Vision Beyond View: Atty. Ladia, First Visually Challenged Person to Take and Pass the Philippine Digital Bar Exam

Make your dream a necessity.

Breaking down barriers that many deemed insurmountable, Atty. Martsu Ressan Ladia has become the second visually challenged person to not only take but conquer the challenges of the 2023 Digital Bar Exam. Atty. Martsu, an alumnus of Mindanao State University College of Law - General Santos, earned his degree with the university’s commitment to inclusivity and accessible education. In an exclusive interview with The Advocati, he shared his remarkable journey, proving that true vision extends beyond what meets the eye.

Since the announcement of the results on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, his story has garnered media attention, making him a source of inspiration in the country especially among the visually impaired community across the Philippines. 

Born with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), his left eye is completely blind and his right eye can barely see. This condition, however, did not stop Atty. Martsu in pursuing his dream of becoming a lawyer.

How does it feel to be the first visually challenged person to take and pass the Philippine Digital Bar Exam?

Atty. Martsu: Not the first po, Ma’am, I’m the second. The first one was Atty. Anthony Mark Emocling of Caguiwow Bar. I really feel so happy na nakasunod ako kaagad sa kanya. Masaya po ako na at least kapag narinig ng visually impaired community yung stories namin ni Anthony Emocling, masasabi nila na kahit it’s a risk entering law school for us, pero okay lang palang subukan kasi it may come true din po pala sa amin.

So, you are the second bar taker with that condition, did you have similar accommodation with Atty. Emocling?

Atty. Martsu: We had different accommodations. He took the bar orally. I used a laptop like normal sighted Bar examinees. Nakalaptop talaga ako ever since undergrad. Pag nag shift ako ng oral, baka po maubos yung time ko. That was my plight in the Supreme Court na mas prefer ko yung software ko na screenreader compared to oral.  The Supreme Court is very accommodating and very considerate about it and they allowed me to answer using my laptop with the aid of a screen reader.

During the Bar exam, did you meet Justice Hernando?

Atty. Martsu: Hindi po, Ma’am. Special cases of examinees should supposedly take the exam in Manila, in the headquarters of the Bar Chair. But the Supreme Court is really considerate to allow me to take the exam in Davao to save on expenses. But after the exam, he called me to ask how was the process of administering the exam. I think Justice is verifying if kumusta yung inclusive na approach sa aming mga visually impaired individuals kasi baka may mag take ulit. At least pwede nila irecommend na ganito din yung gawin.

Where were you at the time of the Bar result? How did you know that you are already a lawyer?

Atty. Martsu: Nasa bahay, nagtatago ako. Yung family members ko nanonood sila ng live coverage sa TV. Sabi ko sa kanila, “ayaw ko maki-join dyan kasi baka wala yung pangalan natin dyan.” Kawawa naman yung family ko, baka ma disappoint ko sila. Sabi ko “Magtago lang ako dito sa loob ng kwarto ko, dito lang ako manood sa cellphone.” Nauna lumabas yung result in pdf form kaysa live coverage. Tumawag yung kakilala ko, sabi “Congratulations Mr. Ladia, you passed the Bar.” Sabi ko “Wala pa po, wala pa po. Stats pa lang po ang sinasabi ni Justice Hernando sa live coverage”. Sabi niya “No, I already saw your name in the list. You may share it with your family.” Sigaw na ako nun. Sabi ko “Mama, mama, abogado na ako!” Sabi ni Mama “Wala pa man imung pangalan. Ayaw sa pagshagit” sabi nyang ganun sa akin. Yung andun na ang pangalan ko, doon na sila nag-iyakan, nagsigawan. Napaiyak talaga ako nun. Yung unang feeling na pumasok sa akin is parang relieved na. Parang gi-grant ako ni Lord na hindi i-face yung possibility na ulitin ko ang exam, na madisappoint yung mga nag expect. Yung ganun. Next na feeling is yehey, happy, yehey po, salamat po, thankful, happy po, thank you. Hindi na ako nakatulog nun. 

What or who motivated you to become a lawyer?

Atty. Martsu: Actually hindi ko na ma trace kung paano ko ito nagustuhan. Kasi ever since when I was a child, ganyan na talaga, maging attorney. Minsan nga iniisip ko, kailan ba nagstart, ano ba yung naka spark, ano ba yung nakainspire. Parang pagkabata pa lang parang alam ko na gusto ko maging attorney kahit hindi ko maintindihan yung attorney. Para makatulong sa mga mahihirap. Kasi ganun yung mga bata. Hanggang habang tumatanda ako, lumalalim din ang rason.

Can you remember and describe your feelings on your first day in law school?

Atty. Martsu: I was really, really excited and happy about it. When I finished Political Science, diretso po ako agad sa law school. During that time, syempre iniexplain ko pa yung sarili ko sa institution na ganito kasi I’m the first visually impaired individual who studied law in Mindanao State Univerity-General Santos campus. During that time, may PhilSat. First batch taker ako ng Philsat. Yun yung na oral exam ko. Nung nakapasok ako sa law school, sabi ko talaga sa sarili ko, okay lang kahit hindi ako ganun kahusay o kagaling, basta, I earned my place in the College of Law. Nung first day po talaga, I was really, really happy kasi sa wakas, yung preparation ko since childhood na makapasok sa law school, eto na yun, nasa law school na.

Who supported your study?

Atty. Martsu: I tried supporting myself financially pero hindi talaga enough yung sahod ko. I tried to support myself as long as I can. Kapag may mga hindi na talaga kaya, tinutulungan ako ng mga kapatid ko. I worked as a part-time college instructor, HR manager of a call center company, and an online writer during law school. 

