Testimonial Speech

My due respect to our Dean, Atty.
Josefe Sorrera-Ty, professors of law of FSUU College of Law,

parents, guests, law students, my fellow newly admitted lawyers.
I feel very privileged to be given this opportunity to speak before this audience in this memorable
night. I say privileged because, at last, I am standing and speaking in a crowd not because I am told
to recite provisions of law or to discuss a landmark case decided by the Supreme Court, but to share
to all of the people present here my bar experience. To be honest, kulbaan gihapon ko ug patindogon
ko in front of my law professors. Mura gihapon ug recit. Lahi ra jud.
Before anything else, I would like to grab this rare opportunity to formally express my gratitude and
thanks to all who were very instrumental in helping me hurdle the bar:
- FSUU administration for opening a law school in Butuan and for giving us a chance to become
lawyers ourselves
-our professors, especially to our energetic dean, Atty. Josefe Sorrera-Ty, who patiently taught us
their respective subjects and more so for checking our sometimes disagreeable or desperate answers
in the booklets;
- my parents, Noel and Rosita, and siblings who were very supportive from the very beginning;
-my girlfriend, Atty. Nomela Cana, for being my personal bar coach and adviser;
-fellow alumni;
-members of the FSUU Bar Ops Team
-and finally God, for this victory
Please accept my sincerest gratitude. There are no words which can describe my profound
appreciation for all your help.
One week since passing the bar, there has been one question which is always asked of me. “Giunsa
man to nimo?”followed by “Ambot” as my surprised reply. To be honest, I really do not know. There
is no universal formula for passing the bar. I know that those who failed did the same thing as those
who passed. But I do know one thing which really helped me- it is the value of humility.
Personally, taking the bar has been one very humbling experience. The Bar is dubbed as the most
difficult exam in the Philippines. The four grueling Sundays are very mentally and physically
exhausting. Add six months of review and you wonder why would you go through all this self-inflicted
punishment. It is a very intimidating exam.
I realized that midway through the review. For me, wala gyuy maayong laki sa bar, so they say. If you
think highly of yourself, the Bar will devour you alive. I made errors during the review, and I hope
the future bar candidates can learn from them.
Before I went to Manila for my review, I had plans already set in place on how to do it. Honestly, I
made an overestimate of myself. I thought I could read a book in two days or so. I prepared a calendar
showing three rounds of reading, plus a room for an additional round, before the bar month kicks in.
I thought I can study for 8 hours or more while still maintaining my normal circadian rhythm.
Namakyaw mig libro and listed at least 3 or more references for each subject, thinking that the more
books and references I read, the more secure I will feel. I thought I can study better when alone and
so I should always be studying by myself. I was very optimistic only to realize I was very wrong.
Two days or so is not enough to read a book. Scan maybe, but to understand a book in a way that all
its essential bar concepts are absorbed, 2 days or more is not enough. It takes longer. The better way
is to set a target- either read 8 hours a day or finish at least 100-200 pages.
I originally planned to make three rounds of reading over the course of 6 months. That’s 24 weeks.
Imagine studying 8 subjects in 24 weeks three times. I only then realize that I need to revise my
calendar from time to time, at least making sure I get to study one subject for 2 rounds. Sagad sagad
na gyud na nga study.
More than 8 hours of study is also not advisable. The brain can only absorb so much and then nothing
more. Initially, I pushed for 12 fun hours of reading, only to notice that my body is taking its toll and
that my mental processes are getting less efficient. I realized 8 hours of quality reading is enough.
Also, having more materials and references as a security blanket is not true. It is very difficult to
embrace all concepts in so many books written by different authors. Maintaining one main
material/reference for every subject is more advisable.
Many bar reviewees avoid the company of other bar reviewees. They find it very distracting and
irritable to see people move or hear people talk. However, that was not the case with us. I was with
three other friends who reviewed for the Bar. We discussed concepts, clarified questions, asked trivia,
shared bar ‘chismis’, and had fun together. In fact, some of the concepts asked in the bar are those
which I, Jude, Edzel and Louie discussed inside that little condominium unit.
Finally, passing the bar is never a one-man act. You need the support your family, friends, fellow
reviewees, and especially God. You need to channel all stress out of your system and then draw
strength from these people for you to go on. The bar is a test of faith as well as of endurance.
Again, Congratulations to all of us who passed the bar and God bless to all those who are making their
way through law school. Wherever we go, may we keep the Urian values deeply embedded in our
character.

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My due respect to our Dean, Atty.

Josefe Sorrera-Ty, professors of law of FSUU College of Law,

-members of the FSUU Bar Ops Team

-and finally God, for this victory

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