After years of setbacks and steadfast persistence, a father finally claimed victory in the 2025 Bar Examinations, a triumph made more meaningful by passing alongside his daughter.

Ferdinand Narciso, a Project Development Officer 4 at the Department of Education (DepEd) Regional Office 2, and his daughter Mary Joyce Narciso, who currently works at the Disini Law—a law firm based in Quezon City—were among the 5,594 out of 11,425 examinees who passed the 2025 Bar Examinations.

In hindsight, the father-daughter duo’s shared success may seem inevitable; however, the journey was far from easy. Before they took the exams together in 2025, Joyce recalled attending her father’s Bar Operations, or BarOps, and salubong in 2005.

Joyce Narciso attends Ferdinand's Bar Operations and salubong in Manila.

The First Take

It was her father’s first try, and being around five to seven years old, Joyce traveled from the province to Manila with her parents. She remembered how vibrant the experience was, from people chanting to hearing the drum and bugle corps play, from seeing various emotions displayed on test-takers' faces. Joyce could not help but liken the experience to a national event.

“Noong maalala ko nung first time ko, talagang buhos. Binuhos ko na lahat ng mga kinakailangang preparation dahil yung mga nauna sa akin, mga ka-batch ko, silang naunang nag-take dahil medyo delayed ako ng one year. 2004 ako graduate. 2005 ako unang nag-take. So, naisip ko na [kung] kaya nitong mga kasama ko, bakit hindi ko kakayanin?” 57-year-old Ferdinand told DZRH News - Digital in an interview.

Like several others, he considers taking the bar exams a serious journey, also taking into account the cost of taking the bar examinations. “Halos maibenta mo na, 'yung mai-loan mo na, maibenta mo na yung ari-arian mo just to be able to overcome yung challenges as well as the obstacles of taking the bar.”

Joyce and Ferdinand Narciso during the latter's first bar exam in 2005.

At the time, Ferdinand said he was the last examinee to submit his notebook, detailing how nervous he was as the proctor warned him about the time of submission, when he had only answered seven out of the eight subjects on the test.

Although Joyce had a vivid recollection of her father’s BarOps, she clarified that she did not plan on taking up law. In fact, she studied BS in Chemistry as her undergraduate degree, adding that her parents were very supportive of her decisions.

“Sa totoo lang, after nung sunod-sunod na hindi pinalad si Papa, I guess nung lumaki na ako, medyo iniwasan ko mag law school kasi wala pang compelling reason for me. Iniwasan ko in a way na ayoko kasing ma-pressure din si papa,” she explained.

“Ayokong ma-put yung burden on either of us na ako yung tutupad ng pangarap niya. At the time, parang wala na siyang balak talaga mag-exam. So ako naman, may iba kong interests noon,” she added.

A Shift in Perspective

Joyce was in her fifth year of work when she realized that she wanted a career that would have a greater impact on society and the country. At that time, she detailed how several news reports on corruption, the killing of lawyers, prosecutors, judges, and journalists—individuals who were vocal about social and political issues—were spotlighted.

“Si Papa bata pa lang ako, kahit hindi siya pinalad maging lawyer, tumutulong na talaga siya sa kapwa. As in, yung puso talaga niya is service. That's why nasa government siya ever since. And doon ko na-realize na gusto kong sundin yung yapak ni papa in that term, in that aspect,” Joyce explained.

Joyce and Ferdinand Narciso during the latter's first bar exam in 2005.

She took the University of the Philippines’ (UP) Law Aptitude Examination (LAE) and waited for the results before sharing the news with her parents. Upon hearing the results, her father expressed interest in taking the exam again. While Joyce felt inspired by his determination, she admitted that she also felt pressure to pass the bar exams to honor her parents and give back to the community through service.

A Fighter for Rights

Ferdinand said that he had always been a fighter for rights. In the year 2000, he was teaching at a public secondary school—a profession that made him realize he also had to fight for his own rights.

“Noong time na yun, nabalitaan ko na sa kabilang bahagi lamang ng highway, sa tapat mismo…may nag-open na kolehiyo ng College of Law,” he said. “So ang ginawa ko, siguro pwede lang eh, mag-handle ako [ng tao]…iba kasi kung may authority ka, may title ka eh. may A-T-T-Y period ka para official at may authority ka na ipaglaban yung mga pinaglalaban mong grupo, yung mga naapi, etc.”

From then on, Ferdinand took night classes straight after work. One time, Ferdinand said that his professor told the class, “You know you have a classmate here who argues very well, who writes so well, but he applies the wrong law.” He said that experience made him realize that he needs to put in the extra effort studying.

Ferdinand would take the bar exams for three consecutive years starting in 2005.

Ferdinand would take the bar exams for three consecutive years from 2005 until 2007, and eventually in 2009. He also complied with the mandatory requirement of enrolling in a pre-bar review.

