This year, 6,344 law graduates from 100 Philippine law schools took the 100-year-old plus Bar exams. Now that the 2006 Bar exams are over and as the day of the release of the results approaches, the mental torture is going to get worse. In my experience, the first time I felt God’s presence was when I took the bar exams. That was the first time I had nightmares, waking up at dawn drenched in sweat. That was the first time I went to church, alone, in the middle of the night. That was the first time my tears fell while praying. I felt guilty of asking for anything because I forgot Him in happier times. Yet, I really have no one to turn to; He is my refuge and I have to ask for strength to go on. More suggestions on how to deal with the waiting game at the Forum.

Update (21 March 2007): I was pleasantly surprised to see an increase of comments here. I guess this is because of the persistent “rumor” that the bar results will be released tomorrow, 22 March 2007. This, of course, adds to the agony of waiting. But, guys, relax (if that’s possible). Take this week to get some rest. Go to a retreat. Continue working. Get a vacation. My crystal ball says that the results won’t be released this week. My crystal ball also favors odd (as opposed to “even”) dates next week. Maybe my crystal ball will be kind enough to give updates. =) Good luck and God bless to everyone.

Update (22 March 2007): Back when I had more hair and lower blood pressure, we had at least 2 major false alarms, or shall I say “kuryente”, while waiting for the bar results. Each time, the four of us underbar associates (3 UP, 1 Ateneo) would gather in one of our rooms, gather in a circle, and take turns saying a prayer. Of course, some partners and senior associates would know because we would all quietly vanish in a locked room, the window blinds shut, with an instruction to our secretaries not to be disturbed. Then we’ll learn that it’s a false alarm. After a while, we (at least I), stopped caring exactly when the results would come out. I guess you eventually get tired of waiting. You just want the torture to end. Wait, sorry I got carried away =) All I want to say is this: For the sake of sanity (of everyone waiting), no, the results won’t be released tomorrow (Friday).

Update (23 March 2007): The electronic copy of the official results is, of course, posted at the Supreme Court website. Given the flow of things, the electronic posting would come BEFORE the hard copy is posted outside the Supreme Court complex along Padre Faura. There’s a little problem, something I’m sure the tech people at SC had addressed already – the SC website is heavily swamped on the day of the release of the results. In other words, you may have a hard time checking the website. We’ll try to mirror the results here or at the Forum. By the way, as mentioned before, J-Day is not today.

Update (24 March 2007): I believe everybody knows about the petition of Satur Ocampo pending with the Supreme Court, although not everybody knows that it’s scheduled for oral arguments on March 30. The SC will have its hands full, so to speak, and will get less time to tackle the bar results prior to that date. So, according to my crystal ball, our future lawyers have to extend their period of “reflection” until April 2-4. (By the way, thanks to Mish for the splendid performance of our free server. I hope it continues that way so we can continue providing updates.)

Update (27 March 2007): I’m thinking not to call this an “update”, because there’s nothing “new” to say. Anyway, my crystal ball is not saying anything. This means that the last update still holds true.

Update (28 March 2007): C’mon, folks, it’s not gonna be tomorrow, and it’s not gonna be Friday. J-Day is next week. If I’m wrong, then I have to make dagok my crystal ball =) Is 3 a good number?

See the Top Ten and complete list of passers here.

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