ATTY.

DIANE AZORES
"D"
Top 1, 2019 Bar Exam

1. Please describe your learning style (e.g., visual/auditory).

I am a combination of a visual and auditory learner. It’s a must for me to read first
the lessons alone in quiet room and then draw diagrams or tables to help me
understand a topic. I also need to hear what I read for better retention that’s why
I religiously attend my classes, both in law school and in review center.

2. Please share your study techniques or best review practices which you
think helped you topped the 2019 Bar examinations.

I study in a sequence, first, codals, next, annotated books, then jurisprudence

and finally, I read previous bar questions related to the topic. It’s really important
to have a mastery of your codal provisions. I made sure that I read the codal
provisions first before I proceed to the annotated books; I believe this is an
effective way of understanding the law better. Once you understand the law, you
will have a better appreciation of the relevant jurisprudence. Finally, answering
previous bar questions will help you check whether or not you can already
answer them and also have a familiarity on the highly tested areas.

a. Memorization techniques

I used the good old mnemonics for enumerations. For definitions, I read it aloud
for multiple times until I’m able to recall it.

b. Bar materials (i.e., codals, 1 reference book, chair's cases, memory aid,
personal notes.)

Before 2019 started, I already assessed myself in each of the eight Bar subjects.
I ascertained which areas I am good at and which needs improvement. So, at the
start of the Bar Examination year I devised a strategy to cover everything in the
bar syllabus. I figured that I should first have a mastery of my codal provisions,
so I read all my codals from January to May. Then for the subjects I’m not so
good at, I read again my annotated books. During the formal review, my plan was
to focus on latest jurisprudence and then use the materials that can feasibly be
read within the limited time of six months.

The following are the reference materials I used for the formal review:

Political Law- Nachura

Labor Law- Joselito Chan notes
Civil Law-Rabuya
Taxation- I focused on the codal provisions and latest jurisprudence
Commercial Law-Sundiang and Aquino,Dimaampao
Remedial Law-Riano
Legal Ethics- Codal provisions

In general, I utilized the Golden Notes as well as the Bedan Red Notes. I also
religiously attended almost all my review classes- that’s very important because
some reviewers can also predict bar questions. Haha! It’s also important to
familiarize yourself with the landmark cases penned by the Chairperson because
these are also potential sources of bar questions. As to my notes, it consisted of
questions I write as I study, then I will answer them afterwards to check if I
understood what I just read.

c. Hours of reading- 10 hours on June to August then 12 hours on September

to November

d. Review Center/Coaching- Jurists! I actually enrolled in Jurists twice, the first

one was for their advanced pre- Bar review from January to May. Then the
second one was for the formal review from June to November. Their coaching
program is truly helpful, they spotted my weaknesses and suggested ways to
correct them.

e. Mock bar- Mock bars are very important, some may find the results
disheartening but I believe that it’s better to be wrong in the Mock Bars than in
the actual Bar Exams. Be open to criticisms and comments of your friends,
professors or coaches and use them as motivation to improve.

f. Law school training- It’s true that in the Bar Exams, you will most likely paint
a mental picture of yourself during a dreaded recitation in law school answering a
question similar to that in the Bar Exam. You may hate or despise your “vicious”
professors now, but trust me, you will thank them later.

g.Scheduling- I created a schedule for the entire duration of the review. The
study plan or schedule I made is detailed, personalized, realistic and achievable.
 I planned what I will do for every hour and every minute. A tip I can give for
creating a bar review schedule is to follow the bar syllabus; make sure that you
will be able to cover everything. It’s also vital that your schedule meets your
needs; devote more time and attention to your weakest subjects and consider the
percentage of each subject as well. Make your study schedule is flexible to cover
contingencies. Once you finalize your study schedule, make sure that you will
follow it religiously and vigorously as if your life depends on it.

h. Anything you wish to focus on or strongly want to share to law students

and reviewees
a. Meditate- I learned this tip from no other than Atty. Florin Hilbay, former SolGen
and also a bar topnotcher. When he went to our school for a Leadership Seminar,
students were given a chance to ask him about leadership, current political and
socio-economic issues. I know it’s off-topic but I grabbed the once in a lifetime
opportunity to ask him for tips on how he prepared for the Bar. He said two things-
first, he advised us to read previous Bar questions and suggested answers and
second to meditate. It was a blur to me at first how meditation can help me
succeed in the Bar Exam. With research, I found out that meditation is definitely
good for your brain. It leads to better focus, greater mental clarity, lower levels of
stress and reduced anxiety. Especially this time when depression, anxiety and
high levels of stress are emerging crisis, practicing meditation and mindfulness
can bring significant benefits to your mental health. There are different ways of
meditation- it can be as simple as observing your breathing or having a quiet time
for yourself to contemplate. The goal is to pay close attention to the moment, to
recognize the situation— especially our own thoughts, emotions and sensations
— whatever it is that’s happening. Meditation is a way for us to just take a
moment and pause, it’s an effective way of dealing with the enormous stress that
bar examinees experience.

