Top 10 Bar Topnotchers for 2009 Tips (1)

TOP 10 BAR TOPNOTCHERS FOR 2009 (FROM ATENEO) 3rd Place: LIM, JOHN PAUL, 84.50, Ateneo Law 1.

General tips on reviewing and taking the bar exam

Prepare to top, not to pass. You ARE ATENEANS, after all. Memorize important case titles and codal provisions. It’ll make your job and the examiner’s job easier. Cite case law and codal provisions directly, if you are sure. Study hard. Pray harder. 2. Describe your typical study day (Did you study alone? In groups?) I wake up at around 7am. I reach school by 730-8am. I study at LSAC together with my girlfriend (crucial for me, at least) and a few “study buddies.” I was the police of the group, so to speak. I made sure that I clocked-in at least 8-12 hours of pure studying a day (meaning, minus bathroom, lunch, chat, mass, walk-in-the-mall breaks). I bought a stopwatch for this purpose. I usually went home about 9-11pm, after meeting my daily quota. 3. What is your review schedule on a daily and monthly basis? April to June, I had my weekends free, meaning minimal to no studying during weekends. I did the mirror method and went to-and-fro until about a week before the first week of the exams. By then, I started to read Poli and Labor again so that by the first exam week, I would’ve read the two subjects at least twice. (The first exam week is CRUCIAL. It will determine your mood for the whole month.) July to August, I started clocking-in 10-12 hours a day. I also started studying on weekends during these months. Holidays, included. 4. What are the materials/books used in each subject? (Is it advisable to read the book again? Or are reviewers sufficient?) Leave nothing to chance. If you come by something and you doubt whether to read it or not, just read it anyways. I read almost everything that was thrown my way, but I stuck with the following texts throughout the review:

a. Political Law – Justice Nachura’s outline, Fr. Bernas’s Primer, Atty. Jimenez’s Notes on Administrative Law, Election Law, and recent jurisprudence, Magallona (thin version) for PIL. Codal. b. Labor Law – Atty. Azucena’s Everyone’s Labor Code, Atty. Manuel’s lecture and 100 notes, Alcantara and Atty. Disini’s notes for Social Legislation. Codal. c. Civil Law – Atty. Balane’s outline for the preliminary chapters of the Civil Code, Persons, Property, Obligations and Contracts, and his Succession Book, Atty. Zuniga’s notes for Security Transactions, Aquino’s book for Land Titles, Jurado’s Civil Law Reviewer, Sempio-Diy for Persons and Conflict of Laws. Codal. d. Taxation – Mamalateo and Sababan’s Tax Review books, Atty. Montero’s and Atty. Abella’s notes. Codal. e. Commercial Law – Dean Villanueva’s Commercial Law Review, Sundiang/Aquino’s Book Reviewer, Perez’s books on Insurance, Corporation Law, and Transportation, Catindig’s book on Special Commercial Laws, Dean Abad’s Negotiable Instruments Law. f. Criminal Law – Gregorio’s Criminal Law Reviewer, Boado’s Notes and Cases on Criminal Law, Justice Sandoval’s Criminal Law Reviewer, and Justice Peralta’s lecture notes. Codal. g. Remedial Law – Dean Riano for Evidence and Civil Procedure, Justice Regalado for everything else, San Beda’s Reviewer, and Justice Aquino’s notes and recent jurisprudence. h. Ethics and Forms – Aguirre’s book on ethics, Dean Abad’s notes for Legal Forms. Codal. As to whether to use reviewers or books, for me, I think it’s best to stick to one thick book reviewer, one small book reviewer, and the codal provisions. If you’re not comfortable with this set-up, do whatever works for you. 5. When did you start to study? Did you study right after graduation? I started studying during the Holy Week of last year, which was about the second week of April. By graduation, I had already finished Taxation (I did two readings for my “first” reading of this subject), Political Law, Labor Law, and was half-way through Criminal

Law. About two weeks after graduation, I had already finished my first reading. 6.

How many readings were you able to do?

Before pre-week, I was able to do 5 readings of Political Law, Labor Law, Tax Law, and Civil Law, 4 readings of Commercial Law, Criminal Law, and Remedial Law, and had memorized all the canons for judicial and legal ethics. All-in-all, pre-week included, I was able to do 5-6 readings of all the subjects, excluding ethics and forms (of which I did two readings plus memorization). 7. Did you attend the review classes in Ateneo? Did it help you? If only in certain subjects or professors, please specify. I attended the following lectures at the Law School: Domondon’s tax review, Justice Hofileña’s lecture on Property, Justice Aquino’s lecture on ethics, Professor Quimson’s lecture on Corporation Law and Securities Regulation (essential!), Atty. Candelaria’s PIL lecture, Atty. Jack Jimenez’s and Justice Agra’s lecture on the Admin/Public Officers/Local Government/Election Law, Atty. Balane’s Succession lecture (just because I revere him), Atty. Zuniga’s Security Transaction lecture (essential!), Atty. Bernas’s lecture of Conflict of Laws, Atty. Sta. Maria’s last-minute lecture on Persons (essential!), and all the recent jurisprudence lectures. Atty. Diaz and Dean Villanueva’s lectures on how to prepare for the bar are very, very crucial. They present different styles of studying. Pick one and start from there. Also, do try to attend ALL of the pre-week lectures. Atty. Jimenez (Poli and Comm), Atty. Manuel (Labor), Atty. Montero (Tax), Atty. Balane and Dean delos Angeles (Civ), Atty. Salvador (Rem), and Justice Hofileña’s (Ethics and forms) last-minute tips are VERY, VERY helpful. 8.

