In Focus:
Perseverance and Faith: Atty. Recel Elumba’s Journey to Top 16 Bar Exam Success

“What’s important is [that] you keep the fire [of] your desire burning. The drive cannot die down. If you have that desire, you will do everything to achieve it.” – Atty. Recel Elumba

In order to fulfill the noble role of being an instrument of justice, one must champion the arduous path of complex legal principles, case laws, and ethical dilemmas in the qualifying licensure exams. Many are called but only a few are chosen. It is a path that challenges one’s hard work and unyielding passion; it challenges even the most well-prepared, but for Atty. Recel Elumba, this was a challenge she met head-on with perseverance, prayer, and unshakable resolve.

Amongst the 10,490 aspiring lawyers nationwide who completed the Bar examination on September 8, 11, and 15, only 3,962 passed. Atty. Elumba, who emerged as the Top 16, truly embodied the determination and culmination of years of hard work as she navigated her journey in the Jose Rizal Memorial State University – College of Law.

Before she attained the title of “Atty.,” Recel Elumba had already built a stable career as an accountant. She worked for a known bank in the loans department, a smooth-sailing life not only for her but also for her family.

“In [the] year 2019, I was assigned to Ozamiz City. Everything went very well; with my earnings, I can already travel and even bring my family with me. Everything seems to be sailing nicely,” she shared. However, when the Covid-19 pandemic hit, everything came to a halt. Travel restrictions, a negative RTPCR test, and the added burden of not owning a car became a challenge for her but opened a major turning point in her career. “With that, I decided to consider law school. I have to be in a status where even with any pandemic, I can still earn, without having to worry about traveling,” she explained.

A life-changing decision was made, and Recel’s supportive boss reassigned her to Dipolog City to alleviate her transportation dilemma. This decision paved the way for the eventual enrollment at JRMSU – College of Law, marking the beginning of her journey—one that would test her in ways she never anticipated.

Like any other aspiring lawyer, Recel faced the immense challenge of studying while balancing the demands of her career. “It is really a struggle juggling work with studies. But nothing is impossible if you really work hard for it and ask for divine guidance. With hard work and prayers, I was able to attain the ‘ATTY’ blessing,” she shared, highlighting the importance of persistence and faith in her journey.

The road to becoming a lawyer is notoriously difficult, but for Atty. Elumba, it’s about consistency, discipline, and faith. As she recognized the demands of the said exam, she adopted a clear preparation strategy: to “Read, read, read.” With her study tracker and a clear division of topics, she made sure every day was productive. “I have my own study tracker. Topics found on the syllabus are divided according to the number of my review days. It is important that you know what type of learner you are.” For her, early morning suits her best. She would study right after breakfast and take breaks at noon and dinner. Sundays were reserved for rest and spiritual rejuvenation, as she attended Mass and even visited a new church each week, keeping her spirit refreshed for the next day’s grind.

With the pressure and overwhelming journey to obtain success, she acknowledged that there were moments when she felt like giving up, especially when the exhaustion set in, but as she managed to cope with the process, listening to her body was just as important as studying, thus incorporating the Sundays as her rest day and recharge as “a reward for studying the entire week.”

When the results came in, Atty. Elumba found herself among the top 16 in the entire country – a feat that she describes as both a blessing and a collective victory.

“I honestly don’t understand the feeling. I am happy [that] I passed, as it is what I really prayed hard for. Maybe I topped because I have a community praying for me as well. I have my parents, my relatives, my loved ones, my LANDBANK family, and my friends, who I know prayed that I pass the exam […] You also need to surround yourself with like-minded people. I’m glad I have my Madiis, Sampaloc gurlies and BBC brothers during my review days. We only meet during meal times, and it is good that you still can have someone to joke around [with], with the limited time. After all, you cannot be serious 24/7; we still need breathers from time to time,’’ she reflected, recognizing the importance of the people who believed in her and supported her every step of the way.

Her advice to aspiring lawyers? “Take your law school seriously. The bar preparation is not just within the duration of the 6-month review period. When you take the exam, it is the voices of the professors that you will recall.” For her, the true test lies in internalizing the knowledge, embracing the struggles, and understanding that perseverance is the key.

Now, with the title of “Attorney” affixed to her name, Atty. Elumba reflects on her future while remaining grounded in her values. “I do not have any particular goal in mind right now. It’s a period of rejoicing with family and friends. Of course, prayers will always be uttered, especially with future legal opportunities,” she said. As she embarks on this new chapter of her life, she holds onto her mission to serve others and stay true to her purpose.

To aspiring lawyers looking up to her journey, Atty. Elumba has one final message. “Take it one step at a time and always remember that what matters to you more needs to be prioritized. Pray, always pray. […] If I can, you also can.”

Atty. Recel Elumba’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance, faith, and the support system granted by her community. From her journey during her first day in law school to her achievement as one of the top Bar passers, her story serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for aspiring lawyers. She encourages them to “keep the fire [of] your desire burning” because “If you have that desire, you will do everything to achieve it.”

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