MESSAGE FROM THE VP Dear UP Law Barristers, Firstly, I would like to congratulate you for successfully overcoming the

first and most challenging hurdle in becoming a lawyer. Graduating with a law degree is certainly something to be proud of in itself. Graduating with a law degree from THE premiere law school in THE premiere University is, well, something much more. It is in the next step, however, that we will be focusing on together over the next five months, the preparation for and the subsequent taking of the bar examinations. We in the Bar Ops 2008 team can only imagine how challenging and stressful this stage will be, and that is why we would like to assure and promise you one thing: you are not alone, we will be with you every step of the way. In line with this, we have prepared this primer to aid you in your bar preparations with the hope that you will find it helpful. We have no doubts, however, as to your capacity to overcome the hurdle otherwise known as the bar exams. With the kind of education you have received coupled with the fact that you have successfully completed four or five grueling and challenging years as law students. That fact alone is something to take pride in. Good luck and God bless you. If there is anything you need or should you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, please do not hesitate to let us know. With you 100% of the way, Arianne O. Reyes Vice President, UP Law Student Government Head, Bar Operations 2008 Contact No. (0917)8972331 Email and YM ID: miffygref@yahoo.com

THE BAROPS TEAM The Bar Operations Team is here for YOU. Over the next few months, you may direct any query or requests to us for we are willing to help you the best way we can. Please contact us thru the following means: BAROPS Hotline: (0906)6712015 (any questions/concerns) BAROPS Secretariat: (0916)6712045 (re bar petition, other docs) EMAIL:uplawbarops2008@yahoo. com WEBSITE: http://www.upbarops.com E-GROUP: uplawbarristers08@yahoogroups.com (please subscribe if you are not already a member) For queries involving academic matters, you may contact the following subject heads: Henry Aguda Academics Co-head/Comm Law (0922)9224500 Ryan Balisacan Academics Co-Head (0905)2765620 Carol Lagos Civil Law (0921)4229942 Viola Vista Civil Law (0917)4859966 Andi Lacuesta Political Law (0917)7960315 Dielle Kapunan Labor Law (0917)8350809 Erwin Matib Taxation (0919)4246820 Sam Poblacion Criminal Law (0927)9519761 Jhoe Jambalos Remedial Law (0920)8167261 Jackie Espenilla Legal Ethics/Forms (0921)4730938 Jeifan Dizon Lectures/Mock Bar (0917)7349600 Other important numbers: Secretariat Ria Dooc (0917)5233723 Kathy Fabellon (0919)5154348 Barristers Welfare Sheila Alinsangan (0917)8410257 Dianne Ducepec (0927)8898705

I. Annoucements
A. Secretariat: Requirements Checklist from the BarOps 2008 Secretariat: DISCLAIMER: This list is based on last years requirements. The Office of the Bar Confidant has yet to release a list for this year. Meanwhile consider this a working checklist pending announcements from the SC. We will keep you posted. Step 1. Clearance. You should: Accomplish University Clearance Form (included in this kit) Prepare Graduation fee of PhP 300 Clear deficiencies, if any Secretariat will: Pay to the Cashier Submit to OUR the form and receipt Follow up after a week Inform you of any deficiencies Step 2. Transcript of Records. You should: Acomplish application for transcript form (included in this kit) Prepare PhP360. We will automatically get 2, but you may request for more. The fee will depend on how many pages you might require. It is PhP30/page. o 1x1 or 2x2 picture. This will appear on your transcript. Submit form and pay to SecCom Secretariat will: Pay to the Cashier Submit to OUR the form and receipt Step 3. Bar Petition. (Based on last years requirements)