Are there specific tools or technologies you find particularly helpful in your learning?

Atty. Martsu: Yes, it’s Open Book. Kasi ang technique nun, may scanner ako, iscan ko yung libro tapos mapunta na sya sa software. Yung software na yun ang magbabasa.

How long did you finish law school?

Atty. Martsu: Six (6) years po because I failed in Oblicon. For me, I really deserve that failure kasi talagang nahirapan ako nun. Pero nakita ko yung advantage kasi because I failed Oblicon, nagkaroon ako ng enough time to prepare for the Bar. Kasi on my 6th year, dalawa na lang yung subjects ko kaya nakapagreview na ako sa review center. I really thanked the result of my Oblicon, wala talagang regret yun, kasi had it been na hindi ganun ang nangyari, baka kinulang ako sa preparation. 

Can you remember and describe your feelings during your graduation?

Atty. Martsu: It was really a happy memory. Sabi ko sa sarili ko, semi-finals na itong graduation, grand finals ang Bar. One step na lang to. Nung nakita ko na yung sarili ko na gumagalaw, umaakyat sa stage, kumukuha ng medal, doon ko naramdaman lahat ng pagod, lahat ng  sacrifices kasi I resigned sa work, wala akong finances sa sarili ko, review lang lahat. Hindi makagala kasi magi-guilty ka. Umabot ako sa point na matutulog na ba ako? Ilang pages na  ang nabasa ko? Bakit ako napapagod, eh, wala pa naman akong alam. Anxiety is pushing me to read and work. May ganun ako na stage. But I don’t encourage that. Kasi pwede po pa rin talagang mag enjoy. That’s why I’m really thankful to my bar buddy, Atty. Aquino. For me, it’s really unhealthy to torture yourself kasi review in itself is a torture. So as much as possible, fight back. Yung mga doubt mo, fight it back. 

When the Bar exam was fast approaching, what was on your mind?

Atty. Martsu: Kung meron akong season ng life ko na pinakamatapang ako, I think, that’s a month before the Bar until the last day of the Bar. Kasi yun na time sinabi ko talaga sa sarili ko na bawal ko i-entertain ang anxiety. Kasi ang review din nun araw-araw na, 8 to 8, wala ng pahinga sa review center. Pagkatapos ng review center, tulog ka na kaagad. Hindi ka pwede mag isip ng anxiety kasi wala ka ng lakas mag isip.

Many people are moved and inspired by your testimony and you are indeed an inspiration. How do you keep on inspiring yourself in times you feel like giving up?

Atty. Martsu: I have mentors. Two of them are in law school. One is Atty. Zosimo Lira Jr. Kapag gusto kong magpacomfort, sya talaga yung magsasabi na “You’re in the right path. Tama yan, nadedepress ka, normal yan.” Tapos yung mga fatherly advice naman, it’s Atty. Glenn Mar Acas. Sya talaga yung magsasabi na “Dapat ganito ang mindset mo. Kung gusto mong pumasa, dapat may i-give up ka, normal yan.” Atty. Acas will not sugarcoat you about the truth. Yan yung maganda sa ugali nya. Pero hindi nila alam yan. Hindi kami close. I mean, siguro close na kami ngayon, pero back in the day na student nila ako, I don’t make myself close to them. Ina-admire ko lang sila as my role models. I really count them as golds in law school.

Looking ahead, what are your career goals, and how do you plan to contribute to the legal profession? 

Atty. Martsu: Pinipray ko talaga na sana mag bukas yung doors ni litigation for me. Sana makatry din ako na magpractice ng ligation or to work in the government engaged in litigation. And then eto talaga, gusto ko talagang bumalik sa passion ko na teaching. 

What initiatives or changes would you like to see within the legal profession to create a more inclusive and accessible environment for individuals with challenges?

Atty. Martsu: I think commendable na po talaga yung attitude ni legal profession. Maraming nagsasabi na yung mga abogado natin, impatient. Pero sa tingin ko, ang ugali ng legal profession ang pinakamadaling makaintindi sa may mga challenged situation. Kasi napansin ko sa mga abogado, ang focus nila, yung solution na. Kagaya sa akin, I am always asked, “How should I deal with you? Wala ng “Bakit ka kasi nag aral ng ganyan?” Legal profession is really not discriminating. It is straightforward.

What advice do you have for other physically challenged individuals aspiring to become lawyers, especially those preparing for the Bar Exam?

Atty. Martsu: This has been my mantra ever since - make your dream a necessity. Kasi para syang hangin or tubig na kapag hindi tayo nakahinga or hindi tayo nakainom ng tubig, mamamatay tayo. Ganun din yun sa pangarap. May nabasa akong isang phrase noon “Paano mamatay ng paulit-ulit na hindi nalalagutan ng hininga?” Ang sagot ko nun “Yung mabuhay ka na wala kang pangarap. Araw-araw ka nung namamatay kasi hindi ka umuusad. Pero pag may pangarap ka, gagawin mo ang lahat para matupad ang pangarap na yun.” And for me, it’s a good mindset kasi hindi ka mapapagod na pangarapin yun kasi kailangan mo yun. It is a necessity. We all need our dream. Pag ganun kasi ipaglalaban natin yan.

Atty. Martsu Ressan Ladia passed the 2023 Bar examination and will be admitted to the Bar in the same year. He is a Political Science graduate, a debater, and the first visually challenged student of Mindanao State University College of Law - General Santos. Indeed, his success in the recently concluded Bar exam is not just a personal victory, but a collective acknowledgment that the pursuit of justice and the practice of law is a path open to all, regardless of the challenges one may face.