'It's all worth it', Bar 2017 passers say
MANILA, Philippines — As early as 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, people started crowding in front of the Supreme Court gates for the announcement of the results of the Bar Exams 2017.
The SC Public Information Office, weeks ago, said that the justices will hold a special en banc session to deliberate on the bar exam results. The en banc session usually starts at 10:00 a.m.
During the hours of waiting, the students, their friends and their families alternately braved the rain and stood under the sweltering sun, but continued to crane their necks to catch a glimpse of movement from inside the SC.
At around 1:00 p.m., Associate Justice Lucas Bersamin faced the crowd and announced that the Philippines has gained 1,724 new lawyers.
The Bar Exam 2017 posted a passing rate of 25.5 percent, which is significantly lower than last year’s passing rate of 59.09 percent.
After Bersamin’s announcement of the passers in the Top 20, the names of the passers were flashed on the screen.
The SC quadrangle, that, on regular days is bereft of people, was overcome with tears and hugs.
'It's all worth it'
Thomas Torralba, father of ninth-placer Klinton Torralba of the University of Santo Tomas, would have “jumped until I reach the heavens” to celebrate the his son's stellar performance.
He said that their family hails from Badoc, Ilocos Norte and he is extremely happy that his son landed at the ninth spot on his first try. Klinton is his third child and is the first lawyer in the family.
For 30-year-old Marhen Jason Simbre from San Beda College Alabang, it took three tries to finally get that spot on the country’s Roll of Attorneys. He recalled having to go through long hours of review three times.
Simbre said that he is currently working in a law firm, but that he is “inclined to apply for the government, under the Public Attorney’s Office.”
San Beda College Mendiola graduate Anne Lorraine Diokno immediately hugged her brother—also a lawyer—when she saw her name flashed on the screen.
A first-time taker, Diokno said that she could just not stop from crying upon learning that she is now a lawyer.
Clutching a rosary, she cried: “It’s all worth it.”
Anne Lorraine Diokno of San Beda College Mendiola turns emotional upon learning that she passed the bar exam. | via @kristinepatag pic.twitter.com/Gm97tkoeyb
— Philstar.com (@PhilstarNews) April 26, 2018
Relationship goals?
A couple from the De La Salle University also hurdled the gruelling Bar Exams 2017 together.
Lans Olives and Michelle Vale Cruz enveloped each other in a hug while savoring the announcement that they had passed. Olives said that they have been together for three years, and are currently working in separate law firms.
This couple hurdled #Bar2017 together! Lans Olives and Michelle Vale Cruz are both from De La Salle University.pic.twitter.com/xZeL9WT3KX
— Philstar.com (@PhilstarNews) April 26, 2018
Vale Cruz said that for their review, they decided to study apart from each other. She said: “We did not disturb each other during our review periods, and it worked!”
Teased on whether wedding bells are next for the couple who are both 24-year-olds, the two laughed and quipped that they want to focus on working for now.
The successful bar passers will take their oath on June 1, 2:30 p.m. at the Philippine International Convention Center.
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