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By Karren Jay G. Asgar

Law student practitioners, together with CPU-COL Dean Atty. Aila Rae B. Endonila, CLEP Coordinator Atty. Ina Noelene M. Bernales, Assistant Dean Atty. Liza Lyn S. Lamason-Garcia, and former LSPs Atty. Nestle Taala and Atty. Rhona Eresuelo, took a photo opportunity following the successful culmination of the Clinical Legal Education Program

The ����ר�� – College of Law (CPU-COL) held a culminating activity for its Law Student Practitioners (LSPs) on May 31, 2025, at the Henry Luce III Library Conference Room. The event celebrated the successful completion of the required hours under the Clinical Legal Education Program (CLEP).

Former LSPs, Atty. Nestle Taala and Atty. Rhona Eresuelo, graced the event and shared inspiring reflections on their CLEP experiences.

In Atty. Eresuelo’s message, she emphasized the vital role of empathy in legal practice, particularly for aspiring lawyers engaged in clinical legal education. “In legal practice, that means listening deeply to a client’s story—not just to extract legal facts, but to truly understand their lived experience. As student practitioners, our role is not merely to provide answers, but to build trust. Empathy allows us to do that. It builds bridges between people of different backgrounds, and it makes the law more accessible, more just, and more humane.”

Awards were presented to outstanding Law Student Practitioners (LSPs) in recognition of their exemplary contributions to the CPU College of Law Legal Aid Clinic. The Excellent Lecturer Award was given to Albert Jan Matthew Java, Rayner Jude Lobaton, Allyza Mhay Rendon, and Kristine Magnifica. The Exemplary Coordinator Award was awarded to Marielle Therese Jacomille, Marie Ira Layson, and Knitz Lasaleta. Meanwhile, the Innovative Advocacy Award was given to Eureka Villanoche and Bless Jose’f Benitez.

“My time as a law student practitioner has reminded me why I chose this path: not for prestige, but for the possibility of making even the smallest difference in someone’s life,” Atty. Eresuelo remarked.

Additionally, the CLEP Best Explainer Video Award was given to three outstanding teams for their creative and informative presentations. The first video, “Small Claims Cases: Coverage and Procedure,” was produced by Breeze Gamutea, Marian Garcia, Louvelle Gonzales, Christopher Rey Grabato, and Marielle Therese Jacomille. The second, “Social Media & the Law: Avoiding Libel, Slander, & Cybercrimes,” was created by Rayner Jude Lobaton, Jetchi Parcon, Erla Piansay, Eureka Villanoche, and Knitz Lasaleta. Lastly, the video titled “Legal Remedies Against Cyberbullying” was developed by Mary Ann Jagolino, Anna Anjelika Jaruda, Albert Jan Matthew Java, Marie Ira Layson, and Kristine Magnifica.

The Clinical Legal Education Program (CLEP) is designed to provide hands-on legal training which law students engage in supervised legal practice, including handling real cases, participating in Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) externships, performing Legal Aid Clinic duties, and conducting community outreach.