How joining pageants helped Bar topnotcher from Iloilo

If there's one thing competing in pageants prepare you for, it's the prospect of high stakes situations.

That's according to Allana Mae Babayen-on, a model and former beauty queen who placed fourth in the 2016 Bar Examinations.

In an interview with ABS-CBN News' Jenel Baclay, the topnotcher from Iloilo likened taking the exam to the question-and-answer round of a pageant, explaining that both demand resilience from a person.

"For example, dahil nandiyan ka sa stage, whatever ang itanong sa iyo o hindi pa tapos ang program, just go through it," she said. "Kagaya rin 'yan sa Bar na kahit nakakapagod, you have to go through it and hopefully your efforts will be rewarded -- like what happened to me."

A graduate of University of San Agustin, Babayen-on is part of a historic top 10. For the first time in decades, universities in Metro Manila were edged out by schools from different regions.

Babayen-on admitted there was a wealth of expectations from her family and friends for her to do well in the exam, but even she couldn't believe that she placed fourth.

"Honestly, hindi ako naapektuhan ng pressure mula sa iba because ako pa lang, sa self ko pa lang na pressure, okay na," she quipped.

"Hindi na ako apektado because I thought na baka, I could have answered better or mas maganda sigurong sagot ang iba. So there was always doubt but apparently, it was unfounded," she added.

Babayen-on is currently an employee of the Iloilo Provincial Capitol.