Witness: Ephraim Bie, 2023 Bar topnotcher, greets with heartwarming reception by Thomasian Tigers community
The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Faculty of Civil Law hosted a testimonial dinner at the UST main building to celebrate the remarkable achievement of Ephraim Bie, who secured the fifth top position in the entire history of UST law in the 2023 Bar Examinations.
The victory event for Bie took place on Tuesday night, December 5, and was attended by a multitude of UST law students, faculty, and alumni. The evening began with a grand fireworks display, followed by a heartfelt testimonial dinner.
As Bie and Pio Vincent Buencamino, another topnotcher from UST who placed 8th in the 2023 Bar exams, entered the dinner room, they were met with cheers and applause from the gathered crowd.
Bie's achievement marked a significant milestone for UST law, as it brought the faculty back to the Bar's apex after a 21-year absence. The last time UST law produced a No. 1 passer was in 2002, when Arlene Maneja topped the Bar with a grade of 92.9%.
A total of 3,812 examinees passed the 2023 Bar Examinations, chaired by Associate Justice Ramon Paul Hernando, with a passing rate of 36.77%. Ateneo de Manila University emerged as the top institution among schools with over 100 candidates in both the "first-time" and "all candidates" categories.
Looking forward, the 2024 Bar exams will be chaired by Associate Justice Mario Lopez. The UST Law community, including Bie, marked their celebration by marching towards the Santisimo Rosario Parish church inside the UST campus.
For more information about the Bar exams, please visit our website.com.
During the celebration, Bie and another topnotcher, Pio Vincent Buencamino, were greeted with enthusiasm as they entered the dinner room. Despite the focus on legal achievements, the evening also featured a combination of sports and festivity, with Bie expressing his love for football while addressing the crowd.
