By Juan Miguel Lopez and Tina Miranda
“Surreal.”
This is how Dawna Fya Bandiola described the moment upon knowing that she placed fourth in the 2019 Bar Examinations. It was something she did not expect. “I just did my best and prayed” she mentioned in an interview with The Red Chronicles. Last November 2019, students, professors and staff of San Beda College Alabang – School of Law (SBCA-SOL) worked hand-in-hand in supporting the bar takers of the annual bar exams. The supportive community made sure, through its collective effort, to make the hurdle less arduous for every Bedan barrister. From simplest tasks such as waking the barristers up, delivering meals, and even being creative to make every weekend less stressful, to the crucial last minute notes and lectures provided by the professors, the “happiest law school in the country” showed that in unity, we can succeed.
Dawna Fya Bandiola was an exemplary student. She hails from Cavite where she finished her primary and secondary education. She took up Bachelor of Science in Information Technology at the Lyceum of the Philippines University – Cavite and graduated cum laude in 2014. Thereafter, she enrolled in SBCA-SOL. As a hardworking law student, she was distinguished for being among the top ten students of her batch. Her academic excellence and leadership skills led her to become the Chairperson of the SBCA Centralized Bar Operations wherein she headed the 2017 Bar Operations of the School of Law, a daunting responsibility since she was a fourth-year student at that time.
Devastated
By 2018, Bandiola graduated law school and in the same year took the bar exams. Her preparation for the exam meant studying diligently. This was the culminating obstacle she was to surpass. It would be difficult, but her reputation of academic excellence was a favorable advantage. After all, she has been dedicating herself towards achieving her dream of becoming a lawyer. Nevertheless, things do not always work out as fine. From her own words, she was “devastated,” upon learning that she flunked the bar exams.
Not long after this setback, she carried on and prepared to face again the arguably most difficult examination in the country. This would not be possible if not for her family and peers who remind her that the Bar is not a gauge of her capabilities, but it is her determination to move forward and fight for her dreams that is important above all.
Apart from the relentless support she had received, Dawna in her second take, preferred to enroll in online review classes which she shared to have helped her efficiently because it afforded her to accomplish work and likewise study at home.
Dawna, the undaunted
On the 29th of April 2020, the Supreme Court results of the 2019 Bar Examinations. With a score of 88.3360%, Dawna garnered the fourth highest place among 7,685 takers. Senior Associate Justice Estela Perlas Bernabe, the exams chairperson, announced that only 2,103 (27.36 %) bar examinees made the cut. On her second try, Dawna the undaunted, prevailed.
Dean Ulpiano Sarmiento III expressed through his Facebook post that he was “beaming with pride and joy” for the 122 new Bedan lawyers led by Dawna who he commends to be the “hope in these dark times.” The Dean sends his unwavering support to those who didn’t make it. He continues to believe in them. “Above anything else, before any title and accolade, you are first and foremost a human being, a citizen of the Philippines, a Bedan. Carry on this hard and uncertain life with kindness, humility and hopefulness. Always,” he reminded.
The bar topnotcher extended her gratitude to the SBCA-SOL community for preparing and molding her into who she is today. Truly, she exudes the Bedan trait of humility for acknowledging the professors under whose wings she has undergone the study of the law. She also urges this year’s barristers, given the circumstances, to train themselves to study and use this “opportunity” to prepare better for the exams.
Dawna’s triumph brings honor to San Beda. Her success is shared as well by her family and friends that have been supporting and motivating her along the way. In a time of crisis, her achievement is a splendid reminder to every law student that success entails acceptance and resilience—that it does not come easily, but is reserved to those who are steadfast in attaining one’s goal despite the pain of failure. Her advice speaks much of her exemplary attitude: “What we can do is to change our perspective in things that we can control. Our country needs more good lawyers to help it serve its citizens.”
For San Beda, our country and God.◾