2013 BAR EXAMS TOP 10

2013 BAR EXAMS TOP 10

Leading the pack is Nielson G. Pangan from the University of the Philippines (UP). UP once again tops the 2013 Bar Examinations with a grade of 85.8%.

UP got 5 out of the Top 10 slots of successful examinees. It is the first time since 2005 that UP topped the bar.

A total of 1,174 aspiring lawyers passed the exams, comprising 22.18% of the examinees.

The Top 10 passers are as follows:

1. Nielson Pangan – University of the Philippines 85.8%

2. Mark Xavier D. Oyales – UP 85.45%

Dianna Louise R. Wilwayco – Ateneo de Manila 85.45%

3. Rudy Ortea – University of Batangas 84.2%

4. Eden Catherine Mopia – University of the Philippines 84.05%

5. Tercel Maria Mercado-Gephart – University of San Carlos 83.9%

6. Manuel Sarausad – University of Cebu 83.8%

7. Katrine Suyat – San Beda College Manila 83.75%

8. Michael Tiu Jr – University of the Philippines 83.70%

9. Marjorie Ivory Fulgueras – Ateneo de Manila 83.65%

10. Cyril Arnesto – University of the Philippines 83.60%

The passers will take their oath on April 28, 2014 at the Philippine International Convention Center.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday, March 18, announced the results before members of the media.

SC Associate Justice Arturo Brion, Chairperson of the 2013 Bar Examinations, announced the top 10 passers. Brion himself topped the bar examinations in 1974 with a grade of 91.65%.

COMPLETE LIST OF PHILIPPINE BAR EXAMS PASSERS OCTOBER 2013

COMPLETE LIST OF PHILIPPINE BAR EXAMS PASSERS OCTOBER 2013 

Greetings of peace!

Hi, everyone! I terribly miss blogging! Today is a special day because the Supreme Court of the Philippines is set to announce the top ten and the complete list of passers of the October 2013 Philippine Bar Exams ( it will soon be posted here as soon as the Supreme Court of the Philippines announces the results.) 

The passing grade was said to be 75%, with each subject area given the following weights to determine the examinee’s average:

Political and International Law – 15%
Labor and Social Legislation – 10 percent%
Civil Law – 15 percent%
Taxation – 10%
Mercantile Law – 15%
Criminal Law – 10%
Remedial Law – 20%
Legal Ethics and Practical Exercises – 5%

The exam schedule was:

October 6:
8 a.m. – 12 noon – Political Law
2 p.m. – 6 p.m. – Labor Law

October 13:
8 a.m. – 12 noon – Civil Law
2 p.m. – 6 p.m. – Taxation

October 20:
8 a.m. – 12 noon – Commercial Law
2 p.m. – 6 p.m. – Criminal Law

October 27:
8 a.m. – 12 noon – Remedial Law
2 p.m. – 6 p.m – Legal Ethics

The exam was mainly essay type (80%) and multiple choice questions (20%).

To view the results of the 2012 bar exam announced in March 2013, click here.

The previous years’ bar exam passing rates are as follows:

2012 — 17.76% ( 949 passers out of 5,343 examinees)
2011 – 31.94% (1,913 out of 5,990)
2010 – 20.26% (   982 out of 4,847)
2009 – 24.58% (1,451 out of 5,903)
2008 – 20.58% (1,310 out of 6,364)
2007 – 22.91% (1,289 out of 5,626)
2006 – 30.60% (1,893 out of 6,187)
2005 – 27.22% (1,526 out of 5,607)
2004 – 31.61% (1,659 out of 5,249)
2003 – 20.71% (1,108 out of 5,349)
2002 – 19.68% (    917 out of 4,659)
2001 – 32.89% (1,266 out of 3,849)
2000 - 20.84% (     979 out of 6,187)

Fast Facts:

• A total of 5,593 Law graduates took the annual Bar exams at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) administered by the Supreme Court during the four Sundays of October 2013 (6, 13, 20 and 27).
• The Supreme Court (SC) fondly said that two pregnant woman Bar examinees and a 77 year-old man were not hindered by their conditions to take the exam. 
• Meanwhile, SC said 300 examinees have decided to refuse and backed out to take the final test on October 27.

Wishing you success on your chosen career.

