By Karren Jay G. Asgar
A proud moment for the Libo-on family as Atty. Niegel E. Libo-on (center) celebrates his graduation at PLM College of Law, surrounded by his loving parents, Vicente A. Libo-on (left) and Marinel E. Libo-on (right).
A story of perseverance and unyielding dedication is quietly unfolding behind the prestigious walls of the Supreme Court of the Philippines. Centralian Atty. Niegel E. Libo-on, currently serving at the Court Management Office under the Office of the Court Administrator, has an inspiring journey of being a dedicated working student for years, now making a powerful reminder that with determination and focus, any obstacle can be overcome.
Most people who have known him since his time at CPU call him “Op Meg,” a term used among friends when running into each other around campus. He graduated in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Political Science and Public Administration under the College of Arts and Sciences of Central Philippine University. He was a work student in his entire five (5) years in college, having been assigned as janitorial student assistant in Old Valentine, Engineering, Lifestyle, Rose Memorial and University Gym buildings, office assistant in D’Hub University Student Center and Social Work Department, and laboratory assistant in Chemistry Laboratory. Additionally, he was also actively involved in different on and off campus organizations and activities.
“To name a few, I was a Senator of the CPUR 14th Parliament (2018-2019), Editor-in-Chief of Arts and Sciences VoicePrints (2017-2018), Vice President of Work Students Organization (2017-2018) and CPU Association of Political Science and Public Administration Students (2018-2019), College Editor of Centralite 2018 and 2019, Executive Committee member of CPU Gospel Team (2015-2019), founding member of Reform PH and active member of Reform Organization. Off campus, I was the National President of the Political Science Students Association of the Philippines (2018-2019), Vice President of Alliance of Political Science Students of Iloilo (2018-2019), delegate during the International Model United Nations in Bangkok, Thailand (2018) and Malaya Model United Nations International in the University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (2018). I was recognized as one of the Circle of Five of The Outstanding Students of Iloilo Awards (TOSIA) 2019,” Atty. Libo-on shared in an interview.
He is the eldest of the three sons of a tricycle driver/construction worker/mangunguling/farmer and a housewife/flower vendor from Banate, Iloilo.
“Becoming a lawyer has been my dream since childhood, primarily influenced by parents who used to call me “attorney” since I started gaining consciousness,” he added.
What truly inspired him to move forward, despite the lack of resources, was the fulfillment of both his and his parents’ dream of him becoming a lawyer, as well as his strong desire to uplift his family from poverty. He took each day of balancing studies and working one step at a time, focusing on the tasks at hand rather than dwelling on their financial struggles.
“Looking back, the long days and the longer nights of working and studying simultaneously made me appreciate more and be more grateful for the things that I have now. It helped me value the opportunity of becoming who I am today, something I just dreamed of and worked hard for before,” he emphasized.
When asked about the most challenging aspects he faced as a working student, Atty. Libo-on shared three key realizations. First, unlike many of the other students on campus, he had to work in order to continue his studies. He took pride in being a working student and used it as motivation to persevere. “I told myself that I should not be limited by the fact that I am work student. There’s more and there could be more in me than “just” being a work student. I can also be whoever a regular student can be—scholar, writer, student leader, debater, U-Day player, etc. When I ran and eventually became part of the CPUR, I used the platform that was given to me to share this message and inspiration with other work students.”
Second, he highlighted the challenge of managing time for all the things he wanted and needed to do as a college student, including studies, work, organizations, events, leisure, and more. Like any college student, he also wanted to experience the things that regular student his age was enjoying.
Third, he spoke about the burden of uncertainty—wondering whether he would be able to continue his studies the following semester due to the lack of a stable source of income. “I think more than the physical difficulty of juggling your chores in school and in work, it is the anxiety brought by the uncertainty of whether you can still enroll next semester that is more burdensome. Having to think about where to pull your finances on top of your school requirements and work task is just taxing. Looking back, I think I was able to manage my responsibilities by taking things one at a time. I focused on what’s before me and before I knew it, I finished what I had to and was on to the next big thing.”
When asked about his experiences in the Centralian community that have shaped his personal growth and contributed to the person he is today, he shared that the community made him feel that he truly belonged. “The Centralian community did not make me feel less of a part of it simply because I was a work student. I was able to make the most of my life as a college student despite not being a regular student. This experience gave me the confidence to step up and to keep up (makipagsabayan) to other people in law school and in even in my workplaces. I did not feel intimidated as a probinsyano or as a working student because I know that I belong. If they can do it, I can do it as well.”
When asked about the advice he would give to current students at CPU who aspire to follow a similar career path, he shared three key points. First, he emphasized the importance of maintaining a clear vision in life. Second, he advised not to be afraid to take the first step, no matter how daunting it may seem. And third, he encouraged students to enjoy the process, understanding that growth and success come from the j ourney, not just the destination.
“Know what you want and give your best to achieve it. Use it to inspire you to persevere and persist. When you feel like stopping, look back at what you envision your life to be, why you want it…Take the risk. Most of the time, una lang na mabudlay. But when you have already started doing it, dire-diretso na na. As long as you know what you want, it is always worth the leap of faith… Prevent yourself from being overly frustrated over the things nga wala na kita sang mahimo. Hardships and challenges will always be there. Always find something to enjoy about in the things that you do. Join organizations. Follow your passion. Attend events. These things are not mutually exclusive with being responsible in your studies and work. Do not rush the process. The process is there for a reason. Take it one day at a time and before you know it, tapos na.
Centralian Atty. Niegel E. Libo-on’s remarkable story serves as a powerful inspiration to the community, reminding everyone of the immense potential within each Centralian to make a meaningful impact in their chosen fields.