Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 15)— The top-ranked examinee of the 2023 Bar exams who is from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) received a total of nearly ₱2 million in cash gifts, an alumni foundation said on Friday.

The UST Law Alumni Foundation, Inc. said Ephraim Bie was awarded a plaque of recognition during a testimonial program, and presented with ₱1.25 million from the Divina Law Foundation, ₱200,000 from UST Law Alumni Foundation, and half a million pesos from Atty. Reginaldo Oben of The Oben Group of Companies.

The foundation said all UST Bar passers were also presented with ₱5,000 in cash and an all-expense paid trip to Japan.

Meanwhile, the San Beda University College of Law held a “victory bonfire” on Thursday to celebrate its new Bar passers.

On Dec. 5, the Supreme Court announced a total of 3,812 passers out of 10,387 who took the tests.

READ:

Bar topnotchers: Self-awareness, strong moral code are a lawyer’s best tools

3,812 pass 2023 Bar exams; topnotcher from UST