For our next Louisian Success Story (LSS), we turn the spotlight to a Louisian whose journey proves that the values learned at USLT can reach far beyond the classroom and shape a lifetime of purpose, excellence, and service.
Meet Atty. Alloysius R. Yebra, a high school alumnus of the university, batch 2007, now a distinguished lawyer and corporate executive, whose journey from a family deeply rooted in the Louisian tradition to the legal and corporate world is anchored on the values he continues to live by: Uncompromising Integrity, Spirituality, Lifelong Excellence, and Teachability.
For Atty. Yebra, USLT was never simply the school he attended. It was part of the home in which he was raised. The university’s values were deeply woven into his family life, shaping his faith, character, and perspective long before he began building his professional career.
His story is more than a record of academic distinctions, professional accomplishments, and leadership positions. It is a story of how a Louisian carries his roots wherever life takes him, holding firmly to the values that shaped him while continuing to grow, serve, and strive for excellence.
His connection to USLT began within his own family. His father, Mr. Efren O. Yebra, and mother, Mrs. Irene Flor R. Yebra, played an important role in shaping the person he would become. His mother, who served the university for many years as a teacher and school nurse, brought the values of Christian living deeply into their household.
“She taught us to remain grounded in our faith, to treat others with kindness, and, above all, to do what is right even when doing so is difficult,” Atty. Yebra mentioned.
His connection to faith and the institution was even reflected in his name, which was named after St. Aloysius Gonzaga, a young Jesuit known for discipline, devotion, and humility. Atty. Yebra grew up carrying qualities that would later become important in both his personal and professional life.
His brothers, Atty. Reinier Paul R. Yebra, Gabriel Philip R. Yebra, and Efren Augusto R. Yebra, who are also proud alumni of the university, likewise became important influences in his journey. Through their example, Atty. Yebra learned not to become complacent. Watching his brothers forge their own paths gave him the determination to pursue what he was capable of becoming. Their discipline, determination, and perseverance became lessons he carried into the years that followed.
“Meaningful success is rarely built in a single defining moment. It is built quietly, through hard work, courage, consistency, and the decision to keep going,” he shared.
That determination eventually led him to the legal profession.
Atty. Yebra earned his Bachelor of Arts in Legal Management from the University of Santo Tomas in 2011 before pursuing his Bachelor of Laws at San Beda University College of Law. In 2016, he graduated at the top of his class, ranking first overall among 155 graduating students.
His academic excellence was evident throughout his legal studies. He received the Gold Medal Award as the highest-ranking student of his first-year class and earned Semester Honors during his second and third years.
His journey into the legal profession began as a Junior Associate at SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan, also known as SyCipLaw. From there, his career expanded into corporate leadership, with expertise spanning risk management, regulatory compliance, corporate governance, business continuity, and strategic leadership across the legal, insurance, healthcare, and security services sectors.
Today, he serves as Executive Vice President for the Healthcare Division of the United Coconut Planters Life Assurance Corporation (COCOLIFE). Prior to this, he served as Senior Vice President of the company’s Risk Management and Compliance Division from 2019 to 2023. He is also a Founding Partner of Yebra Devesa Loon Santos Hernandez & Associates Law (YDL Law).
Atty. Yebra, however, has never let professional success stop the pursuit of knowledge. He has remained active in the academe, previously teaching Special Penal Law, Public International Law, Environmental Law, Human Rights Law, and Legal Logic at the University of the East College of Law. He currently serves as a Professional Lecturer in Criminal Law and Special Penal Law at the Legal Edge Bar Review Center.
His commitment to professional growth is likewise reflected in his certifications, including Certified Risk Manager – Level 5, Certified Compliance Officer, and Certified Risk Analyst. Yet behind these accomplishments is a set of values that Atty. Yebra describes it as the USLT way.
When asked what carried him through law school, the Bar examinations, and eventually into the legal profession, his answer was simple:
“It was the U.S.L.T. way.”
For Atty. Yebra, the first of these values is Uncompromising Integrity.
It means choosing what is right even when no one is watching. While intelligence and competence may contribute to success, he believes that integrity is what earns the trust and respect of others.
The second is Spirituality, which means remaining grounded in faith, especially when life does not unfold as planned.
“Let your faith give you the strength to continue and remind you that your success becomes more meaningful when it is used to serve others,” he said.
The third is Lifelong Excellence. For Atty. Yebra, excellence does not mean never failing or making mistakes. It means giving one’s best, learning from every experience, and having the courage to try again.
“Graduation may mark the end of your time in school, but it should never mark the end of your learning,” he emphasized.
The fourth is Teachability, the humility to listen and accept that there will always be something new to learn.
“Lagi ninyong tatandaan na sa mundong ito, palaging may mas magaling, mas matalino, mas maabilidad—and lahat na ng ‘mas.’ And that is perfectly okay,” he reminded his fellow Louisians.
These values became especially meaningful during the difficult seasons of his journey. Law school brought moments when pressure became overwhelming, and the road ahead seemed uncertain. There were times when success appeared distant, and doubt seemed closer.
During those moments, Atty. Yebra returned to the values he learned from his family and from St. Louis. They reminded him of who he was, why he started, and why he needed to keep going.
Today, he continues to bring these values beyond his professional responsibilities. Atty. Yebra is a member of the Philippine Bar Association, Inc., and a co-founder of Red Cubs Pet Patrol Incorporated, a non-profit organization dedicated to animal rights and welfare.
His journey demonstrates that leadership is not defined solely by the positions one holds. It is also shown in the principles one chooses to uphold and the people and causes one chooses to serve. To fellow Louisians, Atty. Yebra offers a message grounded in the same values that carried him throughout his own journey.
“When your character is tested, stand up right. When the road grows dark, hold firmly to your faith. When success finds you, do not stop striving for excellence. And when you finally stand at heights you once only dreamed of, never forget the ground that taught you how to climb.”
He also reminds students that the journey ahead will not always be easy. There will be disappointments, failures, and moments of doubt. Yet these experiences can become opportunities for growth and preparation for greater responsibilities.
For Atty. Yebra, education can open many doors, but it is character, faith, and the values one lives by that ultimately define the person one becomes and the legacy one leaves behind.
His story is a reminder that the Louisian journey does not end when one leaves the university. The lessons learned at St. Louis can travel with every alumnus into different professions, communities, and stages of life.
For Atty. Alloysius R. Yebra, the USLT way has become more than a phrase. It has become a way of living, leading, learning, and serving.
“Rise as high as your dreams will take you, but never forget the values that gave you the courage to climb.”
Congratulations, Atty. Alloysius R. Yebra, for the meaningful success you have achieved and for continuing to carry the USLT way wherever your journey leads. Your story is an inspiration to the Louisian community and a reminder that when excellence is guided by faith, integrity, and humility, success becomes more meaningful.
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