Sons of DAILY TRIBUNE columnists take oath as lawyers

Two sons of Daily Tribune columnists were officially sworn in as newly licensed attorneys today at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan, marking the culmination of years of rigorous legal training and examination.

Nico Alonso, son of Daily Tribune columnist Atty. Joji Alonso, joins the legal profession with the support of family and colleagues. “It’s totally satisfying. I’m just really very happy and thankful to Him up there for giving me that gift,” Joji said, reflecting on her son’s accomplishment and the dedication it required.

Also taking the oath was Enrique Martinez, son of Daily Tribune columnist Atty. Dindo Martinez and a graduate of the DLSU Tañada-Diokno School of Law. Enrique recounted the challenges of preparing for one of the country’s most demanding professional examinations.

“For me, you really have to be around people who are also taking the bar. It makes it less overwhelming to see that everyone is at the same pace or going through the same struggle. It’s good to have a 5-10 minute break just to chat and share stories,” he said.

Dindo, reflecting on his son’s journey, likened observing the preparation process to reliving his own experience. “It’s like a very nice and enjoyable movie. I know what he was going through, the tension, anxiety, and everything else. It was like watching myself reviewing for the Bar. Becoming a lawyer is not just a matter of studying and passing it. They had to be prepared for all the ups and downs, and know how to handle adversity and triumph over failure,” he said.

Enrique detailed the intellectual rigor and emotional perseverance the Bar demanded. “The hardest part was the feeling that you were never ready. Every time I read, there were a lot of things that were new to me, even until the morning of the bar. I just kept reminding myself, I’m close to that dream. Just one last step, the bar exam,” he said. His path to the Bar spanned multiple years, beginning in 2018, pausing for work, and resuming law school in 2021.

After the oath-taking, Enrique described the dual excitement and responsibility that come with entering the legal profession. “It was exciting, but also I feel like I’m back to square one. Being a brand new lawyer, there’s so much I don’t know. It’s very exciting and daunting at the same time. It’s an entirely new feeling. I can’t really describe it. It's just something I need to figure out,” he said.

The 2025 Bar Examinations drew 11,420 examinees, with 5,594 passing—the highest number of successful takers in recent years.

With their names now formally inscribed on the roll of attorneys, both Nico Alonso and Enrique Martinez carry forward the legal legacies of their parents.