Blood, sweat, bar tears: Divina says ‘you’ve got this’

Ever survived the Bar exams? 

We’re talking straight-up inferno: the heart-pounding rush of anxiety meets fire on the big day, soul-crushing practice tests that make you question life, and harsh all-nighters buried in case digests. It’s the crazy, passionate journey of every Filipino law student.

Dean Nilo T. Divina, the DAILY TRIBUNE’s legal counsel and columnist, has transformed the relentless grind into pure gold. CentralBooks named him “the best-selling law book author of all time” on 28 January, a huge endorsement of his endeavor to make law feel human.

As dean of UST Faculty of Civil Law, Bar review champ, and Magnificus Juris founder since 2011, Divina’s got this talent for converting “impossible” into “I’ve got this.” 

CentralBooks went all-in, proclaiming his 2025 Divina Compendious Bar Review Series the all-time top seller — because it gets the excitement of Bar seekers and students everywhere.

Divina’s 2011-founded Bar review institution, Magnificus Juris, views the honors as validation of its mission, giving accessible, inexpensive Bar prep nationally. 

Just one day later, DivinaLaw celebrated another win — a fresh Anvil Award at the 61st Annual Anvil Awards in the Public Relations Programs — Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)/Good Governance category.

Here’s what Atty. Nilo Divina shared with DAILY TRIBUNE:

How did you feel when you learned that you would be recognized as the best-selling law book author of all time?

I was deeply humbled — and, to be honest, surprised. Lawyers are trained to be cautious with superlatives. But beyond the title, what truly moved me was the realization that hundreds of students trusted these books during one of the most demanding moments of their lives. On a personal note, this recognition is especially meaningful because the idea of writing a reviewer was originally meant for my son. In the end, it found its way to many other students — whom I also consider my children in law.

What challenges did you face in making legal materials both comprehensive and accessible to students?

The challenge was balance. Law is complex, technical and often intimidating. The task was to remain doctrinally sound and jurisprudentially current, while presenting the material clearly enough for a Bar examinee studying late at night, under pressure. Clarity, I learned, is not a compromise of rigor — it is a form of respect for the learner.

What advice would you give to aspiring law students and Bar examinees who rely on review books?

Use review books as guides, not substitutes for understanding. They should help you organize, recall and apply concepts—but they cannot think for you. Read with intention, understand the principles behind the rules, and trust your judgment. The Bar is not merely a test of memory; it is a test of reasoning and discernment.

How do you see the future of Bar review education in the Philippines?

Bar review education will continue to evolve toward integration—combining doctrinal mastery with problem-solving, writing discipline and digital accessibility. But at its core, Bar review will always be about mentorship. Technology will help, but guidance and clarity will remain indispensable.

In what ways do you hope your work will continue to shape legal education and legal practice?

I hope my work continues to make the law less intimidating and more humane. If students approach the law with confidence rather than fear, and practice it with integrity and empathy, then the books have served their purpose.

Why is the recognition described as a “double milestone” for Dean Divina?

It is a double milestone because it honors both the author and the body of work. One recognizes a personal journey as a legal educator and writer; the other affirms that the Compendious series has consistently served the needs of law students and Bar examinees across generations.

What does the success of the Divina Compendious Bar Review Series suggest about the needs of law students and Bar examinees?

It shows that students value materials that are clear, structured, updated and respectful of their time. They want reviewers that are rigorous but humane — materials that understand the pressure they face and help them study smarter.

How might these recognitions influence aspiring law students’ choice of review materials?

I hope they encourage students to choose materials based on credibility and consistency. Awards may open doors, but it is trust and results that sustain them.

What is the significance of accessible and affordable Bar review education, as emphasized by Magnificus Juris?

Accessible and affordable Bar review education levels the playing field. Talent should never be limited by resources. When review materials are within reach, more students are empowered to succeed — and that, to me, is the most meaningful measure of impact.

At the end of the day, this recognition is not just about books sold or titles conferred. It is about shared journeys — of students who persevered, teachers who guided, families who sacrificed, and a legal community that continues to believe in the power of education. If the Compendious series has helped even a few students believe in themselves a little more during the Bar journey, then every page written was worth it.