CEBU, Philippines — For someone who almost backed out at the last minute before the 2024 Bar exam, a graduate from the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Law not only persevered but emerged as the topnotcher, surpassing over 10,000 examinees.
Kyle Christian Tutor, 27, born in Lapu-Lapu City, achieved an impressive score of 85.77 percent, overcoming self-doubt and time constraints to secure the highest spot in one of the country’s most challenging professional exams.
Out of 10,490 examinees, only 3,962 successfully passed, resulting in a 37.8 percent passing rate, according to Supreme Court Bar Chairperson Associate Justice Mario Lopez.
Tutor’s remarkable performance stands as an inspiring testament to resilience and determination amidst adversity.
The Freeman was able to reach out to Tutor, who shared a few of his experiences in achieving the feat.
Behind the success story, the new attorney fought uncertainties and wrestled with his own fear.
"I doubted whether I was ready for the Bar exam and even considered backing out at the last minute," Tutor admitted, adding that the preparation for the Bar Exam put him to a great test.
“I was also full of self-doubt after every subject because I found all subjects extremely difficult,” he added.
For Tutor, time management was one of his toughest “opponents.”
“I had prepared a calendar with the list of materials that I planned to study for each day, but in the very first week of my bar review proper, I was already behind my schedule,” he shared.
While panic set in at one point, his response was to adapt. He shifted his focus, prioritized his weakest subjects, and relied on the foundational knowledge he built during law school.
Tutor credited his unwavering support system for helping him push through the challenges. He acknowledged his friends, who constantly reminded him of their shared “just go for it” mentality that carried them through law school. Prayer also became his lifeline during moments of doubt.
Kyle’s mother, Cheryl Gorrero Tutor, instilled in him the value of excellence from a young age.
“She would always tell me that ‘things aren’t worth doing if they aren’t done right.’ That influenced how I approached my studies,” Kyle shared.
In response, Cheryl told The Freeman that they only asked for her son to pass.
“We only asked for him to pass the exam because that is what matters after all.” She also expressed gratitude to UP and the Foundation for Liberty & Prosperity for the scholarship that supported her son’s education.
Tutor’s advice to aspiring lawyers is simple but powerful: preparation for the Bar Exam begins on the first day of law school.
“People who studied well and worked hard in law school have a greater advantage over those who study hard only during bar review,” he noted.
Kyle’s journey began long before law school. He attended San Lorenzo Preparatory School in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, before completing elementary school at the Christian Academy of Makati. For high school, he returned to Cebu and enrolled at St. Augustine International School in Lapu-Lapu City, and later graduating from the Philippine Pasay Chong Hua Academy.
He pursued his undergraduate studies at UP, earning a bachelor’s degree in Political Science before continuing at the same university for his law degree. There, he thrived as a scholar and leader, serving as Vice Chair of The Philippine Law Journal Volume 97.
His academic excellence was consistently recognized, earning him the Dean’s Medal for Academic Excellence and the Best Paper Award for Administrative Law. /ATO