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Made Worthy: Journey to surpassing the Ultimate Test

Editor’s Note

THE RED LABEL “And I sent terror ahead of you to drive out the two kings of the Amorites. It was not your swords or bows that brought you victory.” -Joshua 24:12 Made Worthy, this year’s Bar issue of The Red Chronicles, aims to capture the last stretch of the arduous plight of anointed Bedans aspiring to be legal practitioners. It depicts the stories of Bedan barristers, who undauntedly enlisted to the rigorous journey of being admitted to the Bar, as well as the people rallying behind them in their grandest crusade. The bar is not only a test of acquired legal education, but also of molded character. The barristers come forth to submit themselves to service, with selves carefully sculpted and carved through years of studying the law; with success offered to San Beda, our country, and God as they face their culminating feat. The bar is a one-man battle. Yet, it is also

a battle of San Beda and every Bedan—one that it conquers every single year—as the entire community proudly roars for the barristers’ success. It is a breath of hope for a Bedan to behold a comrade hurdle his own bar, carrying the ideals and values of his reputable institution. Every barrister is a thousand Bedans back home. This issue is a chronicle of a shared dream. The crossing and complying to the test of all tests, the tumultuous pressure, the lingering fear, the grounded confidence, and the zest to triumph. All too consuming and exhilarating that it resonates even to non-takers. A Bedan barrister is not alone. As Bedans, we are one! It is not an act of you but an act of us. In your valor, hear the beats of our drums and glee of our cheers. Keep the faith, Batch 2017!

Kaiza Abaincia News Editor

The Red Chronicles The official student publication of San Beda College Alabang - School of Law 63A, St. Maur Building, San Beda College Alabang - School of Law 8 Don Manolo Blvd., Alabang Hills Village, Muntinlupa City, Philippines facebook.com/theredchronicles the_redchronicles@yahoo.com

Aylwyn Valenciano | Senior Photographer Ceasar Entila | Senior Layout Artist Marz Ragpala | Social Media Officer Meg Ariola | Circulations Manager

Patricia Amores, Reena Theresa Marquez, Nikki Tuble Layout Artists

Mika Arevalo, Philip De Ello, Robert Jian Melchor, Tina Miranda, Leandro Nadal, Alvin Patrick Relox, Kaitlin Keith Sierra News Writers

EJ Clemeña

Cartoonist

Atty. Rafael Angelo Padilla Faculty Adviser

Shauna Herrera, Melissa Manansala Photographers

Edrese Aguirre, Karl Carvajal, Mark Chan, Hershey Cruz, Eufranio Eriguel, Jr., Gabriel Lacson, Joliene Nicolas Literary Writers

Grean Añonuevo, Nino Arevalo, Frances Celis, Kara Lim, Dick Martinez, Valentin Prieto III, Lyzette Siazar, Trisha Yaokasin Features Writers

The Red Chronicles accepts original articles from students and faculty members. We also solicit comments regarding the articles featured in our issues.

Bar Ops moves to Makati Shang By KAITLIN KEITH SIERRA

The bar operations of San Beda College Alabang (SBCA) this year is in Makati Shangri-la, Manila while the Mendiola campus remains at Diamond Hotel, the usual venue since SBCA’s first batch of bar takers in 2010. According to the Chairperson of the Centralized Bar Operations (CBO) Dawna Fya Bandiola, the change was unexpected. They were informed last summer by the management of the Diamond Hotel that they would not be able to accommodate SBCA with the usual number of rooms it books because of the increased demand caused by the ASEAN Summit.

Photo by AYLWYN VALENCIANO

Ryan John Cancio, CBO executive officer for hotel operations, explained that upon consultation with the Dean, all locations were considered. From 15 hotel choices in the bay area, Makati Shangri-La was selected because of the location, discount in room rates, and flexibility of the hotel management in responding to the demands and conditions of the CBO. When the change of hotel was announced, the barristers were apprehensive that it would negatively impact the efficiency of this year’s bar operations. Among the concerns raised were the transfer from SBC Manila, where the last-minute

