A 2025 Bar Exam passer caught attention for living up to his surname, which is the Filipino word for a “lawyer.”
Alvin Abogado, who initially earned a degree in Medical Technology, made waves for being among those who passed the Bar exams administered by the Supreme Court in September 2025.
His name quickly became a hit among humor-loving Filipinos, who noted that he is now truly living up to his surname.
“Mr. Alvin Abogado [passed] the 2025 Bar Examinations,” a Pinoy shared in “r/pinoy” Reddit community wrote on Friday, January 9.
Mr.Alvin Abogado pass the 2025 Bar Examinations
byu/HoseaMagdalo inpinoy
“Kahit hindi siya pumasa, Abogado pa din siya,” another Redditor wrote.
“Pinanganak na Abogado,” a Filipino on Facebook wrote.
“Congratulations, Atty. Abogado, apelyedo mo ay tunay na Pilipino. Sana ang gagawain mong paglilingkod sa ating mga kababayan ay tunay na makabayan, na hindi ka matututong maging kurakot gaya ng mga ibang matatalino na ginagamit nila sa pandarambong ang kanilang talino,” another wrote.
“Labeling theory,” a different Facebook user commented.
Alvin, whose surname literally means “lawyer,” said he has been jokingly called “attorney” for as long as he can remember.
“Bata pa lang po ako, may mga ganun na, bawat po makita ako sasabihin, ‘attorney.’ Eh, hindi pa naman ako nag-ta-take ng law noon,” he told ABS-CBN News.
Alvin was among the 5,594 examinees out of 11,420 who passed the Bar, citing his desire to better understand workers’ rights as his reason for taking up law.
He previously worked at a hospital in Camarines Norte. Alvin said he faced challenges as a job-order medical frontliner during the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that “compensation and discrimination” were the biggest issues they encountered.
“At kahit alam mo ‘yung karapatan mo, mananahimik ka na lang kasi hindi mo po alam pano ipaglaban. Discretionary (‘yung employment) sa mga appointing officer kasi pwede ka po nilang i-lay off, tanggalin, kasi wala ka namang mapuntahan sa Civil Service (Commission),” he said in an interview.
Alvin said he has no plans to leave the hospital, now that he has been regularized after eight years.
However, he added that he hopes to use his law degree to help those facing labor issues.
“Ang pangarap ko lang, i-spread ‘yung justice and ‘yung access sa justice ng mga marginalized people at tsaka under-represented,” Alvin shared.
Other personalities who also took the Bar and passed were actor Nico Antonio, former actor-model Luke Jickain and content creator Dora Dorado.
The Bar is the qualifying licensure examination administered by the Supreme Court. It tests aspiring lawyers on fundamental legal principles and the essential skills required of an entry-level lawyer in the country.
