From ‘Espejo Notes’ to an Espejo book
“I ALWAYS believe that there’s not a soul who has a monopoly of knowledge. All of us has something to contribute. And, I guess, I am making my contribution to legal education through this publication.”
These are the words of the young dean of the University of Mindanao College of Legal Education (UMCLE) Atty. Jess Zachael Espejo L.LM during the launching of his book, Evidence Explained last January 22.
Espejo is the first ever Davaoeño to publish a hardbound major subject law book available nationwide under the Rex Bookstore, the premiere law publication in the country.
Before publishing his book, the knowledge of Espejo has already reached law students outside Davao because “Espejo Notes”, a transcription of his recorded lecture to his students used for review, has leaked out as far as Manila.
This “Espejo Notes” is the reason why the Rex Bookstore approached Espejo and discussed with him about publishing a book.
“They (Rex Bookstore) knew that my notes were used by students in Manila. It was actually okay for me but it reached a point where it became viable to publish a book,” he said.
According to Espejo, the making of the book was not very difficult, although it took years of late night writing, because organizing his lecture in a manner similar to book writing has been part of his daily life as a professor.
“I always have this rule that I personally follow that whenever I teach for an hour, I have to prepare for two. How
do I prepare? I write my notes down. It just so happens that the way I write my notes, it is like a book form already. Suddenly, I found myself having chapters,” Espejo said.
The writing process took him two years and the editing from the manuscript to the final product took him six months.
“So, (it was) easy for me to transition from just mere notes to publishing a book,” he added.
Espejo, as he said, was a born Atenean but lived as UMian. He finished law school from the Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU). His mother is an educator at the University of Mindanao, Vice President for Research and Publication, Dr. Maria Linda B. Arquiza.
He first taught law in AdDU and eventually came to UM six years ago as an assistant dean and was promoted dean just three years ago.
With this, part of his dedication of the book goes to his roots at the University of Mindanao.
“I would like to dedicate this book to the memory of the late Atty. Guillermo E. Torres Sr., the founder of the University of Mindanao. He is a man who believes in the goal of democratizing access to education. The UM College of Law exists for working students, for those who would like to have a better luck in life,” Espejo stated.
His book, as he puts it, is in a way, a testament of how the UM College of Law continues to strive for a better performance.
“This is an accomplishment and I hope that the University of Mindanao will be proud of this because we are trying to put ourselves in the map in terms of quality legal education. I hope this one would be a testament that the quality of legal education continues to improve in UM,” he said.
Espejo also noted that there should be no distinction on which law school you study since there is only one goal ahead – becoming a lawyer.
“We all study the same law, we are all going to be members of the legal profession, or at least that is the dream. That is our goal, to become lawyers. Therefore, what does it matter if you come from (a certain school)? Should there be a distinction? No,” he said.
As a young and accomplished dean, Espejo was also intimidated especially during his starting years.
“When I took this job as dean of the UM College of Legal Education, I was very, very apprehensive because I really thought I was not capable. I was 38 years old at that time. So, when I accepted the job as dean, it would have made me the youngest dean at least at that time,” he said.
“Of course, you see your contemporaries. The nearest one would be Dean (Manuel) Quibod (AdDU College of Law dean), who I am not even a shadow of in terms of experience and knowledge,” Espejo added.
However, despite the comparisons with people of his field who are ahead of him, he firmly stood that he has something to contribute even with his lesser years of experience.
Espejo is indeed a true inspiration to the younger generation that despite being young, one can have the capability of making history.
As he puts it, “there is no single soul who has a monopoly of knowledge.”
(Photos by Regina Ronquillo)