Ephraim Porciuncula Bie, a graduate of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) and the topnotcher of the 2023 Bar examinations, has been awarded a total of P1.95 million in recognition of his exceptional achievement. The DivinaLaw Foundation granted Bie a P1.25 million cash gift. In addition, he received P500,000 from Thomasian lawyer Rey Oben and another P200,000 from the UST Law Alumni Foundation, Inc.
Bie, who achieved an outstanding score of 89.2625% in the Bar exam, is not the only one to receive such an honor. His fellow Thomasian topnotcher, Pio Vincent Buencamino, who placed 8th in the Bar, was also generously rewarded. Buencamino received P530,000 from the DivinaLaw Foundation, P100,000 from Oben, and P100,000 from the alumni foundation, totaling P730,000.
This substantial reward for their accomplishments reflects not only the recognition of their hard work and dedication but also the support and pride of the Thomasian community in their achievements. UST’s history of producing topnotchers in the Bar exam, including former chief justice Roberto Concepcion, former president Diosdado Macapagal, former senator Jose Diokno, and Arlene Maneja, underscores the institution’s longstanding commitment to excellence in legal education.