Late city councilors son hurdles 2019 bar exams

By: Emme Rose Santiagudo

REX Marcus Sarabia, one of the passers in the recently concluded 2018 Bar Examinations, attributed his success to his mother, the late Iloilo City councilor and Regional Trial Court Judge Ma. Rita Bascos Sarabia.

In an interview, Sarabia recalled the day of the bar examinations when his mother prayed the whole day inside the church.

“Si mama didto grabe gid suporta niya. The day before wala siya natulog and wala man siya kakaon. During the exams, bilog nga adlaw nagpangadi lang siya, whole day kay kaintindi siya kung gaano kabudlay ang exams,” he said. 

Aside from his mother, Sarabia dedicated his success to God and his father, Atty. Rene Sarabia. 

Rex was among the 1,800 passers out of 8,158 examinees (22.07 percent passing rate) of the 2018 Bar Examinations.

Despite the tough exams, Sarabia said he was confident that he could pass the bar.

“Naga-expect ko nga makapasar ko kay after sang bar exams, medyo kampante ko nga mayo ang chances. But budlay budlay ang exam, one subject contained 45 questions,” he added.

As the son of a former councilor-turned-judge and a lawyer, Sarabia said he felt pressured to pass the bar examinations.

“Basically, ang nangin balay ko law office and halin sang gamay na training na ko, familiar sa akon. Ang pressure ara na, grabe ang expectations nga mapasar gid amo na siyempre kita indi ta magpapirde.”

He recalled experiencing self-doubt, one of his greatest struggles in law school.

“One of my biggest challenge was trying to conquer self-doubt kay tanan nga law students tanan gaduda sa ila kaugalingon, basi law school is not for them and basi indi nila mapasaran but I strived hard,” he said.

Sarabia advised law students and those who aspire to become lawyers to keep their faith, perseverance, and dedication aside from having a strong heart.

“Ako ya damo ko naagyan and challenges but you have to keep up great faith despite your fears and challenges. Dapat may kaisog ka gid, kay this is not for the frail heart. You should also have the perseverance and dedication,” he said.

Sarabia is running for city councilor in the May 13, 2019 elections.