Learning Once Again

I was in UB four days last week for MCPE (mandatory continuing professional education). All general practitioners are required to sit thru classes on all the latest legal updates every three years. It's just like going back to  school all over again, minus the exams and recitations.

It's also an occasion to run into people from school, work, and the legal circle generally. My take-away from these latest random reunions: most people basically stay the same; it's the rare few who undergo any drastic transformation. They dress and act the same, and if they're the type to manically take down notes and never fail to raise their hands to ask questions in school - they're still exactly the same in MCPE.

I myself have stayed like I was as a student: I tune in only to the classes that interest me. I remember at the last MCPE I liked the class of Atty Mamalateo on forensic audit. This time, it was the two sessions of Atty. Harry Roque on international law and oral arguments before the Supreme Court. I've been in awe of this guy even before I met him. I read recently that he is representing the family of Nicole (the New Year stray bullet victim), and it struck me: that is the kind of lawyer I should aspire to be, to take on a worthy case and actually do something to help out rather than just reading about it in the news. I wish I had that luxury, but sadly my hands are full as they are with my day job alone. There's always the future, tho, when the kids are grown and I won't have to worry about saving up.

Atty. Sulit reminded me a lot of Prof. Rey Ty in Taxation Law. They are both very confident about their subjects, very passionate when they speak, and they also share the same acerbic humor. I guess it's easy enough to be knowledgeable, but to be funny while at it is something innate and not learned.

The rest of the time I worked thru my BlackBerry, emailed Ate, texted friends, read this new book I got, The Dictionary of Love, and forwarded to Randy all the new hilarious words I learned. I even managed to squeeze in a few power naps. Hahaha. Yes, it is possible to sleep thru these things. My favorite MCLE moment actually involved this big guy who shamelessly snored his way thru the whole morning class, waking up only at lunch break, and again bringing the house down in the afternoon when he loudly sleep-talked. Hahaha. That was three years ago.

This time, the funniest thing to happen was this exchange among my seatmates, a group of guys who are probably 10 years or so older than me.

Guy 1: So anong panganay mo, girl or boy?
Guy 2: Twins. Nauna lumabas yung girl.
Guy 1: Wow, twins! Ang galing ah! Identical ba sila?
Guy 2: Girl and boy nga e.


HAHAHA. Yes, these people are Board passers. Otherwise, they wouldn't be taking MCPE. What a riot.


My MWC friends also came over so we could all have lunch at Talahib House. Rice+barbecue+salted egg+inihaw na talong+bagoong+leche flan = one of the best lunches you can have in UB.


It was great to be back in UB again.