For a reader who never knew the “Davao Three,” theirs might be just another entry in a long history of human rights defenders. At first glance, one might think the path of a judge and the path of a human rights defender are different. They remind us that the struggle for human rights is ongoing — that the risks are real. To all of you here—lawyers, defenders, human rights advocates—I offer words of encouragement. May you continue to be a stronghold of courage, a voice for the voiceless, a beacon in times of darkness — and a reminder that justice is never abstract.