that came with it, he encourages both present and future law students to “pursue [the] study of law [because] it’s really worth it.” He also emphasized the importance of looking up to God all the time because, as he gently reminded us, “you cannot help yourself all the time.”
Law school was not a smooth sailing journey. Atty. Cabaneiro certainly had his fair share of hardships, too, all of which led to where he is right now. When asked if he wouldl take up law if given a chance to do it over again, he passionately responded, “Yes. If I die and [were] resurrect[ed], I will take law all over again.”
“Tama talaga ang nanay ko, matatakutin pala ako sa dugo,” he joked.
THE BARRISTER 