On the Threshold of a New Beginning – Reflections and Renewals
Atty. Gabrielle B. Allabo
Atty. Ariadne Kirsten E. Hornilla
Atty. Rhenelle Mae O. Operario
JANUARY 2026
Here we are once again, a whole year has passed in what seemed to be a blink of an eye. Across cultures and continents, the arrival
of a new year is marked by various practices: In Spain, the eating of twelve (12) grapes at the stroke of midnight signifies hope for good fortune in each coming
month.1 In Brazil, offerings are placed upon small boats and set adrift at sea to honor Yemanja,
the goddess of the ocean, in the hope of blessings in the year ahead.2 In Romania, revelers don bear costumes
to ward off misfortune and invite protection.3 Although these traditions differ in form, they are nonetheless
united by a shared understanding: the beginning of the year offers an opportunity of renewed purpose and growth.
The transition into a new year offers more than a symbolic reset. It is likewise an opportunity to reflect on the experiences that have shaped our practice and strengthened our commitment to the legal profession. For Ubaña Cajucom Law Office, this moment is especially meaningful as the firm enters its eleventh (11th) year in the profession. Throughout the years, we have been guided by a steadfast responsibility to uphold the rule of law, protect the interests entrusted to us, and act with integrity in every engagement. Challenges were met with resolve, and lessons deepened our appreciation for ethical practice, professional accountability, and faithful service.
At the heart of this reflection is gratitude. We ground our remembrance of the year that has passed, not only in its successes, but also in the challenges that refined our judgment, strengthened our resolve, and deepened our sense of purpose. Gratitude is a reminder that growth is often forged quietly through the trust reposed on us, the lessons we learned along the way, and the countless opportunities of serving with integrity.
Standing on the threshold of a new beginning, we welcome the new year with renewed purpose. As the legal landscape continues to evolve, our commitment remains constant: to serve with competence, clarity, and respect for the institutions and individuals that we represent. We move forward driven with purpose, as guided by the values that define our firm. The call before us is not simply to move faster or to aim higher, but to proceed with greater intention, discernment, and grace. It urges us to act with kindness in our dealings, to choose integrity in moments of challenge, and to remain steadfast in our principles even when the path ahead is uncertain.
As we cross into the year ahead, we carry with us the quiet confidence that growth unfolds in its proper time and that what we are becoming is shaped by how faithfully we move forward even amid uncertainty. With this assurance, we embrace the year ahead with steadiness, humility, and a renewed commitment to act with discernment, responsibility, and grace. As aptly expressed by Atty. Marlonfritz Broto’s New Year’s Eve message4 :
The transition into a new year offers more than a symbolic reset. It is likewise an opportunity to reflect on the experiences that have shaped our practice and strengthened our commitment to the legal profession. For Ubaña Cajucom Law Office, this moment is especially meaningful as the firm enters its eleventh (11th) year in the profession. Throughout the years, we have been guided by a steadfast responsibility to uphold the rule of law, protect the interests entrusted to us, and act with integrity in every engagement. Challenges were met with resolve, and lessons deepened our appreciation for ethical practice, professional accountability, and faithful service.
At the heart of this reflection is gratitude. We ground our remembrance of the year that has passed, not only in its successes, but also in the challenges that refined our judgment, strengthened our resolve, and deepened our sense of purpose. Gratitude is a reminder that growth is often forged quietly through the trust reposed on us, the lessons we learned along the way, and the countless opportunities of serving with integrity.
Standing on the threshold of a new beginning, we welcome the new year with renewed purpose. As the legal landscape continues to evolve, our commitment remains constant: to serve with competence, clarity, and respect for the institutions and individuals that we represent. We move forward driven with purpose, as guided by the values that define our firm. The call before us is not simply to move faster or to aim higher, but to proceed with greater intention, discernment, and grace. It urges us to act with kindness in our dealings, to choose integrity in moments of challenge, and to remain steadfast in our principles even when the path ahead is uncertain.
As we cross into the year ahead, we carry with us the quiet confidence that growth unfolds in its proper time and that what we are becoming is shaped by how faithfully we move forward even amid uncertainty. With this assurance, we embrace the year ahead with steadiness, humility, and a renewed commitment to act with discernment, responsibility, and grace. As aptly expressed by Atty. Marlonfritz Broto’s New Year’s Eve message4 :
“Now standing between what has been and what is becoming, we welcome the new year with hope anchored in humility. New challenges will come,
but so will new ways to grow, to serve, and to share our blessings more intentionally. The call before us is not merely to do more, but to live more
faithfully – to be attentive to grace, deliberate in kindness, and generous in the quiet ways that matter most.
Above all, we remain deeply grateful for the grace of life itself.”
Above all, we remain deeply grateful for the grace of life itself.”
FOOTNOTES
1. University of Colorado Boulder. How People Celebrate New Year’s around the world. (2020). Retrieved from https://www.colorado.edu/studentlife/2020/12/21/how-people-celebrate-new-years-around-world
3. BBC. New Year’s traditions: How do people celebrate the new year around the world? (2023). Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/38341760
4. Atty. Marlonfritz Broto.Between What Has Been and What is Becoming. (2025). Retrieved from https://web.facebook.com/share/p/1C1x3ELorh/
*The views and opinions expressed are based on applicable laws, constitutional provisions, and/or jurisprudence in force at the time of writing, and do not constitute legal advice or an official stance on any political matter. Subsequent legal or factual developments may affect the relevance or applicability of the views and opinions herein expressed.