Antique’s Bar Topnotcher: A Fighter

Iloilo City (PNA)– 2014 Bar Topnotcher Irene May Alcobilla’s townmates in the quiet town of San Remigio, Antique are ecstatic with her achievement, having victoriously triumphed over a mountain of difficulties.

A poor girl born 27 years ago in the boondocks in the municipality of San Remigio, Irene May May battled against poverty as a child. As a young adult, she had to face the greatest tragedy of her life, but ultimately emerged victorious.

Her superb scholastic standings are no mean feat, having been a consistent scholar since her primary and secondary years, graduating with the highest honors. In college, again she was at the pinnacle as Magna Cum Laude from Iloilo’s West Visayas State University.

In 2008, at the height of typhoon Frank’s devastation, she lost her mother and younger brother, the rampaging floodwater carrying them off to their untimely death. The body of Irene May’s mother was later found, but her sibling remains missing to this day.

Grieving and almost drowning in her own tears, the future lawyer vowed not to be overwhelmed by the gnawing pain of a broken heart; and with the help of two brothers working overseas, Irene May went to San Beda College in Manila, and the rest is history. She bested 5,000 others with a rating of 85.5 percent.

San Remigio Town Mayor Glen Cabigunda has asked the Sangguniang Bayan (legislative body) of his municipal government to pass a resolution honoring its foremost daughter which is most fitting for the hardworking and mentally-gifted girl from the picturesque Antique province. (PNA) LAP/AJP/ELTORRECAMPO/VLO