59-year-old man passes 2025 Bar Exams on 11th attempt

 

MANILA, Philippines – “Try lang. Hangga't buhay, may pag-asa.”

This simple motto guided 59-year-old Eduardo Regio, who finally succeeded in the 2025 Bar Examinations after 11 attempts—a milestone that highlights his determination and lifelong dream to become a lawyer.

Speaking in interviews, Regio recalled that he first took the Bar in 1993, when he was in his early twenties. Through the years, he encountered repeated disappointments and moments when he nearly gave up. However, he shared that hope kept pushing him to try again.

“1993, kumuha lang ako for the sake of taking. Then until 2005 no'ng na five strike, ‘yon ‘yong huling kuha ko. Nag-take ulit ako in 2015, but unluckily, 72.93%. Then sumunod, ganoon ulit, nag-try ako 2023, but 73.940 something,” Regio told GMA News.

He was referring to the Supreme Court’s “five-strike rule,” which limits candidates to five attempts and requires a one-year refresher course for the fourth and fifth tries.

After many years, Regio decided that the 2025 Bar would be his final attempt. He shared that he approached the exams with calm acceptance, ready for any outcome, yet quietly hopeful that his long journey would finally bear fruit.

"Sabi ko bigyan ko ng last try… Kahit papaano, hindi ako masyadong nakapaghanda noon. Tinuloy ko nag-request ako sa PUP, nag-review ako doon. Then ipinagkatiwala ko na sa Diyos. Kung ibibigay Mo, ibibigay Mo. Pag hindi wala na akong magagawa,” he said.

Once the exams ended, Regio went back to the Supreme Court headquarters—something he had not done in years—to personally await the release of the results. There, he found out that he had finally passed, a moment he described as unforgettable and deeply meaningful.

For Regio, his journey proves that age, time, and repeated failures cannot stop a determined heart—and that sometimes, a final attempt is all one needs.