Three children of prominent legal practitioners and DAILY TRIBUNE columnists were officially sworn in as newly licensed attorneys at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan on 6 February, marking the culmination of years of rigorous legal training and examination.

Among those who took oath was Nico Antonio, an actor and son of DAILY TRIBUNE columnist Atty. Joji Alonso, who formally joined the legal profession.

Also sworn in was Enrique Martinez, son of DAILY TRIBUNE columnist Atty. Dindo Martinez and a graduate of the DLSU Tañada-Diokno School of Law.

Completing the group was the elder son of DAILY TRIBUNE columnist Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, senior partner of Topacio Law Office, who was sworn in Friday and has since joined the firm as its newest associate. He is a grandson and namesake of the firm’s founder, which was established in 1962.

For Enrique, the oath-taking capped years of perseverance and discipline in preparing for one of the country’s most demanding professional examinations.

“For me, you really have to be around people who are also taking the Bar. It makes it less overwhelming to see that everyone is at the same pace or going through the same struggle. It’s good to have a five- to 10-minute break to chat and share stories,” he said.

Déjà vu of sorts

Watching the process unfold, Dindo Martinez described the experience as a return to his own Bar review days.

“It’s like a very nice and enjoyable movie. I know what he was going through – the tension, anxiety, and everything else. It was like watching myself reviewing for the Bar. Becoming a lawyer is not just a matter of studying and passing the Bar. They had to be prepared for all the ups and downs, and know how to handle adversity and triumph over failure,” he said.

Enrique said the emotional strain of the Bar examinations was just as demanding as the intellectual rigor.

“The hardest part was the feeling that you were never ready. Every time I read, there were a lot of things that were new to me, even until the morning of the Bar. I just kept reminding myself: I’m close to that dream. Just one last step – the Bar exam,” he said.

His journey to the Bar spanned several years, beginning in 2018, pausing for work, and resuming law school in 2021.

After the oath-taking, Enrique described the mix of excitement and responsibility that comes with entering the profession.

“It was exciting, but I also feel like I’m back to square one. As a brand-new lawyer, there’s so much I don’t know. It’s both exciting and daunting,” he said.

The 2025 Bar Examinations drew 11,420 examinees, with 5,594 passing, the highest number of successful takers in recent years.

With their names now formally inscribed on the roll of attorneys, the three newly sworn lawyers begin their professional journeys while carrying forward the legal legacies of their families.