b. Pray- Reviewing for the Bar makes you feel a lot of emotions; it will be so
overwhelming that sometimes it will just bring you to tears. For six months, you
will feel secluded from the rest of the world, you will feel that you are putting
everything on hold, nothing else will matter but to pass the Bar Exams. However,
you need to understand that you cannot do this alone, above anything else you
need to connect with God, you need to tell Him your dreams, surrender everything
to His Holy Will, admit your fears and doubts and let Him control your life. Pray as
soon as you wake up in the morning and at night before going to sleep, pray for
wisdom and guidance, pray when you feel confused about a topic, pray every time
you worry, pray when you feel alone, talk to God and just let your emotions out.
Let this time strengthen your relationship with God and your faith in Him. Tell Him
what you want, clearly and specifically- my prayer was always like this “Lord
please help me pass the 2019 Philippine Bar Exams and if it is according to Your
will, please also make me a topnotcher, kahit 8 th place lang Lord. This blessing I
 am asking is not only for myself but mostly for the people who believes that I can,
and for the people that I will help when I become a lawyer. I promise You Lord
that I’ll be a good lawyer, I will use this title to proclaim Your goodness and for
Your greater glory. I surrender everything to Your Holy Will.” He knows your
struggles more than anyone else, He sees your intentions, how much you want
this- you just need to trust Him. Have faith in His plans for you, do not worry, just
do your part and let His will unfold in your life. God is with you all the way, He’s
with you right now even when you feel uncertain about yourself, He is your
strength and refuge, let His promises be your assurance that everything will be
alright, have faith and pray. Pray as if everything depends on prayer.

c. Unwind, treat yourself from time to time- In motor racing, racecars stop in the
pits for fuel and other consumables to be renewed or replenished. The same goes
for you, don’t forget to unwind to replenish your energy and strength. Celebrate
little victories- reward yourself when you finish your study schedule, or when you
finish a grueling exam or when you finally understand a topic that’s been bugging
you for days. I remember when I was reviewing, every after mock bar, I reward
myself with a good massage then I eat out with friends. Don’t forget to tap
yourselves in the back, you are doing great. These are trying times, the fact that
you are trying to remain on track is a feat in itself. Keep moving forward, you are
almost there

3. Please share your tips on how to answer Bar exam questions. (Both in

a. FORM--- how you write, whether print or cursive, pen used, blocking, margins,
and
I wrote in print and to further compensate for my handwriting, I wrote in bigger
texts. I used Energel 0.5 blue, as to margins, I just made sure that there are at
least 1 inch margin on each side.

b. CONTENT---- ex. 3 or 4 paragraph Rule, (Categorical Ans-Legal Basis-Application-

Conclusion)
I wholeheartedly adapted the Jurists method. It consists of four paragraph, which
includes the conclusion, law, application to the facts and reiteration of the
answer.

4. What was your lowest moment during the Bar season, if there is any?
And how did you overcome it?
During the Remedial Law subject, I did not have any sleep the night prior to the
exam date and my mind just went blank after reading the first question. For about
ten minutes, I was just staring at the examination paper but I know that I had to
bring back my composure and confidence, so I prayed and summoned the Holy
Spirit to guide and help me remember what I studied. Thankfully, by the grace of
God, I was able to finish the Exam and get a satisfactory grade.

5. What words of encouragement can you share to the law students and bar
reviewees, or to the public in general, amidst our battle against Covid-19?

The uncertainty of our situation right now has taken a toll upon all of us,
especially our students. I can only imagine how the students juggle the demands
of online learning with the anxiety caused by the uncertainty of continuing their
education. For graduating law students, the suspension of this year’s Bar Exams
delayed your plans, you may feel upset and robbed of a major milestone in your
life and career but on the brighter side of things you are given more time to
prepare. Although online classes cannot replace the usual classroom setting, you
can still utilize all the tools and materials available to you to help you prepare.
The world has changed drastically but we must learn to adapt and remain
resilient, there are a lot of things we cannot change but don’t let it dampen your
determination to achieve your dreams. Not even this pandemic can stop you from
fulfilling your destiny of becoming a lawyer. It may be delayed but it is never
denied. Hang in there, just keep fighting, after all this is finished- you will see the
fruits of your labor and you will enjoy the sweet taste of success. Good luck,
future Attorney, be the change you want to see in this world.

Please share an instance which you think is your embarassing moment

during the Bar month. (Anything "funny"/humiliating which will inform
many that one need not be "perfect" to top or pass the bar)
Ang dami, wait. The most memorable is when I wrote the mnenomics FAME for
the grounds for petition for relief from judgment l instead of writing the specific
grounds. Narealize ko na lang nung nasa No. 5 na ako.HAHAHA. Then sa Civil
Law, nasulat ko “periodt” instead of “period”(Twitter pa more).