Tinoc, Ifugao – A 25-year-old woman from the remote municipality of Tinoc, Ifugao, has made history after becoming the first known resident of the town to pass the 2026 Shari'ah Special Bar Examination, a milestone that has brought pride not only to her family but also to her hometown.
For Jessie Nikita Uybaan, leaving her hometown at a young age to pursue her education became the first step in a journey that would eventually lead her to one of the country's most specialized legal professions.
Based on the official results released by the Supreme Court on July 1, Uybaan was among the 235 successful examinees who passed the 2026 Shari'ah Special Bar Examination, qualifying them to become Shari'ah Counselors-at-Law.
Her name appeared as the 235th passer on the official list. While she was the last name on the roster, the achievement made her the first known resident of Tinoc to earn the distinction. Although no official regional records have been released, local reports also indicate that she may be the first publicly identified passer from the Cordillera Administrative Region.
A dream that began far from home
In an radio interview with Bombo Radyo, Uybaan shared that although she was born in Tinoc, she moved to Marawi City at the age of 12 to live with her aunt and continue her studies. She said her decision was driven by curiosity and a desire to experience a new environment, meet different people, and learn about other cultures.
Uybaan's mother works as a pharmacist at the Tinoc District Hospital, while her late father was a farmer who also served as a barangay official. She credited her parents for encouraging her to pursue opportunities beyond their hometown.
"My parents supported me and encouraged me, even, to step on my dreams. Because of their open-mindedness... eventually led me to travel far from Ifugao," she said.
Uybaan finished high school in Iligan City before earning a Bachelor of Arts in Islamic Studies major in Shari'ah Law in Marawi City. She later received a scholarship to continue her studies in Turkey.
Interestingly, becoming a legal practitioner was never part of her childhood dream. She initially wanted to become either a flight attendant or a psychologist. However, her studies in Islamic law eventually inspired her to pursue a career in the legal profession.
Her journey was not without hardship.
During her second year in college, her father passed away, forcing her to temporarily stop studying for a year as she mourned his loss and attended to family responsibilities. Despite the setback, she returned to school and completed her degree.
Before the examination results were released, Uybaan said she had already prepared herself to accept whatever outcome awaited her.
"Grateful po ako... lahat ng iniisip ko at that time is that, whatever the result is, I will be grateful so much more nung nalaman kong nakapasa ako. Talagang grabe yung praises natin kay God and I was just genuinely happy at that time," she recalled.
A highly specialized legal profession
The Shari'ah Special Bar Examination (SSBE) is administered by the Supreme Court of the Philippines for individuals seeking to become Shari'ah Counselors-at-Law. Successful examinees are authorized to practice before Shari'ah courts, which handle cases involving Muslim personal laws, including marriage, divorce, family relations, inheritance, and succession under the Code of Muslim Personal Laws of the Philippines.
Unlike the regular Bar Examination, the SSBE qualifies successful examinees to practice specifically before Shari'ah courts. Because of its focus on Islamic jurisprudence and Philippine legal procedures, it is regarded as one of the country's most specialized legal licensure examinations.
Now a licensed Shari'ah Counselor-at-Law, Uybaan hopes to promote education among young people and help women better understand their legal rights.
Her achievement has opened a new path for aspiring professionals from Tinoc, proving that neither distance nor humble beginnings can limit the dreams of those willing to pursue opportunities with determination, faith, and perseverance.
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