A near-death experience in the ICU forced this renowned public interest lawyer to sort out his priorities. He talks to Howie Severino about why he needed to go public with his prostate cancer, which very few men want to talk about. Then they tackle some of those issues that he thinks about the most: how climate change is causing typhoons in the Philippines to jump around; why the government needs to heavily subsidize public transport, including the much lamented jeepneys; and why he thinks the day of reckoning is coming for those responsible for killings during the drug war, despite the government's refusal to cooperate with the International Criminal Court. 

Finally, he offers a mission statement to young people who are considering a law career. "Lawyers are needed for even basic things in the countryside. But it's also about making a difference for society. Make use of your gifts to do things where you are needed. Work for big causes because small causes like yourself and your family alone will not make you happy. Happiness comes from making a difference in a big way to the extent that you can wherever your world is." 

Here are some links to Atty. Tony La Viña's columns and ideas: 

https://tonylavina.com/

https://tonylavina.com/2023/01/07/new-year-new-life/

https://opinion.inquirer.net/byline/tony-la-vina

https://manilastandard.net/category/opinion/columns/eagle-eyes-by-tony-la-vina

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Produced by Aubrey Delos Reyes and Sanafe Marcelo

Edited by Jayr Magtoto

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