PERSONAL STATEMENT

Name: Cabajes, Jeanne Lorraine Baguanga

Program Applied: Juris Doctor Program

Adequately knowing the law is conventional but being able to learn and understand it is a
privilege. Growing up, I have always admired lawyers. They look smart, they wear suits, and
possess consciousness far beyond the general public. Elders around me would say only people
with a lot of money can become one. Born in a non affluent family, being given this opportunity
is once in a lifetime. However, my dream of becoming a lawyer is not the only motivation I have
for applying to the program— It is just one among many others. As I dive into the realness of the
world, I have realized not all lawyers are greater than what I have imagined them to be when I
was an innocent child. That’s when my perspective of the world shifted. Anybody can become a
lawyer with their will but I did not want to become just a lawyer, I wanted to be great. Someone
who is not tempted by corrupt and vicious doings tainted with immorality. I wanted to be
someones who is committed, goal driven, and equipped to battle against injustice. In this society
full of ambitious and power hungry individuals, I will be someone who upholds the principle of
the law. 
Beyond the premise of the university lies valuable insight and rich experiences one can
possess and learn from. In my case, I have been a facilitator of World Vision Anti Online Sexual
Exploitation of Children (OSEC) Roll Out (2019) which empower children to be aware of their
right as child as means to avoid OSEC. Facilitator of Word Vision Communities Against Child
Trafficking (C-ACT) Campaign (2019) which empower the communities to protect children
from heinous crimes of child exploitation. These opportunities given by World Vision became a
window for enlightenment. It made me angry and bothered that our children experience this kind
of disrespect, that motivated me even more to become a person who pursues to serve justice. 
I was also a student Volunteer during CPDRC Mission Operation (2019) where I helped
assist people deprived of liberty (PDL’s) obtain benefits they can rarely enjoy having been inside
the detention center (e.g., medical assistance, legal assistance, and other forms of wellness
USC - Downtown Campus
P. del Rosario St. Cebu City, Philippines 6000
Email: admin@usc.edu.ph
www.usc.edu.ph
programs). Honestly, I was scared and troubled going to the detention center, it was my first time
being physically inside one with people who committed offenses against society but I was scared
for nothing. I was embarrassed for judging those people so quickly, they were respectful and
polite towards the volunteers. I have reflected from my actions and carried with it a vow of valor
to be of service in combating discrimination— the experience became my window for self-
growth. Lastly, I was a student intern at the Office of the City Prosecutor-Surigao (2021) where
I have gained a better understanding of the prosecution process in the criminal justice system
here in the Philippines and a clear comprehension on the function and roles of the prosecutors.
All of these experiences gave me a great insight of the physical world and helped me make sense
of how powerful it is to be able to truly and cognitively comprehend the law. It is an influential
tool one can use either on a positive or negative note- I wanna be a lawyer who utilizes the
former. 
Our professors in the Department of Political Science would say no one can survive law
school alone, it is necessary to have a support system. I have learned the importance of this
during the pandemic where we were restricted to access the external environment and were
constrained to do things in an online setting. I have learned to adapt to the new normal yet there
is a longing of how things used to be and I'm grateful to have a network who helped me through
it all. I am enthralled to meet new people and potential comrades who I can share the same
interests with, yet have diverse ideology and opinion. Still and all, it is now the only thing one
needs to survive the rigid environment of law school. It is commitment, passion, drive, and will
to finish the program and I am certain of possessing such. Many years ago, I dreamed of being
where I am now. I am in no position to waste this great opportunity ahead of me— where I am
able to confront room for improvement and furtherance of knowledge.
My knowledge of the law and the profession may be common, general, and based on
what I have gained on my previous academic journey, I firmly acknowledge the fact that if given
a chance to be a part of your reputable and competent institution, I can become the individual my
younger self envisioned yet a better kind.

USC - Downtown Campus

P. del Rosario St. Cebu City, Philippines 6000
Email: admin@usc.edu.ph
www.usc.edu.ph
 STATEMENT OF ORIGINALITY AND SOLE AUTHORSHIP

I hereby certify that I am the sole author of this Personal Statement and that no part of
this material had been published or submitted for publication and/or application in other
institution.

I duly ascertain that this is an original copy of my Personal Statement and I have not
replicate nor based my work on any sample or exemplar to which I have had access.

I guarantee, to the best of my knowledge, that this material does not infringe upon
anyone’s copy nor violated any property rights.

JEANNE LORRAINE B. CABAJES - July 28, 2022

Signature over printed name/Date

USC - Downtown Campus

P. del Rosario St. Cebu City, Philippines 6000
Email: admin@usc.edu.ph
www.usc.edu.ph