Bar-taker should: Accomplish the petition form (included in this kit) o You would also have to get a community tax certificate number o Do not forget to affix your signature and thumbprint Pay the petition fee (no amount yet, but last years was PhP2200, plus PhP15 for documentary stamps and PhP120 for notarization) Procure the original/certified true copy of your Birth Certificate issued by the NSO or the Local Civil Registrar (see below) o In case of discrepancy between entries in this document and the transcript of records, an affidavit of parents and/or joint affidavit of 2 disinterested persons explaining the discrepancy is required. The applicant is, however, further required to submit a corrected birth certificate or corrected school records as the case may be. This may be done after submitting the petition. o How to secure your Birth/ Marriage Certificate through the NSO Thru PERSONAL APPLICATION Apply at any NSO branch. Nearest to UP: East Avenue Bring a valid ID and a copy of your birth certificate (birth certificate not required, but facilitates filling out of relevant information) Pay PhP125 Follow up application personally on date indicated on the receipt. Thru TELEPHONE Call 7371111, open 24 hours. Be ready with a copy of your birth certificate/ relevant information on it. Some of these info will be asked (e.g. local civil registry number, date of registration) Operator will give you a caller/reference number. Use this number when paying at any Metrobank Branch. The fee is PhP300 Follow up through phone. The delivery will be within 15-17 working days after payment. Upon delivery, present a valid ID to courier. If somebody else will receive for you, he/she will need an (1) authorization letter, (2) your valid ID and (3) his/her valid ID Thru INTERNET Log on to www.e-census.com.ph Follow instructions carefully. Log on to follow up your applica-

tion. Pay PhP300 as in Thru TELEPHONE (you may now pay online, but we recommend you deposit the money instead as the online transaction fee is US$20) If you are a married female, procure a copy of marriage certificate (see below) 3 testimonials of Good moral character (included in this kit), to be executed by a member of the Philippine Bar who is not a relative. 3 copies of latest 1 x 1 unretouched photos with name IMPRINTED thereon Self-addressed stamped envelope (long) Prepare additional requirements for: o Re-takers o Those with pending/ decided civil, criminal or administrative cases SecCom will: Procure your official pre-Law transcript Procure your official Law transcript Certificate of No derogatory record Have your petition notarized Submit the Bar Petition to the SC Bar Confidant Pay fee to the Bar Confidant

(3) CONTACTS - details and additional requirements will be posted on the BarOps Bulletin Board and website. Those with deficiencies will be personally notified. IMPORTANT DATES A. Secretariat 2008 Submission of bar petitions (subject to change):June 16-27 2008 Deadliest deadline of bar petitions (subject to change): June 27,

B. Acads (Note: These are tentative schedules. We will inform you should any change arise) Soft copies will be available on the scheduled dates. We will also do our best to make sure that the hard copies are released simultaneously. Last Week of April: LABOR, POLI 2nd Week of May: CIV, TAX, COMM, CRIM 3rd Week of May: ETHICS, REM Second Week of June: Case surveys **Mock Bar: First Week of July 2008 C. Hotel Ops Payment schedule: Every Thursday of May at the Lounge Loft May 10, 17,24,31

Other important reminders: (1) NAME in general, the name on your birth certificate must correspond to that on your transcripts and petition form. However, for female students who got married while in law school, the transcript may not reflect the change of status. In that case, a simple letter to the Registrar will clear things up. (This is why a marriage certificate is required.) (2) AGENT for those who will be absent from UP for a considerable amount of time, please ask a friend to act as your agent and kindly inform the Secretariat of such arranegement.

II. Before the Review Proper

1. Assess your strengths and weaknesses, and be honest about it. What subjects am I good at? Not so good at? This will form the basis of your studying as you will then know which particular subjects/topics to focus on. 2. Organize, inventory, and assess all your law school materials. See if they are sufficient or if you need to acquire new materials. DONT hold back on buying products that will help organize your materials (folders,

boxes, dividers, binders, etc.). Remember, always err on the side of OC. 3. Draw up a budget. 4. Visit bookstores and browse through all the available law books. Skim through them, and ask yourself if the format and writing style is comfortable enough to read for six months. Seek good advice and recommendations. 5. Draw up a list of materials you want or think you need. Two commentaries, one reviewer, and the codal are recommended for each subject. 6. Draft a study schedule.