lectures are held, to the hotel; the travel time from the new hotel to the exam venue (University of Sto. Tomas); and the simultaneous distribution of the last-minute tips (LMTs) with the barristers of SBC Manila. Despite the distance of the hotels of the two campuses, Cancio reassured that the CBO can timely deliver the LMTs, which originate from Mendiola bar operations, to Alabang barristers. Bar candidate Anna Medina admitted that she is quite sad because since her freshman year, she has been visualizing the time when it will be her turn to ride the bus in front of Diamond Hotel

as a barrister. Evan Medina, a bar candidate and a former CBO volunteer, expressed that the change of hotel might affect the bar operations this year because most of the volunteers are already accustomed to the former venue. Johara Galvez, CBO vice chairperson for hotel operations, remarked that the organization performed due diligence in addressing the concerns of the barristers. Galvez maintained that despite the challenges, the CBO remains steadfast in serving the Bedan community and in praying for the bar candidates’ success.

BAR EXAM METAMORPHOSIS In with the old, out with the new. The traditional format of the bar exams is essay type. Through the years, however, the exams have shifted from an essay-type to a multiple-choice format and then back. It was in 2011 when a new type of exam was introduced. The bar exams consisted of only 40% essay and the 60% was multiple choice questions. In 2013 and 2014, it was again changed to

By MIKA AREVALO

80% essay and 20% multiple choice questions. The year 2015 saw the reversion to an all-essay type of questions, which is still implemented to this day. In 2013 and 2014, when the exams were part essay and multiple choice, the national passing rate was 22.18% and 18.82%, respectively. When the exams reverted to an all-essay type, the national passing rate went up to 26.21%. The following year, it went as high as 59%.

Vice Dean Melanie Trinidad prefers the essay format of exam. She expressed, “Multiple choice would’ve been better if given the choices you can pick outright which is the correct answer, but what they did was harder. Given the choices in the past exams it was hard to identify the correct answer.” The Vice Dean opined that the best answer is subjective because it will not just be based on what the book or jurispru-

dence says, but it will also depend on the examiner. The multiple-choice format was initially proposed by Justice Roberto Abad, who served as the 2011 Bar Examination Committee chairperson. Reforms in the conduct of the bar ex ams are dependent on the Bar Examination Committee for that year. The committee also determines the level of difficulty of the questions and the manner of checking the exams. The Red Chronicles |3

JUSTICE BERSAMIN CHAIRS THE BAR EXAM COMMITTEE By TINA MIRANDA

It is no walk in the park. Even the most brilliant legal professionals, lawyers, and justices of the Highest Court went through the grueling process. And like them, deciding on exams is just as hard as earning a passing grade in one of the most awaited examinations in the country. Last year’s Bar exams posted a passing rate of over 59% --- the highest in the last 30 years. Along with prayers and support of families and friends, the new lawyers were grateful to the 2016 Chairperson of the Committee on Bar Examinations, Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr. as the chair is said to have a discretion in selecting the examiners. The 2017 Bar examinations could be a little different. With Associate Justice Lucas P. Bersamin as the appointed chairman, the 7,227 aspirants would have to give an extra effort, especially in Remedial Law and Political Law, subjects which the Justice had previously taught as a professor. The committee chaired by Justice Bersamin will include eight members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines; one for each bar subject. While the Justice who acts as chairman is immediately known, committee members are bound to conceal their identities until the oath-taking of the successful bar examinees, approximately six months after the bar exam.

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Dean Art Brion of San Sebastian Recoletos College of Law, in the Manila Bulletin, described Justice Bersamin as a “less daunting chairman” who nevertheless pronounces with depth and quality. This characterization of the 2017 Bar Chairman hints at the possible level of difficulty and considerations to be given during the examinations. Prior to his remarkable achievements in the field of law, Justice Bersamin was a Political Science graduate of the University of the Philippines in Diliman. He then pursued law at the University of the East and later placed ninth in the 1973 Bar examinations. In his eight years as magistrate of the Supreme Court, Justice Bersamin has penned numerous landmark cases. A number of them were controversial, such as the grant of bail to Senator Juan Ponce Enrile in 2015, the ruling on the shares of San Miguel Corporation in favor of the tycoon Eduardo Cojuangco Jr., the appointment of the late Supreme Court Justice Renato Corona, and the resolution on the retrenchment of employees against Philippine Airlines in 2011. The Centralized Bar Operations of San Beda Alabang School of Law prepared 440 cases decided by the 2017 Bar Chairman with Remedial Law as the highest pile with 139 cases.

