The D Spot

It’s for real now—after reviewing for the Bar Exams, after all the mixed feelings of apprehension, over-confidence at times and a lack of confidence with the same frequency and intensity at other times, breaking into tears of helplessness, bursts of joy and energy, and many other feelings that are beyond one’s understanding, comes the day much awaited for (or feared of). TODAY IS THE DAY!

Our daughter, Monica Rose (or Mox), along with 6,079 other hopefuls will take the BAR EXAMS today, 6 September and 3 other Sundays thereafter (13, 20 and 27 September) at the De La Salle University’s campus in Taft Avenue. The Bar Exams have been held in that venue since 1995.

And on the very same day another daughter, Chato, happily told me the Fortune Cookie message on her Facebook, which says, “A member of your family will soon do something to make you proud.” So at 4:30 am, I called up Mox to wake her up, boost her spirits, wish her the best of luck, and give some pep talk the way a mother would. I told her about Chato’s FB Fortune Cookie message, which made her happy even more. And she said, “This is it, Mom. I am overwhelmed, I love you Mom.” I love you, too, I told her—just be yourself, we will continue to pray for you, I assured her. Kayang kaya, I said, and I could see her smiling (again, with apprehension).

I could not kiss and hug her before she goes for her Exams, as I used to when she leaves the house for school, but last night I did. She and most of the Ateneo Barristers are billeted at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel for the 4 Saturdays/Sundays of the Exams. Yes, they are called Barristers—in fact, they have stars with their names on the floor along the halls of the Ateneo Law School, which they could take only after they pass the Bar Exams)

Yesterday, when we fetched her from her dorm in Rockwell to bring her to Sofitel, she was happier than usual, especially when she saw her nieces Pia and Cate and brother Alan Jr. She was looking for her favorite, Mucci and the kitties. Later, Angelo and Caren came with baby Raphael to visit her. These small acts from family and friends mean a lot. Just a show of concern and affection really matter-really!

She said she could only feel excitement to take the test, but last night before going to sleep she said she was crying again. I guess it is normal for anyone who is supposed to take an exam as tedious as a Bar Exam. The past few days that she was either visiting us or we visiting her, she would in between say that she was not ready or she was excited—as I said, mixed feelings. In the past, she would enjoy the traditional rolling of the drums in school at 6 pm to announce the forthcoming Bar Exams and pep up the Barristers. She would cheer her friends, but this time, she sees to it that she leaves the Ateneo before 6 pm (and come back afterwards for the review) so that she would not hear the beating of the drums, a grim reminder that the day was near. I told her she should for once be there, she said she could not take it.

Ateneo has made the arrangements for them to be in DLSU as early as 6:30 am. Exams will be held from 8am to 12 noon and 2pm to 5 pm for 4 Sundays, for the following subjects: Political and International Law (15%), Labor and Social Legislation (10%), Civil Law (15%), Taxation (10%), Mercantile Law (15%), Criminal Law (10%), Remedial Law (20%) and Legal Ethics and Practical Exercises (5%). For this year, a slight change has been made—two examiners have been appointed for each subject to improve the accuracy and speed of checking. In order to pass, a candidate (who is either a graduate of Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor) should have a general weighted average of 75% with no grade lower than 50% in any of the subjects. Last year, though, the average was lowered to 72.5% since the exam was extra difficult, such that more than 20% passed instead of the original 9%.

And after the Bar Exams, Mox sees herself working either at the Supreme Court or the Office of the Solicitor General. That’s her grand dream, and more. With God’s grace, she will be able to fulfill all her dreams—yes, I believe in this, because my family and I have been witness to all His mighty blessings. My dear Monica, we love you very much and care for you. GOOD LUCK and GOD BLESS YOU!

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• Our daughter Monica takes the 2009 Bar Exams today