Hardest subject?

Interestingly, I found Civil Law to be the hardest subject. The coverage is simply too long. Suffice it to state, it was probably the only subject I was not able to re-read entirely during the pre-week.

9.

Easiest subject?

Political law. Atty. Jimenez was able to predict at least fifty percent (50%) of the questions, after all. 10. What did you do the night before each test? I attended mass at the hotel every week, after which my roommate and I discussed a few points. We tried to sleep by 10pm but on some weeks, we ended up sleeping at around 11. Pray before you sleep and first thing when you wake up. 11. What are things that you should avoid while reviewing or taking the exam? Procrastinating. You are entitled to give yourself a break, once in a while. After all, you need your sanity for the bar. However, keep in mind that you are, at this moment, a bar reviewee. Your primary task, therefore, is to review and to prepare for the bar. There are, nevertheless, exceptional circumstances when some of your batchmates/co-reviewees/others will need you. Go out of your way and help them, if you can. Remember that being a bar-reviewee does not make you any less of a human being. 12. What is the best thing you did or had that helped you top the bar? a.

Taking all of my four years of law school seriously;

b.

Re-studying and preparing like there’s no tomorrow; and

c. Leading up to the exam days, Fr. Mangulabnan and Atty. Mel Sta. Maria’s pep-talks every Saturday morning (gave me the confidence I needed week after week in September).

5th Place: TAN, ERIC DAVID, 84.05, Ateneo Law 1.

General tips on reviewing and taking the bar exam? Stay healthy in mind, body, and spirit.

2. Describe your typical study day (Did you study alone? In groups?)

I sometimes studied alone. But I didn't mind studying with a group as long as I get along with them. 3. What is your review schedule on a daily and monthly basis? Two subjects per day. 100 pages for each subject. 4. What are the materials/books used in each subject? (Is it advisable to read the book again? Or are reviewers sufficient?) Review books are still the best materials. I only resorted to reviewers if I had no other choice. 5. When did you start to study? Did you study right after graduation? No, I didn't study right after graduation. I took a short vacation. I started studying on the third week of April. 6.

How many readings were you able to do?

I was able to do at the least 4 readings including the pre-week for most subjects. However, for the other subjects, like Remedial Law (because of typhoon Ondoy), I was able to do 5 readings. For Legal Forms and Ethics, I was able to do only two readings. 7. Did you attend the review classes in Ateneo? Did it help you? If only in certain subjects or professors, please specify. I didn't attend most of the review classes in Ateneo except for certain pre-week classes such as: (1) Labor Law Review of Atty. Manuel; (2) Commercial Law Review of Atty. Jack Jimenez; and (3) Tax Law Review of Atty. Domondon. 8.

Hardest subject? Criminal Law

9.

Easiest subject? Taxation and Remedial Law

10. What did you do the night before each test?

I used every time I had to read in order to make sure I didn't miss anything important. I had to make sure I had at least 6 hours of sleep. But because of anxiety, it was usually shorter. So, I just listened to my iPod and jumped around my bed until I became so tired that I had to sleep. 11. What are things that you should avoid while reviewing or taking the exam? Avoid being too scared. I guess being afraid of what to expect is normal, but you shouldn't let that overwhelm you. 12. What is the best thing you did or had that helped you top the bar? Mental preparation. My family, The Aquila Legis Fraternity, and my friends gave me my needed morale boost. Going through the ordeal knowing that the people who mattered to you are behind you every step of the way really helped.

6th Place: GONZALEZ, YVES RANDOLF, 83.90, Ateneo Law

1.