Bedans confront First Bar Weekend By Kaiza Abaincia, Tina Miranda, Kaitlin Keith Sierra Photo by Aylwyn Valenciano

Not knowing is the worst feeling. Maybe so, as the barrister’s faces were swamped with manifold emotions as they await their send-off at San Beda College Manila, November 4, a day before the first leg of the bar exam.

Last-Minute Activities The Bedan barristers started their day with lastminute lectures from Dean Ed Vincent Albano and Prof. Marlon Manuel on Political law and Labor law, respectively, the first two subjects on the first Sunday of the bar month. After the lectures, they proceeded to the Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat for the send-off mass presided by Fr. Rembert C. Tumbali, OSB. Fr. Tumbali preached that if there is a lastminute lecture, there is a last-minute prayer. He reminded the crowd of God’s gift of faith. He emphasized, “Faith brings success; fear brings failure. Faith allows dreams to become a reality; fear allows failure to become a reality.” Fr. Tumbali concluded the mass by conferring blessings as the barristers lift their bar materials in prayer. San Beda Manila’s Vice Dean Marciano Delson also gave his last-minute reminders. He pointed out that Bedan barristers are supported by the most prayerful and religious Benedictine community who prays for their success thirty times a day with the equally efficient bar operations crew. He jokingly exclaimed, “Ang Bedista, petmalu yan!” Dean Ulpiano Sarmiento III likened the barristers to Peter who was invited by Jesus to walk on water. He said, “In walking, never be afraid. You have been enlightened and above all, we have been praying for you.” The Dean led the barristers in collectively singing the Bedan Hymn. Right after, the barristers walked past the midst of cheering family members, friends, professors, and volunteers, with the loud accompaniment of the San Beda College Band.

The Night Before The bar candidates, with their families and bar buddies, checked in and occupied 21 floors from the 5th to the 27th floor of the Makati Shangri-la. To ensure utmost convenience for the barristers, the Centralized Bar Operations (CBO) tapped the participation of freshmen and transferees in the bar operations. Volunteers were assigned shifts from 10 in the morning of November 4 to seven in the morning of the next day. Last-minute tips on Political Law and Labor Law were distributed upon the wake-up call at three in the morning of November 5. Candidates rushed for breakfast to get ready for the 4:30 a.m. boarding time going to the University of Santo Tomas. Volunteers also prepared packed lunch and snacks for the candidates. 2017 Bar Exam: The First Leg The morning of November 5, the first of four Sundays of the 2017 Bar Examinations, witnessed the entrance of 7,227 law graduates from all over the country to the gates of UST. Families, friends, and supporters of the bar candidates cheered along España Boulevard holding placards and banners showing their encouragement. The School of Law Government (SLG) and the CBO were stationed at Wendy’s along Dapitan Street, which served as the headquarters, help desk and luggage deposit counter for San Beda College Alabang bar examinees. SLG Auditor Ram Billedo described the first Sunday of this year’s bar exams as peaceful. He mentioned that there had been no problems related to the security and order in the venue. The Philippine National Police and local barangay officers were visible around the vicinity during the duration of the examinations as an assurance to the safety of everyone concerned. The Red Chronicles | 5

Bar Review: A Lawful Duress By ROBERT JIAN MELCHOR Photo by AYLWYN VALENCIANO

The four Sundays of the bar month are akin to the day of reckoning. Majority of the barristers prepared for the fruition of their years of hard work by utilizing the services, lectures, and materials of bar review centers. Paolo Tamonte, committee head of the Bar Mentoring Program of the Centralized Bar Operations, reported that 155 of the current barristers under the program used the services of bar review centers, while only four did some online review and self-review. Tamonte observed that review centers are most preferred for they offer a comprehensive program. He opined that one of its advantages is learning from an actual lecturer, gaining confidence with practice tests, and sharpening recall with the codal rehash. According to barrister Sittie Macaraya, the services of review centers complement her learning style. She shared, “As an auditory learner, I need to hear lectures to better learn and understand the theories and techniques necessary.” She enrolled in different review centers and used different reviewers and notes from different centers, leveraging their perceived strengths and weaknesses. “One review center excels in teaching good techniques in answering the bar, another is good in explaining theories and concepts, and yet another has good notes and reviewers,” she adds. Atty. Ruperth Laurence Vergara, 2016 Bar passer, said that while barristers should allot time for both self-study and attending review lectures, he says that what he found most useful in all the services provided by a bar review center are the lectures. “If I had to pick one between notes and lectures, it’s the lectures. Somehow, listening is easier than reading.” Atty. Nina Inting, another passer of the 6 | The Red Chronicles

