The Voice-Over, the Voices Behind,
and the Voice Within:
A Send-Off to the 2008 Bar-takers


“And now I wonder why the passing rate for the Bar exams lowers every year, considering how technology is supposed to make things easier. Imagine, during our time, we never had those audio codals. We read the original texts of the law and jurisprudence. Read and read until it hurts... And even with human frailty and without the convenience of technology, our batch managed to have a high passing rate in the Bar exams. You, young people, have everything. And yet, and yet... So, who gets the blame – technology or you?”


I don’t think these words gave someone, who is to take the bar in the next weeks, the much-needed boost; much so, if they were spoken by a seasoned lawyer, to whom that barrister[1] looks up to.


In a recent lunch with The Barrister, the conversation took off from how the audio codals have been of great help during review. And trying to veer away from the “pressure talk” on the upcoming exams, and not having tried using audio codals, herself, The Law Student found the topic apt and interesting. The Barrister claims that for the last weeks, these sound recordings of the provisions of law have been a constant companion. The codal provisions were like music to The Barrister's ears.

After asking to be pardoned for not knowing what audio codals are, The Seasoned Lawyer integrated himself into the exchange while The Barrister and The Law Student explained how all the laws fit in iPod, as well as how this review aid awaken a sense often neglected, and puts to rest a sense frequently abused, during castaway bar reviews.

The conversation ensued as to how popular audio codals have become. That in most discussion threads among bar-takers, audio-codals are sought-after. That in Law Schools’ Bar Operations, audio codal sales are fund-raisers.[2] And that even in an article written by Chief Justice Panganiban, where the 1960 Bar Sixth-Placer quoted the words of topnotchers Atty. Arlene Maneja[3], Atty. Joan de Venecia[4], and Atty. Mercedita Ona[5], one of the tips was to “Listen to audio codals when you travel.”[6]

The Seasoned Lawyer’s apparent amusement over modern technology slowly faded. It was then that he blurted out his so-who-gets-the-blame question. As if not enough pressure then floated in the air, The Seasoned Lawyer asked if listening to these voice-overs has a great deal to do with passing the Bar exams. “Do these audio codals help make lawyers?” To which, The Barrister and The Law Student gave no definite replies.

Later, in a reply sent by The Law Student to The Barrister, “I’m not sure either how much of a help the voice-overs are. I’m definite, though, that there will be voices rallying behind you, cheering you on. Maybe that fact will somehow help make you a lawyer.”


As an afterthought, maybe, it’s really neither the voice-overs nor the voices behind the bar-takers that “make lawyers” (quoting the Seasoned Lawyer). It’s those, coupled with the voice within, that heart to make it, that maketh the barrister a lawyer.


And while you, guys and girls, muster the heart and strength to hurdle the Bar, be assured that we are cheering you on.



(for the week 17 to 23 August 2008)
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[1] A term locally used to refer to people who are taking the bar. In reality, though, “The barrister is a lawyer who has been admitted to "plead at the bar." That means that he or she has been called to the bar by the "benchers" of one of the four Inns of Court (Middle Temple, Inner Temple, Gray’s Inn and Lincoln's Inn) and, subject to pupilage requirements, is allowed to appear in court to argue a client's case. Prerequisites to call include attaining a second-class honours degree, attending the Inns of Court School of Law, or other validated Bar Vocational Course provider, for a one year term and passing the "bar final" exams. The call is followed by a one-year pupilage in chambers, where the novice lawyer benefits from association and attendance at court with an experienced barrister.” (http://www.carrow.com/barris.html)
[2] http://upbarops.com/finance.htm
[3] 2002 Bar Topnotcher, University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law graduate
[4] 2005 Bar Topnotcher, University of the Philippines College of Law graduate
[5] 2007 Bar Topnotcher, Ateneo de Manila University College of Law graduate
[6] Panganiban, Artemio V. “CJ Panganiban: How to Pass, Nay, Top the Bar Exams”, With Due Respect, The Philippine Daily Inquirer, 19 April 2008.