59-Year-Old Eduardo Rivera Regio Passed Bar Exam On 11th Try

MANILA, Philippines – Eduardo Rivera Regio is living proof that it is never too late to achieve a dream.

At 59 years old, Regio finally hurdled the bar examination after 11th try.

His journey, spanning over three decades, is a story of Bar Matter hurdles, heartbreaking near misses, and a father’s desire to teach his child about persistence.

Regio first took the bar examination in 1993, followed by several unsuccessful attempts.

His dream was quashed by a Supreme Court Bar Matter limiting candidates to five attempts to take the bar. 

At 59 years old, Eduardo Rivera Regio finally passed the Bar Exams after trying for more than three decades. When the five attempts rule was lifted years ago, he came back, again and again, even after near misses that would have broken most people.

Returning to the books after a long hiatus, Regio faced a string of near misses. In 2015, he scored 72.93 percent. Then, in what is supposed to be his self-imposed limit, his last attempt at the bar, he scored 73.49 percent, which is shy of the 75 percent passing mark.Eduardo says he kept going to show his five children that as long as you are alive, there is still hope.

It took 11 attempts, but the finish line was still waiting.