1. whats ur plan when you take the bar?

Assuming I get this position, I plan to leave 2 months before the scheduled exam. I think 2
months would be enough because I have started my review since January this year. I also enrolled
myself to two review centers.

2. Tell me about your internship in rtc br 122/prosecutors office

My intership in rtc br 122 started august last year under the supervision of judge
tambasacan being my professor in baste. We did a lot of inventory of dockets as august was the
scheduled semestral docket invtory. I was assigned to assist in the inventory of two years for
criminal cases. I checked every case folders to see the latest status of the case – whether the case is
set for pre-trial, hearing or dismissed and entered it to the database.

Also,I was instructed to make a case background/history. This will be put up in front of each case
folder. Judge coached that we have to browse the folders thoroughly as she would need to see the
status of each case. The date, motions filed, and constancias alike must be shown up front. The
purpose, she said, is to know why cases take so long to dispose.

Lastly, I was instructed to make a court issuance pursuant to SC issued order. Wherein, the cases not
yet set for pretrial shall be ordered re-raffled.

On the other hand, My intership in prosecutor’s office was 2 years ago. Here I observed the
actual legal proceeding as the prosecutors were very accommodating for us to learn. I was
supervised by Chief Flordeliza. During my training, what I did mostly is to make a resolution for each
case. We go over the case folders and then from our assessment, we drafted a resolution.

3. Tell me about yourself.

I am Herald Jayne Cabuhal, 25 years old living in Imus, cavite. During my undergrad, I
received latin honor as cum laude so I am civil service eligible. I was a scholar when I was in first year
and now a graduate of Juris Doctor.

I chose this career path because of my love for the study of law. It gives me a chance to
sharpen my mind and deepen my analysis. It fascinates me how litigation affects the lives of the
people as it grant the rights and privileges of persons. Also, if given the chance, I could be the first
lawyer in our family.

I am currently working as a part time virtual assistant. While studying, I have been working
remotely for the past four years. My work focuses primarily in administrative work such as email
handling, data research, photo editing and feedback managing.

I was also under the Dean’s lister of San Sebastian College of law three semesters ago.

I have always been hungry looking for legal intelligence. I want to contribute my
knowledge and perseverance in this position as I help our courts as well as the people while learning.
That is why I applied as a legal researcher – as this position seems like a great opportunity to
advance my skills.
4. Why did you apply?

I have decided to apply as a legal assistant because of its job responsibilities. She has the duty of
doing legal research and drafting memorandums, notices and issuances. Likewise, research and
writing are my strength. From my thesis in the undergrad up to law school days, I have been
passionate with research and writing. My first encounter with actual legal research was in my
internship in the prosecutors office. We analyse case folders and drafted resolutions. From then on, I
dreamt myself of drafting decisions of the court.

Also, this would be an excellent training for me to prepare for the bar and lawyering. Writing is the
most important skill to master in answering bar questions and also, in making pleadings.

I believe this position would strengthen my understanding in law.

5. Edge?

I am very motivated and a fast learner. I can work under pressure especially if I ever get this position;
I already learned time management of work and studies. Although I do not have the experience, I
will work so hard to impress all of you, think outside the box, and approach problems from unique
perspective.

6 About yourself not included in your resume.

I like things be organized especially in time management. I value my time so much so I schedule what
my day would look like so that not a single task would be left behind. I do not like spending the day
without being productive.

For example, I balanced being a law student while working online and that made me rewarding. I
tend to focus on important things and prioritize what I have been working on.

Also,As once a law student, I’ve always been able to stay calm during stressful situations, figure out a
solution, and then act. We were trained every day to act quickly but intelligently. This characteristic
would make me a valuable member of your company. After all, obstacles are inevitable.

Hobbies includes playing online games, watching movies especially those involving crimes. I love tv
series which enunciates analytical skills such as Prison Break and Money Heist.

4. VA? Really?

My experience as a virtual assistant would certainly apply as a Legal Assistant because of its common
required skill and that is to work with less supervision. See being a VA is considered working alone
with no training, no supervision because it is online. As a VA, we are only given a task and that is up
to me how it will be done. I see the same thing as a Legal assistant. The lawyers would be certainly
bombarded with work, thus I have to work with less or no supervision at all.

Second required common skill is research. Everything is on the internet, so my next step to
accomplish is a systematic investigation which is vital as CDO.
5. How can your prelaw course help you as a cdo?

