Lady attorney pays it forward by helping lawyers reach their dreams

Maple Place | April 18, 2021

“Finally, the fruits of my labor,” Keij told her followers on Facebook in February this year as she shared photos taken during the turnover of her three-bedroom condominium unit in DMCI Homes’ Maple Place community in Acacia Estates, Taguig City. “Wala akong savings masyado noon since part of my salary, derecho talaga sa panghulog para sa condo na ‘to. Kaya sobrang fulfilling na makita na ito na siya at akin na siya ngayon,” Keij said. (Photo courtesy of Atty. Keij Ejercito)

At a young age, Khristine Jane ”Keij” Ejercito has achieved many of her dreams.

 

Passing the bar. 

 

A flourishing career as a court attorney at the Supreme Court.

 

And just recently, getting the keys to her own condominium property—a three-bedroom unit at DMCI Homes’ Maple Place community in Acacia Estates, Taguig City.

 

The road to success, however, was not always easy for Keij who had to be a working student for six years to finish her studies at the San Beda School of Law.

 

Grateful for those who helped her along the way, she knew she wanted to give back and let other aspiring lawyers know that they are not alone in their journey.

 

As a young lawyer, Keij has made it her personal advocacy to pursue two causes closest to her heart—one, to help and inspire aspiring lawyers to pursue their dreams despite their circumstances and financial capability; and two, fight for women’s rights.

 

Vlogger Lawyer

 

To push her first advocacy, she has set up her YouTube Channel Keij Ejercito to be able to reach aspiring lawyers all around the Philippines.

 

“When I was in law school, maraming tumulong sa akin. So I want to help also those who are in the same situation that I was in before. Just paying it forward,” said Keij who is also currently taking up her Master of Laws at the University of the Philippines.

 

“I do book drives to raise funds for those who need financial help for their studies; share law school tips and tricks; and hold free law school class online and recitation practice for those who are planning to pursue law as career,” Keij shared.

 

Her venture into vlogging was not planned at all according to Keij. It started when her Facebook post about a security guard aspiring to be a lawyer in her old condominium went viral online.

 

“We had a security guard in our old condo who loves to read law books. So I gave him a new one. I posted it on Facebook and it went viral and was featured in major news websites. After that, I received a lot of messages asking things about law school, etc.,” Keij shared.

 

“Instead of answering them one by one, I decided to vlog my answers to the most common questions and I got a good reception. More questions came in after my first video so I continued doing it. That’s how it all started actually,” she continued.

 

From then on, her YouTube Channel has reached over 10,000 subscribers all over the country, made up mostly of aspiring lawyers.

 

“Sobrang fulfilling if you are able to help and they thank you online. Hindi lang sa financial pero sa inspiration na binibigay mo sa kanila, it means a lot to them, it sparks their interest, it sparks their dedication,” Keij beamed.

 

Keij had this answer when asked why she chose to invest in a development of DMCI Homes: “I chose DMCI Homes because it’s basically different from condo units na para kang nakakulong. I like the resort-living ambiance. I go to Maple Place once in a while to visit the unit but we are still doing the renovation plan. So far so good, I love the place,” Keij said. (Photo courtesy of Atty. Keij Ejercito)

Fight for Women’s Rights

 

Apart from lending a hand to aspiring lawyers, she also uses her online platforms to push for the cause she is equally passionate about—fighting for women’s rights.

 

“I was a victim of sexual harassment when I was seven. I also had an abusive relationship before. God-willing, buti na lang nakaalis din ako sa ganoong klaseng relationship but since then sabi ko I need to fight back,” Keij revealed.

 

“I need to know how to fight for myself, kasi alam ko namang hindi lang ako ang babaeng naka-experience niyan. Maraming iba siguro takot lang din na magsalita about it. So when I became a lawyer, it is really one of my advocacies to empower other women as well,” she continued.

 

Just last March, during the celebration of the International Women’s Month, Keij had a talk on Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act during the Sigma Delta Pi Sorority-UP Manila’s event titled “Through the Woman Lens.”

 

“Many people, specifically women are not aware about this law and their rights. Most do not even know that they are being abused.  Thus, I want to use this platform to spread awareness and help end violence,” Keij said in sharing the video on her Facebook account.

 

Keij’s YouTube Channel is a rich source of law school tips and tricks.

Paying it forward

 

While she has already achieved a lot in her young career as a lawyer, Keij vowed to continue her advocacies as her way of repaying      the kindness of those who helped her realize her dreams.

 

“I want to have my own review center free of charge by having volunteer reviewers kasi sayang maraming mga matatalinong bata na napipigilang mag-aral kasi walang pera,” Keij related.  

 

“For my women’s right advocacy, gusto kong makasama sa committee advocating for women’s rights and drafting of rules of court kung paano protektahan ang mga babae. I also plan to continue advocating for women representation in the legal profession and equal representation of women in all our institutions as well,” she added.

 

Keij, indeed, surely knows how to pay it forward.

 

To learn more about Keij and her inspiring advocacies, check out and subscribe to her YouTube Channel.