General tips on reviewing and taking the bar exam?

a. Take a big long vacation before you start studying. This will give you good memories to look back to during the time you are already studying. This will also remind you that life is good. You need to believe this to keep your motivation and focus intact. b. Take short mini-vacations every two weeks or so. Same ratio as No.1 c. Start on the subjects you are weakest with, so that you can get rid of your fear of these subjects. Postponing them till later will only give you an anxious feeling while you're studying other subjects. You want to minimize all forms of negativity during this time and this is one of the ways you can do so. d. Listen to audio lectures whenever you get the chance. Instead of wasting time playing music during your daily commute, listen to audio

lectures instead. You will learn a lot of things that you will never encounter in books. While taking the bar, the things you heard in the lectures will come back to you and will greatly help you remember the right answer. But do not listen to audio lectures while reading a book. That's just crazy. e. Read as much materials as you can. In connection with this, avoid repeating the same material unless its a critical material (like Nachura's book for me was a critical material). Knowing that you will no longer re-read the same book will also train your mind to retain the info you read already, instead of your mind telling yourself to not retain it yet ("babalikan ko pa naman ito" mentality). In relation to this, there will be no more need to highlight since you know you will not re-read it again anyway. Take notes if you want, but this is generally not needed as well. Once you eliminate highlighting and taking down notes, then you have more time to actually study and absorb what you are reading. f. Regarding bad handwriting. I have awful handwriting and my profs would always write on my bluebooks: "Please improve your handwriting". I improved this by practice. Practice writing during the time you study Forms so you can hit two birds with one stone. On examination day, bring a ruler that will serve as your left margin. Use that ruler to strike out your mistakes. Don't forget the right margin as well. Write in big non-script letters. Doing so will consume more time but will assure you that the examiner will understand your answer. But do find the right balance between writing slow and legibly vis-a-vis answering all the questions. Both are equally important and you should do both. g. Minimize unnecessary stress. Don't let little things get to you. Have a positive attitude while studying and while taking the exams. Don't fight with your girlfriend, your family, or anyone. You already have a lot on your plate, don't add anything unnecessary to it. Live a simple steady life during the review period, you can always go all out later on after you pass. Don't read negative stuff like phone and credit card bills. h. Outsource chores to other people; keep your own focus on studying and learning as much as you can. e.g. ask your girlfriend to handle your accounting and bills payment so you don't have to think about those, ask your auxie to do photocopying instead of doing it yourself. Remember to thank them always. i. Have a concrete goal. If you want to top the bar, then aim for it. If you want to just pass, then aim for that as well. Have a concrete goal

and set your plans accordingly around such goal. Don't let fear of the uncertain, anxieties, or despair cause you to deviate from this goal. You will have moments of despair and panic, but if you have a goal, you will eventually get over these negativities as you realize that they will not help you attain that goal. j. Be prepared. Anything worth doing takes time. Boxers train months before a fight, so that they can be confident of being able to defeat their opponent on fight day. Do the same. Arm yourself with all the knowledge and information that you can get; you will use this to overcome the Bar. Being prepared will give you confidence, and that is critical on exam day proper. Your confidence in yourself that you are ready to take on this task is probably one of the most important, if not the most important factor that will spell the difference between victory and defeat. If you don't believe you can defeat your opponent, then you probably won't. 2. Describe your typical study day (Did you study alone? In groups?) Wake up at 2-3pm, drive to study place (Starbucks Julia Vargas or Starbucks jungle). Listen to audio lectures during the drive so as not to waste that time. Study for 3-4 hours before having dinner. After dinner, I take a short break, surf the web, chat with study buddies, before resuming studying. Study for another 3-4 hours. I usually end studying around 3-4AM. Go home, sleep around 6AM. Repeat the next day. I studied with an informal group, the ones who also studied in my study place. But I studied in my own table, far from everyone else, to avoid unnecessary chit chat and time wasting. You can always talk to your study buddies during your short breaks. Keep study time, study time. 3. What is your review schedule on a daily and monthly basis? I started with the subjects I'm weakest in (Poli, Crim, Rem). In between each I would study a subject I am more comfortable with. I studied at least 5 days a week, with the remainder reserved for short vacations and other stress relieving activities. Started May 8, ended first round of reading July 8 (one week late from my target). I did not have a fixed daily, weekly, monthly sched; only target dates. On certain "in the zone" days, I would study for 10-12 hours to make up for the days when I wasn't able to reach my daily average of 8 hours.

4. What are the materials/books used in each subject? (Is it advisable to read the book again? Or are reviewers sufficient?) Do not tell yourself that you will re-read a book. Read it once, absorb it, then find another book on the subject. Reviewers are godsend, they will usually teach you more than full text books. Read all reviewers you can get from ATENEO, Beda, and other sources. Since you will not re-read, then there will be no need to highlight; since you are not highlighting, then you will finish reading faster.

a. PRIMUS Notes for ALL subjects. These are very educational, well written, and direct to the point b. Mamalateo Book - Tax . short and direct to the point. You can finish this in one day. c. Azucena Everyone's Labor Code - same as #2, easy to read, direct, and can be finished in a day or two d.

Domondon's book for tax

e. Nachura's book for poli - I read this twice just because Nachura is the chairman of the exams f.

Father Bernas Consti Primer - you can't go wrong with this one

g.

