Women dominate 2016 Bar Exams top-notcher list

The 2016 Bar Exam results proved to be historic — the 59.06% passing rate is the highest in recent years and it is the first year that not a single Metro Manila-based school placed in the top 10.

University of San Carlos took four spots, including that of top-notcher Karen Mae Calam, and Silliman University took three spots.

Joining Calam at the top are seven other women: Alanna Gayle Ashley Khio, Fiona Cristy D. Lao, Athalia B. Liong, Allana Mae A. Babayen-On, Anne Margaret E. Momongan, Nia Rachelle M. Gonzales, and Marie Chielo H. Ybio.

Justin Ryan D. Morilla, Mark Dave M. Camarao, Jefferson L. Gomez, and Andrew Stephen D. Liu complete the list.

First placer Calam is also a Certified Public Accountant, working at SVG&Co accounting firm. She was at the Bureau of Internal Revenue office office filing an income tax return of a client when she was informed of the results.

She and fellow top 10 passer Momongan were photographed by an officemate sharing a tight embrace upon hearing the news. —Aya  Tantiangco/ALG, GMA News