ATTY.

DIANE AZORES
"D"
Top 1, 2019 Bar Exam

1. Please describe your learning style (e.g., visual/auditory).

I am a combination of a visual and auditory learner. It’s a must for me to read first
the lessons alone in quiet room and then draw diagrams or tables to help me
understand a topic. I also need to hear what I read for better retention that’s why I
religiously attend my classes, both in law school and in review center.

2. Please share your study techniques or best review practices which you
think helped you topped the 2019 Bar examinations.

I study in a sequence, first, codals, next, annotated books, then jurisprudence and
finally, I read previous bar questions related to the topic. It’s really important to
have a mastery of your codal provisions. I made sure that I read the codal
provisions first before I proceed to the annotated books; I believe this is an
effective way of understanding the law better. Once you understand the law, you
will have a better appreciation of the relevant jurisprudence. Finally, answering
previous bar questions will help you check whether or not you can already answer
them and also have a familiarity on the highly tested areas.

a. Memorization techniques

I used the good old mnemonics for enumerations. For definitions, I read it aloud for
multiple times until I’m able to recall it.

b. Bar materials (i.e., codals, 1 reference book, chair's cases, memory aid,
personal notes.)

Before 2019 started, I already assessed myself in each of the eight Bar subjects. I
ascertained which areas I am good at and which needs improvement. So, at the
start of the Bar Examination year I devised a strategy to cover everything in the bar
syllabus. I figured that I should first have a mastery of my codal provisions, so I
read all my codals from January to May. Then for the subjects I’m not so good at, I
read again my annotated books. During the formal review, my plan was to focus on
latest jurisprudence and then use the materials that can feasibly be read within the
limited time of six months.

The following are the reference materials I used for the formal review:

Political Law- Nachura

Labor Law- Joselito Chan notes
Civil Law-Rabuya
Taxation- I focused on the codal provisions and latest jurisprudence
Commercial Law-Sundiang and Aquino,Dimaampao
Remedial Law-Riano
Legal Ethics- Codal provisions

In general, I utilized the Golden Notes as well as the Bedan Red Notes. I also
religiously attended almost all my review classes- that’s very important because
some reviewers can also predict bar questions. Haha! It’s also important to
familiarize yourself with the landmark cases penned by the Chairperson because
these are also potential sources of bar questions. As to my notes, it consisted of
questions I write as I study, then I will answer them afterwards to check if I
understood what I just read.

c. Hours of reading- 10 hours on June to August then 12 hours on September

to November

d. Review Center/Coaching- Jurists! I actually enrolled in Jurists twice, the first

one was for their advanced pre- Bar review from January to May. Then the second
one was for the formal review from June to November. Their coaching program is
truly helpful, they spotted my weaknesses and suggested ways to correct them.

e. Mock bar- Mock bars are very important, some may find the results
disheartening but I believe that it’s better to be wrong in the Mock Bars than in the
actual Bar Exams. Be open to criticisms and comments of your friends, professors
or coaches and use them as motivation to improve.

f. Law school training- It’s true that in the Bar Exams, you will most likely paint a
mental picture of yourself during a dreaded recitation in law school answering a
 question similar to that in the Bar Exam. You may hate or despise your “vicious”
professors now, but trust me, you will thank them later.

g.Scheduling- I created a schedule for the entire duration of the review. The study
plan or schedule I made is detailed, personalized, realistic and achievable. I
planned what I will do for every hour and every minute. A tip I can give for creating
a bar review schedule is to follow the bar syllabus; make sure that you will be able
to cover everything. It’s also vital that your schedule meets your needs; devote
more time and attention to your weakest subjects and consider the percentage of
each subject as well. Make your study schedule is flexible to cover contingencies.
Once you finalize your study schedule, make sure that you will follow it religiously
and vigorously as if your life depends on it.

h. Anything you wish to focus on or strongly want to share to law students

and reviewees.

a. Meditate- I learned this tip from no other than Atty. Florin Hilbay, former SolGen
and also a bar topnotcher. When he went to our school for a Leadership Seminar,
students were given a chance to ask him about leadership, current political and
socio-economic issues. I know it’s off-topic but I grabbed the once in a lifetime
opportunity to ask him for tips on how he prepared for the Bar. He said two things-
first, he advised us to read previous Bar questions and suggested answers and
second to meditate. It was a blur to me at first how meditation can help me succeed
in the Bar Exam. With research, I found out that meditation is definitely good for
your brain. It leads to better focus, greater mental clarity, lower levels of stress and
reduced anxiety. Especially this time when depression, anxiety and high levels of
stress are emerging crisis, practicing meditation and mindfulness can bring
significant benefits to your mental health. There are different ways of meditation- it
can be as simple as observing your breathing or having a quiet time for yourself to
contemplate. The goal is to pay close attention to the moment, to recognize the
situation— especially our own thoughts, emotions and sensations — whatever it is
that’s happening. Meditation is a way for us to just take a moment and pause, it’s an
effective way of dealing with the enormous stress that bar examinees experience.

