Double win! Father and daughter pass Bar Exam together

MANILA, Philippines – A father and daughter achieved their dream of becoming a lawyer together when they passed the 2020-2021 Bar Examination.

57-year-old Bernardo Belarmino may be a proud Bar passer, but he was an even more proud father. His daughter, Marie Bernardine Belarmino, also passed the Bar Exam with him. Both are from Barangay Bonga, Bacacay, Albay, and are celebrating their double win.

Bernardo Belarmino and daughter Marie Bernardine Belarmino passed the Bar Exam together. Photo Courtesy: ABS-CBN

Daddy Bernardo finished his law degree at the University of Santo Tomas College of Law in Legazpi back in 1991. He finally passed the Bar after seven tries.

Meanwhile, his daughter Marie finished her law degree at the same university in 2020. Marie passed the Bar exam on her first try.

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According to Marie, she and her father weren’t together when they read the results. She was inside a church to calm her mind. When she found out she and her father had passed the exam, she couldn’t help but kneel at the altar to say her thanks and praise.

"Nung makita ko yung pangalan namin, nagsigawan kami, napaluhod ako sa altar kasi sympre sa Panginoon ang una nating pasasalamatan. Napaiyak ako kasi sabi ko nagbunga yung pagsisikap ko after several attempts. Kung nawalan ako ng pag-asa, hanggang dyan na lang ako. Napakalaking blessing itong binigay sa amin ng Panginoon. May covenant with the Lord is that hindi ko talaga sasayangin itong opportunity na ibinigay sa amin. Talagang papangalagaan ko bilang isang abogado," she said.

Marie revealed that it has always been her dream to become a lawyer and help those in need. Her father’s dream inspired her. However, the journey to her success was not an easy feat, and there were many times when she almost quit law school.

But like his father’s determination, she didn’t give up her dream.

“Ever since bata pa po ako dream ko na maging lawyer. Nainspire ako ng dream ni papa. Gusto ko maging lawyer para makatulong sa ibang tao lalo na sa less fortunate individuals. Pero nung nasa law school na ako, may mga times na gusto ko na din mag-give up dahil very taxing talaga. Pero laban lang always and I try to take things one day at a time," she added.

Marie is currently working as a staff at a law office. Meanwhile, his father has been working for 31 years at the Department of Agrarian Reform. She said her father plans to finish his remaining three years in service before retiring and practicing law.

— Sally, The Summit Express



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