Interview by Clarisse P. Marquez
“Life is like a game of chess. To win you have to make a move.” – Allan Rufus
Atty. Mark John Simondo, who topped the 2017 Bar Examinations with a score of 91.05%, uttered in his casual and composed demeanor, “If I were a chess piece, I would probably be a knight.”
Like a game of chess, Simondo had his moves calculated the moment he set foot in law school.
“My biggest advantage was my degree of preparation for pre-bar review. I began my preparations for the bar exams on the first day of law school”.
Like a real life knight, Simondo had capitalized on “strategy.” He knew that each move would forge his path but one wrong move could also set forth dire consequences.
“I had to revise my strategy a few times. I placed more emphasis on proper pacing than outright speed.”
But just like any other bar examinee, Simondo was human after all.
For him, the Bar Exam journey was like an endless marathon. He stressed that the secret to acing the bar lies with proper pacing. One must know when to take it easy and when to employ every ounce of energy you have.
“I increased my pace by several notches right when many (bar examinees) were starting to get burned out.”
This is what also led him to become an extraordinary law student. His professors and law school friends believed that one day he would bring honor to his school and top the bar.
By knowing which moves to make and by employing the lessons for each struggle he has encountered along the way, he became each and every chess piece of his law school journey. The same pieces and precise moves had led him to conquer the 2017 bar exams.
“It is natural to feel intimidated. What is not natural is not doing anything to overcome your fear.”
Despite being in a battlefield where expectations are always higher towards law schools in Manila, Simondo from Bacolod had the checkmate.
“While I may not have the same reach as the bishop, tower, or the queen, I am (knight) the one you have to watch out for every time you make a move because you seldom see me coming.”
THE BARRISTER 