The Palawan State University (PSU)-School of Law not only have new lawyers in the 2019 Bar Exams but for first time in its history, also produced a topnotcher.
The PSU was greeted with the good news that out of its 20 examinees, one of them coveted the fifth spot in the top 10.
For the first time in 26 years, the historic achievement of the sole law school in the Province of Palawan was made by Jocelyn Bajar Fabello, with a rating of 88.2630 percent.
“Hindi ko po talaga inaasahan na maka-top ako. Ang prayer ko lang [noon] ay makapasa ako siyempre, takot ka na ‘pag hindi ka makapasa, ‘yung magiging reaction ng pamilya mo, kung papaano nila tatanggapin ang hindi mo pagkakapasa pero ‘yung extra na lang po talaga ang pag-top,” Fabello said in a phone interview with Palawan Daily News.
She said that she is joyful not only for herself but by giving honor and pride to her alma mater and the Province of Palawan.
“Masaya po ako hindi dahil sa ‘Oy! Nag-top ako!’ kundi ‘yung Palawan State University, ‘yung Palawan nabanggit po roon sa [mga nag-] top na ‘yun [at naipakita natin] na kaya natin…na mag-top sa Bar exams, kaya natin dito dahil dito po talaga ako nag-aral ng law,” she added.
OVERWHELMED
Fabello narrates that she was overwhelmed by the news and became emotional when informed by one of their relatives.
“Before lunch, mga 11:30, tumitingin po ako nu’n sa website ng Supreme Court kasi gusto kong makita ‘yung listahan [ng mga nakapasa sa Bar exams] pero may tawag nang tawag na po sa akin na kamag-anak namin at sinabi nga po na Top 5 ako. ‘Yun talaga po, una kong nalaman at ng pamilya, grabe po ‘yung pag-iyak ko, hindi ko po talaga inaasahan, pati ang pamilya ko po, nag-iyakan; hindi po kami nakakain agad kasi sobrang overwhelmed po ‘yung buong pamilya doon po sa nabalitaan po namin,” she said.
PREPARATIONS FOR THE BAR EXAMS
The PSU College of Law’s first topnotcher reiterates the importance of having a planned and systematic review method and the style you are going to implement it.
Fabello said that it is very important to know on what review method will fit for you. As for her, she said that last June 2019, she enrolled in a well-known review center in Metro Manila but later on decided to quit and take a self-review instead.
“Noong kalagitnaan na, naisip ko na hindi effective sa akin na nakikinig lang ako kaya nag-decide akong hindi na papasok sa review [center] dahil mas gusto ko po na nakikinig na lang ng reporting pagkatapos ng pagkabasa ko. Binabasa ko po muna ‘yung mga reviewer ko bago ko pakikinggan ‘yung lecture para mas doble-doble ‘yung pagkaintindi ko sa batas,” Fabello explained. She said that it was her discipline that helped her to get what she has gained now.
“Ang masasabi kong nag-propel sa akin na mag-top ‘yung disiplina ko kasi nagkakasakit ka, kahit sobrang sama na ng pakiramdam mo, kahit na pakiramdam mo di mo kakayanin mag-exam or babagsak ka pero ‘yung feeling talaga na tuloy-tuloy pa rin ‘yung [pag-a]-aral…hindi ka pwedeng tumigil magbasa,” she added.
PLANS
and when asked about her career, Fabello said that she will pursue first a public practice before entering the private practice in the Province of Palawan.
“Wala po akong planong lumipat [sa ibang lalawigan] and kung mag-o-open po ang Palawan State University [sa akin], willing naman po akong magturo po sa mga law students,” she said.
With the latest achievement, Fabello pointed out that it only reflects the institution’s performance that she said, comparable to other well-known law schools in the country.
“Doon muna sa mga nag-iisip palang po na mag-aral ng law, kung iniisip nilang hindi kayang i-provide ng Palawan State University and quality of education, siguro naman po na ito ay isa ng patunay na kaya at maganda ang quality of education na ibinibigay sa law students sa PSU,” Fabello further stated.
And she advised the current law students to put the law studies at heart.
“Kagaya ng mga sinasabi ng mga professor namin na ang batas ay hango sa tunay na buhay. So, kung baga, base siya sa mga experience ng mga tao, kung maiintindihan nila ang mga ‘yun, mas maiintindihan nila ‘yung batas,” Fabello added.
Although Fabello cannot compare the latest exams with the previous one, but she pointed out that in order to correctly answer the questions, it is very important to study all of their subjects, just like what she did.
OTHER LUCKY EXAMINEES
The other new lawyers of PSU School of Law are Joshua Abrina, Anniza Mariano Babao, Vanessa Bautista, Tristan Ray Besa, Joana Sarah Diva, Luann Asuncion dela Cruz, Ruby Angelie Madeja, Rodel Magrata, Alena Marie Rodriguez, and Rishel Tubog.
Out of the 7,685 examinees from the different law schools nationwide who took the so-called one of the most difficult exams in the country, the said 11 out of 20 candidates from PSU passed the November 2019 Bar Exams, covering the Political Law and Labor Law on the first Sunday, Civil Law and Taxation on the second Sunday, Commercial or Mercantile Law and Criminal Law on the third and the Remedial Law and Legal Ethics on the last Sunday.
‘THIS IS A GAME CHANGER’
In a separate phone interview with PSU School of Law Dean Perry Pe, he likewise expressed his joy with the new success of their institution.
“This is really awesome and inspirational. In 2016, we achieved a 100 percent Bar passing [rate]. Now, we’re able to land in a Top 10 Bar topnotchers! It’s just proved to all of us, that we don’t have to be in Metro Manila to have good law schools,” Pe said.
He noted that the current result of the exams shows that “even outside UP, our state universities can also be very good.”
“This is a game changer. If you will notice, there are about five on the Top 10 are from the provinces—the topnotcher and the number three are from Legaspi, Albay…. Palawan, Bacolod and I think, another one from the another province,” Dean Pe further said.
He also added that they are planning to invite lawyer Fabello in order to speak and share her experiences during the Bar Exams to the students of the College of Law.
“It’s very inspirational talaga. She has many things to say to [her former] fellow students, PSU, and the faculty,” he said.
With this pandemic and crisis, the institution hopes that “the little inspiration made by PSU will serve as the sunshine in this moment that we have.”
Meanwhile, PCSD Spokesperson Jovic Fabello also congratulates the youngest sibling of their family.
“[I am] so proud of her! At the back of my mind, I knew she would make it but much of my surprise, she landed on the Top 5. She deserves what she gets!” Fabello said.
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