Bar Ooops

I had just witnessed how much pressure law students have to overcome to become lawyers.

The Philippine Bar Exam is said to be the most difficult of all licensure exams in the Philippines: four Sundays of September covering eight law subjects. Torture best describes the mixed feelings of anxiety, mental and physical stress, and lots of pressure. Just to give you an idea, the passing rates of these exams the past years are as follows: 1999-16.6%, 2000-20.9%, 2001-32.9%, 2002-19.7%, 2003-20.7%, 2004-31.6%, 2005-27.2%. Based on these numbers, it is safe to say that for every 4 law graduates, only 1 gets to be a lawyer. This year, more than 6000 hopefuls took the exams. That means to say around 1500 will become lawyers when the results come in sometime in March next year.

As a part of the Silliman University Bar Operations Club, I came to Manila to help our own barristers in whatever possible way. We were tasked to attend to their needs for the entire last weekend. Even though I was the only freshman in the group, the experience was one to remember, and one that would stick in my mind for the next four years.

The good thing about being there was to witness how the different barristers react to all the hype. I was here for the last Sunday but still the pressure was at a high level.

We woke up early that Sunday morning, before 4 AM, to make the necessary last-minute preparations. In a few hours time, the barristers will be back at La Salle Taft (where the exams are held).

We waited for our barristers at the Manila Pavilion Hotel (where the SU group were housed) lobby. As each examinee from various law schools came down, I saw their facial expressions and reactions. Each school formed their own small groups, and although each group were wearing their own school uniforms, one thing was common: tension. There was one who was sobbing while another tried to calm her down. Another was looking confident, but then kept on walking back on forth the lobby. One was simply sitting down and staring blankly outside. Interestingly, one guy was excited, loudly letting the others know that this was finally the "last day".

Just before boarding the bus, our own examinees began handing me their cellphones, as if implying that they did not want to be disturbed.

As we were on our way to Taft Avenue, the traffic was increasing, but surrounding us were other similar buses and vehicles with barristers aboard. A few hundred meters from La Salle, we had to get down and walk the rest of the way. Thousands were at the area, mostly supporters and schoolmates of those who would be taking the exams. It was loud and noisy - numerous bands playing their school songs, others simply screaming and shouting.

Everywhere you look you see streamers, posters, and banners showing support to the takers. There was some pushing and shoving, trying to get a better view of the main gate where each barrister got in one by one. I was able to get a spot at the island in the middle of Taft Avenue. I saw each barrister get in, many accompanied by some cheers from supporters. As they lined up, you see some panicking, doing some last minute reviews. Some were praying for divine help.

There was even one who looked as though he was about to puke. I can't blame him. I was a mere spectator - yet I never felt as nervous as I was feeling that time.

One important thing a barrister should have is mental toughness. One had to experience that kind of hype each of the four Sundays. If you're not strong enough - physically or mentally, it's almost a sure thing that you'd fail. There's no room for getting sick. It is said that people who were suffering from illness had no other choice but to take the exam. One reportedly carried with him a dextrous bottle as he took the exam. Some couldn't make it through the whole time. They could faint either due to the overwhelming stress or nervousness, or simply give up and hope for a better one the next year.

As they were all in, the gates were closed and the clock started ticking. We, on the other hand, went to our HQ - the 2nd floor of Chowking just across the street. There we met with other Sillimanian lawyers, young professionals and other loyal alumni in Manila who showed their tremendous support.

Just before lunch time, we, as well as others from different schools, took our positions. We brought with us all the kinds of food the barristers had requested - ranging from KFC chicken to Starbucks coffee to energy drinks.

Still a few hours later, as the afternoon was ending, the crowd piled up again. They came in all forces, as they await their friends and schoolmates. Again, there were bands and music all over. It was much like a big street party stretching for almost a kilometer along Taft Avenue. Each school had its own gimmick. It was even rumored that a female version of the oblation run (people who run naked) may take place. There was drinking, dancing, and shouting. Things almost turned ugly when two fraternities got into a commotion.

Then, finally, the first examinee came out of the gate - to the cheers of his school mates and friends. One by one they came out. Excitement was in the air as sounds of drums and trumpets were heard each time one would come out. As I saw all this, I began thinking... 1 out of 4... hmmm... and randomly tried to predict which of every 4 examinees passed. Since those were the odds of passing, I figured luck could indeed be a factor. Then I thought of myself. Hopefully, four years from now, I would also be one of those who would be coming out of those same gates. And even more hopefully, I would have all the luck I would need.

