Bar examination passer, Don Johnson Dela Chica, falls to his knees as he tells his mother that he passed the exams via video call. Dela Chica says that his family did not know he took the Bar. (Photo screengrabbed from a video by Arnel Tacson
MANILA, Philippines – “Nag-Bar ako, Ma. Abogado na po ako.”
(Ma, I took the Bar. I am a lawyer now.)
An overflowing joy overwhelmed Don Johnson Dela Chica from the Philippine Law School when he shared the news of passing the 2023 Bar Examinations with his mother on Tuesday.
Unable to contain his emotions, Dela Chica dropped to his knees when he engaged in a video call with his Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) mom.
“Tapos na po, natapos natin, Mama. May anak ka nang abogado,” he said while pounding his chest in joy.
(It’s done. We made it, Mama. Your son is now a lawyer.)
The Bar passer said that his entire family are OFWs and were completely unaware that he took the examinations.
After finding his composure, Dela Chica revealed that he encountered some challenges throughout his law studies – challenges he knew other law students encountered.
Dela Chica revealed he could not sit for the examinations in 2021 as planned.
“Becoming a lawyer is one of my greatest dreams. Even though it was delayed, I know that this is part of the Lord’s plans,” he said.
He told reporters that such deep-seated frustration fueled him to help other law students and tackle the challenges that students face in pursuing their dreams.
“My wish is to be given a platform to voice out the concerns of all these students. Because I had the courage to pursue my dream of becoming a lawyer, and perhaps there are other students who lack that strength. I hope that through my story, I can inspire them,” he explained in a mix of Filipino and English.
The Bar passer mentioned that he plans to fulfill this wish by assisting law students in the academic field or through a law firm.
“Wherever I could be of use,” he said, smiling.
Dela Chica is one of the 3,812 passers out of the 10,387 examinees who took the Bar examinations in 2023.
/abc
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