A. JENNIFER ONG

III. Getting Started

Book List Political Law: 1. Salonga for PIL 2. Cruz for Consti 1 and 2 3. De Leon for Pub Off and Admin Law 4. Nachura reviewer 5. UP law center hand outs re: recent laws and cases 6. codal Labor Law: 1. Alcantara vol. 1 and 2 2. Azucenas 2006 Everyones Labor Code 3. UP law center hand outs re: recent laws and cases 4. codal Civil Law: 1. Jurado reviewer 2. De Leon for property 3. Maam Beths book for PRIL 4. Bavieras Hoarse Whisperer reviewer 5. UP law center hand outs re: recent laws and cases 6. codal 7. Aquino for land titles and deeds Tax Law: 1. Mamaleteos reviewer on taxation 2. Vitug Acosta reviewer 3. UP law center hand outs re: recent laws and cases 4. codal Commercial Law: 1. Perez reviewers (all volumes) 2. Villanueva reviewer 3. UP law center hand outs re: recent laws and cases 4. codal

A. BAR REVIEW MUST-HAVES 1.A reliable outline for the entire subject matter as a framework or mind map for storage, retention and retrieval of information. If a comprehensive outline is not available, then outlines per topic will do. 2. Codals (very important!) 3. At least one reliable commentary on the subject matter 4. At least one reviewer which you can transfer your notes to B. THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN ACQUIRING BAR REVIEW MATERIALS 1. Time. Remember that you only have a limited time to review. 2. Finances. Unless you can afford to buy all the books and photocopy all the materials you want or need, you have to pick and choose. 3. Reader-friendliness. It is important that the materials you read are engaging enough to sustain your interest and keep you reading on. Consider also the font size and layout. 4. The authors credibility. You will not want to end up learning outdated laws, repealed jurisprudence, or legal opinions that have no basis in law.

IV. Scheduling Tips, Suggested Readings and Samples

Keep in mind that you must draw up a schedule that will suit your needs and study habits. However, to guide you, below are some tips and models which can help you in drafting your study schedule. These are patterned after the study schedules of previous bar topnotchers.

Criminmal Law: 1. Regalados criminal law conspectus 2. Boado reviewer 3. UP law center hand outs re: recent laws and cases 4. codal **I did not read Reyes vol. 1 and 2, but i think I should have. I would not have found the crim exam so difficult if I had used Reyes. Remedial Law: 1. Regaldo vol. 1 and 2 2. Albano reviewer 3. UP law center hand outs re: recent laws and cases 4. codal Legal Ethics: 1. Pineda 2. UP barops reviewer 3. UP law center hand outs re: recent laws and cases 4. codal Study Habits: 1. I had a weird way of studying. I read the materials for each subject twice then read the materials for all subjects for the third time. To illustrate, I read the materials for Political Law once, then read them again right after reading them for the first time. These were my first and second reading. Then I moved on to the Labor Law materials. I read the materials once then read them again right after reading them for the first time. I did this for each of the subjects. When I was done with Legal Ethics, I went back to Political Law. I read the material for Political Law for the third time then moved on to Labor Law and the other subjects. This was my third reading. However, I did not do a second reading of all the materials for each subject. I did not read the UP law center hand outs, as well as books on specific subject (e.g. de leon for property and maam beth for PRIL), for the second time. 2. I do not know if this method will work for everyone. I know that it looks like this method will consume a lot of time, but when I started doing it, I realized that the second reading took a really short time since

what you have just read for the first time is still fresh in your mind. The second reading was just like scanning the materials. After the second reading, I really remembered what I had read, even up until my third reading. 3. I read the codals for each subject before reading the books and reviewers for that particular subject. 4. Before I knew it, it was already pre-week. I focused on UP law center hand outs and codals during pre-week. 5. I also read the bar Q and A from 2000 to 2006 durinng pre-week. 6. I got a schedule from a friend and made my own schedule which was based on that schedule, more or less. I followed my own pace. I did not try to follow other peoples schedules. However, I tried to avoid being lax with myself. I would start getting worried when I fell behind my own schedule by 2 to 4 days. 7. I set aside 1 and a half days of the week for rest and fun. During such days, I did not study at all and did other things which took my mind off studying. 8. I regularly exercised. I went to the gym or jogged at least 4 times a week. It helped me feel energized. Not having any exercise made me feel sluggish, which, in turn, made me feel like falling asleep whenever I opened my books. 9. I did not do this but I think I should havepractice writing with a sign pen. Before taking the exams, I had always used the regular ball pen. I was not use to writing using a sign pen, and I did not practice before the exams. When I took the Poli exam, my handwriting was not like my regular handwriting because I found it difficult to write using a sign pen. 10. Do not ever give up. I was thinking of not taking the last 2 exams after the crim exam. I felt so hopeless and in despair, I really thought I was going to fail it. Before passing my crim test booklet, I tried to count my correct answers and see if they could reach a total of 50. My mom and boyfriend gave me the encouragement to take the last two exams. As it turns out, you can never really tell how the exams turn out. Look at me, I only hoped to pass the bar! 11. Good luck and God bless!

