Former seafarer, teacher, entrepreneur is new Bar passer

Former seafarer, teacher, entrepreneur is new Bar passer
Maria Tan, Dec 13, 2024 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKAEeujaI7c&t=1s

Meet Charmaine Arce Gabelo, 43, mother of 2, from the province of Cavite - a former seafarer, teacher, toothpaste manufacturer, shawarma business owner, and now a certified lawyer.

Gabelo is one of the 3,962 new lawyers in the country after the Supreme Court announced today the results of the 2024 Bar exams.

According to the SC, this year's passing rate climbed slightly to 36.84% from last year's 36.77% passing rate. 10,473 law students were reported to have taken the board exams this year.

Gabelo recalled, "Actually mahirap siya (law school), pero heto yung gusto mo yung may natututunan ka araw-araw, na-chachallenge at feeling mo may mababago ka hindi lang sa sarili mo kundi sa pamilya mo at sa ibang tao."

She also narrated that after being a seafarer for 20 years to provide for her family, she ventured into different businesses while practicing her teaching profession before finally deciding to enter law school at the Philippine Christian University in Dasmariñas City, Cavite in 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

She explained, "Pangarap ko talaga ‘to at alam ko ang Diyos talaga pakiramdam ko ang nagbigay sa akin nito kasi kung ako lang hindi ko marealize. Hindi ko to pinangarap ng matagal. Late na after nung pandemic."

"Nung nabigyan ako ng pagkakataon after ko mag-barko, nagturo ako tapos nung narealize ko mag-LET kaya ako kaya lang nung sinearch ko pwede pala mag-Doctorale hanggang sa naisip ko pwede pala mag-Law School,' Gabelo added.

"Nagulat na lang ako heto na. Natapos ko siya ng 4 years, ang daming hirap at ang daming iyak pero talagang ang Diyos araw-araw kong tinatawag sa pagpasok ko sa law school," Gabelo said.