Sempio Dy for Civ

h. Sta. Maria for Family Code. But skip most long discussions; alot of them are for law school recits, not needed for Bar. i.

CLV book for Corp - same as #8, skip those that are for recits.

j. All ATENEO and Beda reviewers you can get your hands on. But I did not read the long Beda ones. k. Every pre-week you can get your hands on. Mine included: AQUILA, ATENEO, Beda, Arellano, Regina, PRIMUS, and scattered preweek tips from various profs. l. Audio lectures - there's a lot of tips in these. Listen during commutes to maximize your time. Do not listen to these going to bed, you will not be able to sleep on time. Do not listen while reading a book.

m. Past bar exams from 2000-2008. Only read this after you have studied to test your ability to answer them. After 1st reading you will find that you still can't answer some of them. After 2nd reading / round, you should be able to answer at least 90%. For the 10% you still can't answer, read and reread the provided answers so they will stick. n. Family Code, RPC, CIV, Consti, and COMM codals. One good full reading of these will make sure your mind has read the full law itself, useful for random questions that make their way into the bar 5. When did you start to study? Did you study right after graduation? Started May 8. Finished round 1 July 8. Finished round 2 just before pre-week. I didn't study after graduation; I took a long vacation. 6.

How many readings were you able to do?

Two full rounds plus pre-week. 1st round was mostly books, 2nd round was mostly long reviewers, then pre-week read preweek stuff. 7. Did you attend the review classes in Ateneo? Did it help you? If only in certain subjects or professors, please specify. Attended very few of the lectures. I asked someone to record them instead so I can listen to them during transit from house to study place and back. During pre-week, attended Jack, Azucena, and Sta. Maria. Its ok to miss most of the lectures if you can get audio recordings. 8.

Hardest subject?

Poli Law. 1st exam and it was very tricky. Ethics is next because it was long. 9. Easiest subject? Commercial Law, then Tax. 10. What did you do the night before each test? Friday: Check in at hotel at noon, study pre-weeks nonstop till around 7. Have dinner, study again till 12midnight, then do relaxing stuff after. Sleep at around 3-4AM.

Saturday: Wake up at noon. Lunch. Study till 6PM. Hear mass. Go back to room for dinner and some last minute reviewing. In bed by 10PM. Attempt to sleep. Fail. Continue attempting. Succeed around 1-2AM. Sunday: Wake up 4:30. Breakfast, read Tips. Exercise. Game on. 11. What are things that you should avoid while reviewing or taking the exam? Unnecessary stresses, doubting yourself, alcohol, negativities, and wasting time. During exam day proper: Don't let any question overwhelm you. If you don't know the answer, skip it. Go back later when you've answered the rest. Make sure you answer every question even the ones you don't really have a good answer to. Remember to leave room in the booklet for the questions you skipped. Don't take the bar on an empty stomach, it will be the longest 4/3 hours of your life repeated 8 times. Poop during the period between the two exams, and do freshen up by brushing your teeth and washing your face during lunch break. 12. What is the best thing you did or had that helped you top the bar? The AQUILA LEGIS FRATERNITY. I also had two amazing auxies (Laura Noel and Mark Encarnacion).

7th Place: TO, JOAN MAE, 83.65, Ateneo Law

1. General tips on reviewing and taking the bar exam Pray. Be patient. Relax. Don’t force yourself to study if you’re sleepy or lazy. Try to love what you’re doing. If you don’t feel like studying a particular subject, then try another subject. Get at least 8 hours of sleep! During the exam, don’t panic. Make sure your answers make sense. Be brief and concise, except of course if the question is alien to you.

Study smart. Know what to study. It is impossible to read and remember everything. 2. Describe your typical study day (Did you study alone? In groups?) I study alone - Starbucks or at home. I easily get distracted so it’s hard for me to study in groups. Do whatever works for you. I would normally read 100 - 150 pages a day. 3. What is your review schedule on a daily and monthly basis? I have no fixed schedule (like the number of days I should finish a subject). My only goal was to finish at least two readings. My 2nd reading took longer than expected because I made notes for some subjects. I was not able to review my notes during pre-week, but some say that taking down notes helps. I rest on Saturdays. 4. What are the materials/books used in each subject? (Is it advisable to read the book again? Or are reviewers sufficient?) Reviewers, generally, don’t work for me, but Ateneo’s pre-week reviewers were helpful. a.

Poli – Nachura

b. Labor – Everyone’s Labor Code; for SSS and GSIS, look for Atty. Disini’s tables. c.

Civ – Jurado for Property Balane for Succession Balane notes for Oblicon Sempio Dy for Persons Jurado for Credit transactions, Torts, etc.

d.

Tax – Mamalateo and parts of Sababan

e. Commercial – CLV’s book (Although I think reading Sundiang alone will do)

f.

Crim – Gregorio but be careful of typos

g.

