MANILA, Philippines – Christian Drilon, who placed second in the 2014 Bar examinations, wants to shape the minds of future Philippine leaders. 

Drilon, a nephew of Senate President Franklin Drilon, was the valedictorian of Ateneo Law School Class 2014 and was editor of the Ateneo Law Journal from 2011 to 2014. 

He has been working as a paralegal for law firm Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & de los Angeles since February 2, but he also wants to teach in the near future.

“I’ve always wanted to teach. I believe it’s one of the more effective ways of shaping society because you get to influence the influencers. This is particularly true in a law school, where the students become eventual leaders of the country,” said Drilon.

He couldn’t celebrate immediately after his parents called him to relay the good news on Thursday, March 26, Drilon told Rappler in an interview.

Drilon was with 7 other blockmates in a hotel room where they checked in on Wednesday night, March 25, so they can wait together for the results.

“I couldn’t celebrate because I was waiting for the complete list. We wanted to check [all our] names,”  said Drilon.

Fortunately for them, everyone in the room passed the exam. 

A total of 1,126 out of 5,984 takers passed the exams. (READ: San Beda College graduate tops 2014 Bar exams) 

Irene Mae Alcobilla from the San Beda College-Manila topped the exam, while two graduates from the Ateneo de Manila University made it to the top 10, including Drilon. (READ: FULL LIST: 2014 Bar exams results)

Drilon scored 85.45% in the bar exams, just a hair away from Alcobilla, who scored 85.5%. – Rappler.com