Meeting low-key law practitioner Arvin Gomez Amatorio for the first time would make one think twice if this guardian of the law is for real. Obviously, aside from being youthful-looking he’s sans the usual aggressiveness and brag-ish air common among the majority in his league. Dashingly donned in a pair of dark worsted linen suit over blue pin striped inner shirt contrastingly matched with tiny floral printed tie in subtle pink, one would easily conclude that it really takes somebody confident enough of his sexuality to have chosen such fashionable ensemble. But the total get-up with a well-balanced silhouette fitted his 5’7” frame perfectly—very corporately fresh!
A typical Gemini-born, having seen the first light of day on June 5, 1971 in Aurora, Quezon, Arvin is the 5th among a brood of 6 of Librado Angara Amatorio and Sonia Amatorio nee Gomez, both public school teachers. Noticeably, as his middle name connotes, Arvin is from the illustrious Angara lineage of Aurora.
Despite being lean-built with spindle-shank arms that dangled almost a mile during his teen years, young Arvin was a born leader having been the Student Council president in school, where graduated with the most medals in extra-curricular activities in the batch, and the recipient of the Pres. Roxas Scholarship Award. Actively driven by his typical sportsmanly spirit, Arvin was one of the pioneering surfers in his hometown and a regular fixture in almost every single basketball game be it in make-shift corner street courts or in an organized inter-team tournament.
“But I would say, I was really meant to be a lawyer. Since childhood I used to be interested in argumentation and debate classes and I remember how court scenes on TV and the movies amazed me,” Arvin said with a hint to justify the profession where he’s currently in. “Even my mother could attest to it. She said that even before she could confront me for whatever fault I’ve done I always had a ready explanation or valid reason that would eventually expunge whatever accusation there was.”
Aptly armed with his creative and critical communication skills powered by his strong determination to achieve his goal, Arvin got the taste of the best law schools in Manila: he entered Pre-Law school at San Juan de Letran, spent his 2nd year at San Sebastian College, transferred to San Beda College, and finally finished his law course at San Sebastian.
The seemingly juggling educational process enabled him to closely interact with different lawyers and law professionals while gaining a comprehensive ground in his legal studies and the essential aspects in preparation for his practice in the field.
It was in1996 during his training in Vigan, Ilocos Sur in connection with a DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government) project where his heart skipped a beat upon sight of a certain Ilya Evangelista who instantly tamed his wild imaginations with her arresting presence and charming ways.
“I knew there and then that she was the one,” Arvin fondly reminisces his initial encounter with Ilya . “It wasn’t just infatuation. I was instantly smitten and captivated by everything about her. I was certain that I’d be up for the chasing with irrepressible optimism!”
His august wooing was duly reciprocated but a bit of tease tested their flourishing relationship when Ilya left for NY in 2002 to attend a business-related event at the UN in connection with her DILG position. A man deeply in love won’t stand a long distance affair so Alvin followed her.
Survival in the world’s most diverse asphalt jungle was undoubtedly tough and Arvin couldn’t be finicky. He landed as a teacher-instructor at the American Center for Career Training where he taught Office Procedure, Paralegal subjects, Legal Research, Contracts, and other related subjects.
A change of workplace at the Inter-Borough College teaching the same subjects enabled him sufficient time to review and prepare for his bar exam.
On Ilya’s birthday, on August 19, 2004, the couple decided to officially seal their relationship by virtue of a civil wedding. The new status ignited the remaining ember in him to doubly strive and be more driven.
On February 2006, Arvin took the bar with a rewarding result. On October 6 of the same year, Atty. Arvin Amatorio took his oath that entitled him for admission to the New York Bar. His legal capacity in Immigration Law practice extends nationwide and that had enabled him to appear in Chicago, Indiana, Virginia, New Jersey, and California courts.
His first ever legal case bathed him with blood and initiated him into a baptism of fire.
“The much celebrated Sentosa Case filed by against the 27 nurses recruited from the Philippines for a three-year contract by Sentosa Recruitment Agency gained national attention and being affiliated with Felix Vinluan Law Office, the official lawyer of the defense, I was assigned to be in-charge of the depositions of all the nurses for evidentiary documents,” he said. “Imagine, I was up against a known NY state senator who was one of the counsels of the other party.”
On January 13, 2009 the New York court dismissed the case against the nurses for simply being threatened with prosecution for crimes which they cannot be constitutionally tried.