B. JOAN DE VENECIA
1.

Make an honest assessment of the subjects you are good at, and

the subjects you feel you have an inadequate foundation on. Adjust the number of days devoted to each subject accordingly. 2. Compact reviewers might not necessarily help, especially for those subjects in which you are weak at, and the morning subjects. For civil law, I read De Leon books for each broad topic, save for persons -- Sempio Diy; and succession --Caguioa. In other words, I didnt rely on just one reviewer. This requires more work, true, but your confidence level will go up because you have enough knowledge about each topic to keep your panic attacks at bay. Same thing for Rem; Feria Noche for Civil Pro; Agpalo for each of the other subjects For Crim, since its not as long as the other subjects, I could afford to read Regalado, Boado and some parts of Reyes (for penalties). Below are the books I read (exclusive of the codals and special laws -which are must-reads): a. POLI: Nachura, Poli Law by Cruz, Bernas for Consti, Loc Gov Reviewer and Pub Off Reviewer of B2005 b. CIV: De Leon for Property (inc. Donations), Agency/Partnerships, Sales, Trusts and Credit Transactions; Jurado for ObliCon; Sempio Diy for persons; Caguioa for Succession (note changes introduced by the Family Code for illegitimate children) c. COMM: All the Perez books, Miravite, De Leon for insurance and nego; B2005 Reviewer for Nego; Catindig d. REM: Feria Noche and Regalado for Civ Pro; Agpalo for Crim Pro, Evidence and Spec Pro; Prof. Bautistas books e. Labor: Everyones by Azucena; Alcantara; Disini notes f. Tax: De Leon for Income Tax; Vitug Acosta for Local Taxation; Aban for principles and TCC; Rev Regs for Estate and Donors Tax; B2005 reviewer and chart for remedies g. Crim: Regalado (2 vols), Boado, Sandoval, Reyes for penalties and probation h. Ethics: Aguirre, Agpalo, UP Law Cetner handouts for forms I also read law center hand outs (especially Domondon cut and paste) and bar ops materials for the latest jurisprudence. 3. Choose the review classes you want to attend. (I enrolled at the law center but didnt attend most of the lectures) For me, self-studying

worked. I didnt have to adjust to the pace of the lectures, and listened only to what I felt were the best lectures -- Ortega, Disini and Domondon lectures are always helpful. 4. Avoid unecessary comparison to the pace of others. We all have our own rhythm according to the laws of inertia. I had two readings only, exclusive of pre-week. It is ultimately your understanding of the law, and not how many readings you do, or the laws that you memorize verbatim, that makes the difference. 5. Perfect your handwriting and grammar. 6. I had so many post-its in my codals, especially for Civ and Rem. It was like a mini-book where all the important doctrines were jotted down. This really helped jog my memory because I am a visual person. Also, if I forgot something, the codal came in handy. In other words, make your codal your best friend. For tax though, since the codal didnt make sense to me and I have no love for numbers, I made my own handwritten reviewer. I found it really effective, especially for income tax. 7. No need to memorize laws. If you must memorize, memorize key words of important doctrines. Understanding is key. 8. For the bar, short answers dont necessarily work. The answer must be firm yet exhaustive. I did not cite cases nor specific provisions, but just went straight to the answers. I guess that worked. :-) 9. Updates on latest jurisprudence are indispensable. Request that the updates come with short facts, because bar questions are often facts-based. 10. Always make time for gimmicks and relaxation to keep you sane during the review. :-) (Read: dont skimp on inuman and movies). A final reminder -- There is NO SHORTCUT to passing the Bar. If you want to pass on the first take, you have to put in the hours, and get yourself in the mood to study. Visualize the day that bar results will come out. Imagine not seeing your name in the list. Then imagine seeing your name in that list. Those twin visions motivated me. I hope visualization would

work for you too. :-) Good luck guys :-)

