Banking on Boston
Al-Johani “Aljon” Gandamato (LLM’25) joins the Banking and Financial Law Program to expand his regulatory expertise.
Banking on Boston
Al-Johani “Aljon” Gandamato (LLM’25) joins the Banking & Financial Law Program to expand his regulatory expertise.
In the BU Law LLM in Banking & Financial Law Program, students learn from expert practitioners and legal scholars, each bringing with them unique backgrounds and experiences from around the world in regulatory and transactional services. For Al-Johani “Aljon” Gandamato (LLM’25), the Banking & Financial Law LLM provided the education and experience needed to advance his career as a legal officer at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the central bank and monetary authority of the Republic of the Philippines.
“Al-Johani stands out as an exceptional LLM student,” says Maureen Leo, director of international graduate programs at BU Law. “He combines intellectual rigor with humility and collegiality, setting a high standard for academic and professional excellence.”
Kevin Handly, director of graduate programs in tax, banking & financial law, echoes Leo’s sentiments. “[Al-Johani] has considerable hands-on experience in most of the subjects we teach in the Banking & Financial Law Program. Despite his often-superior knowledge, Al-Johani has not a pretentious bone in his body and is always generous and respectful in discussions of banking law and regulation with his classmates and professors, both in and out of the classroom.”
As the BU Law community approaches the Commencement of the Class of 2025, The Record sat down with Al-Johani to learn more about his time in Boston and what motivated him to study in the Banking & Financial Law Program.
Q&A
With Al-Johani “Aljon” Gandamato (LLM’25)
The Record: Can you share your background with us and what led you to the Banking & Financial Law LLM program?
Al-Johani Gandamato: I chose BU Law’s Banking & Financial Law LLM because I had heard good things about the program and learned that some of its professors are current practitioners, which was a big factor for me. My colleagues who also studied in the Banking & Financial Law program gave me positive feedback on the program compared to other universities.
I also love the city itself. I’d heard so many great things about Boston in general and its running culture. For example, we just had the Boston Marathon. I really wanted to experience life here in Boston.
The Record: Did you have a favorite class or professor at BU Law?
Al-Johani Gandamato: I like all the classes that I have attended here at BU Law! However, one class that stood out for me was Director Kevin Handly’s Banking Structure and Regulation class because of my background. I presently work with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the primary regulator of banks in the Philippines, and my experience there has given me valuable perspectives on banking regulations and enforcement. Being in Professor Handly’s class has taught me a lot more about the way things work here in the US.
I also like the Secured Transactions class with Professor Mike Refolo. He has a way of teaching that makes you enjoy the class more; he breaks down every element of the course materials for us to easily understand. He is very patient with us. It’s always a pleasure to see a professor be so understanding with his students.
The Record: Can you tell us about your experience attending the ABA Banking Law Committee meeting with Professor Kevin Handly?
Al-Johani Gandamato: The ABA Banking Law Committee was one of the highlights of my stay here in the US. I was able to interact with lots of lawyers from around the country. It was a very exciting and eye-opening event for me as I witnessed firsthand how lawyers interact with each other and discuss various banking issues and pressing topics.
Professor Handly guided us all throughout the event. He really motivated us to interact with the lawyers and network. I connected with many practicing lawyers and asked questions about topics I’m interested in, like AI, cryptocurrency, and banking regulations.
The Record: What other activities did you participate in while at BU Law?
Al-Johani Gandamato: The LLM program here is very gracious in planning trips and outings for us students. For example, Professor Maureen Leo led the BU LLM program last fall to visit Philadelphia and tour various historical landmarks that are relevant to the drafting of the US Constitution. We also went to Washington, DC, and visited the White House visitors room, the Supreme Court, and Capitol Hill, where we attended open sessions of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
I am also part of the LLM Leadership Program and have participated in various activities, such as visiting the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, where Professor Handly introduced us to some of the judges and justices. We were also fortunate to observe a criminal jury trial, which is different from our country’s criminal trial system.
The Record: Do you have any hobbies that you enjoy outside of the classroom?
Al-Johani Gandamato: I enrolled in the BU fitrec physical fitness program–last semester I was in the running program, and this semester I’m attending a boxing class.
Other than that, I usually hang out with my classmates in the BU Pub!
The Record: Do you have plans once you graduate?
Al-Johani Gandamato: I’m planning to take the New York Bar exam this coming July. After that, I’ll go back to the Philippines and contribute what I’ve learned and gained from my experience here at Boston University to my office.
The Record: Were you homesick at all when moving to Boston?
Al-Johani Gandamato: I was for the first two months. You know, it’s sad to be away from my family and friends back home. But after a while, I found several friends here, and the various activities that the school offered kept us busy and helped form a community. The students study together and hang out, so that made me a little bit less homesick.
I was able to build connections with many people here in the US and in Boston–– the professors, my classmates––but at the same time, I’m happy that I’m graduating this May.
The Record: What will you remember most about your time at BU Law?
Al-Johani Gandamato: For me, it’s all about the people. First, I will never forget my classmates-all amazing individuals from different countries. Second, I look up to all the professors as outstanding lawyers. Lastly, BU Law’s welcoming and inclusive culture makes you feel like you are not doing things alone; students from different LLM and JD programs know one another.
But beyond BU, it’s the city itself. I’ve been to several cities outside the Philippines, and I think Boston offers a perfect blend of modern touch and vintage charm. You see tall buildings and skyscrapers, and then a few steps away, you find cobblestone streets and historic neighborhoods like Beacon Hill and the North End, you know. I run along the Charles River as much as possible––except during the winter––and it is definitely something I’ll miss. The Charles River, the food, the environment, and, most of all, the people. Boston’s charm and the warmth of its people have truly made an impression on me.