When everyone was out of the building, suddenly, around 10 black and darkly-tinted vans came out swiftly. These probably contained the exam booklets, to be transferred for safe-keeping. In a few months from now, examiners will start checking them. And in March, 2007, we will know exactly who those lucky 25% are.

Hail to the Chief!

The highest-ranking judge in the country visited the SU College of Law recently. He is none other the the Chief Justice himself, Justice Artemio V. Panganiban. He is the top official of the Judiciary, one of the 3 co-equal branches of our government. It is a basic law principle that decisions of the Supreme Court form part of the legal system of the land. Thus, whatever the Supreme Court says becomes our law. And there he was, the head of the Supreme Court, speaking before us. Logically, it would seem to follow that words that come out from Panganiban's mouth become our law. Absurd as it was, in some ways, that's just how it felt rubbing shoulders with a powerful Filipino. He was like King Midas. But this time, it was whatever he said which turned into gold.

Aspiring lawyers as we were, the scene was like basketball fans meeting Michael Jordan. We got his autograph and had our photos taken with him. He was a celebrity which people outside the field of law didn't even know.

The Supreme Court, and more specifically Chief Justice Panganiban, has gained much popularity the past several months because of the handful of landmark cases it had handled, especially the political cases which saw the highest tribunal go against the president herself. This series of historical decisions proved the independence of the Judiciary as it has never shirked away from the responsibility of settling controversial issues in our government. As they say, the Supreme Court (and perhaps the Senate, too) is the last bulwark of democracy.

It was the Dr. Jovito R. Salonga Center of Law and Development of the Silliman University College of Law which had invited him to the university. And for the center's inaugural lecture, It was the Chief Justice himself who spoke about "Access to Justice" in general and basically talked more about the programs he has initiated in the Supreme Court.

During the lecture, Chief Justice Panganiban kept on declaring that "Silliman University is the best law school in the country." Everyone knew that he was just kidding and that he was just trying to please the audience. At first it was funny, but he kept on repeating that "joke" that it became annoying for everyone who attended the lecture. It came to a point when it sounded sarcastic and insulting. In fact, he made it sound that Silliman was even worse than it's current number 8 rank (out of a hundred or so law schools) in the country.

If you look at the funny side of it, since that declaration was made by the Chief Justice himself, then it should be true, since whatever he says becomes a law. We all know SU is still far from being one of the top schools in the country, but much has been done to steer the school in that direction. Hopefully, some day, saying that "Silliman University is the best law school in the country" won't sound that funny anymore.

The Magician does it again!

“The Magician” has done it again. Filipino cue artist Efren Reyes, pool’s most feared player, won a historic half-a-million dollars in the International Pool Tour’s World 8-Ball Open in Reno, Nevada, USA. He has an uncanny knack for winning big money events.

Early in his career, Reyes defeated American Earl Strickland in a $100,000 winner-take-all “Color of Money” 9-ball pool duel. He won the $60,000 World Pool Championship in 1999 when it shifted to its current format and broadcast worldwide. In 2001, he pocketed a then-record $160,000 as he won the Tokyo International 9-Ball Open. It’s amazing how he keeps on getting better as he grows older. Sure, there were some problems with his deteriorating eyesight. But this was resolved when he had a laser eye surgery last year. Since the operation, he is on a tear in the pool world. It was as if he was reborn. In December last year, Reyes beat Mike Sigel in the finals en route to a $200,000 triumph in the IPT King of the Hill in Orlando, Florida. This year, he has once again dominated the Asian 9-Ball Tour. He has bagged top honors in the 2006 San Miguel Beer Asian 9-Ball Tour by winning the Jakarta and Vietnam legs (the other two legs were won by Filipinos also). And finally, about a month ago, Reyes combined with buddy Django Bustamante as Team Philippines defeated Team USA (Strickland and Rodney Morris) in the inaugural staging of the PartyPoker.com World Cup of Pool. The two kumpadres split the first place prize of $60,000. As Reyes correctly observes, “It’s funny that every time there is a new big tournament, I win it.”

