Family Court Branch 14 in San Juan City headed by Hon. Judge Mary Catherine O. Noblejas-Garcia—affectionately known as Judge Apple—opened the doors with a heartfelt welcome to participants of the Kids and Teens Court Awareness Program (KTCAP) last May 21, 2025. The session was attended by six (6) children and nine (9) parents/ guardians and social workers from the Navotas City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) and the Diocese of Novaliches.
“To every Filipino youth and to everyone in need of care and understanding—we are friends in court, not enemies. Our goal is to discover the truth and give justice, so we can help you regain your trust in the system and rekindle love for others, and above all, for the Lord.”
— Hon. Judge Mary Catherine O. Noblejas-Garcia
Humanizing the Court Experience
Judge Apple shared a sincere reflection about how the court was intentionally made more welcoming:
“Here at the Family Court of San Juan, we gave the court a face. Have you noticed how beautiful and handsome my staff are? That’s on purpose. Most people who come here are burdened with problems—family issues, youth concerns. We wanted our courtroom to be a place of light, not fear. When you come in and see a happy face, it eases the burden a little.”
She explained how even her staff’s unique talents—from singing and dancing to tech skills—add to the caring, family-like atmosphere of the court. The goal, she said, is to show every child and woman who walks in that they are not alone.
Spotlight on Court Heroes
Judge Apple recognized the outstanding dedication of Prosecutor SACP Ma. Dinna J. Paulino and Public Attorney Atty. Katherine C. Lu, emphasizing that everyone in court—no matter the title—is committed to fairness and support.
“Don’t ever say, ‘She’s just a public attorney.’ Our public attorneys are pillars of justice. The court listens to both sides because that’s how true justice works.”
Icebreaker with Kuya Vincent: Breaking Barriers with Laughter
To ease the nerves and foster connection, Kuya Vincent led a lighthearted icebreaker involving children from the program and even the children of court personnel. The room quickly filled with laughter, smiles, and a new sense of comfort. The activity helped:
Education Through Interaction
A specially prepared PowerPoint presentation followed, helping children:
Judge Apple took the opportunity to explain the symbolism of Lady Justice’s scales—reminding everyone that fair judgment requires balance, impartiality, and open-mindedness. Lady Justice, often depicted as a blindfolded woman, holds three key symbols:
“Para sa bawat kabataang Pilipino at sa lahat ng nangangailangan ng kalinga at pag-unawa—kami dito sa korte ay kaibigan ninyo, hindi kaaway. Nais naming malaman ang katotohanan at maghatid ng hustisya, upang maibalik ang inyong tiwala sa sistema, sa kapwa, at higit sa lahat, sa Panginoon.”
Ngayon nandito kayo sa korte, marahil iba ang inaasahan ninyo—madilim, mabigat ang atmosphere, gaya sa mga larawan o video. Pero dito sa Family Court ng San Juan City, binigyan namin ng bagong mukha ang korte. Mapapansin ninyo, ang aking staff ay magaganda at gwapo—sinadya ko talaga iyon. Bakit? Dahil halos lahat ng pumupunta dito may mabigat na pinagdadaanan—problema sa pamilya, kabataan—kaya gusto naming maging magaan kahit papaano ang pakiramdam nila.
Pati ang aming attorney, may maraming followers—intentional din iyon. Sinabi ko sa ibang judge: “Kung mabigat ang problema ng mga tao, dapat masaya ang mukha ng humaharap sa kanila.” Lahat ng staff dito sa Branch 14 ay may talento—may kumakanta, sumasayaw, nagdedekorasyon, at may tech expert rin kami, si Kuya Flo. Parang pamilya kami rito dahil gusto naming ibahagi ang positibong kapaligiran sa inyo—lalo na sa kabataan at kababaihan.
At syempre, mayroon kaming mahusay na prosecutor—si Prosec. SACp Ma. Dinna J. Paulino. Noong nagsimula siya dito, wala kaming sariling courtroom o staff room. Pero nagtiyaga kami at ngayon, biyaya ng Panginoon, maganda na ang aming pasilidad.
At huwag nating kalimutan si Public Attorney Katherine C. Lu—hindi kaaway kundi katuwang sa hustisya. Huwag sabihing “public attorney lang” dahil silang lahat ay mahalagang haligi ng hustisya. Sa bawat kaso, may dalawang panig: prosecution at defense. Dapat pareho silang pinakikinggan—dahil ang batas ay para sa lahat.
Hon. Judge Mary Catherine O. Noblejas-Garcia
“To every Filipino youth and to all who are in need of care and understanding—we in the court are your friends, not your enemies. We seek the truth and strive to deliver justice, so that in doing so, we may help restore your trust in the system, in others, and most importantly, in God.”
Now that you are here in court, you may have expected something else—perhaps a dark, heavy atmosphere, like what you see in pictures or videos. But here in the San Juan City Family Court, we’ve given the court a new face. You’ll notice that all my staff are beautiful and handsome—that was intentional. Why? Because most of the people who come here are carrying emotional burdens—family problems, issues concerning the youth—and we want to ease that weight, even just a little.
Even our attorney has many followers online—also intentional. Other judges asked me, “Why are your clerks all good-looking?” I told them, “When people are going through heavy problems, they deserve to be greeted with smiling, cheerful faces.” Everyone in Branch 14 has talent—some sing, dance, decorate, and we even have our tech expert, Kuya Flo, who handles all things digital. Our court feels like a family because we want to share that sense of warmth and positivity, especially with the youth and women we serve.
And of course, we are fortunate to have an excellent prosecutor—Prosecutor SACp Ma. Dinna J. Paulino. When she first started here, we didn’t have our own courtroom or even a proper staff room. But we endured those hardships, and now, through God’s grace, we have a beautiful courtroom and staff facilities.
And let’s not forget Public Attorney Katherine C. Lu—she is not an adversary but a partner in justice. Never say “just a public attorney,” because they are pillars of the justice system. In every case, there are two sides: prosecution and defense. The law must hear both—because justice is for all.
Demonstrating a Child-Friendly Courtroom
One of the most impactful moments was Judge Apple’s demonstration of anatomically correct dolls, tools used in court to help child witnesses explain sensitive experiences. These dolls allow children to communicate non-verbally when words are too difficult or painful.
“These are not just props—they are essential. They help us respect the child’s truth, dignity, and comfort. And that’s what a child-sensitive courtroom should be about.”
The KTCAP session in San Juan served not only as a learning experience but also as a healing journey. Through kindness, clarity, and care, the Family Court continues to show that justice can be both strong and compassionate.
About KTCAP
“The Kids and Teens Court Awareness Program (KTCAP) is a collaborative initiative designed to empower child and teen victims or witnesses of abuse and exploitation. Its goal is to prepare them for court appearances while easing the fear, anxiety, and uncertainty often associated with legal proceedings. Inspired by the King County Kids’ Court in Seattle and thoughtfully adapted for the Philippine context, KTCAP helps young participants understand the justice system, their role in it, and how to navigate courtroom processes with confidence and clarity.
The Justice Cecilia Muñoz Palma Foundation (JCMPF), in collaboration with the Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Child Sexual Abuse (CPTCSA) and Action Against Violence and Exploitation, conducts the Kids and Teens Court Awareness Program (KTCAP).
Every child has the right to be heard. KTCAP is helping make that possible—one empowered child at a time.”