Charmaine Arce Gabelo, a 2024 Bar exams passer, is joined by her mother and son during the release of the exams results inside the courtyard of the Supreme Court on Friday, December 13. (Photo by Dianne Sampang/黑料社)
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� A 43-year-old woman who believed it was never too late to chase her dreams is among the country鈥檚 3,962 new lawyers.
Charmaine Arce Gabelo, who entered law school in 2020, successfully passed the 2024 Bar examinations on her first try. Delighted, Gabelo said that she owed her success to God.
鈥淗indi lahat ng pinangarap ay binibigay. Yung Diyos ang pakiramdam kong nagbigay sakin ng katok nito,鈥� Gabelo said in an interview with the media.
(Not every dream is meant for us. I felt like God gave this push for me.)
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Gabelo mentioned that she was a seafarer for 12 years and ventured into multiple business ventures before becoming a lawyer.
鈥淵ung mga nag-iisip na baka late na kayo, hindi. Walang late. Hindi pwedeng hati ang puso mo pati 鈥榶ung panahon mo,鈥� Gabelo added.
(To those who are thinking that you might be late, no. No such thing as late. You should not be half-hearted.)
On wanting to be a lawyer
The newly minted lawyer also said that after ending her stint as a seafarer, she saw the different injustices in society.
鈥淣ung nagstay ako dito after ko magbarko, 鈥榙i ba may tokhangan, tapos mayroon ding distribution na hindi mabigyan 鈥榶ung mahihirap talaga. May mga katanungan tayo na ganun鈥� Sana, baka may pagkakataon na baka makatulong ako so sinubukan ko lang po,鈥� she said.
(When I stayed in the country after seafaring, there was tokhang (war on drugs) and instances where the aid distribution didn鈥檛 reach those who were truly in need. We had questions about that鈥� there may be an opportunity where I can help, so I just gave it a try.)
When asked about her plans after passing the Bar examinations, Gabelo shared that she wants to be a criminal lawyer.
鈥淒asal ko lang kung saan ako dadalhin ng Diyos pero gusto ko talagang makapagpractice. Unti-unting malalaman kung mag-iimprove pero gusto ko talagang maging criminal lawyer,鈥� she noted.
(I鈥檓 just praying for wherever God will lead me, but I really want to practice. I鈥檒l gradually find out if I鈥檒l improve, but I truly aspire to become a criminal lawyer.)
Not giving up on her dreams
Gabelo acknowledged the hardships in law school, emphasizing that her experiences strengthened her will to continue pursuing her dreams. She asked herself multiple times if this dream was meant for her.
鈥淚niisip ko kung para sa akin ba 鈥榯o, pero nakaexperience na kayo ng mahirap, pero ayun 鈥榶ung gusto mo lagi? Kada araw, may natutunan ka. Kada araw, nachachallenge ka. Kada araw, feel mo may mababago ka sa buhay hindi lang ikaw, ng pamilya pati ibang tao,鈥� she stated.
(I asked myself if this was for me, but have you experienced something difficult, but you know that鈥檚 what you want? Every day, you learn. Every day, you get challenged. Every day, you feel like you, your family, and others鈥� lives can change, too.)
Gabelo鈥檚 mother and son joined her at the exam passers鈥� official release at the Supreme Court courtyard. She said that her mother鈥檚 prayers helped her through it all.
Gabelo added her 20-year-old son also wants to become a lawyer because of her.
鈥淣ainspire siya. Nakikita niya 鈥榶ung mga prof ko鈥� Dami kong prof na nameet niya. Nakita niya yung other side ng spectrum na talagang may nagagawang pagbabago,鈥� she added.
(He was inspired. He met a lot of my professors. He saw the other side of the spectrum that can make a change.)