Words by Louise Alexandra Dia & Millienne Ianah Rocas
In an interview with thebarrister, Atty. Anita S. Regalado-Dalakouras, walked us through the life and friendship of renowned Bedans, Hon. Justice Florenz D. Regalado, and Atty. Renato de la Fuente.
Together, Regalado and de la Fuente forged competition and camaraderie as law students and eventually, as legal luminaries.
In a competitive environment like law school, it is easy to get caught up in the race for individual success. But only a blend of competition and camaraderie fuels our growth.
The year was 1954
The College of Law in San Beda University (previously known as San Beda College), opened its doors in 1948. Like most law schools, the College started out with a small number of students, as well as professors. It takes time for a law school to establish itself, as well as the quality of students it produces. For the College, their crowning year was 1954.
Garnering the highest score during the 1954 Bar Examinations with a score of 96.7%, Hon. Justice Florenz D. Regalado topped the bar with his equally reputable confidant, Atty. Renato de la Fuente, with a score of 95.95%. These were the early days of the College, but to this day, their record-breaking feat is still highly regarded in the legal profession.
The entire batch of Bedans who took the Bar Examinations during the said year also garnered a 100% passing rate.
Education and pedagogy
Having started school at the tender age of four and a half, Regalado’s educational journey showcased his determination. The abbreviated high school program, if not interrupted by the war, would have seen him finish law school at the age of 19.
As he pursued the legal profession, Regalado embraced the deanship at the College His commitment was poured in on uplifting law students facing educational challenges.
Regalado’s legal educational journey intertwines with the story of de la Fuente, his confidant and Bedan counterpart. their friendship blossomed while they were in law school. The competitive nature of their classroom rivalry was an open secret, yet beyond the academic battlefield, a unique camaraderie flourished. The bond they shared was not just about academic pursuits but a genuine friendship that transcended the confines of the classroom.
Regalado, back then, was also a working student. Juggling work and academics is never an easy feat, but de la Fuente was always eager to extend a helping hand. He always shared his notes and he wanted the playing field to be leveled–de la Fuente believed that one’s circumstances should not hinder him/her from reaching his/her full potential, and in line with this, if there is an opportunity to be of service to others, then it should be embraced.
Brothers-in-Arms in Law School and Thereafter
Regalado was an academic scholar when he was a law student; however, that only covered school tuition fees, thus he had to work for his board and lodging and day-to-day allowance. He worked as a Reparation Officer, where his time was mostly spent on the field, validating the stories of those claiming damage compensation from the war. Thus, he barely had the time to study during the weekdays, a quick refresher before class at most. On top of this, he did not have enough money to buy books.
These circumstances would have been enough reason for others to do poorly, if not quit, law school. But not for Regalado. In fact, he even excelled in law school. He managed his time wisely, and befriended the librarian so that he could borrow the law books on weekends; he would then study the assignment for the whole week on all subjects over the weekends, it also helped that he had a photographic memory.
Dela Fuente also lent his books and notes to Regalado. They were always pressed against each other during classes for being the top 2 performers in the class, but outside the four corners of the classrooms, they were brothers-in-arms. The scarcity of time and materials of Atty. Regalado could have been an advantage for de la Fuente, but the latter wanted a level playing field for both of them.
In the 1960s, there was an opportunity for a Master’s Degree program at the University of Michigan, a fellowship program for outstanding Filipino students. Since de la Fuente went first on the program, he passed his notes and materials to Regalado, just like how it was in law school. Truly, there was no envy between the two but selflessness and mutual respect between each other.
In a competitive environment like law school, it is easy to get caught up in the race for individual success. But only a blend of competition and camaraderie fuels our growth.
Atty. Regalado’s Greatest Achievement
Regalado was part of the Constitutional Commission which drafted the 1987 Constitution and he also served as one of the Supreme Court Justices, the highest court of the land.
Undeniably, Regalado had a lot of achievements, but for him, his greatest achievement was putting San Beda on the map. Contrary to the goal of the other prominent law schools, he was not after the Bar Topnotchers but instead, he always aimed for a 100% passing rate. For him, being able to make the poorest student in the class pass the Bar, is a far better achievement than having a topnotcher as bright students can manage themselves but those who do not do well need more guidance. He was one of the pillars of San Beda Law for having served the institution as a professor and dean for more than 30 years.
Regalado’s focus on guiding students who are at a disadvantage due to their personal circumstances reflected his philosophy of education. The commitment to produce Bedan lawyers resonated deeply. For him, education is a tool for empowerment.
A Challenge for Bedan Law Students
Atty. Regalado was a man who stood firm in his principles and values serving as an example of a true Bedan Lawyer. When he was asked before as to why he was not able to accrue much wealth, considering his records and achievements, he simply answered that he never really aspired to be rich but he just wanted financial independence so he could refuse a client who would want to engage his service for the wrong reasons. In fact, he never knew how to bill his clients for the legal services he performed. Whenever the clients would ask him how much they owed him, he would simply return the question “How much do you think my services are worth”? There was even a time when he returned a portion of the client’s payment as he believed that it was excessive.
He was also not the type who brandished his records and achievements to people. When there was a controversy as to who got the highest Bar rating in the Philippines, he did not defend himself despite knowing the truth; his children even questioned him why he had not spoken about it. He believed that people who know will rise to your defense. True enough, a foreign journalist defended Atty. Regalado’s record as no one from the local journalists dared to correct the controversy as this was during the height of the Martial Law.
Regalado’s and de la Fuente’s lives are stories of grit in achieving goals, genuine friendship, and standing firm with one’s principles amidst the world’s enticement. Lawyering is a very versatile career that opens doors of opportunities, however, it also comes with challenges and even temptations. Now, it is a challenge for us, Bedan law students, to strive for excellence and stand our ground with the courage to fight for what is right and just, like a true red-blooded lion.
We are not just in pursuit of legal knowledge and skills; we are also inheritors of a legacy built on principles of integrity, humility, and genuine concern for others. In doing so, we honor the spirit of true Bedan lawyering and contribute to a legacy that inspires generations to come.
THE BARRISTER 