LOOK: Top 5 Bar passer gets new car from university

CEBU - Bar examinations fifth placer Michelle Liao is set to get a brand new car from her school, the University of Cebu.

A white Toyota Vios was seen at the quadrangle of the university, ready to be turned over to Liao, who garnered a Bar score of 84.50%.

The University of Cebu had promised Bar takers that whoever gets to be included in the top 10 will receive a brand new car.

Atty. Valdemero Estenzo, dean of the College of Law, said 13 out of their 22 Bar takers last year passed.

Estenzo said after it was announced that Liao placed fifth on the Bar, several law firms and private companies called the university asking for Liao to work for them.

Liao is planning to take a vacation first before deciding on her career.

Last year, sixth placer Manuel Sarausad also received a brand new Toyota from the University of Cebu.

"We really want them to do well. The car is our way of encouraging them to excel," Candice Gotianuy, chancellor of the university, had said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Bar topnotcher cites factors for success

MANILA - San Beda Law graduate Irene Mae Alcobilla attributed her topping the 2014 Bar Exams to miracle and hard work.

In an interview on the ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC), Alcobilla – who currently works with the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) – said: “I feel that it’s a miracle. Maybe I’m just dreaming. I can’t define what I am feeling right now.”

Alcobilla said she did not stop reading her law books after graduation and even after preparing for the Bar exams back in October.

“It was hard. I almost did not sleep during the Bar exams. It was all plain reading,” she said of her success.

She said she did not expect to top the Bar. She registered a score of 85.5%, edging out second placer Christian Drilon of Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) who got 84.45%.

On her Facebook yesterday, Alcobilla only said: “I declare that tomorrow my dream will come true in Jesus name. Amen. 3.26.15.”

“What I only wanted was to become a Bedan lawyer, to pass the Bar. But while I was reviewing, I said to myself I needed to set standards for myself.”

Alcobilla said she broke the news to her parents via a simple text message: “Top 1”

Alcobilla is one of the 1,126 who passed the 2014 Bar Examinations. This represents 18.82% of the total 5,984 examinees.

The oathtaking of the successful Bar candidates will be on April 24, 2015 at 3:00 PM at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), according to the SC.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com