My Bar Journey
“My Journey to the Bar….
Becoming a lawyer had always been my
dream. But after passing the CPA board, I had to set aside that dream to focus
on responsibilities I needed to prioritize. I got married, had three children
and life became a delicate balancing act.
It wasn’t until March 2014, three months
after the birth of my youngest daughter, that I decided it was time. At the age
of 36, I enrolled in law school. I graduated in March 2018, enrolled in a Bar
Review Center, and took the November 2018 Bar Exam.
But I failed.
Failure is painful, but it didn’t stop me.
My faith in God’s perfect timing kept me going. I told myself, “One day, I’ll
claim that title.” On April 14, 2022—Holy Thursday—I made the decision to try
again. That same date became even more meaningful when, exactly a year later,
the results of the 2022 Bar Exam were released.
I envied those who passed the 2020/2021
Bar Exam, but their success inspired me. It reignited my drive to try again. I
unboxed my law books and review materials and started preparing.
Balancing Work, Life and the Bar
This time was different. I was a full-time
Accounting Department Manager in a leading real estate company in Makati, but I
made it work. With a supportive team and understanding leadership, I managed my
workload efficiently, allowing me to focus on studying during my free time.
My daily one-hour commute became study
time—reading provisions or listening to YouTube lectures. Evenings were for
reviewing or waking up early for a quiet hour of study. Saturdays were
dedicated to my readings, though I made time for Netflix and light distractions
to recharge.
Most importantly, I never gave up my
quality time with my family. My role as a wife and mother kept me grounded and
motivated.
The Challenges and the Divine Intervention
There were countless moments of
exhaustion, tears, and doubt. But I always felt God clearing my path, saying,
“Take the exam, and I will do the rest.” That faith sustained me.
On April 14, 2023, the results were
released. My anxiety was overwhelming, but when I finally saw my name on the
list of passers, my heart burst with gratitude. It was a moment of immeasurable
relief, joy and faith fulfilled.
I immediately shared the news with my
family, visited Baclaran Church to give thanks, and celebrated the realization
of a lifelong dream.
None of this would have been possible
without the people who believed in me:
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