Paulinian Scribe

13/05/2025

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗝𝗼𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗱

Balancing academic pressure with a healthy life is a tightrope walk many students fear, but Joana Aragon turned that tightrope into a path to triumph.

Joana Rochelle Lyn Aragon, fondly hailed as the next 'saint' of Saint Paul School of Professional Studies, graduated Summa Cum Laude from the BS Accountancy program on May 3. Throughout her academic journey, she consistently stood out among her peers, not out of a need to compete, but because excellence is simply woven into who she is: diligent, determined, and remarkably humble despite her many achievements.

She did not initially dream of becoming an accountant as a child. Her first taste of passion came from standing behind a podium, not a spreadsheet.

“It was during my junior high school years when my Araling Panlipunan teacher suggested I participate in a debate competition. Initially hesitant, the promise of an exam exemption swayed me,” she admits.

What began as a reluctant favor turned into a passion. From that moment, everything changed. Fueled by her love for public speaking, she went on to win regional and national competitions, gradually envisioning a future in law. Encouraged by her debate mentor, who suggested that an Accounting degree would be a strong foundation for a legal career, Joana took a decisive step toward her dream by enrolling at Saint Paul School of Professional Studies.

In the institution, she further emphasized that her skills would not have been honed to their best without the help of her teachers. Additionally, because of the language barrier, Joana would have slight difficulties addressing her queries and concerns at the Accountancy department. However, all of the professors in there allowed her to speak her local dialect, showed support in whatever way they could — from letting her borrow their books or simply just by answering her questions, it all helped Joana attain the academic excellence she is proudly known for. Indeed, it takes a village to raise a victor.

Though her original dream was to enter the legal profession, Joana's path took a turn as she immersed herself deeper into Accountancy. She also came to terms with the fact that law might not be her strongest suit, especially after struggling with related subjects in her undergraduate studies. The turning point came when she failed her RFBT Comprehensive Exam. Despite the shift in direction, Joana pressed on and still graduated with flying colors.

While many might assume that Joana’s accomplishments stem purely from sheer intelligence, she is the first to acknowledge that they are, in fact, the result of countless sacrifices. She rarely goes out with her friends on weekends. Moreover, because of the constant fast food takeouts, she has developed multiple illnesses, ranging from urinary tract infection (UTI) to multiple ovarian cysts. As the eldest child in her family from Ormoc, she often faced gentle pleas from her mother to come home during holidays or breaks. But for Joana, even a moment away from her books felt like falling behind. Choosing discipline over comfort, she stayed in Palo, immersed herself in test banks and textbooks, and kept her eyes firmly set on one goal—to become a Certified Public Accountant.

With graduation behind her, she’s now setting her sights on the CPA Board Exams. Her motivation hasn’t waned; it’s simply evolved. When asked about what life or study advice she would like to say for those who are still trekking the roads she once walked, her answer was:

“Take your health seriously. Go on spontaneous trips with your friends. Comfortably enjoy rest days. Life doesn’t give you a special treatment if you ace your academics.”

Joana's journey is a reminder that success isn’t just earned in silence—it’s built in the choices we make when no one’s watching. The Joana Standard, summarized by the diva herself: Embrace the program so excellence can find its way to you.

via Fyne Rosario
Photo by Mark Villaflores
Publicity Material by James Raphael Po

04/05/2025

𝐏𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐎 𝐇𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒: Scenes from the 79th Commencement Exercise of Saint Paul School of Professional Studies.

Photos by Mark Villaflores and Ken Orale

04/05/2025

Through clever illustrations and striking photography, they helped shape the look and feel of the publication, leaving behind a legacy of creativity and dedication that won’t be forgotten.

As they turn the page to a new chapter, we congratulate them on their graduation and thank them for the countless hours, talent, and passion they poured into the publication. Their presence will be missed, but their work will continue to inspire future staffers for years to come.

Congratulations, Paulinian Scribe Staffers!

Publicity Material by James Raphael Po and Kervin Rey Jackson

29/04/2025

𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦: Ma. Apryl Barbosa Cruz of Saint Paul School of Professional Studies (SPSPS) achieves a remarkable feat by securing 5th place in the April 2025 Real Estate Brokers Licensure Examination, earning an impressive rating of 90.00%.

