The graduate of Bukidnon State University (BukSU) who placed 14th in the 2025 Bar Examinations juggled full time work and motherhood while earning her law degree.

Gerilin Gascon is the only topnotcher from a school in Mindanao. Based on results released by the Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, she passed the bar with a 89.79 percent rating.

But what made her landing in the Top 20 truly a feat was her ability to manage her work as an accountant at a bank, motherhood, and law studies.

She has been working at a bank in Malaybalay City since 2013.

“I work as an account officer. As an account officer, we market loans, negotiate with clients, package loan proposals, documentation, collection, plus remedial management of these accounts. So, part of this job is foreclosure proceedings, loan documentation, and coordination also with other government agencies,” she shared.

Gascon said her inspiration has always been her family.

“All this time, my family was really my greatest inspiration. I can still remember when there was a time when I was about to give up and go back instead of working then cancel my study leave. And then my youngest son approached me and said, ‘Mom, dreams do come true when you work hard,’ so that simple line from a kid who is only nine years old kept me going throughout my bar journey,” she said.

For now, she is enjoying incorporating her legal knowledge into her work.

“For now, I'm still enjoying incorporating my legal knowledge into my work because I already have the opportunity to apply the law based on my job description, like loan documentation. So even when I was still a student, I was already applying it, so I'm still enjoying it for now,” Gascon said.

EXCELLENT, DILIGENT

BukSU College of Law faculty member, Micah Stefan Dagaerag, said Gascon never cut corners when it came to her studies.

“Since her law student days, we have always identified Gascon as particularly excellent and diligent in her studies despite her being a full-time mother and full-time government employee,” he said.

The university’s College of Law attributed Gascon’s success and that of other graduates to examination preparation initiatives such as Bar Exam drill, which included mock examinations reviewed by faculty members, and one-on-one coaching sessions by volunteer alumni mentors.

“Through innovative pedagogy, responsive curriculum development, and a culture of mentorship, we have consistently prepared candidates to meet the rigorous demands of the Bar and to enter the legal profession with competence, integrity, and fidelity to the rule of law,” BukSU College of Law Dean, Ophelia Pilar Rubio-Zamora, said.

At least 31 BukSU examinees passed the 2025 Bar.

“This accomplishment reflects our enduring legacy of academic excellence and public service, and affirms our institutional commitment to producing graduates who embody the values of the legal profession and who are prepared to serve society with distinction,” she added.

“Actually, BUKSU College of Law is really one of my motivations because there was one time when I really prayed to the Lord, especially after the last bar exam. I really prayed. There was that one time I remember, "Lord, I want to give honor to BukSU." So I am also happy, more than for myself, I'm happier for BukSU. Because in the College of Law family, I know they did their best. The professors also did their best for this to happen,” she said further.

GIVING BACK

Now that she is a lawyer, Gascon said one of her goals is to offer free legal sessions or consultations in rural communities.

“Actually, since day one of studying law, I believe that awareness of the law will help improve our community. Because making people aware of their rights and the law will minimize abuses and crimes. Because when a person knows how to assert his or her rights, and when he or she knows that his or her right is being violated, then he or she can avail of legal remedies. So that starts with awareness. So that's also what I want to do in my own little ways, engage with rural communities and conduct legal sessions or consultations for them,” she said.

Her message for future examinees from her school is to trust the process.

“Continue working hard, trust the process, and honor BukSU College of Law and your professors through your hard work,” she said.