Cebu graduate 5th in Bar Exams

CEBU, Philippines - A certified public accountant from Cebu who at first considered studying law as her past time ended up among the top examinees in the 2014 Bar Examinations.

Michelle Liao, 31, who graduated Cum Laude at the University of Cebu in 2014, garnered an average score of 84.5 percent to claim the fifth spot.

Liao, a resident of Laguardia, Lahug, Cebu City, is the only examinee from Cebu who made it to the top 10. 

The first spot was claimed by Irene Mae Alcobilla of San Beda College-Manila with 85.5 percent. Other topnotchers are Christian Drilon of Ateneo de Manila University (85.45%); Sandra Mae Magalang of the University of the Philippines (84.6%); Mark Leo Bejemino of the University of the Philippines, Gil Ii Garcia of Ateneo de Davao University and Reginald Laco of De La Salle Lipa tied in fourth place with 84.55%; Jose Angelo David of San Beda College-Manila (84.45%); Adrian Aumentado of San Beda College-Manila (84.35%); Rhey David Daway of the University of the Philippines and Fideliz Cardellie Diaz of Far Eastern University-DLSU (84.2%); Jamie Liz Yu of University of the Philippines (84%); and Tristan Matthew Delgado of Ateneo de Manila University (83.95%).

Liao said she was overwhelmed by the result of the exams.

“Unbelievable,” she said.

She said she did not expect to make it because it was not her intention to take the Bar at first. In fact, it was already late when she started to review for the exams.

“CPA to Law… lingaw-lingaw rata ni ako. Then I asked for signs,” she said when interviewed outside the Carmelite Monastery in Barangay Mabolo.

Liao finished her accountancy at the University of San Carlos as Magna Cum Laude. She is currently a consultant at Ceres Summit Company.

Dean Baldomero Estenzo of the UC College of Law said he was happy over the school’s performance in the recent Bar exams. He said 13 out of the 22 first takers have passed, giving UC a passing percentage of 59.09 percent.

“Mixed feelings kada release sa bar results, malipay sa nakapasar but feel sad sa wala tawon,” Estenzo said, adding that taking the bar exams entails huge amount of money.

Estenzo described Liao as a shy type of person, very pleasant and diligent. He said Liao was an academic scholar who enjoyed free tuition and books while in the College of Law.

He said the school was really hopeful and expecting much from Liao when she took the Bar.

Brand new car

Estenzo said that as a tradition, the university will give a brand new car to Liao. The school also offered a teaching job for her if she wants to teach in the College of Law.

Liao said she will consider the offer but she preferred to practice law.

Liao is the fourth graduate of UC to make it to the top 10 since the university opened its College of Law in 2002.

Her parents, Benjamin and Lydia Liao, said they were very happy and proud of their daughter.

“We’re happy sa gidangatan. Wala mi maghunahuna nga makapasar. In fact, wala siya’y plano mu-take og bar naglangaylangay na siya og review,” they said, adding they never urged their daughter to enroll in law school.

Davide’s daughter

 The eldest daughter of Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III was also among the more than 1,000 examinees who passed the Bar.

Patricia Janelli “Paje” Davide, 26, who finished her studies  at Ateneo Law School in Manila, could not speak too much as she was crying while talking with her mother Jobella over the phone after hearing the good news yesterday morning.

In an interview with the media, Jobella said she was also crying when she talked with Patricia, adding that she could not contain her happiness for her eldest daughter.

“Very happy, murag akoy nakapasr sa bar exams. Makahilak ta uy. Ganina nag-istorya mi but way klaro kay kami duha naghilak,” she said.

Despite often spending sleepless nights on studying, Patricia never considered giving up, Jobelle added.

She said Patricia’s hard work and sacrifices, accompanied by prayers, paid off. Patricia is eyeing to work at a law firm in Manila. She also took legal management as her pre-law degree at Ateneo.

She is the third member of Davide family to become a lawyer, the first being her grandfather retired Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr., and next is his father Governor Davide III.

Other passers from Cebu were Father Domingo “Dan” delos Angeles Jr., who used to work in the media, Juril Patiño, former station manager of Bombo Radyo Cebu, and Fire Officer 1 Alvin Torion.

There were 5,984 who took the 2014 Bar Exams but only 1,126 or 18.82 percent made it despite the Supreme Court’s lowering the passing percentage to 73 percent.

The oathtaking will be on April 24, 2015 at 3 p.m. at the Philippine International Convention Center. — with Michael Vencynth H. Braga and May B. Miasco/FPL