b. Pray- Reviewing for the Bar makes you feel a lot of emotions; it will be so
overwhelming that sometimes it will just bring you to tears. For six months, you will
feel secluded from the rest of the world, you will feel that you are putting everything
on hold, nothing else will matter but to pass the Bar Exams. However, you need to
understand that you cannot do this alone, above anything else you need to connect
with God, you need to tell Him your dreams, surrender everything to His Holy Will,
admit your fears and doubts and let Him control your life. Pray as soon as you wake
up in the morning and at night before going to sleep, pray for wisdom and guidance,
pray when you feel confused about a topic, pray every time you worry, pray when
 you feel alone, talk to God and just let your emotions out. Let this time strengthen
your relationship with God and your faith in Him. Tell Him what you want, clearly
and specifically- my prayer was always like this “Lord please help me pass the 2019
Philippine Bar Exams and if it is according to Your will, please also make me a
topnotcher, kahit 8th place lang Lord. This blessing I am asking is not only for myself
but mostly for the people who believes that I can, and for the people that I will help
when I become a lawyer. I promise You Lord that I’ll be a good lawyer, I will use this
title to proclaim Your goodness and for Your greater glory. I surrender everything to
Your Holy Will.” He knows your struggles more than anyone else, He sees your
intentions, how much you want this- you just need to trust Him. Have faith in His
plans for you, do not worry, just do your part and let His will unfold in your life. God
is with you all the way, He’s with you right now even when you feel uncertain about
yourself, He is your strength and refuge, let His promises be your assurance that
everything will be alright, have faith and pray. Pray as if everything depends on
prayer.

c. Unwind, treat yourself from time to time- In motor racing, racecars stop in the
pits for fuel and other consumables to be renewed or replenished. The same goes
for you, don’t forget to unwind to replenish your energy and strength. Celebrate little
victories- reward yourself when you finish your study schedule, or when you finish a
grueling exam or when you finally understand a topic that’s been bugging you for
days. I remember when I was reviewing, every after mock bar, I reward myself with
a good massage then I eat out with friends. Don’t forget to tap yourselves in the
back, you are doing great. These are trying times, the fact that you are trying to
remain on track is a feat in itself. Keep moving forward, you are almost there

3. Please share your tips on how to answer Bar exam questions. (Both in

a. FORM--- how you write, whether print or cursive, pen used, blocking, margins,
and

I wrote in print and to further compensate for my handwriting, I wrote in bigger

texts. I used Energel 0.5 blue, as to margins, I just made sure that there are at
least 1 inch margin on each side.

b. CONTENT

I wholeheartedly adapted the Jurists method. It consists of four paragraph, which

includes the conclusion, law, application to the facts and reiteration of the answer.

4. What was your lowest moment during the Bar season, if there is any? And
how did you overcome it?
During the Remedial Law subject, I did not have any sleep the night prior to the
exam date and my mind just went blank after reading the first question. For about
ten minutes, I was just staring at the examination paper but I know that I had to
bring back my composure and confidence, so I prayed and summoned the Holy
Spirit to guide and help me remember what I studied. Thankfully, by the grace of
God, I was able to finish the Exam and get a satisfactory grade.

5. What words of encouragement can you share to the law students and bar
reviewees, or to the public in general, amidst our battle against Covid-19?

The uncertainty of our situation right now has taken a toll upon all of us, especially
our students. I can only imagine how the students juggle the demands of online
learning with the anxiety caused by the uncertainty of continuing their education.
For graduating law students, the suspension of this year’s Bar Exams delayed your
plans, you may feel upset and robbed of a major milestone in your life and career
but on the brighter side of things you are given more time to prepare. Although
online classes cannot replace the usual classroom setting, you can still utilize all
the tools and materials available to you to help you prepare. The world has
changed drastically but we must learn to adapt and remain resilient, there are a lot
of things we cannot change but don’t let it dampen your determination to achieve
your dreams. Not even this pandemic can stop you from fulfilling your destiny of
becoming a lawyer. It may be delayed but it is never denied. Hang in there, just
keep fighting, after all this is finished- you will see the fruits of your labor and you
will enjoy the sweet taste of success. Good luck, future Attorney, be the change
you want to see in this world.

Please share an instance which you think is your embarassing moment

during the Bar month. (Anything "funny"/humiliating which will inform many
that one need not be "perfect" to top or pass the bar)

Ang dami, wait. The most memorable is when I wrote the mnenomics FAME for the
grounds for petition for relief from judgment l instead of writing the specific
grounds. Narealize ko na lang nung nasa No. 5 na ako.HAHAHA. Then sa Civil
Law, nasulat ko “periodt” instead of “period”(Twitter pa more).