“Talagang magastos saka 'yong oras. So while working, naitawid ko na naman ‘yan until such time nga, I failed in my fourth try. So, narealize ko na, na wala na talaga sigurong pag-asa. Atsaka, naisip ko rin yung gastos eh. Because for every try that I had, 'yun naman yung misgivings naman sa aking family,” Ferdinand expressed, adding that his wife also understood the pain that he went through when he failed for three consecutive years.

Fifth Time’s a Charm

So what prompted Ferdinand to retake the test last year? During the interview, he recalled how a colleague of his exaggerated that a former friend failed the bar exams seven times. His colleague said that his friend could master the law, but could not interpret it.

The 57-year-old admitted that he got worked up, but the remark eventually inspired him, and he carried it with him throughout the review period.

The two were apart for most of the review period, with Ferdinand staying in Isabela and Joyce in Manila for work. Despite being in different locations, Ferdinand was still able to participate in the UP Portia Sorority’s virtual lecture series. The organization is a law-based sorority at the UP College of Law, of which Joyce is also a member. Three weeks before the bar, Ferdinand travelled to Manila and stayed with his daughter.

The two reviewed at different paces and would sometimes discuss what they had learned.

Small Manifestations, Big Results

On the day of the announcement, Joyce and Ferdinand were on leave from work, both awaiting the results through a YouTube livestream. Joyce shared that she did not check her messages because she wanted to see the results for herself.

“Nung pina-flash na yung names, una ko talagang hinanap, hinintay ko yung pangalan ni papa kasi totoo lang, yung dasal ko talaga kay Lord, makapasa si papa. Sabi nga nila pag magdadasal ka, very specific ka dapat. So sabi ko..’Lord, dalawa po sana kaming makapasa ni papa,” Joyce said.

“Pero deep within talaga, kung papipiliin man, gusto ko si papa yung makapasa kasi pangarap talaga niya 'to. Since the very start, since bata pa ako, siguro before pa ako pinanganak. So, nung nakita ko yung pangalan ni papa—pangalan pa lang niya nakita ko—umiyak na ako. Kasi, alam mo 'yun, sobrang saya. Tapos saka ko na lang binalikan yung pangalan ko,” she added.

Throughout the process, Ferdinand and Joyce always wished each other success.

Meanwhile, Ferdinand admitted that he had always feared the live release, even going so far as to turn off his phone.

“Pero not for bragging, nitong fifth take ko, very positive ang manifestation ko talaga…at that moment na na-approve yung leave ko for the review. Actually, bumili na ako ng pair of shoes ko, yung balat. Tinabi ko na yung pantalon at yung black suit. Talagang…nilagay ko na doon, ‘ito ang isusuot ko.’ At yung sapatos na 'yun, saka ko lang isusuot sa oath taking,” he said.

A day before the announcement, Ferdinand shared that he watched a movie titled “Class Action,” a film about a father and daughter—both lawyers—who go up against each other in court. The story centers on a case involving explosion-prone station wagons, inspired by the Ford Pinto case.

On the day of the release, Ferdinand said he stayed downstairs and kept himself occupied, stating, “Hihintayin ko na lang yung sigaw nila. Pag sumigaw sila, yes, alam ko, pumasa ako. Pero hindi ko na matiis. Sabi ko...ang tagal.”

When the names were flashed on-screen, he quickly looked for the letter N to check whether he and his daughter were on the list.

“Nung papunta na sa amin, Nag hang pa [yung livestream]. So, may doubt na naman tuloy ako. Bakit wala pa sa N-A-R-C. Nung nakita namin yung Narciso…Doon na ako naiyak talagang talon ako ng talon. At doon na tumawag naman si Joyce,” he recalled.

During the interview, both Joyce and Ferdinand stressed the importance of having faith in oneself.

“Hanggang ngayon, actually, hindi pa nag sisink in. Talagang ganoon pa rin, ang saya-saya talaga ng feeling. Nagkikita mong pumasa ka sa bar [exams]. Lalong-lalo na at ang ipinagdarasal ko talaga ay ang aking anak,” he added.

“Lord, ipasa mo yung aking anak, hayaan mo na ako,” was his prayer at the time, though he could not verbalize it fully. On his second attempt, Ferdinand recalled that Joyce was in elementary school and had joined a national journalism contest.

“Sabi ko, 'Mama Mary, Lord, gawin mong champion ang aking anak at kahit na hindi na ako makapasa. Totoo nga nangyari. I failed diba? The second take. Siya ang nag-champion. Imagine mo, I never expected na mag-champion siya kasi mahirap din yung national journalism contest. So talagang bonus ito, dobleng bonus para sa akin yung pagkapasa ng aking anak din. Naming dalawa.”

What’s Next?

For now, Ferdinand said he is content with his work in DepEd, adding that he plans on fulfilling his promise to his officemates.