Rem – Riano for Civpro – I highly recommend this Regalado for Crimpro, Evidence and Specpro

h. Legal Ethics – Aguirre (note: there’s a new Code of Judicial ethics! I only discovered this during pre-week! Shameful.) Don’t forget the Codal! If you think there’s no more time for you to finish the book or reviewer, just read the codal. Pre-week – Poli and Labor – 2nd reading of Nachura and Everyone’s Civ and Tax – codal for both (selective. It’s impossible to read everything) Commercial – Sundiang Crim – I think I read Sandoval (around 200 pages long) and Rose Rayco’s tables Rem and Ethics – Codal. Forms – Justice Abad’s handout (Tapcapsa, Tapwacsa, etc) It will be very hard to study on the day after an exam. I think it’s okay to rest. 5. When did you start to study? Did you study right after graduation? I started reading a bit of Crim before grad. I am not a fast reader so I had to start early. I finished my first reading end of June, and finished my second reading on the day before the first exam. 6. How many readings were you able to do? Two. For Land titles, special penal laws, forms and other subjects where there’s not much stock knowledge – I think one reading is enough, but make sure you read them right before September or the day before the exam.

7. Did you attend the review classes in Ateneo? Did it help you? If only in certain subjects or professors, please specify. I attended Atty. Domondon’s tax lecture, Atty. Jack’s lecture on public officers, admin and election, and all lectures on recent cases. Pre-week – I wasn’t able to attend any lecture during the first week - Two days of Atty. Montero’s lecture on tax, his notes on recent cases were helpful - Dean Cynthia Del Castillo’s lecture on oblicon - Atty. Salvador’s lecture on rem (three days) Note: I heard Atty. Manuel’s pre-week lecture on labor was very helpful, and Atty. Jack’s lecture on poli, too. 8. Hardest subject? Tax (Pinawisan ako kahit ang lamig sa LaSalle!) Also, there were a couple of ridiculous true or false questions. If you don’t know the answer, just write true and repeat/paraphrase the statement. 9. Easiest subject? (Not because they’re very easy, but because they’re the most manageable) Poli only because I was lucky that I just finished my second reading of Justice Nachura’s book the day before the exam so everything was still fresh. Civ, except for the conflicts questions 10. What did you do the night before each test? Attended the mass officiated by Fr. M at Sofitel, where we also got Divine tips Dinner Studied right before going to sleep (normally 11 pm to 12 mn, except for the last week – 1 am because my roommate (Shelly) and I

practiced making basic forms (complaint and information):P I’m glad we did!) 11. What are things that you should avoid while reviewing or taking the exam? While reviewing - Quality over quantity. Make sure you absorb and understand the things you read. Stop comparing. It’ll drive you crazy. (It is unavoidable, but please try to avoid it. I’m guilty of this, and it caused me unnecessary panic attacks.) While taking the exam/day of the exam - Don’t panic. Eat breakfast and lunch. Read the tips. 12. What is the best thing you did or had that helped you top the bar? Don’t change your study habits, especially if it worked for you in law school. Some people absorb more while cramming, while others don’t. Rest and Sleep! We are not machines. Know what to study. It is impossible to read everything so you have to choose what to read or where to focus, especially during preweek.

9th Place: LUMAUIG, TIMOTHY JOSEPH, 83.20, Ateneo Law

1.

General tips on reviewing and taking the bar exam

First, don’t compare yourself to others. Stick to your own style and don’t be pressured by what or how other people study. Listen to the suggestions, but be smart enough to follow what you know works best for you.

Second, I heard a quote from my favorite videogame that sums up my review: “it’s not how many hours you put in, but what you put in the hours.” 2. Describe your typical study day (Did you study alone? In groups?) To get myself going for the day, I’d go to the gym in the mornings. After that, I’d usually study by myself, or at most, with only one or two of my closest friends. I’ve always tried to avoid studying around other law students, since I read a lot slower than most people. That way I could keep my own pace without feeling too pressured. Then I’d end the day by just relaxing. I never studied into the wee hours of the morning. Doing that would’ve just burnt me out by September. 3. What is your review schedule on a daily and monthly basis? I wanted to stick to how I studied back in law school. All I used to do was set aside my chosen material, pick it up and go until I finish. So I didn’t make a strict review schedule in terms of number of pages per day or subjects per week or month. Rather, I set the order of subjects to study, read as much as I could in a day and just kept tabs on my progress, making sure I’d finish each subject once before pre-week. Each week, I took Sundays off and always tried to get at least one night out with my longtime barkada – people who kept me sane. Again, that was my way to avoid burning myself out before September. 4. What are the materials/books used in each subject? (Is it advisable to read the book again? Or are reviewers sufficient?) Generally I used the books I used in law school, especially those I already had notes in. But for subjects I think I slacked off in, I used new materials. Also, I made it a point to stick to only one author or one material per topic under each subject, to avoid overloading myself with information. For Political Law, I used Fr. B’s primer for Constitutional Law, and Justice Nachura’s book for everything else. Then I used Atty. Jac Jimenez’ recent jurisprudence for pre-week. For Labor, I used Prof. Azucena’s Everyone’s, but focused a lot during Atty. Manuel’s pre-week lecture.

