MANILA, Philippines – The 87-year-old aspiring lawyer who recently became viral was welcomed by the crowd with cheers and praises after the 4-day Bar examinations.
Retired Police Colonel Ibarra Mariano stepped out of the University of Santo Tomas a little past five o’clock in the afternoon on the last day of the Bar exams, November 25. During the Bar's traditional “Salubong”, where Bar takers are welcomed by their supporters and families, Mariano also had his share of cheers.
SEE ALSO: FULL RESULTS: November 2018 Philippine Bar Exam list of passers, top 20
Walking through a crowd of well-wishers, Mariano took the time to shake hands with a few supporters before going to meet his family. He is the oldest Bar exam taker this year.
Mariano, who is the patriarch to his five children, 16 grandchildren, and two great grandchildren, is hopeful that he will finally achieve his dream of being a lawyer.
He said, “I'll be very happy if God will give me the privilege to be a lawyer so I can serve people.”
Mariano shared his motivation to pursue being a lawyer despite his age, “It’s only this year that I decided, because I know lots of poor people who are denied equal protection of the law because of poverty. I want to help and that’s my vision in life.”
This is the retired police Colonel's second attempt in the Bar exam. Mariano graduated law school back in 1967. But his dream of becoming a lawyer got put on hold when he joined the Philippine Constabulary, now known as the Philippine National Police. His first attempt at the Bar exam was in 1995 and he just fell slightly short of the passing grade with a score of 70-percent.
The aspiring lawyer isn't giving up on his dreams. Mariano is hopeful that he can finally ace the Bar in his second attempt and shares how excited his family is. He said, “I think my family will be very happy if I pass.”
— Sally, The Summit Express
Retired Police Colonel Ibarra Mariano stepped out of the University of Santo Tomas a little past five o’clock in the afternoon on the last day of the Bar exams, November 25. During the Bar's traditional “Salubong”, where Bar takers are welcomed by their supporters and families, Mariano also had his share of cheers.
SEE ALSO: FULL RESULTS: November 2018 Philippine Bar Exam list of passers, top 20
Walking through a crowd of well-wishers, Mariano took the time to shake hands with a few supporters before going to meet his family. He is the oldest Bar exam taker this year.
 |
| Retired Police Colonel Ibarra Mariano steps out of the University of Sto. Tomas | Photo courtesy: Facebook/Warlie Zambales Diaz |
Mariano, who is the patriarch to his five children, 16 grandchildren, and two great grandchildren, is hopeful that he will finally achieve his dream of being a lawyer.
He said, “I'll be very happy if God will give me the privilege to be a lawyer so I can serve people.”
Mariano shared his motivation to pursue being a lawyer despite his age, “It’s only this year that I decided, because I know lots of poor people who are denied equal protection of the law because of poverty. I want to help and that’s my vision in life.”
 |
| Ret. Col. Mariano shakes hands with a few supporters | Photo courtesy: Facebook/Warlie Zambales Diaz |
This is the retired police Colonel's second attempt in the Bar exam. Mariano graduated law school back in 1967. But his dream of becoming a lawyer got put on hold when he joined the Philippine Constabulary, now known as the Philippine National Police. His first attempt at the Bar exam was in 1995 and he just fell slightly short of the passing grade with a score of 70-percent.
 |
| Col. Mariano had a stream of supporters after his story went viral | Photo Courtesy: Danny Pata/GMA News |
The aspiring lawyer isn't giving up on his dreams. Mariano is hopeful that he can finally ace the Bar in his second attempt and shares how excited his family is. He said, “I think my family will be very happy if I pass.”
— Sally, The Summit Express
