Wearing of red undies, throwing of reviewers, and other Bar exam superstitions that successful lawyers observed
For aspiring lawyers in the Philippines, September is a month filled with anxiety and anticipation. It's the season of the Bar Examinations, a grueling three-day test that determines the country's next generation of legal professionals.
While review and countless hours of study are essential, many examinees also turn to a variety of beliefs and traditions to bolster their chances of success.
From burning the midnight oil to wearing red underwear, examinees subscribe to certain beliefs and traditions to boost their chances of passing the Bar.
PhilSTAR L!fe asked successful lawyers what beliefs and traditions they followed during their anxiety-ridden days of taking the Bar.
Wear red
In Chinese culture, wearing an article of clothing in red is said to ward off evil spirits and attract luck. This goes the same for Atty. Mikhail Rollan of Solar Philippines, Atty. Hyacinth Merioles of Ajero Law Office and Balajadia Law Offices, and Atty. Bella Toledo of Sy & Partners.
"Siguro 'yung superstition na pinaniwalaan ko ay 'yung pagsuot ng red underwear, dahil red symbolizes luck," said Rollan.
Atty. MJ Bautista, who works at Manalo and Valenton Law Offices, said he wore red socks, too.
For Atty. Lorenzo Luigi Gayya of DivinaLaw, wearing clothes "considered as lucky during the Bar Exams," but said that "some of them were ill-fitting and uncomfortable."
Throw reading materials after exam
Another superstition is throwing reading materials, pens, and notes after the exam at the site. "Para hindi mo na raw balikan ang pagre-review for the Bar," added Rollan.
For Atty. Jefferson Legado, he threw everything right after the exam day. "It's so that when I get home, I don’t have anything with me that would remind me of the exam that I just took and would focus on the next subject."
Don't look back
Some lawyers like Merioles and Toledo believe that you should never look back once you enter the exam site.
Toledo also said: "Dire-diretso maglakad palabas after ng last day, bawal lumingon."
Eat 'lucky food'
Bautista believes that eating chicken can bring good luck on the exam, as 'chicken' is a term for something easy. However, she said eating eggs should be avoided "para hindi 'mangitlog' 'yung score mo."
Pray the Novena, have materials blessed
When Atty. Carlo John Pascual took the Bar in 2014, back when exams were not yet digitized, he had his pens blessed in a church.
Meanwhile, as a devout Catholic, Merioles recited a Novena to Padre Pio every night until the final day of her Bar exam.
"I prayed for good health to successfully hurdle the Bar exam and become a lawyer," she said.
Atty. Katrina Gaw of the Macro Group of Companies and Atty. Mike Sollano of the Senate, on the other hand, went on a pilgrimage to Our Lady of Manaoag. Gaw lit a candle and prayed for positive results.
"If you passed, you also had to go back and attend mass in gratitude," Gaw said.
Atty. MJ Bautista went to St. Jude Shrine to pray for guidance, and Gayya believes that prayers always make a difference.
"I recognize now, and even then, that these actions may not have been healthy. The one practice I do stand by, however, is praying, which I believe made a real difference—though it’s not a superstition. That said, it’s important to note that no belief or superstition can ever replace adequate preparation," said Gayya.
Other beliefs
Bautista of Manalo and Valenton Law Offices believes in placing review materials under her pillow before sleeping.
Toledo has a unique ritual of kicking her chair on the last day of the exam, while Gayya shares a similar superstition of hoarding random items, believing they bring good luck. Additionally, Toledo believes that touching the laptop used for the exam can help more lawyers pass in one take.
If Bar exams were held at UST, a common belief was to only pass under the Arc of the Century after the last Sunday, according to Sollano.