Currently, Arvin Amatorio, PC, is an of counsel to the Law Office of Victor G. Sison in 114 South Washington Avenue, Bergenfield, NJ where he participates on case to case basis in the immigration cases and related activities of the office. He may not be actively involved in the day-to-day work of the law firm but maybe available in particular matters or for consultation. The unassuming lawyer maintains his main office at 224 West 35th Street, Suite 603A in New York, NY.
Indeed, it was an honorable calling what Alvin may have chosen and even volunteers to deliver his services for free, if the situation calls for such. But the burden of guilt and righteous advocacy weighs heavier and gets more serious when complicated cases file up. Because no matter how he tries to champion the interest of a particular cause or attend to those who seek for his service there always lays the lawyer’s need for his own subsistence. His legal services could be pro bono but to a certain extent for there is his family to take into consideration.
And yet, after having had personally witnessed the urgency of his presence and service in the Filipino community in Bergenfield where he has been a resident for less than a decade, Arvin wants to focus in his full representation in many aspects of the Filipino-Americans in the area.
“There never was a consistently concrete assistance accorded to our “kababayans” this side of Jersey. I earnestly want to be their voice during times when their feelings are suppressed and their much-needed force when they feel weak enough to confront those in the office for the privilege they rightfully deserve,” he said.
After earnestly weighing the probable pros and cons of his current stature in running for public office as a councilman, Arvin has had his mind completely set on his slated career change. He made sure that his timetable will allow him to go out and campaign while simultaneously allotting sufficient time to regularly attend to his client load with the aid of his legal team.
While the election campaign starts to heat up Arvin prepares himself for the hectic schedule and mounting appointments waiting in the offing…keeping on his mind that public appearances, open speeches, and constant political meetings are not just about the election season but he’s actually investing his future reputation as a lawyer.
Although strongly driven by his political inclination to be a public servant armed with an innate advocacy to serve, not only to his fellowmen in Bergenfield but every man who needs his service regardless of creed and color, Arvin doesn’t intend to bet all his aces on the forefront. “I just can’t invest everything into a venture with uncertainty. Yes, I’m all out in my genuine intention to serve and be of help but I still have to be practical and reserve a piece of the string for myself to have something to hold onto when my initial foray into the political arena ends with untoward result,” the soft spoken lawyer openly stated with full conviction.
As a guardian of the law he’s aware of the diverse roles he has to delineate in facing inevitably unforeseen situations just so to maintain the highest standards of ethical conduct. He’s seemingly treading an imaginary line with scrutinizing eyes just waiting for him fail to toe the line. Now following his announcement about his political endeavor Arvin feels like a fish in a glass bowl where his every movement and activity is open for public scrutiny… transparent… sans privacy…and he can’t just go wrong.
The twenty-four hours allotted for men to call it a day seem too short for an occupied guy like Arvin. He regularly juggles between home, his kid’s school and office uncomplainingly but now he still has to attend to a myriad of public activities in connection with his political aspiration.
The mounting challenges in the crossroad of his life have to be addressed upfront leaving neither options nor choices. Steadfast and firm in his decisions, Arvin is aware that his future lies on the turnout of what he has opted and tries to sail his ship close to the wind.
His daily grind has been a flurry of multi-tasking hustles and bustles but he tries his best to get used with that elusive work-life balance of meeting the demands of his office job, raising a child, performing his spousal duty, while squeezing his new-found career into his already crowded timetable.
Still his family remains on top of his priorities. Arvin sees to it that he spends quality time with Ilya, a nurse manager at the Mt. Sinai Hospital, and Lance, their seven-year old son, especially on weekends when they are free from work and school. Bonding moments are spent on out-of-town get-away vacation, movies, dinner, shopping, or just strolling in the park.
A self-confessed kitchen wizard of Filipino cuisine, the cooking lawyer could startlingly turn measly portions of everything concocted out of refrigerator left-over into a brand new recipe which could put a schooled chef to shame. Being a husband and a father are the best roles he loves to play.
The perils of entering politics entail vicarious liability, ethical pitfalls, and diminished personal responsibilities but for Atty. Arvin Amatorio, being of service to his fellowmen is his way of giving back what his Creator has blessed him with and his personal act of volunteerism that provides self fulfillment while improving other lives.
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