CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – A Bukidnon banker emerged as the only examinee from Mindanao to crack the top 20 in the 2025 Bar Exam.

Gerilin Ano-os Gascon, a law graduate of Bukidnon State University (BukSU) in Northern Mindanao, placed 14th with a rating of 89.71%.

At the Land Bank of the Philippines in Malaybalay City where she works, news of her achievement sparked cheers and applause as colleagues flanked her, phones flashing to capture the moment, on Wednesday, January 7.

Gascon, a certified public accountant and mother of two boys and a girl, hails from San Francisco, Agusan del Sur, in Caraga. 

She earned her accountancy degree from Central Mindanao University (CMU)  in 2012 before pursuing law at BukSU.

In a statement posted on its Facebook page, the BukSU-College of Law said Gascon’s achievement “stands as a testament to the collective commitment of the college, its faculty, students, and administration in sustaining the highest standards of legal instruction.”

It said Gascon’s distinction as the only one from Mindanao to make it to the top 20 list “represents not only a personal success but also a proud affirmation of the strength of Mindanao’s legal education institutions.”

It also said BukSu, which saw 31 of its law graduates passing the same exam, has trained lawyers for more than two decades, producing graduates the school described as “principled and justice-driven professionals” who are prepared to serve society with distinction. – Rappler.com