‘Dreaming To Become Priest, Lands Number 8 In Bar Instead’

May 3, 2020 Headlines

BAGUIO CITY (April 29, 2020) — As a young boy, Philippine Bar 2019 number 8, Anton Luis Avila, 29, dreamt to become a ‘man of the cloth’.
But in Ateneo, Anton finished Applied Science in Math. He was deeply into music, said his father, former youth representative, Baguio City councilor and veteran criminal lawyer Edgar Avila.
At Ateneo, Anton was a member of the Ateneo Glee Club. He pursued his love for music at the UP Conservatory of Music for two years.
Then another two years at Thompson Reuters. Returning back to Baguio, Anton taught math at SLU for the undergraduate classes then began his law career.
Some five years ago, changed everything, he said. ”I saw how a lawyer can help in problems no one else can solve,” he offered. “I saw that from my dad and that was when the dream began.” He was a consistent Dean’s Lister at the SLU’s School of Law.
He admits his father’s shadows made his turn for the love of law. The elder Avila was once Dean of the SLU’s School of Law.
But for the younger unassuming Avila, never at all did he dream of topping the bar.
“I know that there are at least 2, 103 examinees, probably even more, who deserve this spot than me. It’s a big enough blessing to even pass the bar, much more to top it,” he said.
“I stand on the shoulders of giants. I wouldn’t have passed the bar without the help of my family, my friends, and my professors from law school.
This victory is as much theirs as it is mine,” the topnotcher beamed, adding, “I offer this victory to those who helped me pass the bar.
“The light of the north shines on bright as (Avila) lands on the top ten of the bar exams,” the SLU School of Law said in a statement.
Avila’s feat ended over three decades of SLU’s non-entry to the exclusive circle, Atty. Lilybeth Sindayen Libiran proudly stated. It was 1988 when SLU last entered the mythical top ten and only got as close to 15th spot in 2017, she offered.
Coincidentally, Atty. Sindayen-Libiran is a partner at the Avila Law, headed by the the topnotcher’s proud father. “We are the proudest parents in town although this time, he got a higher grade than me in the bar,” the elder Avila remarked and also intending a pun. “To God be the glory.”
The topnotcher said he will practice law in the city, “so that I can contribute here.” ‘Not so soon into politics,’ he though dismissed.
Ace Alegre/ABN