For Atty. Rigil Kent E. Sevilleno, becoming a lawyer was a dream planted early on.
As early as Grade 6, he already knew what he wanted to become. In his yearbook, he had written it plainly: lawyer. Years later, that childhood dream would guide every major decision he made, even when the path demanded sacrifice, consistency, and discipline.
Before entering law school, Sevilleno took up Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education major in English. According to him, his background in English sharpened his grammar, comprehension, and command of language—skills that would later become essential in law school.
From 2018 to 2020, he taught Senior High School at the University of San Jose–Recoletos Basak Campus, handling English-related subjects. He later taught Junior High School before returning to Senior High School students. Teaching was something he genuinely loved, and for years, he balanced his passion for education with the quiet pull of another dream.
No matter how fulfilling teaching was, the desire to become a lawyer remained stronger.
Juggling Three Worlds
While studying law, Sevilleno was not just a student. He was also a working student from his first to third year, only stopping his side hustle during his graduating year to focus on Bar preparation. On top of that, he ventured into bodybuilding, which he began during his first year of law school.
At one point, he was serving three demanding paths at once: law school, teaching, and bodybuilding.
The overlap was far from easy, but discipline became his anchor. He eventually paused bodybuilding during his fourth year of law school to focus fully on academics, understanding that some goals require temporary sacrifices.
Discipline Beyond the Gym
Sevilleno reflected on how bodybuilding competitions and the Bar review both demanded the same core values: consistency and discipline.
He prepared for the Bar for two and a half months, relying on the same discipline he learned as an athlete: showing up daily, even when it hurt.
“No matter how tired my body was, I always gave my best,” he shared. “I applied the same mindset in law school.”
Even on days when reading felt unbearable, he persisted.
“Even though kapoy na gyud kaayo magbasa, wa na’y lami, di na ka kasabot, wa na’y masud sa imong utok, I just did it lang gyud.”
For Sevilleno, achieving a goal meant accepting that some things—and some moments—had to be let go of, at least temporarily.
“You need to be okay with missing out,” he said. “As long as it brings you closer to your goal, the right people will understand and support you.”
The Hardest Test Yet
Just when he thought the Bar exam would be his greatest challenge, life presented an even harsher test.
A week before the Bar, Sevilleno began experiencing discomfort he initially dismissed as bloating. When the pain didn’t subside, medical tests revealed appendicitis. He underwent emergency surgery the same day and was confined in the hospital for five days—a critical period meant for final Bar review.
Despite his condition, he tried to study while confined, though the pain and exhaustion made it nearly impossible to absorb anything. A day after being discharged, he resumed studying immediately, even as his physical strength declined. During the first and second days of the Bar exams, he was still dealing with pain from his stitches.
Throughout this ordeal, his parents stood firmly by his side—supporting him financially and caring for him through recovery.
When the Name Was Called
On the day of the Bar exam results, the wait felt endless. As the program dragged on, his anxiety grew. He feared his name wouldn’t appear.
Then it did.
The moment he saw his name on the screen, he shouted in disbelief. Beside him were his father and younger sister, and together, they celebrated.
In that moment, everything he had endured finally made sense.
The hard work and sacrifices made by him and his parents finally paid off.
With that, he dedicates his achievement to his parents, recognizing that without their unwavering support, the journey would not have been possible.
“This win is not just mine,” Sevilleno shared. “It belongs to everyone who helped me, especially my parents.”
Moving Forward
Now officially a lawyer, Atty. Rigil Kent E. Sevilleno plans to practice law and find a firm where he can grow professionally. While he is unsure when he will return to bodybuilding, fitness remains close to his heart. He hopes to compete again in a year or two, once his schedule allows.
His bodybuilding journey already reflects his discipline:
- 2021 – First competition, no placement
- January 2023 – Champion, Men’s Physique (Cebu)
- November 2023 – Second place, Manila competition
From a childhood dream written in a yearbook to overcoming physical pain days before the Bar, Sevilleno’s story is one of grit, patience, and faith in the process.
