Bar Exams start on a festive note

Despite the seriousness of the occasion for over 5,000 law graduates, the annual Bar Examinations started off on a festive note in Manila on Sunday. Radio dzBB's Allan Gatus reported that a portion of Taft Avenue, which was closed to traffic for the Bar exams, became a virtual parking lot for the examinees’ supporters even before dawn Sunday. Many of the supporters wore shirts indicating the schools of the examinees they were rooting for, while others expressed their moral support for the examinees through streamers. Some commercial establishments along Taft Avenue even put out extra tables and chairs in anticipation of the examinees and their supporters dining out after the exams. One of the examinees interviewed by Ian Cruz in his report on Sunday’s “Balitanghali" in QTV 11 — 62-year-old Rosita Peras — said she finished three bachelor’s degrees, a master’s degree and a doctorate before deciding to become a lawyer.

Another examinee, a 60-year-old man who said he was a former Makati police chief, said he wants to be of help to those people who can’t afford to hire lawyers. Some 5,012 law graduates are taking the Bar exams this year. A part of the southbound lane of Taft Avenue was closed to traffic for the Bar examinations at the De La Salle University campus. For four Sundays of September, the portion of Taft Avenue from Quirino Avenue to Vito Cruz will be closed to traffic from 4 a.m. to 6 p.m. On the first Sunday, examinees took the test on political and international law, and labor and social legislation. - Jerrie M. Abella/KBK, GMANews.TV