MLQU Honors 2023 Bar Passers in Testimonial Dinner at Las Casas Filipinas Juico

In a heartfelt tribute to its newest batch of lawyers, Manuel L. Quezon University (MLQU) held a Testimonial Dinner on April 24, 2025, at the elegant Las Casas Filipinas Juico in Quezon City. The event gathered members of the academic community, faculty, and alumni to celebrate the remarkable achievement of the 43 bar passers from MLQU’s School of Law.

The evening opened with warm remarks from Atty. Teresa Marie Cacdac, School of Law Program Coordinator, who emphasized that the dinner was a simple yet meaningful gesture of gratitude, appreciation, and recognition for the passers’ perseverance and success. “This is our way of honoring your journey — your sacrifices, your discipline, and the pride you have brought to MLQU,” she said.

Atty. Rolando Faller, a respected Law faculty, delivered an inspirational message to the new lawyers. He urged them to prioritize training and growth over immediate financial gain. “Let the early years be about building your skills, mastering the craft, and shaping yourselves into true legal professionals,” he reminded the audience.

The evening was also made more intimate and inspiring by the testimonies of the bar passers, who reflected on the challenges they faced and the support that sustained them. One graduate shared, “When you’re going through something, go through it —do the logical thing. Even if the process is hard, what matters is that you tried.” Another passer highlighted MLQU’s unique strength: “Unlike other law schools I’ve attended, MLQU allowed me to work and study at the same time. That made all the difference.”

Gratitude was a prevailing theme throughout the evening, with the honorees expressing deep appreciation to the Bar Operations Committee, faculty members, administrators, and mentors who walked with them on their journey.

The event concluded with closing remarks from Dean Jose Perpetuo M. Lotilla, who spoke with a blend of humility and conviction: “You are now part of a noble profession—and with that comes not just the privilege to practice law, but the responsibility to uphold its dignity. Remember that success is not measured solely by titles or income, but by how faithfully you serve others and use your knowledge for the common good. MLQU is proud of you. The real bar now lies beyond the exam: in the choices you will make as lawyers.”

The Testimonial Dinner not only honored individual achievement but also reaffirmed the MLQU School of Law’s commitment to providing accessible, high-quality legal education — especially for working students determined to fulfill their dreams.