Source: Professional Regulation Commission (PRC)

15/04/2025

SPSPS to conduct a job caravan

To connect Paulinian graduands and alumni with leading companies for professional networking and job opportunities, a one-day recruitment event will be held on April 25, 2025, at 9:00 AM in the SPSPS Conference Hall.

Participants can engage in on-the-spot interviews, showcase their qualifications, and apply to up to three companies while exploring potential career paths.

For more details, visit:
https://spspsjobcaravan.my.canva.site/

Interested applicants and employers may pre-register by scanning the QR code provided in the link to access the Google Form.

via Rachmiel Libertad
spspsjobcaravan.my.canva.site

12/04/2025

12/04/2025

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗮’𝘀 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆

Mark Joed Dadulla wears many hats—nurse, teacher, government employee, and juris doctor. He is also recognized for his dynamic presence in the drag scene, performing under the iconic name “Anna T.” Each role reflects a different facet of who he is, yet they all serve a singular mission: to transform a system that has long failed its people. His journey toward social justice began as a community nurse, where he repeatedly witnessed the harsh realities of teenage pregnancy. Confronted with how the system continually failed the youth—the most vulnerable—he felt a powerful calling stir within him: a deep, unwavering drive to end teenage pregnancy once and for all.

In his fight against the growing issue of teenage pregnancy, Joed realized that maybe education was a crucial weapon. After all, schools are where the foundation of knowledge is built. He completed his degree and passed the licensure exam, but something still felt incomplete even then. It still wasn’t enough to create real, systemic change. So in 2017, he took the next bold step and entered law school.

“The root problem doesn’t end at home or at school. It starts with our legislation,” he explained, expressing what initially inspired him to pursue a legal education.

Joed entered law school with confidence. Having passed two licensure exams with minimal preparation, he assumed the journey to becoming a lawyer would be just as manageable. However, a few years into his legal studies, he was deeply humbled by the demanding nature of the profession. After long, exhausting days at work, he would return home drained—yet still found the discipline to open his books and prepare for the daily battle of class recitations. The road to earning the title of “Attorney” was proving far more rigorous than he had ever anticipated.

For four years, he carried his sense of purpose with unwavering commitment. Even when the prestige of being a law student threatened to inflate his ego, he remained grounded by continually reminding himself of his mission. “There will be situations when you’re a law student and people look highly of you, and your pride festers. You start thinking highly of yourself, and you have to avoid that,” he reflected. “You have to go back to your purpose. The main reason why you came here.”

However, just a semester shy of graduating in 2022—and even after taking his graduation photo—Joed made the difficult decision to take a step back for the sake of his mental health. It was not an easy choice, but he found strength in prioritizing his well-being. Continuing at that point, he felt, would have meant losing a part of himself.

“I thought, if I continued, I would end up destroying myself. So I took a pause, and told myself that: “It wasn’t a race; we’ll eventually get there,” he shared in the interview.

In the end, it was resilience that carried him through. Joed reached the finish line—not only with his goals intact, but with his sense of self still whole. After, hopefully, passing the Bar Exams, Joed plans to pursue a career as a private lawyer, focusing more on the civil aspects of the law. After which he has provided sufficiently for himself and for his family, he plans to become a civil lawyer, advocating for social justice while also incorporating the art of drag into lawyering.

Joed has taken on multiple roles, all in pursuit of one purpose: to protect and uplift the most vulnerable members of our society. As a nurse, teacher, drag artist, and future lawyer, he has consistently used his talents and voice to advocate for equity and justice. If resilience and advocacy could be personified, Joed would be the one walking into the room with confidence, ready to fight for what is right.

At just thirty years old, he has achieved what few others have—holding three professions while keeping the welfare of others at the center of his work. With the final chapter of his academic journey now complete, Joed has played his last card in a long series of meaningful tourneys. As he moves forward in pursuit of his dreams, we wish him success, knowing that his vision carries the hope of a better tomorrow for us all.

via Fyne Rosario
Photo by Mark Villaflores
Publicity Material by James Raphael Po

11/04/2025

𝟰𝟴 𝗟𝗮𝘄 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗣𝗦𝗣𝗦 𝟳𝟵𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗥𝗶𝘁𝗲𝘀

A total of 48 Juris Doctor graduates from Saint Paul School of Professional Studies (SPSPS) receive their academic degrees during the institution’s 79th Commencement Rites held at the Mary Ngo Auditorium on April 9.