For Civil Law, I used my notes and materials from Prof. Balane’s Civil Law Review II in fourth year. Conflicts, I got Sempio-Dy’s book. For everything else I used Jurado. Pre-week I just used our pre-week reviewer. For Taxation, I used Mamalateo. I later heard there were shorter books, but I didn’t want to stop midway through just to change books. I also put a lot of focus in Atty. Mike Montero’s pre-week lecture. For Commercial Law, I used Dean CLV’s book for everything except Dean Abad’s Negotiable Instruments Made Easy, which is what I used in second year. Then I used Atty. Jac Jiminez’ recent jurisprudence during pre-week. For Crim, I used Gregorio for book one and a reviewer for book two. I think there was a shorter book by Boado that I wish I had read instead to save me a little bit more time. Then I just used our pre-week reviewer. For Remedial Law, I used Riano for Civil Procedure, and just a summer reviewer for everything else. Of course, you have to go straight codal as well. I did that during pre-week, along with Tranquil’s lecture. For Ethics and Forms, I just used the Ateneo reviewer, and Dean Abad’s three or four page memory aid in forms. 5. When did you start to study? Did you study right after graduation? I tried to start in May and June, but I found myself way too bored and distracted thinking that the bar exams were still three or four months away at that time. Most days I’d barely make 10 pages. Some days I didn’t read at all. So I figured if my mind really didn’t want to absorb any information yet, then I shouldn’t force it. Again, that’s the style I got used to in school. Thankfully, I finally felt the need to really get going around July. So early that month, I finished my first subject and kept going strong from there. To steal a few words from Freddie Roach, maybe starting at the right time allowed me to peak at the right time. So I think starting in July was just right for me. 6.

How many readings were you able to do? One good one.

7. Did you attend the review classes in Ateneo? Did it help you? If only in certain subjects or professors, please specify. I didn’t attend any review classes over the summer. But I went to a number of pre-week lectures that helped a whole lot – namely , Labor by Atty. Manuel, Succession by Prof. Balane, Tax by Atty. Mike Montero, Commercial Law by Atty. Jac Jimenez (and I wish I attended his Political Law as well), and Remedial Law by Atty. Tranquil Salvador. I would even say that I owe just passing the bar exams to those professors. 8.

Hardest subject?

Political Law, hands down. I think I got hit by what my friends and I call, “gulpe de gulat.” After that test, I even told those close to me that I thought I was going to get DQ’d for it. But thankfully I realized that more than anything, I was just psyching myself out. I was just initially shocked by the whole bar exam atmosphere. 9.

Easiest subject? Civ or Comm, but I’d rather call them the “least difficult.”

10. What did you do the night before each test? Ate well and rested well. Sleep was more important than cramming. And September means UAAP Final Four, so we’d always catch the Saturday games on TV just for a get loose… and for added inspiration too, as we watched the Eagles draw closer to another title. 11. What are things that you should avoid while reviewing or taking the exam? Avoid adding unnecessary pressure on yourself. During the review, don’t get pressured by what books or how many readings others have already gone through. We all graduated using our own styles of studying. Stick to what you know. Trust that what got you through school will get you through the bar exams. During the tests, do not panic. If you do, it’ll be like quicksand. Even if there’s one question – or two or three even – that you think you don’t know the answer to, just shake it off, move on to the next and come back for it later. Each test may seem like the longest and toughest one you’ve ever taken, but you’ve gone through those same

feelings in school before. Remember, you made it through all of those. You can make it through this. 12. What is the best thing you did or had that helped you top the bar? I ran into two of my former teachers during the bar review – one from law school, one from college. One told me the bar is about “kompyansa.” The other said “yabang lang yan.” I understood both to mean “confidence.” That was the best advice I ever got. I did every little thing I could to help me go into each Sunday feeling good about myself. I played with my PS3, watched UAAP games, chose rooms that had my favorite number, wore the same clothes every Sunday, listened to the same playlist every Sunday morning and drank with my barkada the last two weeks of August just to get loose. I did all the things that made me confident enough to take the bar exams and pass. I believe that everyone who graduates from the Ateneo Law School is smart enough to pass. It’s just a matter of each person knowing it.

10th Place: BAINTO, NAELLA ROSE 83.10, Ateneo Law 1.

General tips on reviewing and taking the bar exam

· List down your materials, and start gathering them before you start your review. ·

Make a study schedule to follow, but be open to changes.

·

Take breaks when you feel like it.

