Sigma Rho (ΣΡ) - Delta Lambda Sigma (ΔΛΣ)

21/02/2022

20/02/2022

[SIGMA RHOAN NAMED EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND LAW SOCIETY LAW REVIEW]: Bon '98 on Excelling in the Legal Field in a Foreign Country

The Sigma Rho Fraternity would like to congratulate Bon Aribas '98 for being appointed Editor-In-Chief of the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) Law Society Law Review 2022.

Bon was formerly with the Royal Australian Air Force before proceeding to government roles. Formerly a Public Trust Officer for the Queensland Public Trustee Office, he has now transitioned into his role as an Administrator for the Australian Retirement Trust. He is currently a 3rd Year Law Student at USQ Law, an internationally renowned law school, with reports consistently placing it as one of the Top 100 Global Law Schools.

We asked Bon about his experiences migrating and pursuing law abroad.

He says, when prompted to discuss his moving abroad to pursue law, that one must assess 'experience, intention, and opportunity'. Bon explains that with regards to the Juris Doctor degree, for example, "...one must be mindful of jurisdiction; whether State or Federal for common law nations such as UK and Australia which uses case law and precedent as primary reasons for decisions, or civil jurisdictions like the Philippines that, in addition to cases, also relies on codified law."

He continues by mentioning that someone who graduates with either a JD or LLB from abroad is still able to practice law in the Philippines, provided criteria are met as per a Supreme Court ruling and passing the bar.

Our second question was whether UP has prepared him with respect to foreign legal systems.

Bon starts by saying that as an undergraduate in UP pursuing a Political Science degree, "...I can say, without reservation, that UP has prepared me ABSOLUTELY with regards to the foreign legal system. UP has taught me to be proactive, ask questions to keep seeking the right, and lessons learnt with extra-curricular activities gave me a complete education."

He concludes by saying that a very important factor for his adjustment was his being a Sigma Rhoan. He says, "The Fraternity, the brotherhood, the camaraderie definitely continues after migration. Brods abroad take a strong interest in the respective communities they belong to. And we are all over the world! We have a strong presence in the US such as Europe through diplomatic missions, Japan, New Zealand, and of course Australia."

For excellence in the legal field, Fight!
For Bon Aribas '98, Fight
For the Sigma Rho, Fight!

04/02/2022

It is with pride and honor that we congratulate our Sister, Cristy M. Vicentina for receiving the 2021 Presidential Banaag Award for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas.

Your sisters share the honor that you give to Filipino overseas communities. Keep on being a determined light seeker and shine your light to the people around you.

Congratulations, Sis Cristy and may you seek for the higher things in life. Altiora Peto! ✨

26/01/2022

[SIGMA RHOAN MADE PARTNER AT PRESTIGIOUS PHILIPPINE LAW FIRM IN RECORD 7 YEARS]: His Advice to Ambitious Barristers

The Sigma Rho Fraternity congratulates Atty. Darwin P. Angeles ’08 on his promotion to partner at the MOSVELDTT Law Firm. The Asia Business Law Journal proclaims Mosveldtt Law Offices as a full-service firm that is noted for its litigation and dispute resolution expertise. It is a go-to firm for domestic and international companies for their dispute resolution and litigation needs in the country.

From 2008 to 2013, Atty. Angeles was a Legal Analyst and Consultant with the Legal Affairs Office of the Department of Agrarian Reform. He also served as a Consultant for the House of Representatives for Rep. Arthur R. Defensor, Jr. charged with research and policy development, and as a Law Reform Specialist with the Institute of Government and Law Reform of the University of the Philippines Law Center.

Atty. Angeles has been listed as a Next Generation Lawyer for Dispute Resolution by the The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific for three (3) consecutive years. He has over seven years of experience in dispute resolution and intellectual property such as representing Retired Senior Associate Justice Antonio T. Carpio, Retired Justice and Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales and faculty members of the UP College of Law in their challenge against the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 and successfully prosecuting a multi-billion-peso investor-state arbitral claim. He currently acts as counsel for Nobel Laureate Maria A. Ressa.

When asked, "Of all the skills and capabilities you have employed in your quick rise to the top, which would you say is the most important a lawyer can have?", Darwin replies, "Fortitude".

Elaborating further, Darwin says "The Sigma Rho. From the bond of my batchmates and close brods, the guidance of my mentors, and the inspiration of my idols."

He obtained his law degree from the University of the Philippines in 2013 where he graduated with honors, and holds a degree in Chemistry from the Ateneo de Manila University, where he graduated in 2007.

For brotherhood and excellence in law, Fight!

For Darwin '08, Fight!

17/01/2022

[THREE SIGMA RHOANS TOP PLJ EXAM]: Continuing A Culture of Academic and Professional Excellence

The Sigma Rho Fraternity is honored to announce that three Brods have made it to the Student Editorial Board of the Philippine Law Journal (PLJ), Volume 95, A.Y. 2021-2022.

Vince Alvic Alexis F. Nonato '18 will be the Vice-Chair of the PLJ Editorial Board, while Ian Anthony A. Manuel '20 and Keith Richard D. Mariano '21 will serve as Members of the same Board.

They were among the 10 who obtained the highest scores in the competitive examination on legal writing and editing held annually to determine which students shall have the honor of editing the oldest law review in the Philippines and the oldest English language law journal in Asia.

The Fraternity also recognizes the outstanding performance of Paulo Romeo J. Yusi '17 and Robert M. Sanders, Jr. '15, who served as Chair and Member of the PLJ Volume 94, A.Y. 2020-2021, respectively.

The Sigma Rho continues its excellence in the legal field. May the Brods continue to uphold the enduring tradition set by 18 chairmen, eight vice-chairmen, and more than 80 editors who have served the previous Boards of the PLJ.

For Vince Nonato ’18, Fight!
For Anton Manuel ’20, Fight!
For Keith Mariano ’21, Fight!
For the Sigma Rho, Fight!

31/12/2021

24/12/2021

Despite these trying times, the UPLB Sigma Rho Fraternity earnestly wishes you all a gentle and joyful holiday season. Many of us have struggled to cope with a concatenation of problems: academics, health, family responsibilities, and even in our careers. We need to grab this opportunity to take a deep breath and relax -- even if for a few moments.

Happy Holidays, everyone!

18/12/2021

06/11/2021

[SIGMA RHOAN AWARDED ACADEMIC PRIZE FOR DISSERTATION, TO BE PUBLISHED IN PHILIPPINE LAW JOURNAL]

The Sigma Rho Fraternity congratulates Atty. Paolo ‘PC’ Celeridad ‘08 on the publication of his article “Marbury v. Madison and R(Miller) v. The Prime Minister: An Attempt at Comparative Constitutional Rhetoric” as the first article of Volume 94 of the Philippine Law Journal.

The said article was his dissertation for the completion of his Master of Letters in Legal & Constitutional Studies (with Merit) in 2020 from the University of St Andrews in Fife, Scotland. It also garnered the Distinction in Dissertation Academic Prize.

The Fraternity strives to embody academic and professional excellence in all fields, especially the legal profession.

For Atty. PC '08, Fight!