C. DEBBIE ACOSTA

1. Prepare a schedule for each of the six bar subjects. Make it flexible and realistic. Do not get stressed out too much when you do not meet your schedule. I constantly adjusted my schedule last year when I felt like I had to devote more time for a certain subject. 2. In preparing your schedule, make an assessment of the subjects you need to focus on, and the subjects you are good at. I only enrolled in Remedial Law Review, Civil Law Review, and Tax Review subjects in my senior year. Thus, I had to devote more time reviewing for Political Law, Commercial Law, Criminal Law, and Labor Law. 3. Be healthy during the review. Always have a good nights sleep even during pre-week. Also, before studying, make sure to have breakfast first. Take your vitamins. 4. Find a conducive place for studying. I preferred studying at home than in the library. At home, I got to rest, lie down, or even watch television for a few minutes after every two or three hours of studying. This helped me relax and ensured that my brain did not get too strained from too much studying. 5. Make sure to read all the codals and the special laws at least once. 6. I read the following books during the review: Political Law Cruz (Political Law, Constitutional Law, and International Law), Bernas, Nachura Labor Law Azucena (Everyones), Alcantara Civil Law Sempio-Diy (Persons), Balane (Succession), De Leon (Property), Jurado (ObliCon), Villanueva (Sales), Albano (Civil Law Reviewer) Tax Mamalateo, Domondon Commercial Law Perez, Miravite, De Leon (Negotiable Instruments), Catindig Criminal Law Boado, Regalado Remedial Law Feria Noche (Civ Pro), Regalado I & II Ethics Agpalo, Aguirre 7. Read all the review center handouts, especially those about new

jurisprudence. I read the handouts whenever I got bored with the book or topic I was reading. I made sure that the handout I was reading was about a different subject or topic. 8. Read the newspaper or watch the news. Some of the questions in the 2006 Bar Exams were related to current events. 9. I did not attend most of the law center lectures. Self-studying worked for me. 10. Allot one or two days of the week to relax. 11. Follow Joan De Venecias study tips. I did. 12. During the pre-week, read the codals. Focus on the topics where you are weak. 13. Pray a lot. I even prayed before answering every exam question.

D. MACEL FERNANDEZ

Instead of the usual sequential approach - 2 weeks Poli, then 2 weeks Rem to studying, Macel Fernandez outlined her study schedule according to topic. Ms. Fernandez gives us a breakdown of the exam areas. I. POLI LAW Structure of government Legislative Executive Judicial Constitutional Commissions Bill of Rights Other Consti Provisions Principles and policies National economy and patrimony ESTACS General provisions LocGov Public Officers Election Law Admin Law PIL

II. LABOR Labor Standards Labor Relations Social Legislation III. CIVIL LAW Persons Property Oblicon Obligations Contracts Donations Succession Land Titles and Deeds PRIL Sales Torts and Damages Credit Transactions Agency and Partnership Sales IV. TAX General principles Income Taxation Donors Tax Estate Tax Local Taxation Real Property Tax Tariff and Customs Code Tax Remedies Court of Tax Appeals V. COMMERCIAL LAW Corporation Law Nego Insurance

Transpo Special laws Securities and Regulation Code Banking Secrecy of bank deposits PDIC law Warehouse law Mortgage Letters of Credit Trust Receipts Insolvency Intellectual Property Code

VI. CRIMINAL LAW Book 1 (Fundamentals) Book 2 (Specific Crimes) VII. REMEDIAL LAW Jurisdiction CivPro Basic provisions Modes of discovery Appeal Provisional remedies Special civil actions CrimPro SpecPro Estate proceedings Adoption Others Evidence VIII. ETHICS AND FORMS Code of Professional Responsibility Rule 139-B Forms Motions Initiatory pleadings

Contracts Others Breaking down each exam areas topics, she found that by grouping topics that overlapped (even though they were assigned to different exam areas), she could kill two birds with one stone, so to speak. As redundant studying was avoided, efficiency increased. The groupings she made read thus: A. Public Officers Civil Service Ombudsman Law (RA 6770) Admin Law Quo Warranto (Civ Pro; Special Civil Action) B. Criminal Law (Books I and II) Bill of Rights CrimPro Forms in Crim Pro C. Persons PRIL Succession SpecPro Estate Tax D. Evidence Modes of Discovery (CivPro) E. Transpo (Commercial) Torts (Civ) Insurance (Commercial) F. Donations (Civ) Donors Tax