Love,

Travelonshoestring

HARVESTING THE BEST OF THE BEST

 HARVESTING THE BEST OF THE BEST

New year is a time to turn a new leaf - a bright new leaf.

This year's Bright Leaf Agriculture Journalism Awards, the annual showcase of the best published agriculture stories and photos as well as broadcast reports, is now open for entries from Filipino journalists residing in the Philippines.

The Bright Leaf Awards are given to the most outstanding and relevant agriculture stories in print, radio, and television.  It will also honor the most compelling photos that capture the essence of Tobacco farming and the agriculture industry.

Didet Danguilan, project head of the Bright Leaf Awards, is encouraging all professional Filipino journalists residing in the Philippines to join the competition as their way of sharing the successes of farmers through their stories—in whatever medium—to the public.

"Their stories need to be seen, heard and appreciated. The Bright Leaf Agriculture Journalism Awards is the best way to achieve that," she said.

The categories for the Bright Leaf Awards are:

• Agriculture Story of the Year
• Agriculture Photo of the Year
• Tobacco Story of the Year
• Tobacco Photo of the Year
• Best Television Program or Segment
• Best Radio Program or Segment
• Best National News Story
• Best Regional News Story
• Best National Feature Story
• Best Regional Feature Story and
• The Oriental Leaf Award.  This special award is given to those who have won a Bright Leaf Award in any category for five consecutive years.  The Oriental Leaf Awardees become part of an elite group of individuals that comprise the Bright Leaf Hall of Fame.

"We want to highlight the stories that enlighten and inspire our countrymen.  This is even more important now because of the recent typhoons and earthquakes that have greatly impacted the agriculture industry.”  Ms. Danguilan added, “This is one way to provide some light in what was a very dark time for the Filipino farmer.”

The competition aims to collect a larger crop of entries than any other year by actively reaching out to tri-media practitioners from more agricultural provinces to invite them to submit their articles and photos.

Participation in The Bright Leaf Awards is free of charge. Entries should be published, aired or broadcast locally between Sept. 1 2013 and August 31, 2014. Contestants can submit as many stories in any of the categories but no story can be entered into more than one category.

Entries may be in English or any of the Philippine regional dialects.  For entries that are not in English, participants are required to provide an English translation.

For entry forms and more information, please visit www.thebrightleafawards.com or contact the official Bright Leaf secretariat at (02) 697-8110, (0915) 5508301 or (0918) 4130797 or email secretariat@thebrightleafawards.com.

ANTIPOLO: Floating Jesus Christ

ANTIPOLO: Floating Jesus Christ

I got an eerie feeling the first time I laid my eyes on the floating Jesus Christ statue inside the chapel of Pinto Art Museum in Antipolo City, Philippines.

Jesus Christ was depicted as someone that is full of shingles like wound all over his body. He was bald. The statue made me think. I know that it is the artist interpretation of Jesus Christ, but I prefer to paint Jesus Christ smiling at me than seeing him dying on the cross.

Pinto Art Museum is located at Silangan Gardens No. 1 Sierra Madre Street, Grandheights, Antipolo City, Rizal. Telephone number is 02-6971015. Entrance fee is P150 for adults, P120 for senior citizens, and P75 for students with IDs. Prenup-shoot fee is P3,000 (upper garden), P5,000 (upper and lower garden), P10,000 (upper and lower gardens and new museum wing). For more information, email them at pintoartmuseum@yahoo.com.

Disclaimer: This is not a paid post. I just want to share to the whole world how beautiful my country is.

AMY WEBB: How to find Mr. Right

AMY WEBB: How to find Mr. Right

I am one of those women with a very high standard in a man. That's why I could totally relate to Amy Webb when she talked out peer pressure, family pressure and finding Mr. Right.

Amy Webb is a woman who had high standards when it comes to men, and that’s why she remained single for a long time. Then, she tried and joined online dating sites to find his Prince Charming. I have not tried this yet, but my friend did.

Amy had no luck. The guys she liked didn’t reply back, while those who got attracted to her profile were not her type.

Her grandma, mom and sis said to her that she’s just being too picky.

So she changed her strategy… and succeeded.

This TED Talk video will show you in less than 18 minutes her amazing story on how she found true love on the internet.