And then there was yesterday. The pool world saw the richest purse in its history in the $3 Million IPT World 8-Ball Open. The winner would take home a record $500,000. Reyes met Morris in the Finals for a showdown between two survivors from a starting field of 200 players representing 27 countries. It was an error-filled pressure-packed finale. In fact, the final match saw a combined 10 dry breaks and which saw neither player ever able to gain any momentum. For one, Morris seemed to be real shaken. His normally reliable break abandoned him when he needed it most, scratching three times on the snap to hand Reyes easy run outs. The Filipino icon, on the other hand, was far from the player pool fans used to seeing as his position play kept him in trouble in some stretch of the match. He later admitted that his nerves made his arm feel "strange" and he just could not control the cue ball. "I missed two eight balls, I think, but they were both corner pockets. It made me feel nervous — when I’m shooting that, I’m shaking a little bit. That’s why I missed those two eights," said Reyes in Filipino. But overall, it was Morris who crumbled. "Di ko rin talaga malaman kung bakit ako ang nanalo dito," said Reyes in jest in a TV interview, humbling himself even after he had humbled the best in world pool. In the end, Reyes didn’t have to dish out a perfect game to dispose of Morris and win the biggest purse offered in the sport.

Trailing 2-4 at the start, the man known in the world of pool as “The Magician” elevated his game to win six of the last eight racks. After exchanging dry breaks and splitting the next four racks, the score was tied at 4-4. Reyes had changed his break-cue shaft while sitting in his chair, next to cornerman Santos Sambajon, and in the next rack, he shot with a slow-medium speed, with only two balls rolling beyond the side pockets. Morris wasn't daunted by the dense clump, and ran out as fans yelled "Rocket!" "Alriiight!" He answered their support with another scratch on the break, and soon the score was tied again, 5-5. Efren broke dry, but Morris was foiled by a trouble ball again, as the 5 was locked up near the side pocket, and he missed the 6 trying to free it up. Reyes had a difficult layout as well, but managed to run out, nudging the ball before the 8 into the daunting black ball to attain perfect position. At 6-5, Reyes had his first successful break, pocketing one ball. Three balls in, his errant cue ball acted up again, and he looked to the sky for answers as he worked his way through a series of bad lays. Once again, it caught up to him at the 8, and "Bata" botched it again in the corner pocket. Morris played a masterful safe, and Reyes fouled, hitting a stripe before the 8, though he was able to miraculously pocket the 8 and the crowd went berserk! The score was tied again at 6-6, and a race-to-2 would determine the winner of $500,000. The pressure penetrated Morris' focus, and once again, he scratched on the break. You could see the relief in Reyes, as he masterfully ran out the rack to get on the hill. In the final rack, he rose above his previous breaking problems, and connected perfectly, knocking one in. His one problem ball, the 6, he confidently stroked left-handed, kissing the 13 as it fell into the corner pocket. The crowd could feel the end was near, and the murmurs grew into a frenzy as he pocketed the final 8.

Once again, Efren Reyes has made me proud to be a Filipino.

9/11 Remembered

All of us have our own 9/11 stories. I was a college sophomore then when the attack on the twin towers happened. I recall that we were taking an accounting examination at the cyberlib section of the main library of Silliman University. It was about 8 PM or so when I finished the exam and went straight home. When I got home, everyone was glued onto the TV screen. Apparently, there had been an air mishap as a plane hit one of the World Trade Center towers. It was incredibly eerie. How could such a tragedy happen? Later on, we were shocked both in grief and horror as another plane crashed into the other tower. Then another crashed on the Pentagon. The drama and disaster was unfolding before our very eyes. Then another plane that was reportedly on its way to the White House, crashed on a field. It was clearly a terrorist attack.

As several floors of both towers were burning, panic was all over the streets. You can see papers and documents and other debris "flying out" of the buildings. Some of these stuff were actually people who had no choice but to jump off from their windows. It was really horrific. Then the towers came crumbling down while the whole of New York was seemingly covered in smoke and ash. Those amazing (in a bad way) series of events will forever be etched in my memory.

I can't believe it has been 5 years. A lot of things happened since then. Things were discovered and some questions were answered. I've watched numerous documentaries on this, from National Geographic Specials to Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 911. Apparently, the tragedy would have been avoided if US officials (especially Pres. Bush) were paid more attention to intelligence reports.

Anyway, as I recall the events of 9/11, here are some cool before and after images of the tragedy which I found on the Internet:

Ave Maria!

Much like former tennis hottie Anna Kournikova, Maria Sharapova (also a Russian) looks more like a model than an athlete. She's tall, skinny, and glamorous. But unlike Kournikova, Sharapova's got game as she once held the no. 1 ranking and is currently no. 3. Not only was she named the hottest female athlete in the world for the fourth consecutive year by Maxim. But she is also now a multiple Grand Slam winner. So, she's got the looks. She's got the game. What does this mean? Maria Sharapova is the world's highest-paid female athlete.