G. National Economy and Patrimony (Consti) LTD (Civ) H. LocGov Local Taxation Real Property Taxation I. Mortgage (Commercial) Mortgage (Civ) Foreclosure of Mortgage (Rem, CivPro, Special Civil Actions) J. Banking (Commercial) Bank Deposits (Commercial) PDIC Law (Commercial) Loan (Civ; Credit Transactions) K. Insolvency (Commercial) Concurrence and Preferences of Credit (Civ; Credit) Payment by Cession (Oblicon) L. Property (Civ) Forcible Entry (Rem, Civ Pro, Special Civ Actions) Foreclosure of Mortgage (Rem, Civ Pro, Special Civil Actions) Partition (Rem, Civ Pro, Spec Civ Actions) Expropriation (Rem, Civ Pro, Sp. Civ. Actions) Lease (Civ; Credit) N. Remedial Law Forms *Labor and most of Tax stand alone. But if you can find overlaps elsewhere, pursue it!

E. PONG PONFERRADA
During the first reading, do focus on the codals and commentaries. Then summarize and condense this information into notes which you annotate onto your reviewer or text for the second reading.

The text you use for the second reading should be more compact. Distill this information further into an even more compact form, say memory aids, an outline or mnemonics for pre-week. Make sure you have a schedule. Heres Mr. Pong Ponferradas sample: Subject 1st reading 2nd reading Poli Labor Civ Tax Mercantile Crim 10 days 8 days 14 days 8 days 12 days 6 days 3 days 3 days 3 days 3 days 3 days 3 days

Second Reading Azucenas Everyones Pre-Week Ateneo/San Beda reviewer Azucena Bar Q & A Primer 3. Civil Law First Reading Tolentino (except Persons and Succession) Sempio Diy (Persons) Balane (Succession) Aquino (Land Titles) Reviewer Bar Q&A Second Reading JBL Reyes Jurado Reviewer Pre-Week Ateneo/San Beda reviewer Jurado or JBL Primer 4. Taxation First Reading De Leon (Fundamentals, Income, Transfer, Tariff and Customs) Aban or Vitug (Remedies and Local Taxation) Reviewer Bar Q&A Second Reading De Leon (comprehensive) Pre-Week Primus (Domondon) De Leon

Rem 12 days 3 days Ethics 3 days 2 days Reminder: Make your own sked! If you feel that a third reading is required, then adjust your schedule accordingly. First Reading Nachura Reviewer Magallonas primer on International Law Bar Q&A Second Reading Barlongay Notes/Sample Questions Pre-Week Nachura San Beda/Ateneo reviewer Bar Q&A Primer 2. Labor Law and Social Legislation First Reading Alcantara Reviewer Bar Q & A

5. Mercantile Law First Reading Campos (Corporation and Insurance) De Leon (Negotiable Instruments) Reviewer Bar Q&A Second Reading Catindig Outline Perez Pre-Week Catindig Perez Primer 6. Criminal Law First Reading Reyes (Book I) Sandoval Reviewer Bar Q&A Second Reading Sandoval Pre-Week San Beda/Ateneo reviewer Sandoval Primer 7. Remedial Law First Reading Feria (CivPro) Regalado (CrimPro, Evidence, SpecPro) Reviewer Bar Q&A Second Reading Feria Agpalo (CrimPro) Herrera (CrimPro)

Pre-Week Primer San Beda/Ateneo reviewer 8. Legal Ethics and Practical Exercises First Reading Aguirre Bautista (Forms) Bar Q&A Second Reading Aguirre Te Third Primer Aguirre San Beda/Ateneo reviewers

