29/09/2025
For more than six decades after he passed the Bar, Atty. Go has lived a life defined not only by his practice of law but also by his unyielding commitment to education and service. As a lawyer, educator, and visionary leader, his journey reflects perseverance, humility, and the belief that success is measured not by personal gain but by the lives uplifted along the way.
On His Journey in Law
The most defining moment of Atty. Goโs career came in 1962, when he passed the Bar. It was not a straightforward triumph, but rather a story of suspense, resilience, and grace.
โI vividly recall receiving a telegram saying โCongratulationsโ, but when I checked the newspaper, I couldnโt find my name. I bought every newspaper I could, scanning page after page, starting from the Zโs, then moving to the Aโsโyet still nothing. Then, I noticed a section titled โSecond Consideration.โ I thought to myself, if thereโs a second consideration, there must have been a first.โ
At the time, the passing grade was set at 75%, producing a meager passing rate of only 8โ9%. The Supreme Court intervened, lowering the grade first to 73%, then ultimately to 70%. With a score of 74.95%, Atty. Go fell within this final adjustment.
โThat moment shaped me deeply. It taught me that sometimes success does not come in the way we expect it, but through perseverance and grace. It reminded me never to give up, even when things seem uncertain, because doors may open in ways we do not anticipate. That experience remains unforgettableโand it defined the lawyer, and the man, I became.โ
On Service and Advocacy
While many lawyers dedicate their lives exclusively to the courtroom, Atty. Go chose a path that would empower generations: education.
โIn my sixty years as a school president, I have seen with my own eyes how education changes lives. Students would come from very poor families, some walking long distances or working part-time just to stay in school. Yet, once they finished their studies, they were able to find decent jobs, support their families, and even send their siblings to school. Life truly became much better for them.โ
This conviction, that education is the greatest equalizer, has guided his mission. For Atty. Go, classrooms are as powerful as courtroomsโboth capable of changing destinies.
On Life and Legacy
When asked about true success, Atty. Go looks beyond wealth, titles, or accolades.
โFor me, true success is not measured by titles or wealth, but by the lives of the graduates I have seen succeed. Whether it is seafarers manning vessels across the world, nurses working abroad, or teachers shaping young minds, their achievements remind me of why I chose the path of education. And now, through our School of Law, I take pride in seeing our alumni in the judiciaryโjudges and lawyers serving with integrity. One of them even inducted me as CESAFI President this year.โ
To him, the highest honor is watching his students surpass him, embodying the values he has long championed.
As to the legacy he hopes to leave, Atty. Go is clear:
โI hope to leave behind a good nameโone that my family can be proud of. More than any position or recognition, what matters most to me is that I have helped others along the way. If people can say that their lives were made better because of something I did, whether as a lawyer or as an educator, then I would consider that the legacy worth leaving.โ
On Character and Wisdom
Asked to distill lifeโs greatest lesson, Atty. Go offers a simple yet profound reminder:
โIt is to live a life that never takes advantage of others. No matter how successful you become, it means nothing if it comes at the expense of another person. True integrity is found in treating people with respect and compassion.โ
The Golden Pillar of Law
Through his resilience as a lawyer, his transformative role as an educator, and his steadfast service to others, Atty. Go stands as a true Golden Pillar of Law. His life reminds us that law is not merely a profession but a callingโto uplift, to empower, and to serve with honor.