I'm not a big fan of tennis, but when tennis look this good it's definitely worth watching. Thus, I woke up this morning to watch the US Open final between Sharapova and Justine Henin-Hardene. While Henin-Hardenne sported a more traditional tennis attire topped by a white ballcap, Sharapova wore her night-match outfit, similar to a black cocktail dress, accessorized with silver shoes and dangling earrings. According to reports, the look is inspired by "Breakfast at Tiffany's," but the guess here is Audrey Hepburn never had a sponsor's swoosh on her outfit.

Throughout the match, Sharapova was serving magnificently (with 5 aces). And of course, you also hear those trademark shrieks. In the end, the 19-year-old dominated the match to win 6-4, 6-4 and claim her second Grand Slam title of her career (her first was is Wimbledon when she was still 17).

Although she looked like a well-seasoned athlete as she dominated the match, signs of her being a teenager were visible after the match. Sharapova dropped to her knees and covered her face, then rose and trotted to shake hands. Then Sharapova hopped up and down, looking for the first time all night like any other teen. Sharapova screamed and leapt in delight before heading into the stands to hug her father, Yuri. And when she was handed the US Open trophy, she was so excited that the lid actually fell off.

Then she declared during the interview that she was "so happy it's here in New York in my favourite city in the world." After all, her glamour perfectly fit New York City and the most popular TV ad at that time was her "I feel pretty!" Nike ads. In the commercial, that tune is sung by various people as Sharapova walks out onto court. The punch line: Sharapova swings her racket and lets out one of her trademark shrieks.

Even though Sharapova earned $1.7 million with her victory, she makes far more from endorsement deals than prize money.

She insists she's more substance than style. "I've been pretty good in the past balancing my time with my sponsors with my tennis, because I know my priority," Sharapova said in an interview two weeks ago. "At the end of the day, what I love doing is competing, and that's where my heart is at, on center court."

Basketball TV

Last October 1, a new cable channel was launched - Basketball TV. And as the name says, it's all about basketball, all day, all night, 24/7. The channel is brought to you by Solar Entertainment - the same company that introduced Solar Sports and Sports Plus. Well, actually, Sports Plus was replaced by Basketball TV, while all the basketball shows and programs from Solar Sports were transfered to Basketball TV.

Thus, what we have now are two sports channels - Basketball TV and Solar Sports. The latter covering almost all basketball tournaments to cater to the Filipino basketball fanatic such as the NBA, the recently concluded World Championships, the US NCAA, and others. All the other sports will be shown in Solar Sports. By the way, a very good addition to the Solar Sports list of programs is live Primera Liga (Spanish Football League) matches every Monday.

Another good reason to watch tv!

The Dream Ends

Another big disappointment for USA basketball. After suffering failures in the last two major basketball tournaments, the 2002 World Basketball Championships and the 2004 Olympics, USA Basketball had high hopes as they assembled a new team and a new program for the 2006 World Basketball Championships. However, the end result was all too familiar. Another dream ends for the "Dream Team"

Greece used a sizzling stretch of shooting across the middle two quarters to turn a 12-point deficit into a 14-point lead, and beat the Americans 101-95 Friday in the semifinals of the world championships. "To lose any game is a shock to us," U.S. star Carmelo Anthony said. "We came in with the mentality to win the game and the gold medal." Done in again by their inept 3-point shooting and they weren't much better from the foul line the Americans will fall short of a championship in a major international tournament for the third straight time since winning gold at the 2000 Olympics.

Interestingly, the Greeks had no current NBA players on their roster. It just proves how much the rest of the world has caught up (and even surpassed) with the United States. Basketball is a team sport. And the better team always prevails. Sure, USA had NBA superstars like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Carmelo Anthony. But as a team, they sure sucked. Basketball at this level is more than just athleticism and entertainment. It's about playing together. Before the game started, during the warm-ups, the US superstars were pleasing the crowd with high-flying warm-up dunks, while at the opposite side, the Greeks were doing their business, performing some drills and shooting some freethrows.

If only the US team knew. They should have practiced their outside shots more instead of do those acrobatic dunks. During the game, they weren't able to overcome their 32 percent shooting from 3-point range or 59 percent from the foul line. Dwyane Wade added 19 and LeBron James had 17, but the three U.S. captains were unable to make up for their disappointment from Athens. As the Greek coach said it best, "Basketball is not just about dribbling and shooting."

For the US team, it's back to the drawing board. They'll have to wait a couple more years to reclaim past glory. Changes have to be made.