Remembering Lila Quirino

08 August 2025

Photo courtesy of ACCRALAW

There are some people who make a big impact, no matter their size. Aleli Angela G. Quirino, who passed away on July 3, 2025, was one of those people.

Lila, as she was universally known, was one of the first lawyers I met when I started in this industry, and she was one of the nicest, kindest, most welcoming people you could meet. We first met in 1999, when I was a young upstart in the publishing business and she was leading the IP department at Angara Abello Conception Regala & Cruz (ACCRALAW) in Manila. Despite the obvious differences in position, she made sure I felt at ease and was a delight to interact with.

The niece of a former president of the Philippines and the daughter of a judge, Lila could elevate everyone in her company. I remember once attending a Christmas party at her home in Manila, and as she addressed the crowd, thanking them for coming, she said: “I’d like to welcome the Chief Justice, the Speaker of the House, and Mr. Darren Barton from Asia IP.” I don’t think I have ever been mentioned in such exalted company.

But there was also a steely determination within as well. This was evident during her time at ACCRALAW, which she joined in 1985 and went on to lead the IP department in 1992, a position she held for 16 years. Even after she officially retired, she remained of counsel with the firm until 2023, regularly greeting friends old and new at numerous conferences throughout the region and beyond. I doubt there are any lawyers across Asia and the Pacific who didn’t know and respect her.

That determination came in handy when she was forced to face the scourge of leukaemia, another thing we shared. Thankfully, she came through that challenge, and her words of encouragement and support helped me as I continue my own battle. She had the ability to bring light to some dark places.

I will miss her, like many of you will, but I know my life has been enriched by knowing her, and my understanding of IP has been improved through her patient explanations. Rest well, Lila. You deserve it

- Darren Barton, publisher

Aleli Quirino: A toughie in the time of gender parity (Asia IP, March 31, 2020)

The IP experience according to Asia's Women of IP (Asia IP, March 31, 2020)

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