Mom Juggles Motherhood and Law School, Passes Bar: ‘Progress Isn’t Linear’

The 2025 Bar Exam results were released on January 7, 2026. Among the 5,594 bar passers was Ria Red-Ebuenga, a mother of one who went through her law journey with her daughter by her side.

Ria, 28, a private firm employee and a member of Smart Parenting Village, shared her inspiring story with Smart Parenting.

She found out about the Bar Exam results in the middle of Manila traffic. Choosing to work that day to keep her mind busy, she was later surprised when her husband and daughter picked her up with flowers.

“We were in the car, stuck in Manila traffic, just waiting and praying. Then a friend called and told us I passed. My first reaction was to cry—really cry. My husband was emotional, and my daughter kept hugging me.”

“It was my childhood dream to become a lawyer,” Ria shared. “There were no lawyers in our family, but I became fascinated with law because of what I saw on TV. Watching courtroom scenes and legal stories sparked my curiosity early on. I also thought becoming a lady lawyer was really cool, especially because of Legally Blonde.”

When she entered college, she was exposed to the realities of life. “I saw injustice, unfairness, and situations that needed change. At that time, I wanted to change something. I realized I couldn’t change everything, but I could help change one thing,” she continued. What began as a childhood dream slowly evolved into a deeper desire to understand the law and make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

Ria’s journey to becoming a lawyer was far from a straight road. During her college years, she took the PhilSAT (Philippine Law School Admission Test), certain that hshe would pursue law Law after graduating.

“My mind was set, and I was determined to follow through with this dream,” Ria shared. However, challenges came almost immediately. “We didn’t have enough money for me to enter law school right away. So after graduation, I decided to take a gap year to save.”

During that gap year, life took a beautiful turn. “While I was working, life had a beautiful twist—I got pregnant,” she shared. Even then, she told herself that having a child would not stop her from pursuing law. “I promised myself that as soon as I gave birth, I would pick up my books again, study diligently, and continue chasing my dream.”

Then came another unexpected turn: the COVID pandemic. “Classes moved online, and everything felt uncertain. I told myself I’d just give it a shot, that I would try, so I could finally start my journey,” Ria said. It wasn’t the beginning she imagined, but it was her first step.

“My husband and I were then 23 and 22, respectively. We were very young and still trying to build our own careers. He was very supportive of my whole journey.”

Ria was both a new law student and a new mother during the pandemic. She recalled, “My daughter was fully breastfed and was such a velcro baby. Balancing her needs with studying online was really, really challenging. There were even times when I had to take care of her during class hours.”

While she was still figuring out latching, breastmilk supply, and her baby’s milestones, she was also laying the foundation for her dream.

“It was still the pandemic, so I couldn’t really go out or socialize much. But when people started going out more, I was still stuck at home, taking care of my daughter and reading endless cases, books, and codals. It was mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausting.”

She hated admitting it, but exhaustion pushed her to chug three cups of coffee just to get through the day. She also also binge-atee to cope after long days cope after long days of studying and attending classes.

“I became physically inactive and gained a lot of weight. I experienced burnout with the online classes. I’m naturally a warm and sociable person, so that setup really took a toll on my mental health. Still, I’m grateful because I was able to study and keep learning while taking care of my daughter.”

When classes shifted from fully online to a hybrid setup, Ria felt both relief and renewed challenges. Seeing people again and having face-to-face interaction helped her mental health, but the hour-and-a-half commute, heavy readings, and caring for her daughter quickly added up.

As her daughter grew, Ria struggled with guilt over not being able to fully teach her herself. She eventually found a progressive school nearby that emphasized play-based learning and socialization. While her daughter learned and interacted with other children, Ria gained a solid three-hour window to study.

“I read my books whenever she was busy—while she was playing, napping, or during quiet moments at home. I studied while waiting for her class to be dismissed. I studied while waiting for her school plays to start. Literally, in any spare moment I could find throughout the day. I made sure to read, read, and read. I tried my best to be a present mom while surviving law school. Because my daughter’s the reason I did it all.”

During the review season, Ria made an unpopular decision: she chose to review at home.

“I initially thought it’d be better to move to another place, all alone. But I decided it’d be better if I just review at home and still be present for my daughter. I realized I wouldn’t be able to focus so much if I were just worried about my daughter every single time. I just couldn’t imagine myself being away from her for an extended period.”

She reviewed at home for three months before the bar exam.

“During review, I continued my usual routine. We’d prepare her for school. I’d take her to school. I’d study while waiting for her class dismissal. Honestly, I wasn’t able to finish all my materials. I wasn’t even able to answer all the mock bar exams. There were days I’d read less. And there were days when I didn’t even feel like studying at all. But I told myself to carry on. I made sure to make progress, no matter how big or small.”

Ria’s journey to becoming a lawyer was filled with surprises and challenges, and she learned to grow alongside them.

“I think I didn’t overcome them in the sense that they ever disappeared. I simply learned how to live with them. It was about adapting, figuring things out as I went, and making steady progress,” she said.

Counterintuitive as it may seem, Ria believes that acknowledging one’s limits is key. “It’s easier said than done. I accepted that I was limited. And I accepted that some things were completely out of my control. I learned to accept my limits and rely on God’s grace. Some challenges are simply beyond my control.”

“I learned that progress is rarely linear,” Ria said, reflecting on her journey. “This journey taught me resilience, patience, and humility. Small, consistent steps matter more than perfection.”

She also learned the importance of adaptability—making the most of her limited time and energy while balancing multiple responsibilities.

When everything feels overwhelming, Ria relies on a simple, tried-and-tested practice. “I pray. I remind myself that there’s a purpose behind everything I'm dealing with. Those things may not make sense now, but eventually they will.”

And finally, for parents who feel it’s hard to pursue their dreams while raising children, Ria leaves this encouragement, “For parents who are just like me, just show up and remember to be gentle with yourself. Accept your limits and lean on God’s grace. He won’t fail you.”

Looking for more inspiration? This Mom became a lawyer at 65. Read her story here.