Lika Nel Q. Mejido opens the ceremony by welcoming the graduates, faculty, families, and guests. In her speech, she emphasizes that the event is not only a celebration of academic success but also of resilience and personal growth. She recalls how the graduating class began their law school journey amid the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the many challenges they had to overcome—from remote learning and isolation to the eventual transition back to face-to-face classes.

Christine Joyce F. Talua, CPA, who graduates Cum Laude, delivers a heartfelt message of thanks on behalf of the class. “Law school has turned us into so much more than I expected,” she said.

She expresses gratitude to her family, mentors, and classmates who stood by her through sleepless nights and moments of doubt. “Much like the saying that it takes a village to raise a child, it similarly requires a community to produce a Juris Doctor,” she added.

The event is attended by proud families, faculty members, and school administrators. Emotions run high as graduates take the stage, cheered on by loved ones. Faculty members express joy and pride in seeing their students reach this milestone, while guests commend the school’s continued commitment to legal education.

As the ceremony concludes, the new Juris Doctors leave the auditorium ready to face the next challenge—the bar examinations—and eventually, the legal profession. They carry with them not only the knowledge gained at SPSPS but also the values of integrity, service, and justice.

via Irvin Niño Abanag
Photo by Angela Padillo
Publicity Material by James Raphael Po

24/03/2025

“𝗔 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝘂𝗽 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗹𝘂𝗰𝗸 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗯𝗮𝗯𝘆.”

Finals week can be tough; late-night study sessions are fueled by caffeine and determination. It is more than just an exam, it is a chaotic battle against pressure, fear of failure, and sleep deprivation.

This exam period, let us all spread kindness, encouragement and positivity to boost our spirit and be motivated to ace all our exams.

via Kylie Claire Lopez
Illustration by Blain Joverly Cornejo

19/03/2025

𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧

Due to heavy rains and flooding in several areas where our employees and students reside, classes and work are suspended today, March 20, 2025, to prioritize everyone's safety and well-being.

We urge all members of the Paulinian community to take necessary precautions and stay safe.

16/03/2025

𝐒𝐏𝐒𝐏𝐒 𝐒𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐇𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬!

SPSPS President, Dr. Erwin Vincent G. Alcala, delivered his 11th State of the School Address on March 14, 2025, at the SPSPS Quadrangle, highlighting the institution’s achievements, commitment to Paulinian values, and dedication to community service.

Dr. Alcala reflected on the school’s remarkable progress over the past year, recognizing the collective efforts of students, faculty, and staff in fostering academic excellence and institutional success. He proudly shared the school’s achievements in various areas, including outstanding student performances in national and international competitions, faculty contributions to research and innovation, and the institution’s strengthened reputation through prestigious accreditations.

He also highlighted the holistic development of students through leadership programs and scholarships, as well as significant advancements in campus infrastructure and facilities.

Furthermore, he underscored the pivotal role of SPSPS’s expanding alliances with industry leaders and community organizations, which not only amplify the school’s commitment to service and collaborative innovation but also enrich the educational experience.

“With your continued support and unwavering belief in our mission, I am confident that we will continue to reach new heights and shape a legacy that will inspire generations to come,” Dr. Alcala stated.

In a heartfelt call-to-action, he rallied the SPSPS community toward a brighter future. With warmth and sincerity, he wrapped up his address by reminding everyone, “Let us always hold firm to the values that define us as Paulinian scholars and professionals—to be excellent in our craft, to be ethical in our actions, and to be compassionate in our service to others.”

via Kylie Claire Lopez
Publicity Material by James Raphael Po

16/03/2025

𝐏𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐎 𝐇𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒: Here are the highlights of the 11th State of the School Address (SOSA) held at SPSPS Quadrangle on March 14.

This event marks the conclusion of the school’s year-long 30th Founding Anniversary celebration. It highlights the institution’s notable accomplishments, outlines key milestones achieved over the past year, and unveils plans for SPSPS’s future.

via Jane Apita
Photos by PMG Multimedia Team