“So, ever since, ako yung nagiging kasama nila sa pagkakaroon ng boses ika nga. At naivo-voice out natin 'yan in every meeting, in every seminar, every capacity building training na isinasagawa namin. Though may offers naman for promotions, etc., and other agencies, I prefer to stay muna. Only time and calls for opportunity siguro magsasabi kung kailangan ko nang lumabas,” he said.

If allowed to practice law, he said that he is interested in litigation and possibly applying for a notarial commission. Moreover, Ferdinand expressed interest in putting up a law firm in their house, stating that lawyers are scarce in their area.

“Narciso Law Office. Diba ang sarap ng feeling na ang kapartner mo, ito, taga UP, at first taker. Siya [Joyce] yung actually yung inspirasyon sa kung ano man ang magiging next chapters pa ng journey namin after the oath taking,” he said.

One of Ferdinand's dreams is to establish a law office in their area: the Narciso Law Office.

Joyce has made a similar promise to herself and to her country. For now, she remains open to any path, focusing on making the most of every learning opportunity. No matter where life takes her, Joyce said that she intends to always return to the reason she pursued law school—to gain a platform to serve the community. Regardless of profession, she believes service and having an advocacy matter.

“Kung tatanungin man po ako kung ano po yung specific na advocacies na gusto ko pong ipaglaban, siyempre andyan po yung karapatan po ng mga kapatid at mga kaibigan po natin na members ng LGBT and of course, yung sa mga survivors, mga victims po ng sexual online exploitation of women and children. Kasi nagkaroon din po ako ng opportunity to work with an NGO, which is Sanghaya Foundation, Inc. They help the victims of OSAEC [Online Sexual Abuse and Expoitation of Children] po,” she explained, adding that she would also advocate for the rights of animals.

If the opportunity to work alongside her father arises, Joyce said she would gladly take it and wished that her father would fulfill his dream of litigation.

“For now po talaga, since batang magiging abogado po ako, I will look up to yung mga nauna pong abogado to learn. And of course, always remember to uphold justice and serve the people,” she stated.

Joyce believes in service and having an advocacy, regardless of profession.

‘I-manifest Mo ‘Yan’

For future bar examinees, Ferdinand advised that you should also be interested in what you’re studying, stating, “If I were to say the line that to be a lawyer must be by choice, and not by chance. 'Yun yung initial na feeling mo sana.”

Having passed the bar exams at 57 years old, Ferdinand said that age is not a factor for him, but merely a number. He advised, “Maganda rin yung may kaunting hugot ka…ano ba ang trabaho ng isang abogado, kundi ipaglaban kung anong tama at what is fair and just. Kung may hugot ka ng kaunti, hindi naman lahat siguro na may hugot, mas plus factor mo ‘yan kasi you will be clinging to that hugot na siyang magdadala sa'yo kahit paano.”

“At siguro, yung mindset, yung faith, i-manifest mo 'yan. Ako, at the very start, sabi ko, medyo may pagka-pragmatic ako, hindi ako pala simba. Pero minanifest ko ‘yan noong nag-start ako ng review. I'm just so lucky that I have a fellow employee na isang pastor. Boardmate ko, dalawa kami sa isang boarding house. Alam mo, pagkagising, pagkain, pag-report sa work, pag-uwi, lagi niya ako pinapray over,” he continued.

For those willing to take on the challenge, Ferdinand reminds people that a quitter never wins. “I can attest, ‘yun yung mahahalagang mga criteria in my own level and opinion kung...paano ko particularly napagtagumpayan yung ating pangarap na maging ganap na abogado.”

"Kung may hugot ka ng kaunti...mas plus factor mo ‘yan kasi you will be clinging to that hugot na siyang magdadala sa'yo kahit paano.”

Joyce echoed her father’s message, urging future test-takers to persevere and have faith. She noted that even if one is not particularly religious, it is still important to believe in oneself. Moreover, she acknowledged that several factors—including circumstances—can influence outcomes, and a lot can happen between the review period and exam day.

Even so, she wants readers to take inspiration from her father’s story, stating, “Sana maging inspirasyon po [ang kanyang kuwento] na sumubok muli at hindi po mag-give up. Kung pangarap po talaga ninyo maging abogado, kung anumang pong propesyon na gusto po ninyo i-pursue, focus lang po and tiwala sa sarili po ninyo.”

“You always have to go back po to your why. Yung purpose po ninyo kung bakit po ninyo gustong maging abogado. Kung ano man pong rason yun, kailangan nyo po ng daily constant reminder po…kasi ‘yun po yung magtatawid sa inyo hanggang dulo…Nabasa ko nga po recently, ‘When things do not happen the way you planned, it will happen way better than you can ever imagine,” she added.

She continued, “Hanggang sa huli't-huli po, ang pag-aabogado po ay isang pribilehiyo. Pero gusto po natin talaga na maging accessible po to everyone ang pag-aaral po ng abogado at of course po, maging accessible po ang justice sa lahat po ng mga Pilipino.”