DAGUPAN CITY - There is really no stopping the hurricane herself in the legal profession as Atty. Katrina Legarda with her colleague, Dr. Bernadette Madrid came to Dagupan City to lecture on Child Abuse for the Five Pillars of Justice last July 14, 2006 at the Leisure Coast Resort, an activity organized by the office of Councilor Farah Marie G. Decano, the Women Lawyer’s Association of the Philippines (WLAP) Pangasinan Chapter and the Innerwheel Club of Dagupan.

Despite the floods all over Pangasinan and Dagupan City, the seminar pushed through and turned out to be very successful with an unexpectedly high turn out of attendance. All the invited dignitaries came incluiding Executive Vice President of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Atty. Feliciano Bautista, who came from the inundated town of Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan, along with Atty. Joven Maramba, the president of IBP Pangasinan Chapter.

“It is inspiring how headstrong and determined Atty. Katrina, Dr. Bernie, and our distinguished guests are in coming to Dagupan. Equally amazing is the high turn out of participants from the judiciary, the police, the doctors, social workers, NGO’s and GO’s. They braved the rain, floods and the muddy road in order to attend the seminar. It only shows their sincerity and commitment to children’s causes, I salute them,” Atty. Farah Decano, initiator of the seminar comments.

Among those who joined and supported Decano in organizing the activity were Madam Gina de Venecia, WLAP Pangasinan Chapter President, Atty. Virgilita Castillo, Innerwheel Club President, Judge Alicia Decano, IBP Pangasinan Chapter, Elsa Santillan, Prosecutor Wilma Dulay, Atty. Aurora Valle and the City Government of Dagupan led by Mayor Benjamin Lim and Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez.

When asked about the half day seminar, Atty. Paz Serafica remarked, “It was worth the trip because it was very informative.” Atty. Heidi Tababan added, “It was just short but we learned so many things.” The doctors from the Region One Medical Center expressed their hope for another similar activity. The members of the non governmental organizations and government organizations shared the same reactions. The participants were thankful for having attended the affair and were in unison in saying it was really worth their trip.