At only 27 years old, John Steven Delos Santos Usero of Pasay City transformed loss, hardship, and unwavering determination into a journey toward becoming a lawyer—an inspiring reminder that dreams can survive even the toughest circumstances.
Once a working student who struggled to get by, Usero now stands as a newly minted lawyer committed to serving the poor.
He recalled entering law school with almost nothing to his name. To support himself and his sibling, he took on multiple jobs—working as a teacher, joining a law firm, and later serving in government—all while trying to keep up with the demands of legal education.
Now employed as Legal Assistant II at the Anti-Red Tape Authority, Usero describes his journey as one defined not by privilege, but by perseverance and purpose.
It took him six challenging years to earn his Juris Doctor degree. He spent four years studying at the University of Santo Tomas before transferring to Arellano University School of Law, where he completed his final two years.
His decision to pursue law was deeply connected to his undergraduate degree in AB History, which he chose to better understand society and how past events continue to shape present realities.
Life in law school was a constant balancing act. Teaching, working in a law firm, and holding a government position were not choices but necessities to survive financially.
Between 2022 and 2024, Usero suffered the heartbreaking loss of both parents. Left with debt and emotional pain, he faced one of the darkest periods of his life—yet giving up on his dream was never an option.
Preparing for the 2025 Bar Exams meant studying without personal law books, relying on borrowed reviewers, and enduring days with little sleep or food. At times, he ate only once a day to stretch his limited resources.
Even the Bar Exams themselves tested his limits. On the second day, his laptop malfunctioned during the Civil and Labor exams. On the third day, he took the Criminal and Remedial exams while suffering from a torn cornea, forcing him to rely almost entirely on one eye despite the intense pain.
When the results were finally released, Usero was praying at the National Shrine of St. Jude Thaddeus. Seeing his name on the list of passers, he dedicated the moment to his parents, believing they were still with him in spirit despite their absence.
Now officially a lawyer, Atty. Usero hopes to join the Public Attorney’s Office, where he can provide legal assistance to those who cannot afford it.
He shared that his lifelong prayer was simply to become a lawyer—and now that it has been answered, he intends to dedicate his knowledge, skills, and life to serving others, especially the most disadvantaged.
Usero’s journey is a powerful testament to faith, resilience, and service—proof that even a struggling working student can overcome unimaginable odds, pass the Bar, and choose a life devoted to justice for the poor.
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