· If your study style in law school worked for you, follow the same style for your review. ·

Do not forget to pray.

·

Recent jurisprudence is very important.

·

Do not forget to answer past exams.

· You’ll often find yourself staring at nothing or daydreaming, that’s normal! 2. Describe your typical study day (Did you study alone? In groups?) · I reviewed alone, but I’d occasionally consult with some batchmates the issues I can’t resolve on my own. ·

My typical study day looks like this:

10:00 am – Wake up 11:00 am – Start studying 2:00 pm – Lunch break 2:30 pm – Back to studying 5:00 pm – Merienda break 5:15 pm – Study again 7:00 pm – Dinner break or movie 10:00 pm – Back to studying 2:00 am – Go to sleep · My daily schedule includes many short washroom, phonecall , stretching, etc. breaks (This will work if you, like me, have a short attention span.) · I am not really a morning person. My peak hours would be during the evening up to 1 or 2 am. · I did not adjust my sleep cycle, unlike what most people have done. The earliest I was able to get up during the review was at 8 a.m., but I gave up after like 2-3 days of waking up this early. ·

My Dinner break became shorter as it neared September.

3. What is your review schedule on a daily and monthly basis? ·

I started my review in May.

· I only finished two readings. I was able to finish my first reading in mid-July. ·

I do not study on Sundays, except in the month of August.

4. What are the materials/books used in each subject? (Is it advisable to read the book again? Or are reviewers sufficient?) · POLITICAL LAW: Primer, Nachura, Beda and Ateneo latest jurisprudence, Agra Notes, Codal · LABOR LAW: Everyone’s Labor Code, Manuel Notes, Ateneo Summer Reviewer, Latest jurisprudence, Codal · CIVIL LAW: Jurado, Balane Succession, Sempio-Diy Persons, ObliCon Balane Outline, PIL by Sempio-Diy, Pre-bar Outline by Candelaria, Ateneo and Beda latest jurisprudence, Codal · TAX LAW: Mamalateo, Reyes 1&2, Co-untian, Domondon, Ateneo and Beda latest jurisprudence, Codal · COMMERCIAL LAW: CLV Commercial Law Review, Commercial Law Review by Sundiang and Aquino, Jac Jimenez Notes, Ateneo and Beda latest jurisprudence, Codal ·

CRIMINAL LAW : Ortega Notes, Boado, latest jurisprudence, Codal

· REMEDIAL LAW : Beda Memory Aid, Feria Noche and Sabio for reference, latest jurisprudence, Codal · ETHICS AND FORMS: Aguirre, Pano, Hofilena, Beda Memory Aid, Codal, Forms Reviewer by (Dean) Justice Abad 5. When did you start to study? Did you study right after graduation? · 6.

I started my review on May 4, 2009. How many readings were you able to do?

· 2 readings only, but very slow and thorough. This was really my study style even back in law school. 7. Did you attend the review classes in Ateneo? Did it help you? If only in certain subjects or professors, please specify.

· I did enroll in the Ateneo review classes, but did not attend except for the very first - How to study for the Bar. I felt that preparing to go to school and travelling to school would take up so much of my time. And I am able to absorb better, the things I read rather than the things I hear. It will really depend on what your style is. Some people, unlike me, absorb better the things they hear 8.

Hardest subject?

· Tax Law, Criminal Law, and Ethics and Forms (because it was long) 9.

Easiest subject?

· No easy subject, but there were familiar and answerable questions in every subject. 10. What did you do the night before each test? ·

Study – cramming mode!

·

Hear mass

·

Accept friends and family visits in hotel room

·

Pray

· Try to get some sleep (During the night before the first Sunday, I was still up at around 2 a.m. as I couldn’t sleep!) 11. What are things that you should avoid while reviewing or taking the exam? ·

Read as much as you can

· Try not to discuss answers specially after the morning exam because you need as much time you can get to prepare for the next exam. ·

Avoid unnecessary stress.

12. What is the best thing you did or had that helped you top the bar? ·

Study more than how I did during law school

·

Pray hard everyday

·

Don’t lose time for family and loved ones

10th Place: GO, SHIELA ABIGAIL, 83.10, Ateneo Law

1.

General tips on reviewing and taking the bar exam:

a.

Read books you’ve used. Hopefully, it’s the latest edition.

b.

Pace yourself.

c.

Read recent jurisprudence (beyond the cut-off date)

d. Prepare good materials for Pre-Week (these are things you want to remember) e.

Write legibly.

f.

Pray, pray, pray.

2. Describe your typical study day (Did you study alone? In groups?) I would just stay in my apartment so that I can concentrate more. Find a place where you can study and focus. I timed myself at first, but after a while, I stopped it. Well, if you're talkative (like me), then I suggest you study alone because you'll never get anything done, plus, you wouldn't want to be the reason why someone else did not get to study for that day. Anything and everything is more exciting than having to read your books all over again. 3. What is your review schedule on a daily and monthly basis? I made a schedule. It was on a daily basis. But I lagged behind. Three readings became two readings. I would allocate a number of days for each book.

