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. Itll make your job
and the examiners 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
wouldve 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 Nachuras outline, Fr. Bernass Primer, Atty.
Jimenezs Notes on Administrative Law, Election Law, and recent
jurisprudence, Magallona (thin version) for PIL. Codal.
b.
Labor Law Atty. Azucenas Everyones Labor Code, Atty.
Manuels lecture and 100 notes, Alcantara and Atty. Disinis notes for
Social Legislation. Codal.
c.
Civil Law Atty. Balanes outline for the preliminary chapters of
the Civil Code, Persons, Property, Obligations and Contracts, and his
Succession Book, Atty. Zunigas notes for Security Transactions,
Aquinos book for Land Titles, Jurados Civil Law Reviewer, Sempio-Diy
for Persons and Conflict of Laws. Codal.
d.
Taxation Mamalateo and Sababans Tax Review books, Atty.
Monteros and Atty. Abellas notes. Codal.
e.
Commercial Law Dean Villanuevas Commercial Law Review,
Sundiang/Aquinos Book Reviewer, Perezs books on Insurance,
Corporation Law, and Transportation, Catindigs book on Special
Commercial Laws, Dean Abads Negotiable Instruments Law.
f.
Criminal Law Gregorios Criminal Law Reviewer, Boados Notes
and Cases on Criminal Law, Justice Sandovals Criminal Law Reviewer,
and Justice Peraltas lecture notes. Codal.
g.
Remedial Law Dean Riano for Evidence and Civil Procedure,
Justice Regalado for everything else, San Bedas Reviewer, and Justice
Aquinos notes and recent jurisprudence.
h.
Ethics and Forms Aguirres book on ethics, Dean Abads notes
for Legal Forms. Codal.
As to whether to use reviewers or books, for me, I think its best to
stick to one thick book reviewer, one small book reviewer, and the
codal provisions. If youre 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:
Domondons tax review, Justice Hofileas lecture on Property, Justice
Aquinos lecture on ethics, Professor Quimsons lecture on Corporation
Law and Securities Regulation (essential!), Atty. Candelarias PIL
lecture, Atty. Jack Jimenezs and Justice Agras lecture on the
Admin/Public Officers/Local Government/Election Law, Atty. Balanes
Succession lecture (just because I revere him), Atty. Zunigas Security
Transaction lecture (essential!), Atty. Bernass lecture of Conflict of
Laws, Atty. Sta. Marias last-minute lecture on Persons (essential!), and
all the recent jurisprudence lectures.
Atty. Diaz and Dean Villanuevas 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
Hofileas (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 theres no tomorrow; and

c.
Leading up to the exam days, Fr. Mangulabnan and Atty. Mel Sta.
Marias 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. Dont force yourself to study if youre
sleepy or lazy. Try to love what youre doing. If you dont feel like
studying a particular subject, then try another subject. Get at least 8
hours of sleep!
During the exam, dont 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 its
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, dont work for me, but Ateneos pre-week
reviewers were helpful.
a.

Poli Nachura

b.
Labor Everyones Labor Code; for SSS and GSIS, look for Atty.
Disinis 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 CLVs 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: theres a new Code of Judicial ethics!
I only discovered this during pre-week! Shameful.)
Dont forget the Codal! If you think theres 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 Everyones
Civ and Tax codal for both (selective. Its impossible to
read everything)
Commercial Sundiang
Crim I think I read Sandoval (around 200 pages long) and
Rose Raycos tables
Rem and Ethics Codal.
Forms Justice Abads handout (Tapcapsa, Tapwacsa, etc)
It will be very hard to study on the day after an exam. I think its 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 theres 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. Domondons tax lecture, Atty. Jacks lecture on
public officers, admin and election, and all lectures on recent cases.
Pre-week I wasnt able to attend any lecture during the first
week
- Two days of Atty. Monteros lecture on tax, his notes on
recent cases were helpful
- Dean Cynthia Del Castillos lecture on oblicon
- Atty. Salvadors lecture on rem (three days)
Note: I heard Atty. Manuels pre-week lecture on labor was very
helpful, and Atty. Jacks 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 dont know the answer, just write true and repeat/paraphrase the
statement.
9. Easiest subject?
(Not because theyre very easy, but because theyre the most
manageable)
Poli only because I was lucky that I just finished my second
reading of Justice Nachuras 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 Im 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. Itll drive you
crazy. (It is unavoidable, but please try to avoid it. Im guilty of this,
and it caused me unnecessary panic attacks.)
While taking the exam/day of the exam - Dont panic. Eat breakfast
and lunch. Read the tips.
12. What is the best thing you did or had that helped you top
the bar?
Dont change your study habits, especially if it worked for you in
law school. Some people absorb more while cramming, while others
dont.
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, dont compare yourself to others. Stick to your own style

and dont 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: its 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, Id go to the gym in the
mornings. After that, Id usually study by myself, or at most, with only
one or two of my closest friends. Ive 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 Id end the day by just relaxing. I never studied into the wee
hours of the morning. Doing that wouldve 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 didnt 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 Id 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. Bs primer for Constitutional Law, and
Justice Nachuras book for everything else. Then I used Atty. Jac
Jimenez recent jurisprudence for pre-week.
For Labor, I used Prof. Azucenas Everyones, but focused a lot
during Atty. Manuels pre-week lecture.

For Civil Law, I used my notes and materials from Prof. Balanes
Civil Law Review II in fourth year. Conflicts, I got Sempio-Dys 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 didnt want to stop midway through just to change books.
I also put a lot of focus in Atty. Mike Monteros pre-week lecture.
For Commercial Law, I used Dean CLVs book for everything
except Dean Abads 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 Tranquils
lecture.
For Ethics and Forms, I just used the Ateneo reviewer, and Dean
Abads 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 Id barely make 10 pages. Some
days I didnt read at all. So I figured if my mind really didnt want to
absorb any information yet, then I shouldnt force it. Again, thats 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 didnt 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 DQd 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 Id 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 wed 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, dont 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, itll be like quicksand.
Even if theres one question or two or three even that you think you
dont 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 youve ever taken, but youve 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. Its 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.


Youll often find yourself staring at nothing or daydreaming, thats
normal!
2.
Describe your typical study day (Did you study alone? In
groups?)

I reviewed alone, but Id occasionally consult with some

batchmates the issues I cant 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: Everyones 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 couldnt 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

Dont 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 youve used. Hopefully, its 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
Manuels 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! Its 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 Boados 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 Lawyers 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.