F. JANUARY SANCHEZ

1. Review schedule I started after our graduation so thats around end of April already. For me, the ideal number of readings is three (3) first reading, second reading and pre-week. Good if you took review subjects back in 4th/5th year because you may consider that your first reading, assuming you really read thoroughly, even just the codal provisions. Below is the number of days I allotted for the first and second reading. Note that this depends on how confident you are with respect to a particular subject. For example, I did not take Remedial law review so I allotted more days over Political Law and Civil Law, both of which I enrolled during my 5th year. Also, this allotment is subject to change especially as you go along your review. For instance, you may wish to attend Atty. Domondons lecture and his schedule may coincide with your own schedule for Civ/Rem or any other subject. You may adjust the days you allot for Tax since the lecture of Atty. Domondon is good and you may want to treat it as one (1) day for Tax reading. Lastly, it is actually a matter of personal pacing how fast and how well you read. Do not be tied to a particular schedule and do not be anxious that you are not

keeping up with your other batchmates. Be flexible so you can read and absorb better. Subject Poli Labor Civ Tax Commercial Crim Rem Ethics First Reading 7 9 6 9 8 9 17 5 Second Reading 5 5 6 6 6 6 10 2

As to my daily schedule, I would read from around 8am until 11am, go to mass at 12noon then read again from then until around 9pm or 10pm. In some days when I am not able to wake up early, I would extend my reading hours until 12 midnight. In between these times, I would attend selected review classes and take short naps if my eyes are tired already. I keep my Sundays free, to unwind and to store the needed energy for the following week. 2. Review materials It is important to choose your materials very well. You may start each subject by reading the codals or read the books/reviewers with it. In my case, I consider the codal provisions in the reviewers (some have no reproduction of the codal provisions though) as my first codal reading for the review. Then, during the pre-week, I just read my notes, codal and some updates/new materials. As for the books/reviewers I read, I just borrowed books from my friend Maan so I had a guide somehow on what to read. Ask around what are the good books for a certain subject. For me, though, I read the following books/reviewers: Poli Paras Primer (1st reading) Nachuras Outline in Political Law (pre-week) Cruzs International Law

Magallonas Primer in International Law Labor Alcantaras Reviewer in Labor law (1st reading) Azucenas Labor Code (2nd reading) Civ Jurados Civil Law Reviewer (the older, shorter version, early 1990s I think) Sempio-Diys Family Code Sempio-Dys Succession in a Nutshell Balanes Jottings and Jurisprudence Tax De Leons Income Tax Dimaampaos Principles and Remedies in Taxation Vitugs (Tariff & Customs and the practical exercises) Abans (CTA, local tax, RPT, and TCC) Commercial Villanueva s Commercial Law Reviewer Catindigs Notes in Commercial Laws Perezs Quizzers in Insurance, Transportation, and Corporation Crim Regalados Reviewer/Compendium Sandovals Remedial Feria Noches Civil Procedure (vol. 1 & 2) Bautistas Civil Procedure and Evidence Regalados SpecProc and Evidence Do not be overwhelmed. Some of these books like Nachura, Perez and Catindig, I was able to read during my review classes so it was easier reading them. Start with the material you are most unfamiliar with and with the subject which you find most difficult. In my case for instance, I started with Remedial Law because I was not able to take a review class for it. I read thoroughly Justice Ferias book and took down notes. For Crim, since I had a solid Crim I and Crim II foundation, I read Sandoval first before I read Regalado.

In between your textbook readings, I recommend that you read the materials from the UP Law Center. These are usually short and concise materials so they are good for either warming up or cooling down from your readings. Plus, you dont have to worry that you are not able to read the materials you paid for. Before you realize it, you are finished with the materials and are already anxious waiting for more. Keep your old notes. They will come in handy especially during the pre-week. When reading textbooks/reviewers, try to take down notes also. This will not only help you retain what you read but this will serve as your practice writing activity. Use the grade I notebooks, which are approximately the same size as the Bar booklets. Likewise, make time to take down notes when you are attending review classes. Its also better if you jot them these short notes in the margins of your codal so that you can refer to them easily come pre-week. Also read the LSG Bar Ops reviewers. In my case, I found particularly helpful the 2004 bar ops materials for Labor and Civ, especially Partnership and Property. 3. Some tips on rest/leisure activities Read, read and read but also do not forget to take a rest. Ideally, keep a day off from reading. Catch up on other things like your family and friends. In my case, I have friends who are also reviewing for the Bar so in between readings we find time to relax occasionally, we would watch movies or just have long lunches or long dinners, where we also discuss unclear or vague points in our readings. It is also important to be healthy all throughout the bar review. During my review until the Bar month (May to September), I attempted to take out coffee, softdrinks and meat from my diet. I believed that if theres one thing that would really affect my performance, its my health. I had previous experiences in law school when I was sick during the exams and the results were not good. I was down with the flu around May so I thought that was my quota for the review. I really rested and did not read for the week that I got sick.