MANILA'S BEAUTIFUL SUNSET

MANILA'S BEAUTIFUL SUNSET

I luckily captured Manila's beautiful sunset when I was there. God is so good. He gave us eyes to appreciate nature. 

Start each day with a grateful heart.

See each person as a blessing.

Appreciate life. Appreciate your family and friends.

For you never know when you will say goodbye.

MRT 3: Extends Operating Hours

MRT 3: Extends Operating Hours

Good news to all the MRT-3  Riding public! To better serve you ( thecommuting public), the Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT-3) will extend its operating hours starting yesterday.. 

Yes, peeps! Beginning February 24, 2014,  from the current usual operating hours that commence beginning 5:30 a.m. to 22:30 p.m., the MRT-3 now runs from 04:30 in the morning at North Avenue Station and starting 05:00 in the morning at the Taft Avenue Statio.

The Department of Transportation and Communication will later decide whether to make the longer schedule permanent.

NEW PHILHEALTH CONTRIBUTION TABLE EFFECTIVE JANUARY 2014

NEW PHILHEALTH CONTRIBUTION TABLE EFFECTIVE JANUARY 2014

Memorandum Circular 027-2013 dated September 30, 2013 amend the PhilHealth contributions of individuals, overseas workers, and the employed sector. 

The change in the contributions took effect last January 1, 2014. Business sectors including all other concerned are hereby notified to comply with the new rates of PhilHealth Contribution.

Excerpts from MC 027-2013

1. The premium rate shall be at 2.5%
2. Salary bracket shall still be used
3. Salary bracket floor shall start at Php 8,000.00
4. Salary Bracket ceiling shall be pegged at Php 35,000.00

Salary Bracket	Salary Range	Salary Base	Total Monthly Premium	Employee Share	Employer Share
*Employee share represents half of the total monthly premium while the other half is shouldered by the employer.
1	8,999.99 and below	8,000.00	200.00	100.00	100.00
2	9,000.00 – 9,999.99	9,000.00	225.00	112.50	112.50
3	10,000.00 – 10,999.99	10,000.00	250.00	125.00	125.00
4	11,000.00 – 11,999.99	11,000.00	275.00	137.50	137.50
5	12,000.00 – 12,999.99	12,000.00	300.00	150.00	150.00
6	13,000.00 – 13,999.99	13,000.00	325.00	162.50	162.50
7	14,000.00 – 14,999.99	14,000.00	350.00	175.00	175.00
8	15,000.00 – 15,999.99	15,000.00	375.00	187.50	187.50
9	16,000.00 – 16,999.99	16,000.00	400.00	200.00	200.00
10	17,000.00 – 17,999.99	17,000.00	425.00	212.50	212.50
11	18,000.00 – 18,999.99	18,000.00	450.00	225.00	225.00
12	19,000.00 – 19,999.99	19,000.00	475.00	237.50	237.50
13	20,000.00 – 20,999.99	20,000.00	500.00	250.00	250.00
14	21,000.00 – 21,999.99	21,000.00	525.00	262.50	262.50
15	22,000.00 – 22,999.99	22,000.00	550.00	275.00	275.00
16	23,000.00 – 23,999.99	23,000.00	575.00	287.50	287.50
17	24,000.00 – 24,999.99	24,000.00	600.00	300.00	300.00
18	25,000.00 – 25,999.99	25,000.00	625.00	312.50	312.50
19	26,000.00 – 26,999.99	26,000.00	650.00	325.00	325.00
20	27,000.00 – 27,999.99	27,000.00	675.00	337.50	337.50
21	28,000.00 – 28,999.99	28,000.00	700.00	350.00	350.00
22	29,000.00 – 29,999.99	29,000.00	725.00	362.50	362.50
23	30,000.00 – 30,999.99	30,000.00	750.00	375.00	375.00
24	31,000.00 – 31,999.99	31,000.00	775.00	387.50	387.50
25	32,000.00 – 32,999.99	32,000.00	800.00	400.00	400.00
26	33,000.00 – 33,999.99	33,000.00	825.00	412.50	412.50
27	34,000.00 – 34,999.99	34,000.00	850.00	425.00	425.00
28	35,000.00 and up	35,000.00	875.00	437.50	437.50