4. What are the materials/books used in each subject? (Is it advisable to read the book again? Or are reviewers sufficient?) I'm a book person so I read books. I only read reviewers when I don't have a book for it. Political Law Nachura (for obvious reasons..) – 2 readings, preweek Jack Notes on Election and his Recent Jurisprudence (because you need to read the recent ones, esp those beyond the cut-off) - 1 Candelaria's Poli Notes (I didn't want to read thick materials already but I heard Magallona is good) - 1 Fr. B's Consti Primer and the Supplement -1 Agra Notes - preweek

Labor Azucena (well, they said that it's comprehensive and short) -2 Summer Reviewer of Ateneo (this was actually good) If you can, find recent jurisprudence because our exam was full of it. - preweek Manuel’s 100 Notes -1

Civil Law I read Jurado, if I couldn't find another book for it. Persons-Sempio Diy -2 Succession - Balane (Champ or Book, I think either is okay. Choose which you are more comfortable with) – first reading was the Book, 2 nd was champ Balane - Property Notes – for my 2nd reading

The Codal is a must! It’s the only thing I read for Pre-Week. - here's the thing. Don't get frantic if you don't finish the codal during the preweek. A lot of us did not. So if you're the type who gets paranoid, I think you should start marking things you want to read and things you think you can forego reading because you've mastered it. I didn't even read Succession, just the table on legitimes and intestate. I was banking on my 2 sems with Balane.

Taxation Domondon's star notes- 2nd reading Mamalateo – 1st reading Sababan – 2nd reading, Pre-Week Montero Notes – Pre-Week NIRC Codal and other laws I also got a copy of the Summer Reviewer because it was reviewed by Montero (mainly for comfort).

Commercial Law CLV's Corp, transpo, IP, insurance – 1st reading Nego, I read Abad – 1st reading Sundiang – 2nd reading and pre-week Jack's recent jurisprudence. (make sure to read this. We had two or three questions from recent jurisprudence, not sure)

Criminal Law (I read a lot because I don't understand Crim that well) Gregorio for 1st reading and the Book 1 for 2nd reading Boado Book 2 for 2nd reading – I actually like Boado’s book more. I recommend it

Dean Ortega's Notes for Book 2 Some read Peralta. Okay din daw. I got a copy but didn't have time to read it. I read the Crim Codal and SPL codal (and made notes there) and tried my best to differentiate one crime from another. I didn't even attempt to memorize elements. It's not my thing. I read Sandoval and Codal for Pre-Week. If I could do it again, I would have read my Dean Ortega Notes.

There were things in Arellano (Pre-Week) or was it Beda (Pre-Week Notes) that were helpful during the exam. They said Arturo de Castro made good guesses.

Remedial Law Regalado's Crim Pro and SpecPro- 1 reading Riano's Civ Pro and Evidence. Beda for Special LAws. I also read recent jurisprudence of Justice Aquino The Codal is a must!

Ethics Beda and Aguirre Memorize Lawyer’s Oath I guessed a lot in Ethics.

Forms

Abad's Handout Scanned Beda Forms but I suggest do Abad and practice making forms

5. When did you start to study? Did you study right after graduation? I studied I think for a week though and then I stopped. All I remember is I finished the Mamalateo Book before Domondon's lecture. 6.

How many readings were you able to do?

Two readings, excluding pre-week. But this does not mean that I used the same materials for my two readings. For example, my first reading of Tax was Mamalateo. My second reading was Sababan. Crim was Gregorio then my second reading was Boado. This was because I was lagging behind. 7. Did you attend the review classes in Ateneo? Did it help you? If only in certain subjects or professors, please specify. Yup, I did but not for all subjects. I went to classes which I thought were my weak areas. 8.

Hardest subject?

Commercial. 9.

Easiest subject?

Caveat: I don't know my grade (so I could be wrong) but I was okay when I left the room after the Civ Exam. 10. What did you do the night before each test? I went to mass and after that, I studied. I slept sometimes at 10, sometimes 11, sometimes 12. 11. What are things that you should avoid while reviewing or taking the exam? You cannot get sick! It's going to destroy your schedule. I always prayed that I wouldn't get sick (especially getting a stomachahce). You don't want that.

Pace yourself well. Don't give your "all" in your first reading because you'll be tired by pre-week. I was so tired by pre-week. On your second reading, read as if it's your last reading. 12. What is the best thing you did or had that helped you top the bar? Prayer, Luck and Great Support System (friends, family, professors, BarOps)! And we got good tips from the BarOps and the professors. If lumabas yung mga inaral mo, swerte ka. If hindi, well, law school life will flash before you.