So, if you feel like you will catch a cold or you are not feeling well, just rest, have a good sleep and the following day, you will be okay. There is no use in forcing yourself to read when you are down with the flu or with a bad headache. There are physical limits that you have to deal with. Taking vitamin C and multivitamins may help in increasing your resistance to diseases. I did not exercise regularly but I walked around the UP oval sometimes. Its nice to engage in some physical activity once in a while but you should not let it eat your reading time. Lastly, be spiritually healthy. In my case, I pray a lot and I even served as Lector/Commentator in UP Parish during my review. It really helps when you feel close to the Almighty at this very important point in your life. 4. Tips on how to answer the bar questions Focus on the question. There are many irrelevant facts and issues that you need not address in your answer. Just answer what is being asked. The examiner does not have all the time to read long answers. As much as possible, do not qualify or answer it depends. Answer yes or no then state your legal basis (law and/or jurisprudence without specifically mentioning the case). In my case, the second sentence of my answer already contains the legal basis. The third or last sentence contains my conclusion whether the law is applicable to the case at bar. Write clearly and legibly. If you can avoid it, do not make unnecessary erasures. I think it is to your advantage that the examiner has an impression that you are sure and confident about your answers.

G. RON DE VERA

1. Review Schedule Mondays to Saturdays. I took the Sundays off for R & R to watch movies and spend quality time with my family. I allocated the number of days that I will devote in reviewing for each subject according to their weight in the bar. 2. Recommended review materials

Poli- Nachura, Bernas, Isagani Cruz book for Public International Law Labor- Codal, Azucena, Everybodys Labor Code; Alcantara and Alacantara Civ- Jurado, Coquia and Mam Beths Book for PRIL. Tax- Aban, Vitug Acosta Commercial -Perez Crim- Reyes, Sandoval Remedial Law- Feria Noche-Civil Procedure, Herrera-Criminal Procedure, Evidence and Spec Pro- Codal Ethics-Aguirre, Agpalo Basically, I used the books that were recommended by the 2004-2005 LSG in their old primer. I also read some of the review materials of the LSG, and UP Law Center. 3. Rest/Sleep time I sleep when I dont think that I can read any longer. I also take quick naps in between. How did you prepare for the bar? I studied hard and prayed harder. I went through a dry-run/mock bar examinations for all subjects, and tried to simulate the bar examinations to prepare myself mentally and psychologically. 4. Tips of how to study well The good study habits that you instilled in law school will carry you to the bar. Think of the bar exams as a war that you have to conquer and survive. Know your enemy, keep yourself healthy, stock-up on your ammunitions, prepare for contingencies like illnesses, personal problems, etc., practice discipline and restraint. Follow the path of those who have been successful before you, and do not venture on unknown grounds. Keep yourself surrounded by people who have a positive outlook not only with the bar but with life as well.

Keep yourself healthy, exercise....I took tai-chi and thats what I did every 6 a.m. during the review. Although I had the cold and cough during the exam days itself, my strong constitution helped me to remain focused during the exams. 5. Tips on how to answer the bar questions Do not tire yourself the night before the bar. Make sure that you get enough rest. Do not bother to cram and read reviewers, etc. that you have not read before. Ive never been a believer of last minute bar exam tips, they will only make you confused and stressed. Read them leisurely, and only when you have the time. Start strong... impress the examiner from the very beginning. You should always keep in mind who your audience/reader is, he/she is looking for key words and principles that will make him/her convinced that you are worthy of becoming a lawyer. Be conscious of the time element. Skip questions that you cannot answer in the meantime, just make sure that you leave enough space to write your answer when you are ready to do so. Do not be discouraged. I have one of the ugliest handwritings not only in my class, but in my batch as well. Not only my classmates, but my professors, would always make fun of my handwriting. Just make an effort to make it legible enough for it to be read by the examiner. I recommend that you make your letters big and straight. Remember, after passing the bar, you can always make use of the computer and relieve yourself of the burden of using long-hand. :) If you do not get to sleep the night before the exam, do not panic. I myself got to sleep for only an hour during my first week, and for 30 minutes during my second week. What I did was to rest and lay my head during breaks.