Eight of Eight

The art of succeeding in life is multifaceted. One important aspect of it is surrounding oneself with positive influences. Without doubt, a man must be careful of the environment he chooses, for it will shape him; a man must be careful of the friends he chooses, for he will become like them. The better you are at surrounding yourself with people of high potential, the greater your chance for success is, a wise sage once quipped.

Law school is a challenging path that can be formidable for anyone who embarks on it. The Bar examination, on the other hand, is known to be the ultimate quagmire, the long-awaited warfare of the dauntless, the mountain that must be moved. The journey to take the Bar examination is definitely not a walk in the park. It is a rigorous odyssey of perseverance, discipline, and mental fortitude. It is precisely for this reason that Bar exam takers must have a support system. Certainly, having friends to share your journey of hardship with undoubtedly offers a sense of camaraderie and motivation; it helps them navigate through the relentless storms that is the law school. This is the story of the eight successful Bar examinees of the Plato Batch 2017 of Mindanao State University College of Law,  General Santos Campus: Atty. Kris Lou G. Eturma-Sanchez, Atty. Leo Cipriano N. Felicilda III, Atty. Sabrina Czyryll M. Gayo, Atty. Mary Chris B. Gulle, Atty. Angel Mae T. Jakosalem, Atty. Rhod Michael A. Leyson, Atty. Chaeny S. Lim, and Atty. Joshua Erik E. Madria.

‌The recently concluded 2022 Bar examination produced these eight lawyers from the Batch 2017 of Section Plato, all of whom became each other’s grit throughout their law school journey. At the start of their classes, they were all strangers to each other. But as time went on, they discovered that they had mutual acquaintances, which helped them break the ice and forge friendship. They bonded over their shared experiences, including their struggles with some of their classes and professors.

For Atty. Leo Cipriano Felicilda III and Atty. Sabrina Czyryll Gayo, their group’s friendship was comfortably solidified through their “eating while studying” sessions, which, according to them, resulted in their motivation to come to school not only to learn from the professors but also to be there with their friends. As the class was gradually trimmed down to 10 students, Plato Batch 2017 became closer as they shared the same adversities in their journey, which they described as laborious in all aspects, but a blessing at the same time. The group emphasized how their clique helped in a way that it brought about the factor of guilt and fear – that the way each of them excels brings forth the pressure to do better in order to not get left behind.

“I’m blessed to have met my blockmates in Plato. I would not have made it in law school and in the Bar if not for them.” Atty. Rhod Michael Leyson, one among the eight, shared.

When asked about feeling any competition among their batch, Atty. Mary Chris Gulle, the 2022 Class Valedictorian, expressed that she did not feel any competition at all. Instead, she felt that they were a family trying to overcome common adversaries – graduating and conquering the Bar challenge. Atty. Gulle blissfully recalled how they formed a study group system and became each other’s accountability partners. Through the initiative of Atty. Angel Mae Jakosalem during the Bar exam preparations, the group had Google Meet serve as their study room. Their sessions lasted from early morning to night, mostly not talking to each other at all, only making sure that each of them is reviewing. However, there were times when they would allocate an hour or so to discuss some topics and to reinforce their readings. As Atty. Gayo, the person who was said to be the glue that held the group together,  remarked, “We worked hard together and did everything possible to make sure no one will be left behind.”

Atty. Leyson also made a point that having knowledge that their group will be taking the Bar examination together definitely sealed their resolve to pass it. Needless to say, the Bar examination is an individual fight. However, knowing that he is with his circle, his closest friends, in that penultimate battle served as his security blanket and confidence booster. Surely, one cannot make it on his own in law school. Having a support system makes all the difference, mindful that there are people around you who understand the struggles makes the journey easier.

When the question led to whether there was ever a time prior to the Bar examination when they already knew they were going to pass it altogether, Atty. Gulle and Atty. Leyson answered in the negative, although they credited Judge Dinah Cornejo who constantly believed and reminded their group that they would pass the Bar Exam. Atty. Gulle even recollected, “The exam was indeed hard, and I was even doubting myself from passing it. All the more when there were “chi-chis" which said that the passing rate would be very low. But I could say that Judge Dinah was very hopeful for our batch. She was very vocal in saying that our class was good and we had a very good chance in passing the Bar.”

And at long last, they proved the expectations right when they made history as the first in Mindanao State University-College of Law Gensan Campus to have a 100% passing rate in one class section in the Bar Exam. Taking the Bar Examination and passing it together was undoubtedly a huge accomplishment for the Plato Batch 2017. Their labor of sweat and blood evidently paid off and their fervent prayers were eventually granted. Their success proved that anything is possible when perseverance, dedication, and determination are coupled by camaraderie.

When their plans to work together in the future was put into question, the group expressed that the possibility is not zero, and should that time eventually come, they will be very honored. They are also thrilled about the prospect that they, former classmates in the classroom, will see each other as adversaries in the courtroom, a testament to how much they have grown and developed in their legal careers.

The success of the Plato Batch 2017 can be attributed not only to their individual efforts but also to the friendship and support they shared with each other. They have proven that having a supportive and motivated circle of friends can greatly contribute to one's success in any field. Their journey may have been rigorous and challenging, but their success is a monument to their countless toils. Their story only shows that law school is not just about sleepless nights and disheartening recitations, but also about personal growth, resilience, and life-long relationships. In a way, law school is a microcosm of life, where individuals face their demons, make life-altering decisions, and mold meaningful connections.

Indeed, the gravity of having a supportive circle of friends cannot be overstated. When you surround yourself with people who also share similar goals, you are more likely to push yourself to achieve your own success. People are heavily influenced by the attitudes and behaviors of those around them, and this extends to their academic and professional achievements.

Here’s a toast to our successful Bar 2022 passers, especially to the 8 of 8 Section Plato 2017!