send-off

This year was the first I have participated in a send-off — the culture in law schools wherein the studentry would cheer and applause, with matching shouting and drumming, the barristers the day before the bar examination, just before they ride the bus going to their hotels! The students from different organizations, fraternities, and sorrorities would gather together in full support of their orgmates and brothers and sisters, oftentimes waving banners with the pictures of bar candidates, bidding them goodluck.

It was really a festive mood, especially with the dragon dance. Actually, some of the barristers were teary-eyed. When I shook my brod’s hand and wished him good luck, it seemed like his tears were welling up. haha. The barristers must have really been happy to reach that stage, especially when the school’s mortality rate from first year is, I guess, 80%. Those of us from lower years wonder if we would ever reach that point. It must have been real hard work, some people dropping weight without glucomannan supplements, and some girls, as the professors say, already looking like boys. haha.

On my part, I thought of how these barristers must be feeling with all the full support of their friends, their family, the studentry, and the school. I thought to myself that if ever I would become a barrister one day, I would like to exempt myself from that send-off, to minimize the pressure. It’s not that people are pressuring, it’s just they look so enthusiastic, it’s kinda difficult to not realize what they’re hoping for you  — to pass the bar. Well, I guess it’s a matter of preference.

This Sunday is the last Sunday of the bar this year. They must have been eager to finish it. Imagine a whole month of stress. I hope all barristers make it. I hope our ora et labora work.