Being a tourism graduate would hardly help me as a cdo. But one thing I noticed that these two
irrelevant fields unite is how to connect with people. As a tourism graduate we were trained how to
deal with a difficult person. Thus, we have to analyse his/her way of life, consider all the aspects of
her attitude, why is she acting like that.. etc so every factor of life. I see the same as cdo. If ever I get
this position, I would certainly consider every aspect of the trial, the attitude of the parties,
professionalism of the counsels, and the merits of the case. Thus, the common thing about tourism
and cdo is working with rights and interests of the people involved.

6. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

One of my weaknesses is I lack the experience. I have been learning about law for 4 years inside the
walls of the classroom, but I only had few moments in witnessing the actual operations of the court.
I believe more exposure in the actual legal field would reduce this weakness.

I am also critical of myself. I have this trait of setting an expectation about myself which led to
negative self-talk. It reduces my self esteem whenever I fail as something.

For strengths -

I am an empathetic person who’s skilled at relating to people and making them feel heard. At one
moment being a VA, I am blasted with negative feedback of the product. It became clear very quickly
that we couldn’t meet her needs but I wanted her to walk away with a favourable impression of the
service we had provided.

Also, I never miss a deadline. Being a legal assistant, , I have to deliver the work before the deadline.
I’m, and I’ve highly organized applied my natural skill for organizing people and projects to all
aspects of my work.

7. Computer skills?

I’m proficient with Microsoft Offices suite including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. I’m very
comfortable using these programs and have a lot of experience doing so.

I am also an expert using Windows softwares. Ive been using Windows since forever. Likewise I have
lot a familiarity with google documents, I handle emails, and adobe photoshop if I may add. For
example, the platform in working as virtual assistant revolves mainly around these softwares. We
collect data using google spreadsheet which is very similar with MS Excel. I can create fully functional
spreadsheets and am familiar with organizing and analyzing large sets of data. I also used MS
Publisher to create pamphlets and newspaper as well.

8. How are you with people?

I am a patient listener and polite which I believe is essential as a legal assistant. At one moment
being a VA, I am blasted with negative feedback of the product. It became clear very quickly that we
couldn’t meet her needs but I wanted her to walk away with a favourable impression of the service
we had provided.

I treat everyone with respect.

9. Tell me about your experience as VA

Virtual assistant is an employee offshore. We work online and have flexible time to do so. We are
given a set of instruction and it is up to us how to do things. For example, I worked as an
administrative assistant where wherein we put data on a website based from another website. We
used google spreadsheet to process these informations.

Also, I handle the company’s email to address customers’ concern regarding our product and
provides solution if they encounter difficulties.

I was also tasked to do contact finding wherein we searched through the internet, the contact
information of different CEO and Founders of our potential leads or clients.

I was also an Image reviewer of Shutterstock for the past year and a half.. We review photos
according to the standard set by the company such as composition, focus, and intellectual property
reasons.

10. Skills

a. Research Skills _ I believe I have an outstanding research skills. I am very resourceful so I know
where I would get legal basis and then analyze them with citation of these sources .

b. Confidentiality – I am a trustworthy person especially that I understand that personal and

c. Writing Skills – My writing skills are excellent. I tend to organize thoughts first on what I am about
to say before writing. I choose appropriate words according to my listener.

d. Organizational skills - I believe with what skills I have mentioned earlier organization is required
to succeed. I am able to maintain files accessible and keep track of deadlines or even organize
events.

11. From your previous interview, do you know what you would do?

Yes, Miss Cecille told me that if I ever get this position, I would be placed under the
International Affairs Division specifically the Qualifications Division. I will be working around foreign
professionals in handling and reviewing their application who are willing to practice in the
Philippines. Incidentally, I will organize the documents of the foreign applicants as well as the
issuance of Special Temporary Permits. Miss Cecille also highlighted my responsibilities especially
drafting endorsements, reports, letters, notices and resolutions. Also, that I would be assisting in
office meetings. I will also be reviewing a lot of international agreements.
 She also mentioned that there will be times where I could work during weekends. I have no
problems with that as long as I am duly notified.

12. How do you think this position would help you in the bar?

This position would help me because of its responsibilities. I will be reviewing the
documents of the applicants, and because of that it can sharpen my attention to details more. Same
with taking the bar, I should be vigilant and critical to the facts mentioned in each questions.

Second, this position would help me enrich my writing skills which is obviously the number
one skill needed in passing the bar. Ms Cecille mentioned that I would be drafting notices, and
resolutions and the likes. I see that as an opportunity to improve my writing abilities especially in
organizing the thoughts and ideas.

Lastly, this could help me develop my interpersonal skills. As I can imagine working with
foreign professionals, I will learn how to interact and communicate eloquently. Same with the bar
and lawyering

13. I have always been aspiring to work in a government office. I like that humane feeling that I get
to help in advancing the interest of our country. I believed that service related work is the most
rwarding