Bar topnotcher open to move to another field had he failed exam

Nielson Pangan Photo from SC PIO

MANILA, Philippines—Not expecting he would pass the Bar exam, topnotcher Nielson G. Pangan said he was planning to just take an MBA (Masters of Business Administration) if he fails.

But Pangan got a pleasant and a life-changing surprise Tuesday afternoon.

A middle ranking student out of 170 graduates, Pangan got a score of 85.80, ending UP’s eight-year drought of top bar passers. The last UP topnotcher, Joan De Venecia, aced the exams in 2005.

“I was shocked. I was not expecting this. Hindi ko nga alam ang grade ko,” he said. He is currently working at the Migallios and Luna Law Office and teaches political science at the New Era University.

He said he studied for 10 hours a day and his plan, if he fails, is to just take a Masters of Business Administration. Pangan ranked 96^th out of 200 graduates in his batch.

On the other hand, Eden Catherine Mopia, who placed fourth and Michael Tiu Jr., who was in eighth place, both from UP, stayed home while waiting for the result of the Bar examination.

“Hindi kasi ako sure. Ayaw kong ma-stuck sa public place given the uncertainty of the result,” Mopia said.

Tiu, on the other hand, said he learned he passed the Bar from his mother in Cebu.

Both Mopia and Tiu are working for Sycip, Salazar, Hernandez, Gatmaitan Law Office.

Meanwhile, fifth placer Tercel Maria G. Mercado-Gephart took the Bar examination while she was seven months pregnant.

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