By Arabella Asis
The University of Baguio Law School graduate Anthony Mark Emocling became the first visually-impaired Bar Examination passer in the Philippines.
In a Facebook post, Narvacan, Ilocos Sur Mayor Pablito V. Sanidad Sr. congratulated his former student Emocling.
“Congratulations ANTHONY MARK DULAWAN EMOCLING!!! My blind student at the University of Baguio, School of Law (UBSOL) who against all the odds and despite being blind is now a Lawyer!” Vanidad wrote.
Emocling placed 1,407th in the 2022 Bar Examination.
In an interview with Philippine Information Agency-Cordillera, Emocling shared that he had difficulties due to the lack of materials suitable for visually-impaired students.
Emocling also thanked his family for keeping him strong despite the challenges.
“They never gave up on me. They believed in my abilities (and) that I can do it. I also have good friends that supported my dreams, and they are the ones who also helped me in reviews,” he shared.
During the exam, Emocling was provided by the Supreme Court with an encoder who assisted him in reading questions and inputting his answers into a laptop.
Now an attorney, he said he aims to be an inspiration to those who share the same dream as him.
“Believe that you can do the dreams that you put in your heart. Set a goal and make it happen. There will be failures along the way but use it as a guide to motivate you to reach your dream,” he stated. – gb
