DAYEdalera

"I am very ambitious, my childhood dream is becoming a teacher...second to becoming a brilliant, professional and the most talk-about lawyer here in the Philippines."
(Hmmm..at least for being a lawyer as a first step...Yung ibang adjective in the making pa lang.hahaha.)


The waiting game is over. Yesterday, the Supreme Court announced that a total of 22.91% out of 5,626 lawyer wannabe's passed the 2007 Bar Examinations.



The list of bar passers INCLUDED ME. Yey!



God is great. He reaffirmed that 'Faith is the substance of the things hope for and the evidence of things unseen.' To God be the Glory! The Divine Mercy came to me. Thank you to my intercessors: Our Lady Virgin of Manaoag, Virgen del Rosario de Ubanon, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, St. Jude Thaddeus, St. Joseph, St. Augustine, Sta. Monica, St. Rita, St. Therese of the Child Jesus, St. Martin de Porres, San Antonio de Padua. St. Peter the Apostle. St. Lawrence Deacon and Martyr. (Hmmm..my passing was really of a Divine intervention.)



Congratulations as well to my new lawyer friends:

1. Atty. Doris Ramirez

2. Atty. Gladys Pinky Tolete

3. Atty. Christian George Melitante

4. Atty. Juan Solomon, Jr.

5. Atty. Eldric Paul Peredo

6. Atty. Joan Robles

7. Atty. Julan Ilao

8. Atty. Dennis Kuong

9. Atty. Tracy Gayosa

10. Atty. Monica Lopez

11. Atty. Amiel Songco

12. Atty. Castelo Fama

13. Atty. Cecille Africa

14. Atty. Abigail dela Rosa

14. Atty. Teodoro Lorenzo Fernandez

15. Atty. Levie Copahan

16. Atty. Nicoy Duque

17. Atty. Myra Jaud

18. Atty. Girlie Aserit

19. Atty. Adrienne Leagogo

20. Atty. Reywin Rico

21. Atty. Glenn Nuestro

22. Atty. Shierma Ocampo

23. Atty. Isagani Acosta

24. Atty. Candy Avance



Thank you very much to those who shared their support and prayers, showed their love in thousand ways..My FAMILY: Mom & Dad, I am proud of you both. Doc Extee. Doc Kaye. D'Tolentino's esp. Tita Sonia and Tito Emil. D' Castro's. Those who loves me to death: Gil. Kuya Jan. Mommy Gette and Kuya Jae. Kuya Tops and Nang. Rey. Nysa (the good news bearer). Bevy. Reych. Kcali. Jay and Donna. Mc Neil. Kabataang Liberal ng Pilipinas. KALIPI-Council of Ladies. My PUP students. PUP-CEFP Faculty. LCS Batchmates. Noisemakers. BestNilo. Atty. Bel.Atty. Delight. Ate Irish. Tita Dolly and Kuya Deng. SC Co-workers. OSG Girls. OCPLC Co-employees. Ate Angie and Ama Sarge Domingo. Those who inspired me to be my best: Justice and Mrs. Antonio Eduardo Nachura. Usec. and Mrs. Eleazar Quinto. Rep. Antonino Roman. Asec. Jonathan Malaya. Atty. Ilding Abancio. My Professors who touched my life like no other: PUP: Dr. Roman Dannug. Prof. Cresenciano Gatchalian. Prof. Sanjay Claudio. UST: Dean Aligada. Justice Agcaoili. Dean Ortega. Dean Dimayuga. Judge Cornejo. Justice Dimaampao. Faculty of Civil Law legal luminaries. My gratitude cannot really be expressed in words.

Labels: 2007 bar exam experience, bar exam, bar results, life

Labels: 2007 bar exam experience, bar exam percentage, bar exam rumors, bar results

Last Wednesday, after a lecture, I managed to corner the Boss on our way out from the AFP-HQ...

Daye: Justice, many of my classmates are already asking when will the 2007 Bar Exam Results will be released. May schedule na po ba?

The Boss: Ah..ah..wala pa din. (in his Waray accent) pero malabo na 'yung before holy week. Probably, last week of March or could be the first week of April.

Daye: (in my mind:Sana di na lang me nagtanong.Hayhay.)

Last Thursday, after the meeting of the Committee on Continuing Legal Education and Bar Matters (CLEBM)..

