By WILLARD CHENG

ABS-CBN News

Mercedita "Menchie" Ona chose not to go to the Supreme Court in Padre Faura to check the results of the bar examinations herself. She instead spent two hours in a church near their village in Quezon City. "Kinakabahan kasi talaga ako," 27 year-old Ateneo Law graduate told ABS-CBN News in her first television interview after landing at the top of the bar exams.

But the results did not come as expected at lunch time Saturday. And her agony of waiting had to be extended for another four hours as the Supreme Court postponed the release of the results until 4 pm.

At home, she finally received a text message from a friend with her name written ahead of nine other examinees. "Akala ko alphabetical list of successful bar examinees. Nag-reply lang ako ng thank you. Then, she called, 'that's the top ten na.' Sabi ko, 'Ha talaga? Hindi pa ako makapaniwala. She gave me a caveat. Sabi niya that's from certain school so hindi pa siya official."

Mercedita "Menchie" Ona, 27 year-old Ateneo Law graduate, 2007 bar exams topnotcher

"It can happen pala"

Menchie dismissed the text until another batchmate who was at the Supreme Court called her, congratulating her for topping the bar.

"Doon na ako naniwala, dahil lumabas na," Menchie said, "Umiyak na ako tapos umiyak na rin sila tapos sigaw ng sigaw," referring to her siblings at home watching the news from television. Her older sister, Rowena who is a medical doctor, described best the euphoria that everyone felt, "Sa sobrang saya, feeling ko ako ‘yong nag-top ng bar."

Menchie said she was only hoping to pass the bar, possibly land in the top ten, but not top it. The exams, she said, was difficult enough for her not to be too optimistic.

"Sobrang sarap ng feeling, actually I cannot describe it. Parang lumulutang pa rin kanina. Sabi ko, 'Ay it can happen pala.' It is possible na mag-top ako ng bar."

Menchie is one of the four Ateneans who landed in the top ten. Two others, third-placer Yvanna Maalat and seventh-placer Cecille Mejia, are from Ateneo de Manila, and one, ninth-placer Ruby Luy, is from Ateneo de Davao.

Menchie with ABS-CBN reporter Willard Cheng in her first television interview after topping the bar

Only half days on Saturdays to relax

To prepare for the bar, Menchie studied for "six and half days a week" from March last year (after graduating from law school) to September (the month she took the exams).

"That's Monday to Friday, Saturday is half day, then Sunday again. I had a stop watch, dapat at least seven to nine hours a day 'yong pag aaral." Half days on Saturdays meant she could relax by going out with her boyfriend Carlo or watching movies with her family. (Incidentally, Carlo has a brother who also passed the bar this year).

But while studying for the bar, she had to battle her recurring migraine. To manage it, she had to prevent herself from getting hungry. "Talaga dapat i-manage 'yung stress. Once nag-attack ‘yong migraine tuloy-tuloy na siya. The whole day hindi na ako makakaaral, even the next day. I have to eat every three hours dahil bawal magutom kapag may migraine."

Novena in all churches

And of course, prayed she did. "I always pray for strength and perseverace." After taking the bar, she prayed the novena, lifting everything to God. "Doon na talaga ako nag novena. Wala na akong magagawa e. You need divine intervention na at that point na hindi mo na control. So nag novena ako kay Mama Mary, Quiapo, St Jude, Manaoag. Lahat na para sigurado."

One time, she dreamt a certain Merceditas Ona passed the bar although with a different initial. "Iniisip ko na lang na dreams daw kabaligtaran. So papasa ako, yun na lang iniisip ko. Sabi ng Mommy ko pag may pangit kang dream, huwag mo ikuwento. So, hindi ko kinuwento. Ngayon ko lang kinuwento."

Associate then maybe partner someday

Since January, Menchie has been working as a legal assistant at Sycip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan, the largest law firm in the country. After passing the bar, she now becomes an associate. Menchie says she plans to stay with Sycip, even if she would be given offers by more law firms, now that she has topped the bar. Her plans now are for the short term, hoping to become a partner someday, thinking of specializing in corporate law. She says he has no plans to enter politics, like what a number of past bar topnotchers have become.

Menchie graduated third overall in her batch in Ateneo Law School. She was an honor student since elementary, graduating cum laude in the University of the Philippines with the course of Business Administration and Accountancy. Menchie is also a certified public accountant. Menchie reveals she applied to study law in UP but she was not accepted. She found a home instead at the Ateneo Law School.

Menchie credits having a strong support group as also a key ingredient in her success. She thanks God, her parents, eight siblings, her boyfriend Carlo and her friends, especially classmates from her Ateneo Law 4-B class.

Proud parents

Rodolfo, a frustrated lawyer, and Evelyn, proud parents of Menchie Menchie is the second among nine siblings.

Menchie's mother, Evelyn, says her elder daughters never depended on a tutor. Menchie found self-studying more effective. This way, she worked according to her pace. Menchie's father, Rodolfo, says they never put pressure on their children. The family is supportive of Menchie's decision to pursue law.

Parents Rodolfo and Evelyn described Menchie's latest feat as a "pleasant surprise," beyond an answered prayer. Mother Evelyn particularly prayed for her daughter to land in the top ten.

Rodolfo was in San Jose, Batangas tending to his farm business when he received the news. He would not believe it when first reached by his wife. He finally got the confirmation from a published news report in the Internet. Rodolfo describes himself as a "frustrated lawyer," having studied law for two years at the Lyceum but had to stop.

With her daughter not only becoming a lawyer herself but also topping what is considered as the toughest licensure examinations in the country, Rodolfo could not describe how proud he is of Menchie. "Hindi ko ma-measure kung gaano ako ka proud bilang father ni Mercedita. Hindi ko ma-express ang feeling ko na sobrang saya dahil yung dati nag-aspire din akong maging lawyer. Ngayon siya na ang nagtupad. Natupad na rin ang pangarap ko kahit di sa sarili ko, sa anak ko na lang."

Menchie is the second among nine siblings, seen here with father Rodolfo and mother Evelyn on the night after the bar exam results were released

After learning of the good news, Rodolfo immediately left for Manila to join and share his happiness with Menchie and the family.

Tears welled up in the eyes of Menchie's mother Evelyn when asked how she felt after receiving the news. "Labis labis ang pasasalamat ko sa Diyos na top one siya, Talagang napakasaya namin. Sobrang saya hindi maipaliwanang. I am very proud, We are very proud, kaming buong pamilya."

Top ten 2007 bar exams passers
List of 2007 Bar Examinations passers