29/07/2026
๐๐ซ๐๐๐ฎ๐๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ฆ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ง ๐๐๐ฐ ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ ๐๐๐ฆ๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ญ ๐จ๐ง ๐๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ง๐๐, ๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ฉ๐จ๐ฌ๐, ๐๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ซ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐๐๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐จ๐ ๐๐๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ฐ๐ฒ๐๐ซ๐ฌ
During the Tribute to the Graduands of the Sambatan Law Clinic of the Mindanao State UniversityโMain Campus College of Law held on July 25, 2026, graduating members shared heartfelt reflections on their journeys through law school, highlighting the struggles, sacrifices, and experiences that shaped them into future legal professionals.
Beyond academic achievements, their messages reflected the deeper mission of the Sambatan Law Clinicโto cultivate compassionate advocates who understand that the practice of law is not only about mastering legal principles but also about serving people, especially the marginalized and vulnerable communities.
For Sittie Faisah M. Bangcola, JD, the journey through law school was filled with moments of uncertainty, challenges, and the temptation to give up. However, her experience with the Sambatan Law Clinic helped redefine her purpose in pursuing the legal profession.
โDespite all the struggles and the drama of giving up law school, Sambatan Law Clinic amended my purpose of becoming a lawyerโto touch the lives of the marginalized and vulnerable Bangsamoro.โ
Through her involvement in the clinic, Bangcola discovered that becoming a lawyer is not merely about earning a title but about using legal knowledge as a tool to serve communities and create meaningful change.
She also encouraged fellow law students to believe in themselves despite setbacks:
โYou are not stupid; you may simply need more time to study. Believe in yourselfโif others can, why canโt you?โ
Her message serves as a reminder that perseverance, faith, and purpose can overcome even the most difficult moments in the legal journey.
For Hafeeda T. Cadalay, JD, the pursuit of a law degree was a journey marked by sacrifices, difficult choices, and unwavering determination.
โDreams are expensive. Mine was paid for with sleepless nights, difficult choices, quiet tears, and countless prayers.โ
Through her experience as a member of the Sambatan Law Clinic, Cadalay discovered that legal education extends far beyond books, cases, and examinations.
โThe law clinic taught me that the practice of law is not only about knowing the lawโit is about serving with compassion, humility, and integrity.โ
Her reflection emphasized that the greatest responsibility of future lawyers is not only to understand the law but also to use it with empathy and a genuine commitment to serve others.
Balancing law school, work, and motherhood, Najerah C. Mundig, JD shared a message of perseverance and resilience drawn from her own experiences.
โIt wonโt be easy, and it definitely wonโt be perfect, but it is possible when you keep showing up, one day at a time.โ
Her journey with the Sambatan Law Clinic strengthened her belief that legal education must always remain connected to the people it seeks to serve.
โThe law is, first and foremost, about people and for the people.โ
For Mundig, the clinic became a reminder that every legal professional carries a responsibility to ensure that justice remains accessible and meaningful to everyone.
For Hannah Nasriah C. Sansarona, JD, the Sambatan Law Clinic became a source of renewed purpose during a challenging period in her law school journey.
โSambatan was the place that helped me remember the reason why I wanted to become a lawyer when I was on the verge of giving up my legal studies.โ
Her experience in the clinic, particularly through jail visitation activities, gave her a deeper appreciation of the role of lawyers in society.
โThe jail visitation opened my eyes to the nobility of the profession. At that moment, I knew I was on the right path.โ
Through these encounters, Sansarona realized that the legal profession is ultimately about humanityโstanding with people, protecting rights, and bringing hope to those who need it most.
The stories of Bangcola, Cadalay, Mundig, and Sansarona reflect the transformative impact of the Sambatan Law Clinicin shaping future lawyers who are not only equipped with legal knowledge but are also guided by compassion, humility, and service.
As they move forward toward the Bar Examinations and the legal profession, they carry with them the values cultivated through their Sambatan journey: that the law is not merely a profession, but a responsibility to serve and uplift communities.