Gorgeous: Ate Daye, I've got news for you.
Daye: Ano po yun? bar matter? Waaahhhh! (in great panic)
Gorgeous: Napagusapan 'yung bar exam sa meeting...
Daye: then, so?
Gorgeous: Sabi po ni BC Layusa, "No Comment".

Early this morning, the Boss came and saw me...

The Boss: Ano na? (smiling)
Daye: (staring at him, waiting for the next words)

The Boss walked away towards the pantry...Back in my area in less than five (5) minutes....

The Boss: Ano na? (smiling, this question would mean Kamusta na? in Waray)
Daye: Justice, akala ko po may sasabihin kayo tungkol sa bar exam...(dumidiskarte ng chismis)
The Boss: Ay..wala namang balita eh..

At 3:00 PM, the Judicial Staff Head showed me a MEMO: BAR MATTERS...

What: Special En Banc Session
When: March 28, 2008
Time: 9:00 AM
Agenda: Bar Matters.

Suddenly like my Roomie, I wanted to be numb.
And I left the office not happily ever after.

Labels: 2007 bar exam experience, bar exam, bar results

I am obsessing again about the results of the bar exam.

Everyday at three p.m., I can’t help but stop working, go to google, search for articles, news, rumors about the fast approaching uncertain date of the release of the results. I am obsessing that this is the only way I can breathe out the pressure. As previously stated, I am a masochist. Many advices I have heard on how to deal with the agony of waiting, yet it seems nothing works in my case, a person with acute paranoia; severe doubt on herself; hyper distrust on my September performance and a swelling high expectations from the people around me. Don’t get me wrong I am not a total pessimist person, I already have surrendered my insufficiencies to God and allowed Him to do the rest for me.

I am obsessing as to what may come by end of March, will I have to move forward and start a career in the legal profession or Plan B is to take over?

I am obsessing that as of today, my life has been clogged and it seems it cannot flow as freely as my spirit wants to.

I am obsessing as the Boss is withholding information on bar matters, which caused me so much fear, nightly nightmares and severe anxiety.

I am obsessing of some good night sleep or a bucket of beer to at least find some sleep, of a lover or a friend who could relate with the astonishing fear I am experiencing, of a sudden escape that can help me avoid the questions of those who like me are becoming impatient of the release of the results.

I am obsessing of some peace of mind. Haay..Haay..

Labels: 2007 bar exam experience, bar exam, bar exam rumors, bar results

BAR EXAM
It can be defined as one experience you would not want to go through again. It is a one year “single activity plan”: study like crazy for six months reviewing before the test, and think about the results of the exam for the remaining six months. The exam, which for sometime determined the fate of Philippine presidency, when knowledge of law is a plus requirement to your bid of candidacy (Now, showbusiness/mass media is a better asset than the atty. title). Due to the nobility of the legal profession, this exam, which is a requisite of membership to the Integrated Bar of the Philippines defies everyone’s liberty to free association. No Attorney’s Roll Number; No IBP Membership.

****
The ultimate dream, I ever had is passing the same. :D
Keeping my faith. God bless all aspiring lawyers.
Release will be out according to rumors before holy week, if not last week of March 2008.

Labels: 2007 bar exam experience, bar exam, bar exam rumors, bar results, date of release, waiting for results of the bar

“Patience is a virtue.” That is what Kuya Jan is telling me whenever I become impatient of waiting. But, waiting for the results of the bar exam is an extremely different scenario. This time I may call myself a masochist in prolonging my agony by wishing that the period which the examiners will be done correcting the papers will be extended.

After over two months of regaining myself after the trauma I have suffered in September (taking the bar exam), I may say that at the moment the festive holiday season, the workload, the drinking spree I had with friends, my trip in Indonesia, had set my mind free from worries for sometime and the nightmares occurs only like an aftershock of an earthquake, minimal yet still trembling.

Atty. Andrea, who suffered the same agony last year (Cheers! to my lady lawyer friend) was quite encouraging when she told me that “this will be your happiest Christmas season since you got yourself to law school. Just imagine you don’t have to worry about prelims, recitations and revalida after the Christmas break. What a relief di ba?” I wasn’t able to gather my pieces of courage to ask her if the BIGGER WORRY of waiting for the results would not affect the festive Christmas season?

