Jamaine Punzalan

Article (news)

Harris Julio

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1767843868183viber_image_2026-01-08_11-43-10-894.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/>Courtesy: Atty. Richmond Lucas</div><div> </div>MANILA — Richmond Lucas’ doubt-ridden journey to placing ninth in the 2025 Bar Examinations was far from straightforward. Lucas, who hails from Cabatuan, Isabela, was a registered nurse before pursuing a degree in law. He shared that there were times when he tried to step away from law school to explore other paths, including business ventures. He even considered focusing on a career in nursing or regular employment, but none of these worked out.“Pahinto-hinto po ako noon, pabago-bago rin ‘yung isip ko kasi undecided po kung ipu-push through ko ‘yung career sa pagla-Law or iba na lang—mag-nurse o mag-work. Magulo po, until such time na wala na po akong choice kundi seryosohin ko po ‘yung pagla-Law,” he told ABS-CBN News.“May stage na talagang parang magda-doubt ka kung kaya mo ba o kung tutuloy ka ba. Syempre, spiritually kailangan, yun po ang number one, kelangan po prayers,” he said. Eventually, Lucas accepted what he now believes was a clear calling. “Ito pala ang will ni Lord para sa akin,” Lucas said.Lucas graduated from law school in 2023 at the University of La Sallette, Inc., but deliberately postponed taking the Bar to prepare more thoroughly.“In-assess ko po ang sarili ko kung ready na ako. Naramdaman ko po na kulang pa,” he said.<div> </div><div>‘KULIT’ PAYS OFF</div><div> </div>The preparation was not without strain. Lucas said that family pressures and review stress sometimes led to conflict at home and moments of self-doubt.“Thankful po ako na hindi ako pinatulan ng pamilya ko. Inintindi po nila ako bilang reviewee noong mga panahong ‘yun,” he said.Like thousands of examinees, Lucas was glued to the live announcement of the Bar results on Wednesday, January 7, at his family home. But the news reached him first through a phone call from a friend.Lucas initially refused to believe it—until his name appeared on screen moments later. What followed was disbelief turning into joy, marked by loud cheers that left him hoarse by the end of the day.“Naunang tumawag ‘yung kaibigan ko, si Sir Willy Gamiz. Tinawagan niya po ako kasi mas mabilis ‘yung internet nila. Nauna niya pong nalaman—‘huy, Top 9 ka,’ sabi niya. Hindi pa po ako naniwala noon, tapos biglang lumabas na rin ‘yung pangalan ko. Nagsisigaw na po ako kaya malat po ako ngayon,” he recalled.“Hindi ko ma-explain, sobrang saya. Feeling blessed,” Lucas added. <div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17678439494821767843946934.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Courtesy: University of La Salette, Inc. - College of Law</div>As for what set him apart as a topnotcher, Lucas downplayed any notion of a secret technique. His edge, he said, was persistence—what he jokingly referred to as “pagiging makulit.”“Basa lang po ako nang basa at tanong lang nang tanong sa mga mentors na lawyers kung paano atakihin ang Bar, paano i-simplify na andun na lahat. Ultimo mga comma, period, capitalization—lahat po ‘yun tinanong ko. Lahat po may naibigay na tips sa akin. Na-bless po ‘yung kakulitan ko sa pagtatanong,” he said.When asked what advice he would give future Bar examinees, Lucas said: “Wala pong katumbas ang matinding preparation tsaka prayers po, preparation hindi lang sa books, academically, kung hindi lahat.. physically, emotionally.” “Saka ‘yung diet, tulog, hindi pwedeng wala ka ring tulog, hindi pwede puro aral, kailangan balance, kahit sa pagrereview, though mas magti-tilt ‘yung balance sa pag-aaral, meron pa rin po dapat, extra-curricular,” he added.For now, Lucas has no definite plans for what comes next, other than taking ample time to rest and doing some reading. He is considering private practice, though no formal offers have come in yet.“Mag-refresh po uli kasi pagkatapos ng Bar hindi na ako nagbasa, parang blinock na ng utak ko ‘yung mga libro… Private practice [would be one of the considerations], Lucas said.In the end, Lucas’ story is one of patience, self-awareness, and trust in timing—a reminder that sometimes, waiting and preparing can make all the difference.

Richmond Lucas’ doubt-ridden journey to placing ninth in the 2025 Bar Examinations was far from straightforward.

Richmond Lucas’ doubt-ridden journey to placing ninth in the 2025 Bar Examinations was far from straightforward.

For Bar exams 9th placer, doubts a natural part of journey

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For Bar exams 9th placer, doubts a natural part of journey

Harris Julio,

ABS-CBN News

Published January 08, 2026 11:47 AM PHT

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Bar exams

Bar examinations

2025 Bar

2025 Bar exams

Richmond Lucas

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