REGGIE E. BALLENA JR.
1st Year – Plato
Legal Research & Bibbligraphy
1. From your own perspective, what is the importance of Legal Research and
Bibliography?
Legal research is the process of finding the law to a problem and includes the use of the materials
found to a specific problem, according to Legal Research and Bibliography by Santos-Ong
(2021).As a law student, I found this subject to be a valuable platform for me to develop my
abilities to cite specific facts and, more generally, the legal basis for my statements. Which, in
my opinion, is a crucial skill that every lawyer ought to possess. In the practice of law, an issue
or a relationship that is in disagreement can be resolved in large part by the quality of the legal
sources and the interpretation of the lawyers. All law students should therefore take the subject
Legal Research and Bibliography since it will teach them how to critically cite and research laws.
2. What was the moving factor that made you decide to enter law school?
I have this perspective that no matter what area of law you practice in, a lawyer is in a position to
help others. For example, in a court case, attorneys can represent an individual or group of
people, particularly the marginalized and underprivileged ones. I think that this area of study will
better equip me to fulfill my dream of serving my community as a development worker. Even
though there are many careers that you can do to help others, if the other areas of law interest
you, this is a valid reason to go to law school. I really believed that after law school, I will be
able to have an even greater and more significant impact on my community. I will have the direct
authority to get involve in social justice, community improvement, educational initiatives, and
more.
The fact that this field of study will need you to solve problems, acquire complicated ideas, and
analyze circumstances is what genuinely inspires me to pursue law school. Because, these things
help you become ready for a career as a lawyer where you'll need to put what you've learned to
use to succeed both professionally and as a member of a progressive community. For those who
enjoy intellectual stimulation and have a passion for the subject, law school can be rewarding.
3. Briefly introduce yourself. (Birthdate, Employment/Industry, Physical
Impairment, Strengths, Weaknesses, thoughts on entering law school,
apprehensions, etc)
Reggie Estenote Ballena Jr. is my complete name; I am 25 years old, happily married, and
descended from an Ilonggo family. My wife and me, have a gorgeous and lively 2-year-old son,
who is currently enrolled in an early childhood school, My wife helps me sustain my law studies
while she works for the Provincial Governor's Office in Sarangani Province. Currently, I am
employed as a Project Officer in a non-profit organization which implements various projects for
the empowerment and development of the communities in Sarangani Province.
If someone were to ask me about my strong points? I can talk about my punctuality and drive, or
how how my professors in college valued my work and my dedication to my academics. And
from my own experience, I can share stories of the ups and downs of my life's journey as well as
how I overcame adversity by keeping my will. But none of them mattered when I started law
school, because it didn't take into account who I was previously. The honors and distinctions you
received while you were a student, your professional positions and titles, as well as your status
and social demeanor, were merely some further details about you. I never bought into the idea
that law school is a different kind of torture, I never imagined law school would be so
challenging, until I enrolled in this semester. Maybe it's only right that I make an effort to
approach things gradually, one level at a time. There are still many brutal days left to come. I'm
still a beginner in everything, but with a positive outlook and a desire to excel for the greater
good, big things may lie ahead for me and the students who experience the same hardships as me
in law school.
