First blind bar examinee leaves lawyer dream to God
MANILA, Philippines—For Christopher Yumang, a law graduate who sat for the last day of the 2014 bar exams Sunday, he has already done his part and submits the realization of his dream as a lawyer to God’s will.
But Yumang, a graduate of the University of Baguio School of Law, is not just an average bar exam taker. He is the first blind examinee who took one of the hardest professional exams administered in the country.
“The exam is difficult but I was able to finish everything. I hope I’ll pass. We have already done our part and we cannot do anything more than to believe [in God]. With Him, we can do anything,” Yumang said.
This year’s bar exams marked the first time that he took the test.
Yumang is among the 5,900 law graduates who trooped the University of Santo Tomas for the last day of the exams.
Epitome of hard work
Remembering how Yumang prepared for the test, his mother Julia said that Christopher took online reviews and read cases and lectures every night until the wee hours of the morning.
Yumang’s mother said that through the computer and the Internet, Christopher was able to review for the Bar by himself.
She added that his son first wanted to become a Catholic priest but he was rejected.
Yumang also sacrificed quality time with his family as he has to leave their home in Mountain Province to pursue his law degree.
Asked on his advice for future bar examinees, Yumang said that they should do anything to achieve what they want.
According to the Supreme Court, the questions in the bar exams were read to Yumang and his answers were written for him. The High Court also said that no extra time was given to him to answer the questions.
‘I’ll be the happiest man in the world’
Meanwhile, the oldest bar candidate 88-year-old Bienvenido Hilario said that he is already happy whatever the result of the exams may be.
He added that he is thankful for the opportunity to take the exams as he approaches the “twilight years” of his life.
“I hope I would make it. I’m tired already. If that’s the will of God for me not to be a lawyer, that’s fine. I’m much still happy because I was given the opportunity to take the exam. If I pass the exam, the more that I’ll be the happiest person in the world,” Hilario said.
Hilario said that he was able to answer all the items in the exams.
Friends, law school colleagues, and family members cheered outside the University of Santo Tomas as they wait for the bar examinees to finish the exams in the traditional Salubong.
Security measures have been implemented by the Manila Police and the Supreme Court, including the closure of the westbound lane of España Boulevard facing UST for traffic and deployment of additional security personnel.
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