Rewriting History, Influencing the Times

When a sorority steeps itself in a culture of excellence, tradition, and principle, it will come as no surprise that its residents will blaze a trail in whatever path they choose to take, inside law school and beyond. Portia prides itself with its illustrious membership of sisters who have become influential and esteemed individuals in the legal profession.

The UP Portia Sorority, being the only duly-recognized law-based sorority in the UP College of Law has consistently held itself as a sorority imbued in not both academic excellence and social consciousness. In its quest to be a truly responsive and responsible sisterhood, Portia has been known to support a variety of activities which cater to not only the entire law population, but people outside the walls of Malcolm Hall as well, such as medical missions, fundraising activities, and symposia about relevant social issues. The Sorority has also continued its advocacy for the arts, annually sponsoring art exhibits, film showings, concerts, and theatrical plays. Every year, the Sorority launches its literary folio, and culminates its anniversary week with the Poetic Sojourn, a venue wherein the students of the College of Law can showcase their literary flair through the rendition of poems and songs.

Since its establishment in 1933, it has been dedicated to furthering social consciousness and academic excellence inside and outside the legal arena. As testimony to this dedication, the Portia Sorority has bred legal luminaries such as Justice Ameurfina Melencio-Herrera, Justice Irene Cortes, Justice Cecilia Muñoz-Palma, Justice Minita Chico-Nazario, Justice Flerida Ruth Romero, Sisses Haydee Bofil Yorac, Araceli Herrera-Reyes, Rizalina Bonifacio, and Irene Montano-delos Angeles.

At present, Portians are making their mark in different branches of government and in different fields in the private sector. In the Supreme Court, we have our first female Supreme Court Chief Justice, Maria Lourdes Aranal-Sereno, and Justice Teresita Leonardo-De Castro. We also have Ombudsman and former Supreme Court Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is currently under the leadership of Sis Teresita Herbosa; meanwhile, the current Intellectual Property Office Director General is Sis Josephine R. Santiago. Others have chosen to serve in the academe, such as Professors Concepcion Lim-Jardeleza and Myrna Feliciano, while others have been called to solidify the imprint of Filipino beauty and excellence in the global arena such as Sis Anna Theresa Luy Licaros, Bb. Pilipinas – Universe 2007. One can be certain that in whatever field of law, and in whatever sector or industry in the country, Portians are sure to have made their mark.

This track record of excellence reflects the Sorority’s commitment to practicing law in the grand manner. Indeed, the UP Portia Sorority has been influential in defining what it means to be a strong, well-rounded, and socially conscious female law student of the country’s premier university.

An Enduring Classic

Since its iconic founding more than eighty years ago, the UP Portia Sorority has remained true to its tradition of excellence, but has also evolved to represent the different facets of a strong and independent female lawyer. Through the years, it has become a testament to the immensity of what principled and genuine sisterhood can do – it can bring out the best in each and every woman, and can lead them to paths yet to be taken.

This is what the UP Portia Sorority has done and will undoubtedly continue to do so. It has more than eight decades of excellence to back it up. Indeed, a true and enduring classic, in every sense of the word.