The story of an Igorot security guard who became a lawyer after passing the Bar exam in 2016 has inspired many and continues to motivate others striving to achieve their dreams.
The term Igorot refers to indigenous groups native to the Cordillera Mountains in the northern Philippines, primarily in the Cordillera Administrative Region of Luzon. Known for their distinct cultural heritage, the Igorot people include several ethnic subgroups, such as the Bontoc, Ibaloi, Ifugao, Kankanaey, and Kalinga, each with unique languages, traditions, and customs.
The Igorots are historically known for their rice terraces, particularly the Banaue Rice Terraces, which were built by their ancestors and are often called the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” Many Igorot communities have preserved their traditional practices, arts, and dances, despite modern influences.
Roy Lawagan, from Sagada in Mountain Province, was working as a security guard when he recently achieved his goal of becoming a lawyer. Employed at the Commission on Audit in La Trinidad, Benguet, Roy balanced his job with evening law studies, while also being the head of his household.
Photo courtesy: Igorotage / Wow Cordillera
Managing these responsibilities was challenging, especially when he had to work extra shifts while his wife was pregnant. As the fourth of nine siblings, Roy pursued a dream that his father held dearly. Though his sisters studied Political Science, none pursued law to completion. Roy first earned a degree in Criminology at the University of Baguio, then continued his law studies at Saint Louis University.
Determined to pass the Bar, Roy saw this achievement as both a personal milestone and a fulfillment of his father’s dream. Despite enrolling in a review center, he did not pass on his first attempt in 2014. For his second attempt in 2015, he chose to study independently—and succeeded, joining 1,731 other successful candidates in the 2015 Bar Exam.
Photo courtesy: Igorotage / Wow Cordillera
Under Former President Rodrigo Duterte, Atty. Lawagan served as the Chief Legal Officer at the Bureau of Corrections, alongside Cordilleran colleagues General Gerald Bantag, BuCor Chief, and Gabriel P. Chaclag, BuCor’s Chief Public Information Officer.
Inspiring, isn’t it?