Anyway, to those who are suffering the same agony, maybe a little dose of what I am doing to forget the worries may help you in some way:

1. BE BUSY. After a week of rest after the exam I immediately returned to the office even though the Boss was willing to extend my leave. I worked to death on my assignments (Caution: though the legal work was as stressful as reviewing for the bar.)

2. REINTEGRATE WITH YOUR LIFE BEFORE LAW SCHOOL. Make calls to your high school friends; remind them that it’s almost ten years since you graduated and maybe its time to have the HS class reunion. Do the text brigade; forward all your inbox sms from jokes to sentimental quotes. Visit college hangouts and you will be surprised that your block mates are still hanging out with each other once in a while except those who chose to enter law school. Be active with your organization; I’m sure you have neglected org work for recits, exam, recits, and exam again. (Caution: you need to prepare a standard answer to those who will ask you: “How’s the bar?” In my case it is an alternate of the following: “I was able to answer the questions, I just don’t know if my answers were right.” or “the Bar exam is difficult, let’s keep praying.” or “I am hopeful.” or “With God’s help, I can make it.” or “Bar? as in Tia Maria’s or Embassy?” Note: Of course you can innovate.)

3. PRAYERS. You will practice your faith which you barely did when you were so busy in school. Novena. Sunday Mass. Wednesday Mass (Baclaran), Thursday Mass (St. Jude), First Saturday (Virgin Mary). Probably, you will even do the Visita Iglesia only this time months earlier than the Holy Week. Praying is helpful, it gives you peace of mind. Anyway, it is only in God’s time that you will be able to become a lawyer. Many suggested the Prayer of Serenity.

“Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things that I can and the wisdom to know the difference.”

4. AVOID DEMENTORS. Don’t visit the Supreme court website to download the bar questions and try to answer it again with your notes open; that wouldn’t change the answers in your booklets. Be modest about the fact that you took the bar exam or else that would invite a multiplying number of dementors who will ask you “when will the results be released?” or “saan blowout?” and similar annoying questions.

5. READ AN INSPIRATIONAL BOOK. In my case, I tried reading “The Purpose-Driven Life”. Also, an astrology book will help you accept the fact that if is not yet written in the stars it wouldn’t happen. (Note: You may read alternative books that would not remind you of the agony: Novels, Comic books, Magazines, etc.)

6. CELEBRATE LIFE. There will be lots of occasion after September and the holidays will be helpful. All Saints Day, Bonifacio Day, Christmas, New Year and Valentine’s Day, celebrate each of them with your loved ones. (Caution: this might cost you a lot of money.)

7. FIND A LOVE LIFE. Hmmmm, if you have one, you might have the most neglected relationship on earth; so be the girlfriend or boyfriend that you weren’t when you were still busy cuddling your books and dating with your cases. If you are single, it’s now time to get a make-over by removing your eyeglasses and getting some haircut and putting a little make-up, go to the bars and find someone! (Caution: according to Nysa, bars are a place where everyone looks good in the dark.) or find some involvement if you are not ready to commit: walang relasyon pero masaya. For married persons, think of having a baby, that would be your lucky charm.

8. TRAVEL. Go out of town. If you have the budget or some sponsorship, out of the country. If your pockets will not permit, go to malls, volunteer to do the errands of the household among those are going to the supermarket or paying the utility bills. It will somehow help you lose sight of law books which you carefully arranged in the shelf at home.

9. HEALTHY LIVING. It’s now the perfect time to reduce your coffee intake. Indulge in the gym, swim or get into sports. Avoid chocolates and chips but go for yogurt or veggies. (I’m sure barristers gained weight during the review, so it’s time to get lean and put your curves in the right places…Ooops! I’m guilty of not practicing what I preach.)

10. LOOK FORWARD. In the six months, learn how to deal with what are the possibilities of tomorrow. It would be hard to accommodate negative thoughts but it is practical to accept what might be the next step whatever may be the result. Prepare a dream chart, plan A, plan B or plan C. It would be easier to explore options whether the result would be positive or negative. Life does not end after the bar exam. In fact, the release of the results will just be the beginning, another saga.

Really, the agony will not be over until the results are released. In fact, the approaching months will be more difficult. But dwelling with unfounded fears won’t help instead it will exacerbate what we are going through.

Have a blessed Christmas to the aspiring lawyers of 2008. Let’s keep our fingers cross and hope for the best.

Labels: 2007 bar exam experience, bar results, waiting for results