In the competitive landscape of Philippine legal education, standing out requires more than just high marks—it takes a clear vision of how law impacts society. Three law students at the University of San Carlos CJ Fernan College of Law proved they have both.
Franz Erika Arcamo, Angel Joy Letrondo, and Lourdes Anne Galeon have been named legal scholars by the Foundation for Liberty and Prosperity (FLP) for the academic year 2025–2026. The merit-based program awards each recipient PHP250,000 to cover tuition fees, textbook allowance, and living expenses.
The FLP scholarship is designed to identify “the best and brightest” law students nationwide. Created in collaboration with the Tan Yan Kee Foundation and the Philippine Association of Law Schools, the award recognizes future legal professionals who embody the philosophy that liberty and prosperity must go hand in hand.
The path to becoming a legal scholar is rarely linear. Letrondo almost did not apply at all, paralyzed by early transcript marks earned while balancing demanding employment. “I didn’t think I was worthy,” she recalled. It took persistent urging from a former colleague to convince her to take the leap—a move that ultimately transformed her financial reality and expanded her horizons far beyond Cebu.
For Arcamo and Galeon, the award represents an intersection of gratitude, faith, and personal mission. Arcamo describes the recognition as a continuation of divine support carrying her through the rigors of legal education, advising prospective applicants to turn their core motivations into compelling narrative prose. “Find your ‘why’ in law school, put it into words and weave it into a story, and pray it resonates,” Arcamo said.
Galeon views the honor as both a debt paid to her parents and a foundation for public education, encouraging hesitant students to confront the scale of the scholarship head-on: “Chanel that passion…you may be exactly what FLP is looking for.”
The USC CJ Fernan College of Law has maintained a consistent streak in the national program, following its 2025 cohort, which also features three USC Law legal scholars.
The three Carolinian scholars will be formally recognized at an awarding ceremony on Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at the Manila Polo Club in Makati City, joining fellow awardees from across the country.
USC Law students have consistently earned FLP scholarships in past years, including three in 2024, and another three in 2025.