2016 Bar, shares a similar view. She found the lectures as well as pre-week notes as the most useful service provided by a review center. She explained, “With pre-week notes, there may be times where you might not have enough time to read and study fulltext books, so you will get important information from the pre-week notes. When it comes to lectures, the different lecturers are skilled thereby refreshing what you have studied in law school while affirming what you have studied during your review. Also, some bar questions are derived from preweek notes and lectures.” Atty. Madelyn Beros, 2015 Bar passer, prefers both enrolling to a review center and self-study. She said she is not comfortable with listening to lectures the whole day so during her review she spent more time on self-review. She added that enrolling at a review center was her security blanket whenever she got exhausted from reading. In addition to the services available in review centers, the barristers also underwent the Bar Mentoring Program, where barristers got to choose a mentor from among the faculty of the School of Law. The mentoring program includes giving of tips, checking of mock bar exams, and giving feedbacks on how to best answer each question. While there are several review methods available, barristers and bar passers concede that the question of which works best depends on the learning style and learning needs of each individual. As to whether or not the barristers have prepared enough for the bar exams, Tamonte cited that based on their monitoring, the barristers have been mentored enough. He mentioned that some mentors were even present during the first Sunday to personally check on their barristers.

it worked! Bar Quirks:

By ALVIN PATRICK RELOX

Anchors aweigh for the 2017 Bar examination! The hardship in preparing for the Bar exams (aka: the greatest battle of one’s law career) cannot be overemphasized. Four taxing weekends, eight mind-blowing subjects, and years of cutthroat education boiling down to one goal: becoming a lawyer. Besides the old school way of preparing for the bar exams, which is ardent studying before the fateful month, some barristers seek fate’s cooperation by incorporating practices, which are arguably borderline superstitious. Several recent SBCA bar passers shared with The Red Chronicles their own bar quirks. Atty. Maria Victoria Matillano: Silence and focus are key. Practicing stoicism no matter the circumstance is a must, especially during the bar month. Calmness and preparedness in everything are vital to a successful bar exam attempt. A barrister must dispose of fear as well as other extraneous variables that can affect one’s peace of mind. To achieve that, I prevented myself from listening to any and all gossips throughout the entire bar month. Atty. Stefan Ellise Bernardo: Dealing with nervousness brought by the bar month can be dealt with by force. It is effective to disperse stress towards objects. After my Ethics exam, which is the last subject for the bar examinations, I kicked my bedroom door as hard as I can symbolizing the end of the bar month. I also threw away all my pre-week materials, last-minute tips, and the pens I bought for the bar to signify that I won’t need or use them again. Atty. Jordan Villota: Clothing during bar month affected the outcome of my examinations. Throughout the four Sundays of the bar month, I wore the same clothing for no particular reason and it worked like a charm.

Atty. Loralyn Resuello: Asking God to enchant my ballpens with ‘holy power’ helped me gain favorable results. Faith must be materialized so I asked God for a specific wish. I placed all my pens to be used for the bar examinations on my altar hoping and praying to God that they would write the correct answers by themselves. I guess my prayers were granted. Atty. Roben “Jun” Cadugo: Eating the same thing every morning of the whole bar examinations month helped me secure victory. I ate four ensaymadas and drank two to three bottles of beer all throughout the four Sundays of the bar month. In addition to prayer, bread and beer sustained my energy during the bar month. Atty. Jiandra Carmela Panganiban: I ate katsudon every Saturday night during the bar month. I read from a Japanese brochure that eating the dish before a big exam brings good luck, so I adopted it. Fortunately, my friends were supportive enough to buy me the same dinner for four weeks.

These quirky practices only show that barristers will do whatever it takes to overcome their anxiety and accomplish the ultimate goal of becoming a lawyer. Whether you are a believer or a skeptic, these quirks worked to their advantage in one way or another. The dream is too powerful that no belief is too odd or funny. Nothing, not even fate, can get in the way.

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