INSPIRATION AND INFLUENCE:

INTERVIEW ARTICLE
PERFORMANCE TASK
 PERKS OF BEING A DOCTOR
By: JOACHIM MANUEL ANTONIO M. PARRAS 7B

Perks of Being a DOCTOR

We’re often led to have a mixed perception of being a doctor. Thanks to the flair of Emergency Room
dramas we see on television while keeping with Law and Order SVU might spark a passion for
justice in you, a top lawyer explains that real practice is vastly different from the dramatics seen on
television. The humanitarian aspect which every lawyer has to deal with makes the practice of the law
a noble profession.
The long hours of preparing pleadings, attending hearings, meeting with clients and putting up a
brave stance before a judge is all part of the job, says my 83 year old lolo Atty. Manuel P. Parras,
who is still active in his law practice. He has made his mark in the profession and has come full-circle
in his career from the Court of Appeals, Supreme Court to Chief Legal Counsel and CEO of private
corporations. Here, he shares his insights on what it’s like being a lawyer.

What led you to become a lawyer?

I always knew I wanted to be a lawyer because I like the idea of serving the community and a voice
for someone who couldn’t be heard. I also enjoyed reading detective novels and murder mysteries
quite a lot which compared to real practice may a have some similarity except for the twists and turns
in the plot knowing that it is purely fiction.
I always liked math and english subjects in school. In math there is only one answer but there may be
multiple ways to get that answer. In English, there are many different ways to write a point of view
and generally not just one answer. Being a lawyer is very much finding a way to argue your client’s
case and explaining to the court how the law protects your client’s rights and the facts of the case that
wouldentitle him to a favorable decision by the court.
What does an average day look like for you?
An average day involves getting up at 6:30 am praying and doing some simple stretching exercises
before breakfast. Then I proceed to my office to write pleadings or when there is a scheduled court
hearing I review my client’s case and proceed to the court. I make sure my staff promptly submit in
court memorandums and motions to avoid any technicalities that may affect my client’s cases.
After a hearing if there is still time. I return to my office and attend to other cases which are
calendared for hearing in court. I return home at 530pm to have dinner with my wife, children and
spend time with my grandchildren. If there is some spare time I ask my wife to join me for some
leisurely walk in the malls or watch the sunset in manila bay.
What do you love most about your profession?
What I love mostis seeing that all cases are settled amicably with both parties benefitting under the
circumstances and ending all disputes. When a client who was in despair and I wasable to lend a
hand in upholding and protecting his rights under the law. The feeling of being able to help people
who do not know how to protect their rights or restore what was unlawfully taken from them because
of their low status in society.

What are some of the challenges of your job?

The challenges are managing your time for clients, preparing to go to court, submitting pleadings on
time. All these should be managed without compromising the interests of clients and duties to the
court. A lawyer must be always be a good role model to public. Being an officer of the court a lawyer’s
reputation must always be morally upright. A lawyer must always put to good use his knowledge and
not an instrument of wrong doing.
What are the necessary skills required in your job?
A lawyer must have a good command of the English language written and spoken. He uses the
English to communicate with the Judge in court and in writing his pleadings. In same manner in
writing contractual agreements and other documents to be able to express the true intentions of the
parties without any room for doubt or misinterpretations. Or else, this can lead to serious
consequences for both the client and the lawyer.
A lawyer must have a keen eye for detail to be able to spot errors in the presentations of facts which
may affect his client’s position in the case. Likewise, to be able to see errors in the decisions made by
Judges which will be the basis for his appeal. Otherwise, he may no longer raise these errors and
when the decision becomes final and it may no longer be appealed which can affect the life, liberty
and property of his client.
What school subjects and university qualification fit this job?
Atty. Manuel P. Parras finished law at the University of Santo Tomas in 1956 and passed the Bar in
1957 at the age of 23.
You must have a four year Baccalaureate degree from a university before entering law school. A
degree in Liberal Arts can give you a good foundation because it has English and philosophy subjects
that helps you in analyzing the facts and issues of a case and making logical conclusions in applying
the law. Lastly, while not particularly relevant to the study of law, I do think it’s important to have a
units in the subject of Psychology. It helps you under understand the behavior of your clients and how
to deal with it. In the same way when you stand before a Judge who’s temper is unbearable to the
point that any argument is useless.