Probinsyano tales

Egay Uy

I HARDLY remember now how thrilled I was every time I went out of the examination venue at the MLQ University in Quiapo for four grueling Sundays because, as a probinsyano, all I wanted to do was to go home to the boarding house inside UP Campus and forget the week that passed.  Then prepare for the next.

That was in 1985 when I took the bar examinations. Among those in my batch from the XU College of Law were Monching Tabor, Canz Guibone, Sid Lico, Alan del Bando(+), and several others who either made it their first try or in subsequent quests.

When I took the bar exams, I used to consume almost three packs of cigarettes each day during the first few months of the review. I always wanted to quit smoking then so I did my best to do so even during the review because I was afraid I would get sick away from home.

You may not believe it but on the day I decided to kick the habit, I immediately dropped it all. Focusing on the thick law books and mounds of handouts around me, I forgot about cigarettes just as soon.  That was in 1985. Now, I have been smoke-free for years.

But that is not the point of this story.  Juliet and I went to UST Manila last week to cheer for our son OJ who is taking the bar exams, to further boost his morale.  And I will have to do this every week in November.

The second week will be with our eldest son, Jeiu. I will be with our youngest, Jojo in the third week. Then Juliet and I will go during the fourth examination week.

As we were waiting for OJ at past five in the afternoon, people have already gathered along Espana in front of the UST campus. It was a sight that I did not want to see in 1985 lest I would get sentimental and lose my focus because I had nobody to cheer for me in person then. Now the feeling is different.

Looking at the parents, brods, sisters, friends, and the like, hug, greet, cheer on the bar examinees was euphoric. I could see in the eyes of the examinees as they were greeted outside the UST gate that they had that kind of high I could not describe.

I did not experience those feelings when I took the bar 30 years ago. There were no airline promo fares then and it was a very expensive to fly to Manila so my wife Juliet had to pray each Sunday at Carmelites along with the spouses of those in my batch.  And their prayers were answered.

Now, it’s my turn to hope for the best and pray for the success of OJ and the rest of the bar examinees.