“Believe in yourself”

CEBU, Philippines — For the lone bar topnotcher of University of San Carlos (USC), it was not about chasing accolades but the knowledge obtained in helping clients defend their rights.

This mindset carried John Daniel D. Hamoy all the way to Top 14 of the 2024 Bar Exams, where he gained a general weighted average of 83.1350 percent.

The 29-year-old new attorney from Talamban, Cebu City is the only USC graduate to enter the Top 20 list this year.

Based on the results, of 148 examinees from the USC School of Law and Governance, 117 passed, placing the university fifth nationwide in terms of passing percentage.

In an interview, Hamoy said grades and rankings are just secondary because it is more about internalizing the lessons that could bring justice to his future clients.

“Ang importante nga focus-san is pag first year pa lang gyud nimo sa law school, imong gina-take to heart imong gipangtun-an and imo siyang gitun-an nga with the fact in your head nga hala ako ning maggamit to defend a future client or to protect a minor, to defend the rights of family,” he said.

Hamoy shared that it was about preparation, discipline and a firm belief in oneself and to people around him that made him earn the distinct honor of being among the topnotchers.

He said his preparation for the Bar Exams was meticulous. He began his review in June, setting for himself a strict schedule and daily goals.

Hamoy said reviewing was a challenge against the pressure and in overcoming exhaustion.

But, thankfully, he said, his family’s unwavering support kept him grounded.

“I am just grateful na sa akong family (members), they are always very supportive, like they don’t pressure me to reach certain milestones or achieve certain things,” he said.

He admitted that pressure due to the expectations was there, as he graduated from UCS’s College of Law and Governance as class valedictorian. His motivation, he said, was to never disappoint those who believed in him.

Hamoy also admitted to adopting one Filipino ritual during the exams – wearing red underwear.

“Ang ako lang gibuhat lang ever since law school was mag red na underwear. Hangtod bar exams ginabuhat jud nako siya, akong red na underwears naka ready na gud na for every single bar day,” he said.

Hamoy said that when the results were released, he was still on a plane and it was only when he landed in Manila and checked his phone that he knew of it.

“On the car ride going to the hotel didto nako nagsugod og text sa mga messages and daghan og missed calls and diha na ni-sink in nga nipasar ko pero ang pagka-topnotcher kay wa pa gyud ni-sink in,” Hamoy said.

Asked for his message to future law students and graduates, his answer was simple but very meaningful:  Believe in yourself.

Top spot

While Hamoy brought pride to USC, Kyle Christian G. Tutor from the University of the Philippines (UP) claimed the Top 1 spot with a score of 85.7700%.

Born in Lapu-Lapu City, Tutor's early academic journey has been marked at San Lorenzo Preparatory School in Lapu-Lapu City.

Through his aunt, Gladys Tutor, Kyle graduated cum laude from UP Manila, where he was also recognized as the Top 3 of his graduating class.

Since elementary, Tutor maintained an impressive academic record, consistently earning a spot as a valedictorian.

The 2024 Bar Exams saw 3,962 successful examinees out of 10,490 takers, resulting in a 37.8% passing rate.

This result was a slight improvement from 2023’s 36.77% and announced by Supreme Court Associate Justice and Bar Chairperson Mario Lopez on December 13.