How setbacks pushed this former delivery rider to become a 2025 Bar topnotcher
After being dismissed from military school and working as a delivery rider, Ronald Vincent Gonzales took the long road to success. Though he was never an honor student, he refused to let his past define his potential. Today, he is a 2025 Bar topnotcher.
Out of 5,594 passers, Gonzales, 27, ranked 20th, with his passing score of 89.31. Speaking to PhilSTAR L!fe, he said it was his dream to become a lawyer since he was a child, but he didn't think he could do it, saying he felt discouraged as he was never on the honors list.
"Kahit noong nasa law school ako, wala rin po akong natatanggap na honors. So medyo parang pinanghinaan ng loob kasi sa tingin ko, parang hindi ko po kaya mag law school," he said.
Detours going to the Bar
After high school, Gonzales entered the Philippine Military Academy with the Class of 2020. However, his stay lasted only a year; he was dismissed as a cadet following a rule violation, cutting his military aspirations short.
At the time, Gonzales brought food to his barracks, a violation for which he did not take responsibility, and was consequently charged with dishonesty.
He admitted that he became disheartened at the time over his unfulfilled childhood dream.
"Nung time na na-dismiss ako, ilang buwan din ako na-depress. Pero eventually, narealize ko na siguro hindi po talaga para sa akin yung aking childhood dream na maging sundalo. Siguro may iba pong course ang Panginoon para sa akin. Ito nga po, ang pag-aabogasiya," he added.
Courtesy of Ronald Vincent Gonzales
Despite this, he attributed his discipline to PMA, which he applied throughout his preparations for the Bar.
"Sobra po ako nagpapasalamat sa kanila. Dahil sa kanila po nanggaling ang aking discipline sa sarili. Kung paano at bakit po ako narito ngayon ay marahil dahil din po sa kanila," he said. "Naging inspiration ko po ito, naging fuel ko po ito, upang mag-alab ang aking desire na maging abogado."
During this period, he also worked as a delivery rider to earn his own income and support his personal needs.
After being dismissed, Gonzales decided to enroll at a state college so as not to burden his parents with expenses. He joined the Philippine State College of Aeronautics, where he completed a course in Aircraft Maintenance Technology.
Gearing up for the Bar
The 27-year-old topnotcher, who graduated from the University of the East College of Law, maintained a rigid schedule leading up to the Bar. He dedicated his mornings and afternoons to deep study, punctuated only by short breaks and a midday nap. When his brain reached its limit at 7 p.m., he switched to "passive learning"—running on a treadmill for two hours while listening to video lectures before heading to bed by 11 p.m.
"Meron lang ako isang break kada sampung araw. Nung time po kasi namin, very limited ang pagre-review talaga. Ang time para mag-review nasa three to four months lang. So talagang kailangan pagkasyahin, kailangan minimize ang break period," he said.
Although he's "locked down" in his condo, Gonzales made sure to find time for his family and attend masses during his break.
"Talagang nag-sacrifice po ako ng time with my family. Pero hindi po ako nakakalimot sa Panginoon. Lagi po nagdadasal, and then I always attend Sunday masses. I never skipped it po talaga," he added.
Courtesy of Ronald Vincent Gonzales
Reviewing for and taking the Bar is a grueling process—not only because of the amount of material to study, but also due to the pressure, both internal and external, that comes with it. He credits his strength to his mom Suerte, his sister Regina, and his pet cat, who inspired and supported him throughout the journey.
"Kapag down na down po ako, hirap na hirap po ako sa law school, sila po yung aking naging support system," he said.
Talagang tiyaga lang po. Hindi naman lahat nadadaan natin sa talino. Minsan kailangan lang po talaga natin ang puso upang magpatuloy
Passion for public service
Gonzales briefly worked as a delivery rider for two months. Although it was short, the experience helped him be aware of the lives of the underprivileged.
"Imagine, ang init. And then, that time, wala pang Waze, wala pang Google Maps na maayos. Sobrang hirap. Sobrang init. Sobrang layo ng dinideliveran nila. Minsan makaka-meet ka ng customers na masungit, tapos minsan mamalasin ka pa na matitiketan ka sa daan. Minsan masisiraan pa yung motor mo, ma-flatan ka ng gulong," he continued.
After passing the bar, he will dedicate his career to helping the underprivileged by joining the Public Attorney's Office.
"Sila po yung talagang naging inspiration ko, upang magpatuloy," he tearfully said. "Kasi kapag itong mga taong ito kinasuhan mo, wala nga silang kalaban-laban. Wala nga silang pangkain e, pambayad pa po kaya ng abogado? Kaya yun po talaga ang naging motivation para sa akin," he added.
Gonzales' victory at this year's Bar was years in the making. His journey included detours—from self-doubt and an unfulfilled military dream to ultimately pursuing law—which shaped him into the lawyer he aspired to be. Through it all, he kept one thing in mind: he must keep going.
"Sa mga aspiring lawyers huwag kayong panghinaan ng loob," he said.
"Sana maging motivation 'yun sa kanila na kahit medyo mahina sila sa academics, maaari pa rin silang mag-excel sa law school and maging abogado eventually. Talagang tiyaga lang po. Hindi naman lahat nadadaan natin sa talino. Minsan kailangan lang po talaga natin ang puso upang magpatuloy, upang sipagan ng ating pag-aaral," he added.
